United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2024
BIOSECURE Act This bill prohibits entities that receive federal funds from using biotechnology that is from a company associated with a foreign adversary. Specifically, federal agencies and recipients of federal funds (e.g., grantees) may not procure or use any biotechnology equipment or service that is from a biotechnology company of concern and may not contract with any entities that do so. A biotechnology company of concern is an entity that is under the control of a foreign adversary and that poses a risk to national security based on its research or multiomic data collection (e.g., collection of genomic information). The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) must, in coordination with the Department of Defense (DOD) and other specified agencies, develop a list of prohibited companies; the list must include five particular companies, as specified in the bill. OMB and DOD may approve waivers of these restrictions on an as-needed basis, which are valid for up to one year and may be extended once for an additional 180 days. In addition, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence must report on the national security risks posed by (1) multiomic data collection by foreign adversaries in connection with biotechnology equipment or services, and (2) biotechnology companies that have such data.
United States · United States Congress · 1 May 2024
This joint resolution nullifies the rule titled Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles and published by the Environmental Protection Agency on April 18, 2024. The rule established and modified requirements for certain light-duty or medium-duty vehicles (e.g., cars, trucks, and sports utility vehicles that are under a certain weight), including requirements related to (1) emission standards, such as a greenhouse gas emission standard; (2) the durability of batteries for certain electric and hybrid vehicles; and (3) measuring fuel economy.
United States · United States Congress · 15 April 2024
Securing American Agriculture Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to assess, on an annual basis, U.S. dependency on critical agricultural products or inputs that could be exploited in the event that China weaponizes such a dependency. USDA must submit a report to Congress on the assessment, which must include recommendations to reduce U.S. dependency on China to supply critical agricultural products or inputs. Under the bill, critical inputs include all farm management, agronomic, and field-applied production inputs (e.g., agricultural equipment, fertilizers, veterinary drugs, and seed). The bill specifies that, in conducting the assessment, USDA may not require a private entity to provide information to USDA. Further, the bill requires USDA to comply with certain confidentiality requirements and restricts disclosures of the information.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2024
United States Trade Leadership in the Indo-Pacific Act This bill requires certain actions related to trade in the Indo-Pacific region. Specifically, the bill directs the U.S. International Trade Commission to investigate the effects of existing Indo-Pacific regional trade agreements (e.g., the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) on U.S. exporters and competitiveness in the region. Additionally, the bill establishes the Indo-Pacific Trade Strategy Commission to develop findings and recommendations for a comprehensive trade strategy for the Indo-Pacific region.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2024
Sultana Steamboat Disaster Commemorative Coin Act of 2024 This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 100,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the Sultana steamboat explosion that occurred on April 27, 1865, on the Mississippi River. All surcharges received by Treasury from the sale of such coins must be paid to the Sultana Historical Preservation Society Inc. for the purpose of establishing, operating, and maintaining a museum.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2024
This resolution recognizes the essential services provided by the cleaning industry in maintaining sanitary conditions and supports the designation of National Cleaning Week to promote safe and clean environments at work, in schools, and at home.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2024
Commission to Study the Potential Transfer of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History to the Smithsonian Institution Act This bill establishes a commission to study the potential transfer of the Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History to the Smithsonian Institution. Within two years of its first meeting, the commission must submit a report, fundraising plan, and legislative recommendations to Congress and the President. The report must address certain issues, including (1) the impact of the museum on educational and governmental efforts to study and counter anti-Semitism, and (2) financial and legal considerations associated with the potential transfer.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2024
This resolution recognizes that the economic relationship between the United States and Israel is strong and has benefitted both countries and the peoples of both countries. It also expresses support for the people of Israel and the economy of Israel in the face of Hamas' attacks against Israel. Additionally, the resolution affirms that (1) the United States-Israel Free Trade Agreement set the stage for robust growth in trade and investment between the United States and Israel, and (2) the agreement can serve as a tool for supporting the economy of Israel during the conflict with Hamas.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2024
Creating Hospitality Economic Enhancement for Restaurants and Servers Act or the CHEERS Act This bill treats qualified energy-efficient draft property (energy efficient kegs) as energy efficient commercial building property for purposes of the tax deduction for energy efficient commercial buildings. It defines qualified energy-efficient draft property as property that is principally used in the trade or business of operating a restaurant, bar, or entertainment venue, and that is a stainless steel or aluminum container or related commercial tap equipment used to distribute or sell alcohol.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2024
Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act This bill prohibits distributing, maintaining, or providing internet hosting services for a foreign adversary controlled application (e.g., TikTok). However, the prohibition does not apply to a covered application that executes a qualified divestiture as determined by the President. Under the bill, a foreign adversary controlled application is directly or indirectly operated by (1) ByteDance, Ltd. or TikTok (including subsidiaries or successors that are controlled by a foreign adversary); or (2) a social media company that is controlled by a foreign adversary and has been determined by the President to present a significant threat to national security. The prohibition does not apply to an application that is primarily used to post product reviews, business reviews, or travel information and reviews. The bill authorizes the Department of Justice to investigate violations of the bill and enforce the bill's provisions. Entities that violate the bill are subject to civil penalties based on the number of users. The bill requires a covered application to provide a user with all available account data (including posts, photos, and videos) at the user's request before the prohibition takes effect. The bill gives the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia exclusive jurisdiction over any challenge to the bill. Further, a challenge to the bill must be brought within 165 days after the bill's enactment date. A challenge to any action, finding, or determination under the bill must be brought with 90 days of the action, finding, or determination.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 2024
FIFA World Cup 2026 Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. All surcharges received by Treasury from the sale of the coins shall be promptly paid by Treasury to FWC2026 US, Inc. (the U.S.-incorporated FIFA subsidiary operating the FIFA Men's World Cup 2026) for the purpose of aiding soccer programs and activities in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2024
