United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2023
Inaugural Fund Integrity Act This bill limits donations to inaugural committees and requires these committees to disclose donations and disbursements. Specifically, inaugural committees may not solicit, accept, or receive donations from corporations or foreign nationals. An individual may not make a donation in the name of another individual or authorize his or her name to be used to make such a donation. In addition, foreign nationals may not make donations or make promises to make donations to inaugural committees. Further, the bill caps the amount an individual may donate to an inaugural committee. Donations to inaugural committees may not be converted to personal use. Finally, inaugural committees must report certain information on donations and disbursements to the Federal Election Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2023
Student Records Protection Act This bill revises the requirements for an accrediting agency to be recognized by the Department of Education (ED) as a reliable authority on the quality of education being offered at an institution of higher education (IHE). It also requires an IHE to establish a records management plan for accreditation purposes. Specifically, an accrediting agency must require an IHE to submit for approval a records management plan upon notification by the IHE that it intends to cease its operations. The plan must include a plan for the custody, continued access, and disposition of student records (e.g., student transcripts, billing, and financial aid records). Further, the IHE must submit the plan to ED. Under current law, an IHE must be accredited by an accrediting agency to participate in federal student aid programs.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2023
Think Differently Transportation Act This bill requires the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak) to include information on compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) in a required annual report to Congress. Specifically, Amtrak must incorporate into the annual report an action plan for bringing Amtrak rail cars and stations into compliance with the ADA as required by a 2020 settlement agreement entered into between Amtrak and the Department of Justice. (Under the agreement, Amtrak committed to complying with the ADA and making intercity rail stations accessible.) Amtrak must also include a status report on ADA compliance at Amtrak-served stations (based on an assessment by Amtrak). For those Amtrak-served stations where Amtrak is not responsible for ADA compliance, Amtrak must include in the report information on the responsible entity.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2023
See the Board Act This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to support nonprofit organizations in furnishing eye-care services free of charge to students in public elementary or secondary schools.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2023
Home for the Brave Act of 2023 This bill excludes certain veterans' service-connected disability or death benefits from income for purposes of determinations made in connection with the Department of Housing and Urban Development's housing assistance programs.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2023
Tribal Cultural Areas Protection Act This bill provides for the preservation of tribal cultural sites on public land by establishing the Tribal Cultural Areas System. Within three years of this bill's enactment, the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture (USDA), as applicable, must establish criteria for recommending tribal cultural sites for designation as tribal cultural areas for inclusion in the system, using specified factors; solicit recommendations from tribes, state historic preservation officers, and tribal historic preservation officers; review designations in local land management plans to identify tribal cultural sites that meet established criteria; consider any other relevant information; consider and evaluate tribal cultural sites for designation as a tribal cultural area for inclusion in the system; and make recommendations to Congress. The bill gives Congress the sole authority to (1) designate a tribal cultural site located on public land as a tribal cultural area for inclusion in the system, and (2) remove a tribal cultural area from the system. Congress must consider the recommendations of Interior and USDA when determining whether to make such a designation. For each congressionally designated tribal cultural area, Interior or USDA must (1) establish a tribal commission to provide guidance and recommendations on the development of a management plan for the tribal cultural area, and (2) develop a comprehensive management plan. The bill allows for self-determination contracts with tribes or tribal organizations to perform administrative or management functions within a tribal cultural area.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2023
Bolstering America's Defenses Against Potentially Perilous Software Act or the BAD APPS Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to create (1) categorical definitions of foreign mobile applications of concern, and (2) a risk framework to assess certain foreign mobile applications for any potential impact on DOD personnel and operations. Generally, the framework must include mobile applications from countries that DOD determines to be engaged in consistent, unauthorized conduct that is detrimental to the national security or foreign policy of the United States. Such framework must incorporate specified considerations, such as the manner and extent of data collection by the application. DOD must issue guidance to all of its personnel incorporating the categories of foreign mobile applications of concern and advising how to mitigate the risks identified by the risk framework with respect to the applications. DOD must also update the categorical definitions and risk framework at least annually.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2023
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that James Lewis, John Willis Menard, Pinckney B.S. Pinchback, and Josiah Thomas Walls (1) won election to the House during Reconstruction, (2) were wrongly denied the right to take their seats as Members, and (3) should be recognized as former Members. The resolution also expresses the sense of the House that an oil on canvas honoring James Lewis, John Willis Menard, Pinckney B.S. Pinchback, and Josiah Thomas Walls should be displayed in the House connecting corridor (first floor).
