Categories: NationalNews

How Much Work Has The U.S. Congress Accomplished This Year?

Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government that makes the nations laws and the two houses have equal but unique roles in the federal government.

Just exactly how much work has the U.S. Congress accomplished this year?

Bills passed by the House and Senate get presented to the President of the United States for his signature all the time. Yet most of the time, the general public doesn’t know what they are, what the effect will be, how to find them or what new laws have gone into effect.

Below is a list of bills or resolutions from the 116th Congress (2019-2020) that have been presented to the President for his signature in or if he has vetoed this year. Included are links to the explanation of those bills, the author, co-authors, committees and to the bills themselves.

Find the differences between the different types of bills or resolutions below.

Bills Passed & Signed, Vetoed Or Pending

1. Bill H.R.2030 Became Law — 116th Congress (2019-2020)

  • Colorado River Drought Contingency Plan Authorization Act
      • Sponsor: Rep. Grijalva, Raul M. [D-AZ-3] (Introduced 04/02/2019)
      • Cosponsors: (36)
      • Committees: House – Natural Resources
      • Latest Action: 04/16/2019 Became Public Law No: 116-14. (All Actions)

2. Bill H.R.1839 Became Law — 116th Congress (2019-2020)

  • Medicaid Services Investment and Accountability Act of 2019
    • Sponsor:
    Rep. Ruiz, Raul [D-CA-36] (Introduced 03/21/2019)

      • Cosponsors: (8)
      • Committees: House – Energy and Commerce
      • Latest Action: 04/18/2019 Became Public Law No: 116-16. (All Actions)

3. Bill H.R.1222 Pending With President — 116th Congress (2019-2020)

  • Target Practice and Marksmanship Training Support Act
      • Sponsor: Rep. Kind, Ron [D-WI-3] (Introduced 02/14/2019)
      • Cosponsors: (18)
      • Committees: House – Natural Resources
      • Latest Action: 05/02/2019 Presented to President. (All Actions)

4. Bill H.R.439 Became Law — 116th Congress (2019-2020)

  • National FFA Organization’s Federal Charter Amendments Act
      • Sponsor:
    Rep. Langevin, James R. [D-RI-2] (Introduced 01/10/2019)
      • Cosponsors: (5)
      • Committees: House – Judiciary | Senate – Judiciary
      • Latest Action: 02/21/2019 Became Public Law No: 116-7. (TXT | PDF) (All Actions)

5. Bill H.R.430 Became Law — 116th Congress (2019-2020)

  • TANF Extension Act of 2019
      • Sponsor: Rep. Neal, Richard E. [D-MA-1] (Introduced 01/10/2019)
      • Cosponsors: (1)
      • Committees: House – Ways and Means
      • Latest Action: 01/24/2019 Became Public Law No: 116-4. (TXT | PDF) (All Actions)

6. Bill H.R.276 Became Law — 116th Congress (2019-2020)

  • Recognizing Achievement in Classified School Employees Act
      • Sponsor: Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1] (Introduced 01/08/2019)
      • Cosponsors: (57)
      • Committees: House – Education and Labor | Senate – Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
      • Latest Action: 04/12/2019 Became Public Law No: 116-13. (All Actions)

7. Bill H.R.259 Became Law — 116th Congress (2019-2020)

  • Medicaid Extenders Act of 2019
    • Sponsor:
    Rep. Pallone, Frank, Jr. [D-NJ-6] (Introduced 01/04/2019)

      • Cosponsors: (1)
      • Committees: House – Energy and Commerce, Budget
      • Latest Action: 01/24/2019 Became Public Law No: 116-3. (All Actions)

8. Bill H.R.251 Became Law: — 116th Congress (2019-2020)

  • Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program Extension Act
    • Sponsor:
    Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2] (Introduced 01/04/2019)

      • Cosponsors: (7)
      • Committees: House – Homeland Security, Energy and Commerce
      • Latest Action: 01/18/2019 Became Public Law No: 116-2. (TXT | PDF) (All Actions)

9. Joint Resolution H.J.Res.46 —  Failed to Pass — Presidential Veto  — 116th Congress (2019-2020)

  • Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on February 15, 2019.
    • Sponsor:
    Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20] (Introduced 02/22/2019)

      • Cosponsors: (233)
      • Committees: House – Transportation and Infrastructure | Senate – Armed Services
      • Latest Action: House – 03/26/2019 The Chair announced that the bill and accompanying veto message were referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The Chair directed the Clerk to notify the Senate of the action of the House. (All Actions)

10. Bill H.J.Res.31 Became Law — 116th Congress (2019-2020)

  • Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2019
    • Sponsor:
    Rep. Roybal-Allard, Lucille [D-CA-40] (Introduced 01/22/2019)

      • Cosponsors: (0)
      • Committees: House – Appropriations
      • Committee Reports :H. Rept. 116-9 (Conference Report)
      • Latest Action: 02/15/2019 Became Public Law No: 116-6. (All Actions)

11. Bill H.J.Res.28 Became Law — 116th Congress (2019-2020)

  • Further Additional Continuing Appropriations Act, 2019
    • Sponsor :
    Rep. Lowey, Nita M. [D-NY-17] (Introduced 01/14/2019)

      • Cosponsors: (0)
      • Committees: House – Appropriations
      • Latest Action: 01/25/2019 Became Public Law No: 116-5. (TXT | PDF) (All Actions)

12. Bill S.863 Became Law — 116th Congress (2019-2020)

  • A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to clarify the grade and pay of podiatrists of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
    • Sponsor:
    Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA] (Introduced 03/25/2019)

      • Cosponsors: (1)
      • Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs
      • Latest Action: 04/08/2019 Became Public Law No: 116-12. (All Actions)

