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  • To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to encourage the transfer of intangible property from controlled foreign corporations to United States shareholders.

    HR #7749 | Last Action: 7/23/2020
    This bill excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, gains from distributions of intangible property by controlled foreign corporations to U.S. domestic corporations. The bill definesintangible propertyto include patents, copyrights, licenses, formulas, computer software, and similar items with substantial value.
  • Protecting American Intellectual Property Act of 2020

    S #3952 | Last Action: 12/20/2020
    Protecting American Intellectual Property Act of 2020 This bill imposes sanctions on certain foreign individuals and entities involved in the theft of trade secrets belonging to a U.S. individual or entity. The President shall periodically report to Congress a list of foreign individuals and entities that have knowingly engaged in, knowingly benefited from, or assisted in the significant theft of U.S. trade secrets that materially contributed to a significant threat to U.S. national security, foreign policy, or economic health. The report shall also list the foreign persons who are chief executive officers and board members of any foreign entity engaging in such theft. Individuals named in the report shall be subject to property- and visa-blocking sanctions. The President shall impose either property- or export-blocking sanctions on entities named in the report.
  • Foreign Trade Modernization Act of 2020

    HR #7408 | Last Action: 6/29/2020
    Foreign Trade Modernization Act of 2020 This bill abolishes the United States and Foreign Commercial Service and transfers from the Department of Commerce to the Department of State all functions that were authorized to be performed by the service under any statute, reorganization plan, executive order, or other provision of law. Specifically, the bill transfers to the State Department all contracts, property, records, and unexpended balances of funds, as well as all personnel. Further, the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs and the relevant diplomatic missions shall, through specified activities, emphasize (1) the promotion of exports of goods and services from the United States, particularly by small and medium-sized businesses; and (2) the protection of U.S. business interests abroad.
  • Foreign Trade Modernization Act of 2020

    HR #7549 | Last Action: 7/9/2020
    Foreign Trade Modernization Act of 2020 This bill abolishes the United States and Foreign Commercial Service and transfers from the Department of Commerce to the Department of State all functions that were authorized to be performed by the service under any statute, reorganization plan, executive order, or other provision of law. Specifically, the bill transfers to the State Department all contracts, property, records, and unexpended balances of funds, as well as all personnel. Further, the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs and the relevant diplomatic missions shall, through specified activities, emphasize (1) the promotion of exports of goods and services from the United States, particularly by small and medium-sized businesses; and (2) the protection of U.S. business interests abroad.
  • To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide an exemption from FIRPTA for interests held by certain foreign insurance companies.

    HR #4598 | Last Action: 10/1/2019
    This bill exempts interests held by certain foreign insurance companies from provisions of the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 that tax foreign individuals or corporations on dispositions of investments in U.S. real property interests.
  • Foreign Influence Transparency Act

    S #3313 | Last Action: 2/13/2020
    Foreign Influence Transparency Act This bill addresses foreign influence in higher education and in certain other academic, religious, and artistic pursuits. Current law exempts from foreign agent registration requirements a person engaging in activities in furtherance of religious, scholastic, academic, or scientific pursuits or of the fine arts. The bill specifies that this exemption applies only to those activities that do not promote the political agenda of a foreign government. Under current law, an institution of higher education is required to disclose to the Department of Education a gift or contract that is from a foreign source and is valued at $250,000 or more, considered alone or in combination with all other gifts from or contracts with a foreign source. The bill instead requires the institution to disclose such a gift or contract that is valued at $50,000 or more. An institution must include in its disclosure report the contents of any such contract and make the contents available for public disclosure.
  • Foreign Influence Transparency Act

    HR #7063 | Last Action: 5/28/2020
    Foreign Influence Transparency Act This bill addresses foreign influence in higher education and in certain other academic, religious, and artistic pursuits. Current law exempts from foreign agent registration requirements a person engaging in activities in furtherance of religious, scholastic, academic, or scientific pursuits or of the fine arts. The bill specifies that this exemption applies only to those activities that do not promote the political agenda of a foreign government. Under current law, an institution of higher education is required to disclose to the Department of Education a gift or contract that is from a foreign source and is valued at $250,000 or more, considered alone or in combination with all other gifts from or contracts with a foreign source. The bill instead requires the institution to disclose such a gift or contract that is valued at $50,000 or more. An institution must include in its disclosure report the contents of any such contract and make the contents available for public disclosure.
  • Foreign Entities Reform Act of 2019

    HR #3698 | Last Action: 7/12/2019
    Foreign Entities Reform Act of 2019 This bill requires broadcast, cable, and satellite companies to publicly disclose the source of content from foreign agents that is distributed to American consumers. In addition, such companies must report all requests for broadcast, cablecast, or origination time made by or on behalf of foreign agents.
  • Foreign Service Families Act of 2019

