United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2024
Food Traceability Enhancement Act This bill modifies requirements relating to recordkeeping and traceability of foods that may cause outbreaks of foodborne illnesses. Specifically, the bill reduces the maximum time for which food manufacturers or processors must retain records of high-risk foods (i.e., those that are prone to causing outbreaks of foodborne illnesses) from two years to one year. It also specifies that recordkeeping requirements for high-risk foods may not require restaurants, retail food establishments, or related warehouses to keep or share information about traceability lot codes. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must conduct pilot projects with members of the retail food industry to evaluate the effectiveness of investigations of outbreaks of foodborne illnesses without using traceability lot codes, as well as the feasibility of using low-cost food tracing technologies. The bill also specifies that the FDA's rule titled Requirements for Additional Traceability Records for Certain Foods , which was published on November 21, 2022, may not be implemented until two years after the pilot projects are completed (the rule establishes the recordkeeping requirements for manufacturers or processors of high-risk foods, which include keeping and sharing traceability lot codes). The FDA must also report on any barriers that prevent the FDA from sharing information with the retail food industry about investigations into outbreaks of foodborne illnesses.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2024
Secure U.S. Leadership in Space Act of 2024 This bill allows the financing of spaceports with tax-exempt facility bonds. The bill defines spaceport as any facility located at or near a launch or reentry site used for (1) manufacturing, assembling, or repairing spacecraft, space cargo, or other facilities; (2) flight control operations; (3) providing launch services and reentry services; or (4) transferring crew, spaceflight participants, or space cargo to or from spacecraft.
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 · 23 February 2024
Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act This bill allows state Medicaid programs to cover home health services for those with sickle cell disease. States that choose to provide these services must report on the quality of health care provided to these individuals, their access to care, and the associated costs. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must issue best practices for states with respect to these services.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2024
Veterans Expedited TSA Screening Safe Travel Act or the VETS Safe Travel Act This bill makes certain veterans eligible for the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) PreCheck Program at no cost if they meet the program's background check and security requirements. Veterans who are eligible for this fee waiver are those who are in the patient enrollment system of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and require the use of a wheelchair, prosthetic limb, or other assistive device to aid with mobility due to (1) loss, or loss of use, of a limb; (2) full or partial paralyzation; or (3) permanent blindness. The VA and the TSA must develop and implement a process under which eligible veterans may receive the PreCheck Program benefit. Further, the VA and the TSA must develop and implement a process to provide disabled veterans with effective outreach about TSA programs that are designed to improve the screening process for passengers with disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2024
This bill establishes a statutory definition for essential health system under Medicare. Under the bill, an essential health system is one that (1) is an acute care hospital that is paid under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system (excluding children’s, inpatient psychiatric, long-term care, rehabilitation hospitals, and certain cancer hospitals); (2) is a non-federal governmental or private nonprofit hospital; and (3) is a Medicaid disproportionate share hospital, has a Medicare disproportionate patient percentage of at least 35%, or has a Medicare disproportionate share hospital uncompensated care payment factor of 0.0005 or more.
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 · 15 February 2024
Creating Hope Reauthorization Act of 2024 This bill extends until FY2029 a Food and Drug Administration program that awards priority review vouchers to manufacturers of drugs that treat rare pediatric diseases. (A priority review voucher entitles the voucher holder to priority review of a single human drug application.)