13. Bill S.725 Became Law — 116th Congress (2019-2020)

  • A bill to change the address of the postal facility designated in honor of Captain Humayun Khan.
    • Sponsor:
    Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA] (Introduced 03/07/2019)

      • Cosponsors: (1)
      • Committees: House – Oversight and Reform
      • Latest Action: 04/16/2019 Became Public Law No: 116-15. (All Actions)

14. Bill S.483 Became Law — 116th Congress (2019-2020)

  • Pesticide Registration Improvement Extension Act of 2018
    Sponsor:
    Sen. Roberts, Pat [R-KS] (Introduced 02/13/2019)

      • Cosponsors: (2)
      • Latest Action: 03/08/2019 Became Public Law No: 116-8. (All Actions)

15. Bill S.252 Became Law — 116th Congress (2019-2020)

  • A bill to authorize the honorary appointment of Robert J. Dole to the grade of colonel in the regular Army.
    • Sponsor:
    Sen. Roberts, Pat [R-KS] (Introduced 01/29/2019)

      • Cosponsors: (1)
      • Committees: Senate – Armed Services | House – Armed Services
      • Latest Action: 04/06/2019 Became Public Law No: 116-11. (All Actions)

16. Bill S.49 Became Law  — 116th Congress (2019-2020)

  • A bill to designate the outstation of the Department of Veterans Affairs in North Ogden, Utah, as the Major Brent Taylor Vet Center Outstation.
    • Sponsor:
    Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT] (Introduced 01/08/2019)

      • Cosponsors: (1)
      • Committees: Senate – Veterans’ Affairs | House – Veterans’ Affairs
      • Latest Action: 03/21/2019 Became Public Law No: 116-10. (TXT | PDF) (All Actions)

17. Bill S.47  Became Law — 116th Congress (2019-2020)

  • John D. Dingell, Jr. Conservation, Management, and Recreation Act
      • Sponsor:
    Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK] (Introduced 01/08/2019)

      • Cosponsors: (15)
      • Latest Action: 03/12/2019 Became Public Law No: 116-9. (All Actions)

18. Bill S.24 Became Law — 116th Congress (2019-2020)

  • Government Employee Fair Treatment Act of 2019
    • Sponsor:
    Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD] (Introduced 01/03/2019)

      • Cosponsors: (44)”
      • Latest Action: 01/16/2019 Became Public Law No: 116-1. (TXT | PDF) (All Actions)

19. JOINT RESOLUTION S.J.Res.7FAILED TO PASS – PRESIDENTIAL VETO — 116th Congress (2019-2020)

  • A joint resolution to direct the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress.
    • Sponsor:
    Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 01/30/2019)

      • Cosponsors: (19)
      • Committees: Senate – Foreign Relations
      • Latest Action: Senate – 05/02/2019 Failed of passage in Senate over veto by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 – 45. Record Vote Number: 94. (All Actions)

*Bill A proposed law introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate. A bill originating in the House of Representatives is designated by the letters “H.R.” followed by a number and bills introduced in the Senate as “S.” followed by a number. The sequential numbering of bills for each session of Congress began in the House with the 15th Congress (1817) and in the Senate with the 30th Congress (1847).

*Concurrent Resolution Legislation that relates to the operations of Congress, including both chambers, or express the collective opinion of both chambers on public policy issues. A concurrent resolution originating in the House of Representatives is designated by the letters “H. Con. Res.” followed by a number and concurrent resolutions introduced in the Senate as “S. Con. Res.” followed by a number. For example: H. Con. Res. 64.

*Federal Depository Library Congressional information and other Federal publications are available for free public use in Federal depository libraries throughout the United States.

*Joint Resolution Legislation considered to have the same effect as a bill. Unlike simple and concurrent resolutions, a joint resolution requires the approval of the President. Also, a joint resolution may be used to propose amendments to the Constitution. A joint resolution originating in the House of Representatives is designated by the letters “H.J. Res.” followed by a number and joint resolutions introduced in the Senate as “S.J. Res.” followed by a number. For example: S.J. Res. 2.

*Private Law A private bill passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate in identical form that has been enacted into law. Private laws only affect a private individual or individuals. A Private law is designated by the abbreviation “Pvt. L.” followed by the Congress number (e.g. 104), and the number of the law. For example: 
Pvt. L. 104-1.

*Public Law A bill or joint resolution passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate in identical form that has been enacted into law. Public laws affect the entire nation. A Public law is designated by the abbreviation “Pub. L.” followed by the Congress number (e.g. 108), and the number of the law. For example: Pub. L. 108-211.

*Resolution Legislation introduced in either the House of Representatives or the Senate, but unlike bills they may be limited in effect to the Congress or one of its chambers. The three types of resolutions are joint resolutions, simple resolutions and concurrent resolutions.

*Roll Call Vote There are several different ways of voting in Congress, one of which is the roll call vote, where the vote of each member is recorded. Not all bills, in fact, the minority of bills, receive a roll call vote.

*Serial Set The Serial Set contains the House and Senate Documents and the House and Senate Reports. The reports are usually from congressional committees dealing with proposed legislation and issues under investigation. The Serial Set began publication with the 15th Congress, 1st Session (1817).

*Simple Resolution Legislation that relates to the operations of a single chamber or expresses the collective opinion of that chamber on public policy issues. A simple resolution originating in the House of Representatives is designated by the letters “H. Res.” followed by a number and simple resolutions introduced in the Senate as “S. Res.” followed by a number. For Example: H. Res. 10.

*Statutes at Large The official source for the laws and resolutions passed by Congress. Every law, public and private, ever enacted by the Congress is published in the Statutes at Large in order of the date of its passage. Until 1948, all treaties and international agreements approved by the Senate were also published in the set.

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