Legis Daily

COVID–19 Accountability Act

USA116th CongressS-3683| Senate 
| Updated: 5/11/2020
Lindsey Graham

Lindsey Graham

Republican Senator

South Carolina

Cosponsors (9)
Rick Scott (Republican)Mike Braun (Republican)Thomas Tillis (Republican)Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican)Todd Young (Republican)James M. Inhofe (Republican)Roger F. Wicker (Republican)Martha McSally (Republican)Steve Daines (Republican)

Finance Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
COVID-19 Accountability Act This bill authorizes sanctions in relation to the Chinese government's response to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak. It also increases the research tax credit and imposes requirements related to the acquisition of items for the Strategic National Stockpile. The President shall periodically certify to Congress that the Chinese government (1) is cooperating with efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreak, (2) has prohibited wet markets, and (3) has released and dropped all charges for anyone involved in protests in Hong Kong related to COVID-19. If the President cannot make such a certification, the President may (1) impose sanctions on Chinese government officials, entities owned or controlled by the Chinese government, and individuals affiliated with such entities; or (2) prohibit Chinese nationals from obtaining student visas (i.e., F and M visas) or exchange visitor visas (i.e., J visas). With respect to the research tax credit, the bill increases the alternative simplified credit from 14% to 20% of qualified research expenses above a certain threshold. The Department of Health and Human Services generally may not purchase personal protective equipment, critical medical supplies, or certain fabric products not produced in the United States for the Strategic National Stockpile. However, this restriction shall not apply if (1) there is not a sufficient amount of U.S.-produced items available at U.S. market prices when needed, or (2) the purchase is worth less than $150,000.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 11, 2020
Introduced in Senate
May 11, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
May 14, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-6863
Introduced in House
  • May 11, 2020
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 11, 2020
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.


  • May 14, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-6863
    Introduced in House

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • HR 116-6863: COVID–19 Accountability Act
Agricultural marketing and promotionAnimal and plant healthAnimal protection and human-animal relationshipsAppropriationsAsiaCardiovascular and respiratory healthChinaCongressional oversightDepartment of Health and Human ServicesDetention of personsDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadDrug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulationEmergency medical services and trauma careForeign and international corporationsForeign loans and debtForeign propertyFraud offenses and financial crimesGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment studies and investigationsHealth personnelHealth technology, devices, suppliesHigher educationHong KongHuman rightsImmigration status and proceduresIncome tax creditsInfectious and parasitic diseasesInternational exchange and broadcastingInternational organizations and cooperationManufacturingMultilateral development programsPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsProtest and dissentPublic contracts and procurementResearch and developmentSanctionsSecuritiesSovereignty, recognition, national governance and statusStrategic materials and reservesTaiwanUnited NationsU.S. and foreign investmentsVisas and passportsWar and emergency powersWorker safety and healthWorld health

COVID–19 Accountability Act

USA116th CongressS-3683| Senate 
| Updated: 5/11/2020
COVID-19 Accountability Act This bill authorizes sanctions in relation to the Chinese government's response to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) outbreak. It also increases the research tax credit and imposes requirements related to the acquisition of items for the Strategic National Stockpile. The President shall periodically certify to Congress that the Chinese government (1) is cooperating with efforts related to the COVID-19 outbreak, (2) has prohibited wet markets, and (3) has released and dropped all charges for anyone involved in protests in Hong Kong related to COVID-19. If the President cannot make such a certification, the President may (1) impose sanctions on Chinese government officials, entities owned or controlled by the Chinese government, and individuals affiliated with such entities; or (2) prohibit Chinese nationals from obtaining student visas (i.e., F and M visas) or exchange visitor visas (i.e., J visas). With respect to the research tax credit, the bill increases the alternative simplified credit from 14% to 20% of qualified research expenses above a certain threshold. The Department of Health and Human Services generally may not purchase personal protective equipment, critical medical supplies, or certain fabric products not produced in the United States for the Strategic National Stockpile. However, this restriction shall not apply if (1) there is not a sufficient amount of U.S.-produced items available at U.S. market prices when needed, or (2) the purchase is worth less than $150,000.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
May 11, 2020
Introduced in Senate
May 11, 2020
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
May 14, 2020

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 116-6863
Introduced in House
  • May 11, 2020
    Introduced in Senate


  • May 11, 2020
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.


  • May 14, 2020

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 116-6863
    Introduced in House
Lindsey Graham

Lindsey Graham

Republican Senator

South Carolina

Cosponsors (9)
Rick Scott (Republican)Mike Braun (Republican)Thomas Tillis (Republican)Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican)Todd Young (Republican)James M. Inhofe (Republican)Roger F. Wicker (Republican)Martha McSally (Republican)Steve Daines (Republican)

Finance Committee

International Affairs

Related Bills

  • HR 116-6863: COVID–19 Accountability Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
Agricultural marketing and promotionAnimal and plant healthAnimal protection and human-animal relationshipsAppropriationsAsiaCardiovascular and respiratory healthChinaCongressional oversightDepartment of Health and Human ServicesDetention of personsDiplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroadDrug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulationEmergency medical services and trauma careForeign and international corporationsForeign loans and debtForeign propertyFraud offenses and financial crimesGovernment employee pay, benefits, personnel managementGovernment studies and investigationsHealth personnelHealth technology, devices, suppliesHigher educationHong KongHuman rightsImmigration status and proceduresIncome tax creditsInfectious and parasitic diseasesInternational exchange and broadcastingInternational organizations and cooperationManufacturingMultilateral development programsPresidents and presidential powers, Vice PresidentsProtest and dissentPublic contracts and procurementResearch and developmentSanctionsSecuritiesSovereignty, recognition, national governance and statusStrategic materials and reservesTaiwanUnited NationsU.S. and foreign investmentsVisas and passportsWar and emergency powersWorker safety and healthWorld health