This resolution supports the designation of National FFA Week. It also (1) recognizes the important role of the National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America) in developing the next generation of globally conscious leaders who will change the world; and (2) celebrates the 10th anniversary of the Give the Gift of Blue program, which has donated more than 17,000 FFA blue jackets to FFA members in need.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2024
Homebuyers Privacy Protection Act This bill prohibits a credit reporting agency from providing a consumer's credit report to a third party in connection with a residential mortgage transaction unless (1) the third party provides documentation certifying that it has the consumer's consent; or (2) the third party has originated the mortgage, is the current loan servicer, or has a current specified banking relationship with the consumer.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2024
This resolution supports the goals of National Catholic Schools Week, an event cosponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and established to recognize the contributions of Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2024
Equal Representation Act This bill requires any questionnaire used in the decennial census to include a checkbox or other similar option for respondents to indicate whether the respondent and each household member is (1) a U.S. citizen, (2) a U.S. national but not a citizen, (3) a non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) lawfully residing in the United States, or (4) a non-U.S. national unlawfully residing in the United States. The Department of Commerce must make public the number of persons in each state, disaggregated by each of these four categories. The bill also requires that the statement sent by the President to Congress indicating the number of persons in each state (related to the reapportionment of U.S. Representatives) exclude noncitizens.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2024
Death Tax Repeal Act This bill repeals the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes. It also sets forth conforming amendments related to the gift tax.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2024
This concurrent resolution recognizes and supports the efforts of the New Heights Bid Committee to bring the 2027 Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) Women's World Cup competition to the United States and Mexico and encourages the President and federal agencies to support the committee's efforts to meet all requirements for the United States to jointly host that competition.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2024
This resolution condemns acts of rape and sexual violence as weapons of war, including those acts committed by Hamas on and since October 7, 2023. The resolution also calls on all nations to criminalize rape and sexual assault and hold accountable all perpetrators of sexual violence, including state and non-state armed groups.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 2024
This bill requires the Joint Committee on the Library to enter into an agreement to obtain a statue of Benjamin Franklin. The committee shall place the statue in a permanent public location in the U.S. Capitol.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2024
Affordable Connectivity Program Extension Act of 2024 This bill extends and provides FY2024 funding for the Affordable Connectivity Program, which provides a monthly benefit that allows eligible low-income households to receive discounted internet service. The program also provides a one-time discount that may be used to purchase a connected device, such as a computer.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2023
Intelligence Community Workforce Agility Protection Act of 2023 This bill allows a current tax deduction for the moving and traveling expenses of an employee or new appointee of the intelligence community who moves due to a change in assignment that requires relocation. It also allows a current tax exclusion for such employees or appointees for moving expense reimbursements. Under current law, the tax deduction and exclusion for the moving expenses of other taxpayers are suspended for the period beginning in 2018 through 2025.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2023
Preserving Seniors' Access to Physicians Act of 2023 This bill increases payments under the Medicare physician fee schedule for 2024. Specifically, the bill increases payments for 2024 by 4.62% (current law provides for a 1.25% increase).
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2023
Keep Physicians Serving Patients Act of 2023 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to use specified data regarding physician wages and office rent when determining certain geographic adjustment factors for the payment of physician services under Medicare. With respect to such payment, the bill also makes permanent certain minimum adjustments to the work geographic index and extends to all localities certain minimum adjustments to the practice expense index.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2023
Community Reclamation Partnerships Act This bill revises the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Program, which restores land and water adversely impacted by surface coal mines that were abandoned before August 3, 1977. Until September 30, 2030, the bill allows a state with an approved reclamation program to enter into a memorandum of understanding with relevant federal or state agencies for remediating mine drainage on abandoned mine land and water impacted by abandoned mines. In addition, the bill authorizes a partnership between a state and a community reclaimer for remediating abandoned mine land if certain conditions are met. A community reclaimer is a person who (1) voluntarily assists a state in a reclamation project, (2) did not participate in the creation of site conditions at the proposed site or activities that caused any land or waters at the site to become eligible for reclamation or drainage abatement expenditures, and (3) is not subject to outstanding violations of surface coal mining permits.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2023
Hands Off Our Home Appliances Act This bill modifies the process by which the Department of Energy (DOE) amends, revokes, or implements energy conservation standards for certain consumer products (other than automobiles), such as household appliances. First, the bill eliminates the requirement under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act for DOE, within six years of issuing a final rule establishing or amending such standard, to issue a new proposed rule or publish a notice that the standard does not need to be amended. Instead, the bill allows DOE to publish a notice of proposed rulemaking for prescribing a new or amended energy conservation standard for a consumer product at any time. Next, the bill specifies that DOE may grant a petition to revoke or amend energy conservation standards if it finds that the standards (1) result in additional costs to consumers, (2) do not result in significant conservation of energy or water, (3) are not technologically feasible, and (4) result in a product (e.g., gas stoves) not being commercially available in the United States to all consumers. Finally, the bill modifies the criteria used to prescribe new or amended energy conservation standards. For example, new energy conservation standards must be technologically feasible and economically justified.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2023
Defend Our Networks Act This bill requires certain unobligated funds that were provided to address COVID-19 to be transferred to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for carrying out the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program. (Under the program, the FCC reimburses certain providers of advanced communications services for reasonable expenses incurred in the removal, replacement, and disposal of communications equipment and services produced or provided by Huawei Technologies Company or ZTE Corporation.)
![Official portrait of Rep. LaHood, Darin [R-IL-16]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/115_rp_il_18_lahood_darin_200.jpg)