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Legislative Priorities
Our top priority legislation is listed below, under the area of greatest impact.
As a reminder, there are numerous steps to enacting a bill into law.
- The first step is to introduce it, with a Sponsor who is the author of the bill.
- Then, the bill is assigned to various associated committees for review.
- The leadership of these committees decide what will be discussed.
After that, there are more steps, outlined in the Working with Congress page on this website.
Each one of us has the power to communicate with our Members of Congress, and with the leads of the Committees, to let them know that any particular piece of legislation is important to us. The greater the noise we make, the greater the chance that the legislation will be heard in Committee and moved forward! So let your voice be heard!
How to do it?
Find your Member of Congress and two Senators: https://www.congress.gov
Main switchboard number to call – put this number in your phone for easy access: 1(202)224-3121 – make three calls, ask for your Member of Congress and your two Senators, and speak to whomever on staff answers the phone, sharing your thoughts as a constituent.
Legislative Priorities
Following is the slate of Legislation that The Peace Alliance is supporting, organized by the Cornerstone that is most closely related. We are constantly investigating and analyzing proposed legislation to determine if it fits our mission and vision to support. If you become aware of a bill that is not listed here, please let us know at [email protected].
Bills indicated by H.R. are House Resolutions, introduced in the House of Representatives. Bills indicated by S. are Senate bills, introduced in the Senate.
*H.R.1111 — 116th Congress (2019-2020) To establish a Department of Peacebuilding, and for other purposes.
What it’s about: Establish a cabinet level Department of Peacebuilding, to add a voice at the table in the executive branch to respond to conflict, violence, or the threat of violence both domestically and internationally.
Sponsor: Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-13] (Introduced tbd)
Cosponsors: (13)
Committees: House – Oversight and Reform
Latest Action:House – 02/08/2019 Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform. All actions.
H.R.1585 — 116th Congress (2019-2020) To reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act of 1994, and for other purposes.
What it’s about: This important legislation reauthorizes VAWA grant programs and makes modest yet vital enhancements to existing law.
Sponsor: Rep. Bass, Karen [D-CA-37] (Introduced 03/07/2019)
Cosponsors: (91)
Committees: House – Judiciary, Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Ways and Means, Education and Labor, Natural Resources, Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Action: House – 03/13/2019 Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 22 – 11. (All Actions)
H.R. 727– 116thCongress (2019-2020) Ending Corporal Punishment in Schools Act of 2019
What it’s about: To eliminate the use of corporal punishment in schools, ensure the safety of all students and school personnel in schools and promote a positive school culture and climate, and assist States and local agencies and schools in identifying and implementing effective evidence-based models to prevent and reduce corporal punishment in schools and aversive behavior interventions that compromise health.
Sponsor: Rep Hastings, Alcee L [D-FL-20] (Introduced 01/23/2019)
Cosponsors: (5)
Committees: House Committee on Education and Labor
Latest Action: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (All Actions)
H.R.37– 116th Congress (2019-2020) Directing the removal of United States Armed Forces from hostilities in the Republic of Yemen that have not been authorized by Congress.
What it’s about: Directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in or affecting Yemen within 30 days unless Congress authorizes a later withdrawal date, issues a declaration of war, or specifically authorizes the use of the Armed Forces.
Sponsor: Rep. Khanna, Ro[D-CA-17] (introduced 01/30/2019)
Cosponsors: (96)
Committees: Reports: H. Rept. 116-7
Latest Action: House– 02/08/2019 Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No 2. (All Actions)
S.J.Res 7– 116thCongress (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.
What it’s about: Directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities in or affecting Yemen within 30 days unless Congress authorizes a later withdrawal date, issues a declaration of war, or specifically authorizes the use of the Armed Forces.
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT] (Introduced 01/30/2019)
Cosponsors: (17)
Committees: Senate – Foreign Relations
Latest Action: Senate– 01/30/2019 Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (All Actions)
H.R. 8– 116thCongress (2019-2020) Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2019
What it’s about: To require a background check for every firearm sale.
Sponsor: Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-5] (Introduced 01/08/2019)
Cosponsors: (231)
Committees: House Committee on the Judiciary
Latest Action: House – 02/27/2019 On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 240 – 190. Senate – 03/04/2019 Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 29. (All Actions)
S 42– 116thCongress (2019-2020) Background Check Expansion Act
What it’s about: To require a background check for every firearm sale.
Sponsor: Sen Murphy, Christopher [D-CT] (Introduced 01/08/2019)
Cosponsors: (41)
Committees: Senate Committee on the Judiciary
Latest Action: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (All Actions)
S 66 – 116thCongress (2019-2020) Assault Weapons Ban of 2019
What it’s about: To regulate assault weapons, to ensure that the right to keep and bear arms is not unlimited, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Sen Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA] (Introduced 01/9/2019)
Cosponsors: (30)
Committees: Senate Committee on the Judiciary
Latest Action: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (All Actions)
H.R. 1296– 116thCongress (2019-2020) Assault Weapons Ban of 2019
What it’s about:To regulate assault weapons, to ensure that the right to keep and bear arms is not unlimited, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. Cicilline, David N [D-RI-1] (Introduced 02/15/2019)
Cosponsors: (191)
Committees: House Committee on the Judiciary
Latest Action: 2/15/2019 – Introduced in the House.
S. 184– 116thCongress (2019-2020) Gun Violence Prevention Research Act
What it’s about: To authorize the appropriation of funds to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for conducting or supporting research on firearms safety or gun violence prevention.
Sponsor: Sen Markey, Edward J [D-MA] (Introduced 01/17/2019)
Cosponsors: (41)
Committees: Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions
Latest Action: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (All Actions)
H.R. 674– 116thCongress (2019-2020) Gun Violence Prevention Research Act of 2019
What it’s about: To authorize the appropriation of funds to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for conducting or supporting research on firearms safety or gun violence prevention.
Sponsor: Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B [D-NY-12] (Introduced 01/17/2019)
Cosponsors: (85)
Committees: House Committee on Energy and Commerce
Latest Action: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary. (All Actions)
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