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2024
BOLD Infrastructure for Alzheimer's Reauthorization Act of 2024 This bill reauthorizes through FY2029 several programs that are administered by the Department of Health and Human Services to support research and resources related to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes (1) cooperative agreements with state, local, and tribal health departments to address Alzheimer's disease and related dementias through education, early detection, caregiver support, and other avenues; (2) regional centers that raise awareness and support research regarding these conditions; and (3) data collection on the incidence and prevalence of these conditions.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2024
Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education, and Support Act of 2024 or the Autism CARES Act of 2024 This bill reauthorizes several programs that support autism education, research, and resources. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2029 (1) the Developmental Disabilities Surveillance and Research Program that is administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; (2) activities administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support autism education, early detection, and intervention; and (3) the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee in HHS.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2024
Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2024 This bill reauthorizes through FY2029 the National Congenital Heart Disease Research, Surveillance, and Awareness Program, which is administered by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The program supports data collection, educational campaigns, and other efforts to better understand the causes and effects of congenital heart disease across various demographics.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2024
This joint resolution nullifies the rule issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2022, titled Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121 . This bulletin provides accounting and disclosure guidance for entities related to their obligations to safeguard cryptoassets held for users of its platform. A letter of opinion from the Government Accountability Office dated October 31, 2023, titled Securities and Exchange Commission—Applicability of the Congressional Review Act to Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 121 concluded that this bulletin is a rule for purposes of the Congressional Review Act.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2024
Credit for Caring Act of 2024 This bill allows an eligible caregiver a tax credit of up to $5,000 for 30% of the cost of long-term care expenses that exceed $2,000 in a taxable year. The bill defines eligible caregiver as an individual who has earned income for the taxable year in excess of $7,500 and pays or incurs expenses for providing care to a spouse or other dependent relative with long-term care needs.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2024
Access to Family Building Act This bill provides a statutory right to access assisted reproductive technology (e.g., in vitro fertilization). Specifically, under the bill, individuals have the right to access assisted reproductive technology, and to retain all rights with respect to the use or disposition of reproductive genetic materials (e.g., eggs or sperm), without prohibitions or unreasonable restrictions. Health care providers and insurers also have the right to provide and cover these services, respectively. The bill does not affect state or local health and safety regulations that achieve their purpose in the least restrictive manner possible. The Department of Justice may bring civil actions against states, localities, or government officials or entities that enact or enforce limitations or requirements that violate this bill. Individuals and health care providers who are affected by violations may also bring civil actions for relief.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2024
Stronger Communities through Better Transit Act This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a grant program to support operating projects for public transportation and related service improvements, particularly in underserved communities and areas of persistent poverty. Specifically, the bill requires DOT to allocate funding under the program for urbanized areas, states, and Indian tribes that are recipients of funds under either the Federal Transit Administration's (FTA's) Urbanized Area Formula Funding program or Formula Grants for Rural Areas program. Eligible recipients may use funding for operating costs associated with projects that improve public transportation service for transit-dependent populations and support increased transit ridership (e.g., service expansion, information technology enhancements, and workforce development). The bill requires DOT to apportion the funding so that recipients receive funds that are proportional to their share of operating costs. The bill also provides for an increased federal cost share for operating assistance for projects or programs carried out in areas of persistent poverty or underserved communities. DOT must set up a multimodal access measurement interface for public agencies to aid transit agencies in determining and reporting on access to jobs and essential services. A grant recipient must also (1) report specific information to the FTA for inclusion in the National Transit Database, and (2) survey transit riders and non-riding residents regarding transit service improvements. Further, the bill expands the purposes of the public transportation programs to include supporting public transportation's role in combating climate change through growing/retaining transit ridership.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2024
This resolution calls on the Taliban to immediately release Ryan Corbett (an American citizen wrongfully detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan on August 10, 2022) and all other American detainees. The resolution also (1) urges the Taliban to respect Ryan Corbett's fundamental human rights and provide full, unfettered, and consistent health and welfare visits; and (2) condemns the Taliban’s practice of hostage-taking.
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 · 12 January 2024
This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of Korean American Day and honors the 121st anniversary of the arrival of the first Korean immigrants to the United States.
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 · 9 January 2024
CONtinuity in Necessary Evaluative Crisis Treatment Act of 2024 or the CONNECT Act of 2024 This bill requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to award grants to certain crisis centers for providing follow-up care to individuals who receive suicide prevention and crisis intervention services.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 518 North Ridgewood Drive in Sebring, Florida, as the "U.S. Army Air Corps Major Thomas B. McGuire Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023
Rolling Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient and Drug Reserve Act or the RAPID Reserve Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to contract with drug manufacturers to ensure adequate supplies of critical drugs that have vulnerable supply chains. (Under the bill, drugs are considered critical if they are likely to be needed during a public health emergency or if a shortage would pose a significant threat to the health care system or at-risk populations.) Contracted drug manufacturers must agree to (1) maintain at least a 6-month reserve of the active ingredient in a critical drug and of the finished product and to regularly replenish these reserves, (2) produce the ingredient and drug in a manner and quantity as specified in the contract, and (3) agree to transfer portions of the reserve, if necessary, to other manufacturers to meet manufacturing needs and allow HHS to control the allocation of reserves in the event of a public health emergency or other threat. HHS must publish a list of critical drugs and issue guidance on the criteria for determining this list and awarding contracts. HHS must give preference to domestic manufacturers for contracts. In addition, the Government Accountability Office must report on the capacity of domestic manufacturing with respect to critical drugs, including the ability to manufacture different dosage forms and drugs with various characteristics.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2023
Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue coins in recognition of the life of Roberto Clemente, baseball player and human rights activist. All sales of coins issued under this bill must include a surcharge to be paid to the Roberto Clemente Foundation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2023
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 9355 113th Street in Seminole, Florida, as the "Army SSG Ryan Christian Knauss Memorial Post Office Building."