    S #1293 | Last Action: 5/2/2019
    Foreign Service Families Act of 2019 This bill directs the Department of State to include in the Foreign Affairs Manual an updated plan for providing telecommuting employment opportunities for the spouses of overseas Foreign Service Officers. The State Department shall facilitate employment of such spouses by providing regular career counseling, maintaining a centralized database of the skills of such spouses and available employment opportunities, and offering other employment-related assistance. (Currently, the State Department is authorized to provide such assistance but not required to do so.) The State Department shall establish a program to help such spouses access employment and education opportunities, modeled after already-authorized programs for military spouses. The State Department shall report to Congress on the status of the implementation of the Foreign Service Family Reserve Corps (a program designed to speed up the hiring process for eligible family members of overseas Foreign Service officers), including (1) an update on the implementation of a hiring preference for Corps members, and (2) an accounting of any Corps-eligible individuals who were unable to fill a position at new location due to an inability to transfer a security clearance. Family members of overseas government employees shall not be held to a higher employment standard for positions customarily filled by Foreign Service officers, Foreign Service personnel, or foreign nationals.
  • Rewards for Providing Information on Foreign Election Interference Act

    HR #7519 | Last Action: 7/9/2020
    Rewards for Providing Information on Foreign Election Interference Act This bill authorizes the Department of State to pay a reward to anyone who furnishes certain information relating to foreign election interference by a foreign entity or an individual who is not a U.S. person. Foreign election interference is conduct by a foreign person that (1) violates federal criminal, voting rights, or campaign finance law; or (2) is performed by any person acting as an agent of or on behalf of a foreign government or criminal enterprise. Such conduct may include any covert, fraudulent, deceptive, or unlawful act undertaken with the purpose or effect of undermining public confidence in election processes or institutions.
  • Stopping Foreign Businesses Sanctuary Act of 2019

    HR #702 | Last Action: 3/4/2019
    Stopping Foreign Businesses Sanctuary Act of 2019 This bill eliminates immunity from suit in U.S. courts for certain foreign entities, and their corporate affiliates, that are state-owned or state-controlled. Specifically, the bill provides for jurisdiction in U.S. courts over foreign entities that (1) conduct commercial activity in the United States, and (2) are incorporated in a foreign state in which state-owned or state-controlled entities commonly engage in commercial activity.
  • Foreign Extortion Prevention Act

    HR #4140 | Last Action: 8/2/2019
    Foreign Extortion Prevention Act This bill makes it a crime for foreign officials to demand or accept bribes to influence an official act or violate an official duty. An individual who violates this provision is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to two years, or both.
  • Foreign Robocall Elimination Act

    HR #5985 | Last Action: 2/27/2020
    Foreign Robocall Elimination Act This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to establish an interagency task force to study the most effective ways to combat unlawful robocalls made into the United States from foreign sources.
  • Prohibiting Foreign Election Assistance Act of 2019

    HR #3395 | Last Action: 6/20/2019
    Prohibiting Foreign Election Assistance Act of 2019 This bill specifies that information sought or obtained for a political advantage is included in the ban on foreign contributions to an election, and establishes penalties for related violations. Political committees must submit to the Federal Election Commission a written acknowledgement of the ban on foreign contributions.
  • A resolution emphasizing the importance of a career, nonpartisan Foreign Service of the United States.

    SRES #376 | Last Action: 10/24/2019
    This resolution highlights the nonpartisan nature of the Foreign Service and the oath taken by Foreign Service members to defend the Constitution and serve the people of the United States. It also condemns political retaliation against Foreign Service members.
  • Stop Foreign Payoffs Act

    HR #7526 | Last Action: 7/9/2020
    Stop Foreign Payoffs Act This bill prohibits certain government officials and their family members from holding foreign financial interests and also requires divestiture of any such interests in a prescribed manner and time frame. Specifically, the bill prohibits the President, cabinet officials, and Members of Congress from holding any financial interest in, or receiving payment from, a foreign business. Such individuals must divest any such interest by either converting the interest into cash or another investment, or by placing the interest in a qualified blind trust or diversified trust; divestiture must occur no later than 30 days after either the issuance of implementing regulations or after the individual takes office. The bill's requirements apply to the spouses, children, sons-in-law, and daughters-in-law of such individuals.
  • To repeal certain foreign affairs reporting requirements.