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2023
This resolution honors the memories of the victims who were killed in the antisemitic attack at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on October 27, 2018. The resolution also condemns rising antisemitism.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2023
Court Legal Access and Student Support Act of 2023 or the CLASS Act of 2023 This bill prohibits institutions of higher education (IHEs) that participate in federal student aid programs from restricting students' ability to pursue claims against IHEs in court. In addition, the bill makes mandatory arbitration agreements inapplicable to enrollment agreements between students and IHEs.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2023
Safe Schools Improvement Act This bill requires states to direct their local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish policies that prevent and prohibit bullying and harassment of elementary and secondary school students. In particular, these policies must prohibit bullying and harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), sex characteristics (including intersex traits), disability, or religion. Further, LEAs must provide (1) students, parents, and educational professionals with annual notice of the conduct prohibited in their disciplinary policies; (2) students and parents with grievance procedures that target such conduct; and (3) the public with annual data on the incidence and frequency of that conduct at the school and LEA level. The Department of Education must conduct and report on an independent biennial evaluation of programs and policies to combat bullying and harassment in elementary and secondary schools. The National Center for Education Statistics must collect state data to determine the incidence and frequency of the conduct prohibited by LEA disciplinary policies.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 2023
Medical Debt Relief Act of 2023 This bill prohibits consumer reporting agencies from including medical debt on a consumer report (i.e., credit report). In addition, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau must amend regulations to prohibit creditors from obtaining or using medical debt information when considering whether to extend credit to a consumer.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 2023
This bill excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, compensation of members of the Armed Forces performing services in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad on the same basis as if such services had been performed in a combat zone.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2023
This resolution calls on Hamas to immediately release hostages taken during its October 2023 attack on Israel. The resolution (1) condemns Hamas for attacking Israel, taking hostages, and for threats made against hostages; (2) demands that Hamas immediately release hostages; (3) recognizes that hostage-taking is a violation of international humanitarian law; and (4) expresses sympathy to the hostages, wounded, deceased, and their families.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2023
This resolution urges the President to immediately call for and to facilitate de-escalation and a cease-fire in Israel and Palestinian Territories. The resolution also calls on the President to promptly send and facilitate the entry of humanitarian assistance into Gaza.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2023
This resolution supports the goal of increasing Latino individuals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as a way to promote economic empowerment and sustainability, not only in their community, but in the overall U.S. economy. The resolution also encourages increased federal support for initiatives aimed at boosting the number of Latino students who pursue STEM education and career paths, particularly engineering. Finally, the resolution recognizes the important role that Hispanic-serving institutions and all institutions of higher education must play in order to achieve the goal of increasing Latino individuals in STEM.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2023
This resolution expresses respect for the sovereignty of Mexico and condemns calls for military action in Mexico without Mexico's consent. The resolution also states that while the President has the inherent power to repel sudden attacks, the manufacture and sale of fentanyl does not constitute such a sudden attack or an armed invasion.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2023
Mandating that being an Elected Member Be an Essential Requirement for Speakership Resolution or the MEMBERS Resolution This resolution bars an individual from being eligible to be nominated to serve as Speaker of the House of Representatives unless the individual is a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner (or, in the case of a nomination made prior to the beginning of the Congress in which the individual would serve as Speaker, is a Member-elect, Delegate-elect, or Resident Commissioner-elect).
