This week the House votes on bills related to protecting children and improving access to benefits for veterans. The Senate will vote on nominations for the ambassador to China and the deputy secretary of State. Senators may also vote on the first Trump appeals court nomination.
Look for two significant developments this week: the president’s budget will be formally transmitted to Congress on Tuesday and the “score” of the House health bill is expected from the Congressional Budget Office on Wednesday.
In the Senate: Nominations
The Senate will vote Monday on the nomination of Iowa governor Gov. Terry Branstad to be the ambassador to China. While he is expected to be confirmed by a large margin, the majority was forced to file cloture on the vote, rather than just proceeding through unanimous consent.
The Senate will also vote on the nomination of former Bush official John Sullivan to be deputy secretary of State.
In the House: Eliminating permitting requirements for certain pesticides
The House will vote on a bill that would eliminate the permit requirement under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) for certain discharges of pesticides if their use is authorized under the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, or in cases where the discharge is regulated as either a stormwater, municipal, or industrial discharge under the Clean Water Act.
H.R. 953: Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act of 2017
Sponsor:
Rep. Bob Gibbs [R, OH-7]
Child Protection
H.R. 1862: Global Child Protection Act of 2017
Sponsor:
Rep. Martha Roby[R, AL-2]
The bill would broaden the coverage of current laws relating to unlawful sexual conduct with minors.
H.R. 1842: Strengthening Children’s Safety Act of 2017
Sponsor:
Rep. John Ratcliffe [R, TX-4]
The bill would include state crimes of violence as grounds for an enhanced penalty when sex offenders fail to register or report certain information as required by Federal law.
H.R. 1188: Adam Walsh Reauthorization Act
Sponsor:
Rep. James Sensenbrenner [R, WI-5]
The bill would authorize the appropriation of $80 million annually over the 2018-2022 period for Department of Justice (DOJ) activities related to the registration of sex offenders.
H.R. 883: Targeting Child Predators Act of 2017
Sponsor:
Rep. Ron DeSantis [R, FL-6]
The bill would amend the current process for issuing nondisclosure requirements for subpoenas in certain cases of child exploitation.
H.R. 695: Child Protection Improvements Act of 2017
Sponsor:
Rep. Adam Schiff [D, CA-28]
The bill would require the Department of Justice (DOJ) to establish a program to allow organizations that provide services to youth, the elderly, and the disabled to obtain information from criminal background checks in the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprint database.
H.R. 1625: Targeted Rewards for the Global Eradication of Human Trafficking (TARGET) Act
Sponsor:
Rep. Edward Royce [R, CA-39]
The bill would include severe forms of trafficking in persons within the definition of transnational organized crime for purposes of the rewards program of the Department of State.
H.R. 1809 Juvenile Justice Reform Act of 2017
Sponsor:
Rep. Jason Lewis [R, MN-2]
The bill would authorize the appropriation of about $1.6 billion over the 2018-2022 period for the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to operate programs to reduce juvenile justice delinquency, assist runaway and homeless youths, and locate missing children.
H.R. 1808: Improving Support for Missing and Exploited Children Act of 2017
Sponsor:
Rep. Brett Guthrie [R, KY-2]
The bill would make several changes to the laws that govern the use of funds provided to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC), a nonprofit organization funded mostly by the Department of Justice.
H.R. 2473: Put Trafficking Victims First Act
Sponsor:
Rep. Ann Wagner [R, MO-2]
The bill would provide training to prosecutors on investigating and processing cases with a trauma-informed and victim-centered approach, and encourage states to provide appropriate services to victims of trafficking. It calls for reports on the implementation of state safe harbor provisions and on how to improve mandatory restitution procedures for victims of trafficking in federal courts.
H.R. 1973: Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse Act
Sponsor:
Rep. Susan Brooks [R, IN-5]
The bill would provide training to prosecutors on investigating and processing cases with a trauma-informed and victim-centered approach, and encourage states to provide appropriate services to victims of trafficking. It calls for reports on the implementation of state safe harbor provisions and on how to improve mandatory restitution procedures for victims of trafficking in federal courts.
H.R. 1761: Protecting Against Child Exploitation Act
Sponsor:
Rep. Mike Johnson [R, LA-4]
The bill would make it a crime to knowingly consent to the visual depiction, or live transmission, of a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct.
H.R. 2052 PRIVATE Act Protecting the Rights of IndiViduals Against Technological Exploitation Act
Sponsor:
Rep. Martha McSally [R, AZ-2]
H.R. 467: VA Scheduling Accountability Act
Sponsor:
Rep. Jackie Walorski [R, IN-2]
Sponsor:
Rep. Lee Zeldin[R, NY-1]
H.R. 1162: No Hero Left Untreated Act
Sponsor:
Rep. Stephen Knight [R, CA-25]
H.R. 1329: Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2017
Sponsor:
Rep. Mike Bost [R, IL-12]
H.R. 2288: Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act
Sponsor:
Rep. Mike Bost [R, IL-12]
H.R. 1545: VA Prescription Data Accountability Act
Sponsor:
Rep. Ann Kuster [D, NH-2]
H.R. 1725: Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery Act
Sponsor:
Rep. Timothy Walz [D, MN-1]
H.R. 1370: Department of Homeland Security Blue Campaign Authorization Act
Sponsor:
Rep. Michael McCaul [R, TX-10]
Also in the House:
H.R. 624: Social Security Fraud Prevention Act Exploitation Act
Sponsor:
Rep. David Valadao [R, CA-21]
Sponsor:
Rep. Dennis Ross [R, FL-15]
Please keep in mind that highlighting a bill does not imply POPVOX endorsement in any way. As always, our goal is to offer one more way to help you stay informed about the complex U.S. legislative system.