    HR #1677 | Last Action: 3/11/2019
    This bill repeals certain reporting requirements related to foreign affairs, specifically requirements for periodic reports on (1) world military expenditures and arms transfers, (2) U.S. activities related to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, (3) Foreign Services positions that require foreign language competence, and (4) U.S. assistance related to international terrorism.
  • Advancing International and Foreign Language Education Act

    S #342 | Last Action: 2/6/2019
    Advancing International and Foreign Language Education Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 and otherwise revises international education programs. These programs provide grants to institutions of higher education and related entities to (1) enhance instruction in international and foreign language studies, and (2) promote international business skills and education. First, the bill reauthorizes programs related to international and foreign language studies. Specifically, it extends (1) the Graduate and Undergraduate Language and Area Centers and Programs, which include the National Resource Centers program; (2) the Language Resource Centers; (3) the Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Programs; and (4) the American Overseas Research Centers. Next, the bill reauthorizes the Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships program. It also revises the program to permit graduate students to receive a stipend for the beginning, intermediate, or advanced study of a foreign language related to the student's area of specialization. Further, the bill extends the Technological Innovation and Cooperation for Foreign Information Access program. It also modifies the program, such as by (1) revising the types of available grants, and (2) allowing the Department of Education to establish a national database on international and foreign language education. Finally, the bill reauthorizes programs related to international business skills and education. Specifically, it reauthorizes the Centers for Business Education program. It also reauthorizes the Education and Training program and otherwise makes changes to the program, including by (1) renaming the program; and (2) mandating certain program activities, such as the incorporation of specified programs and studies into professional education and technical training curricula.
  • Get Foreign Money Out of U.S. Elections Act

    HR #746 | Last Action: 1/24/2019
    Get Foreign Money Out of U.S. Elections Act This bill bans campaign contributions and expenditures by corporations, limited liability corporations, and partnerships that are controlled, influenced, or owned by foreign nationals. The bill prohibits foreign nationals and such corporations, limited liability corporations, and partnerships from making disbursements to political committees that accept donations or contributions that do not comply with the limitations, prohibitions, and reporting requirements of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971. Corporate political action committees may make contributions and expenditures only if they comply with limitations on the involvement of foreign nationals and such corporations, limited liability corporations, and partnerships.
  • A bill to amend the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938, as amended to require news outlets that are agents of a foreign principal to provide adequate disclosure of their status.

    S #4207 | Last Action: 7/2/2020
    This bill requires a news outlet that is an agent of a foreign principal to provide certain disclosures. Specifically, any news outlet that is required to register as an agent of a foreign principal must include, in any transmission in or into the United States, that the transmission is made by an agent of a foreign principal and that additional infomation is on file with the Department of Justice.
  • Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Permanent General Provisions Act of 2019

    S #1819 | Last Action: 6/12/2019
    Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Permanent General Provisions Act of 2019 This bill makes permanent various foreign relations-related provisions. These include * a general requirement that expenditures under certain Department of State contracts for consulting services are made public; * a general prohibition against providing certain types of foreign assistance to a country whose duly elected head of government has been deposed in a military coup d'etat, a country in default of certain U.S. government loans, or a country that supports international terrorism; * a general prohibition against assistance by the Export-Import Bank or the Overseas Private Investment Corporation for the non-U.S. production of a commodity for export that will likely be in surplus and where such surplus will cause substantial injury to U.S. producers; * various requirements relating to how the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) handles funds for certain types of assistance; * a provision generally authorizing aircraft procured for certain State Department programs to be used in any other program or region; * a provision authorizing the extension of the employment of certain USAID personnel for up to four years; * a provision generally requiring certain foreign-relations-related programs to provide timely access to documents to the relevant Inspector General office; and * a provision authorizing assistance to certain countries for such countries to commercially lease certain defense articles from U.S. commercial suppliers.
  • Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Reform Act

    HR #8522 | Last Action: 10/2/2020
    Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Reform Act This bill revises reporting requirements, allows increased civil penalties for failure to report or knowingly reporting misleading information, and otherwise modifies provisions related to foreign investment in agricultural lands within the United States.
  • Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act

    S #3259 | Last Action: 2/10/2020
    Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act This bill prohibits the use of federal funds for purposes outside the United States related to abortion. Specifically, the bill prohibits funding to certain foreign or domestic organizations that perform or promote abortions, furnish or develop items intended to procure abortions, or provide financial support for an entity that conducts such activities. Current U.S. policy prohibits the provision of federal funds to a foreign nongovernmental organization unless it agrees to not perform or actively promote abortions.
  • Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act

    HR #5831 | Last Action: 2/10/2020
    Protecting Life in Foreign Assistance Act This bill prohibits the use of federal funds for purposes outside the United States related to abortion. Specifically, the bill prohibits funding to certain foreign or domestic organizations that perform or promote abortions, furnish or develop items intended to procure abortions, or provide financial support for an entity that conducts such activities. Current U.S. policy prohibits the provision of federal funds to a foreign nongovernmental organization unless it agrees to not perform or actively promote abortions.
  • Foreign Medical School Accountability Fairness Act of 2019

    S #3058 | Last Action: 12/16/2019
    Foreign Medical School Accountability Fairness Act of 2019 This bill revises the institutional eligibility criteria for a foreign graduate medical school to participate in federal student aid programs. Specifically, this bill requires all foreign graduate medical schools to meet the same minimum requirements to participate in the programs.