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2023
This bill expands the allowable uses of grants under the Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) program to include activities related to arts, arts education, and cultural programs. Specifically, the bill allows grants under the HBCU program to be used for providing financial and other assistance to students in arts, arts education, and cultural programs; establishing outreach programs and development offices for arts, arts education, and cultural departments; providing comprehensive wraparound services for arts, arts education, and cultural students, including faculty and peer mentorship, work-based learning opportunities, guidance counseling, and career advising; exhibiting, maintaining, monitoring, and protecting Black art collections in exhibition and in storage; and providing well-paid apprenticeship, internship, and fellowship opportunities to students in arts, arts education, and cultural programs through partnerships with nonprofit arts, arts education, and cultural institutes. A grant recipient may enter into a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts to carry out these activities.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2023
This resolution celebrates the successes and contributions of Latinas in the United States and recognizes the changes still to be made to ensure that Latinas can realize their full potential as equal members of society.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 2023
This resolution calls for Saudi Arabia to ensure accountability for all individuals responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, release all individuals wrongly detained, lift restrictions on dissidents, and respect the rights of Saudi citizens.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2023
Transportation Assistance for Individuals with Disabilities Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a grant program for protection and advocacy (P&A) systems to advocate for individuals with disabilities to access transportation. (Each state has a designated P&A system that protects and advocates for the rights of individuals with disabilities.) The bill directs DOT to select 10 P&A systems to receive five-year grants. Grant recipients must submit an annual report documenting the work they have done to address the barriers to accessing transportation for individuals with disabilities. Further, DOT must award one grant annually to a national organization with extensive knowledge of P&A systems to provide training and technical assistance to the systems.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2023
This resolution expresses support for the designation of a National Animal Rescue Day to create awareness for animal rescue programs throughout the year and address the challenge of pet overpopulation through continued spaying and neutering.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2023
Oleksander Ivanov Act of 2023 or Oleksander's Act This bill authorizes sanctions for the displacement of Ukrainian children to Russia and Russian-controlled areas. Specifically, the bill authorizes the President to impose sanctions on foreign persons who are responsible for, engage in, or facilitate (1) the forced displacement of Ukrainian children to Russia or Russian-controlled areas of Ukraine; (2) the forced assimilation, adoption, or placement of Ukrainian children in foster homes; or (3) the trafficking of Ukrainians. The sanctions include (1) blocking of property; (2) ineligibility for visas, admission, or parole to the United States; and (3) revocation of current visas.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2023
Green New Deal for Public Schools Act of 2023 This bill provides environmental and educational resources to public elementary and secondary schools and Bureau of Indian Education (BIE) schools. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Energy's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy to provide climate capital facilities grants to eligible entities (e.g., public schools and BIE schools). Grant recipients must use these funds to construct new, or convert existing facilities into, healthy zero-carbon schools. Healthy zero-carbon school refers to a school with highly energy-efficient facilities that produce or procure sufficient carbon-free and pollution-free renewable energy to meet the school's needs. The bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to award resource block grants to qualified local educational agencies (LEAs) to hire and retain educators and staff in high-need schools. ED must award grants to eligible consortia of LEAs for educational equity planning and implementation. ED must establish the Climate Change Resiliency Program to increase the resiliency of public and BIE schools during climate change-related events, natural disasters, and public health crises. Further, ED must establish a related grant program for state educational agencies. Grant recipients must use these funds for certain activities (e.g., green infrastructure projects). The bill establishes the Office of Sustainable Schools within ED to (1) administer the resource block grant and educational equity grant programs, and (2) coordinate with specified agencies and the White House Office of Domestic Climate Policy on climate capital facilities grants and the Climate Change Resiliency Program.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2023
Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act of 2023 This bill imposes a fee on the carbon content of fuels, including crude oil, natural gas, coal, or any other product derived from those fuels that will be used so as to emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. The fee is imposed on the producers or importers of the fuels and is equal to the greenhouse gas content of the fuel multiplied by the carbon fee rate. The rate begins at $15 per metric ton of CO2-e (i.e., carbon dioxide equivalent) in 2023, increases by $10 each year, and is subject to further adjustments based on the progress in meeting specified emissions reduction targets. The bill also includes exemptions for fuels used for agricultural or nonemitting purposes, exemptions for fuels used by the Armed Forces, rebates for facilities that capture and sequester carbon dioxide, and border adjustment provisions that require certain fees or refunds for carbon-intensive products that are exported or imported. The fees must be deposited into a Carbon Dividend Trust Fund and used for administrative expenses and dividend payments to U.S. citizens or lawful residents. The fees must be decommissioned when emissions levels and monthly dividend payments fall below specified levels. The bill also requires the Department of Energy to enter into agreements with the National Academy of Sciences to study and report on various impacts related to the carbon fee and emissions reduction schedule established by the bill.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2023
Alice Cogswell and Anne Sullivan Macy Act This bill expands special education and related services for children and youth who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafdisabled, blind, visually impaired, or deafblind. The bill establishes additional requirements for states to identify and evaluate children who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafdisabled, blind, visually impaired, or deafblind. A state's closure of a specialized school serving children who are blind or deaf shall count as a reduction of its financial support for special education and related services. The bill also authorizes support, including grants for training special education personnel, to be used in preparing individuals to become qualified teachers and early intervention specialists for children who are deaf, hard of hearing, deafdisabled, or deafblind. The bill establishes within the Department of Education the Anne Sullivan Macy Center on Visual Disability and Educational Excellence to better support students with visual disabilities.
![Official portrait of Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c001072_200.jpg)