United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2022
Supreme Court Ethics, Recusal, and Transparency Act of 2022 This bill provides for the establishment of a code of conduct for Supreme Court Justices, judges of the courts of appeals, judges of the district courts, and judges of the Court of International Trade.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2022
Respect, Advancement, and Increasing Support for Educators Act of 2022 or the RAISE Act of 2022 This bill allows eligible educators (i.e., any elementary or secondary teacher and any early childhood educator) a refundable tax credit of $1,000 plus an additional amount (based upon a specified student poverty ratio) for eligible educators employed at a qualifying school (i.e., a public elementary or secondary school that is eligible for certain federal assistance or is funded by the Bureau of Indian Education), or an early childhood education program for children receiving certain federal assistance. The bill also increases the amount of the tax deduction for the expenses of elementary and secondary school teachers and expands such credit to include early childhood educators. The bill provides additional funding to local educational agencies that maintain or increase the salaries of their teachers.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2022
Pride in Mental Health Act This bill expands programs that prevent and treat child abuse and neglect to address issues facing youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer or questioning, nonbinary, or gender-variant members of indigenous communities (e.g., Two Spirit). Specifically, these programs include (1) research and reporting requirements, (2) providing technical assistance, (3) grants to states and local agencies to train child-welfare personnel, and (4) community-based prevention-service grants. The bill also establishes a grant program to provide mental and behavioral health resources for such youth, including trauma-informed care.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2022
Bulb Replacement Improving Government with High-efficiency Technology Act or the BRIGHT Act This bill expands requirements relating to the procurement and use of energy-efficient lighting in federal buildings. Under current law, public buildings that are constructed or managed by the General Services Administration (GSA) must be equipped with energy-efficient light bulbs and fixtures. Under the bill, buildings must be equipped with the most life-cycle cost effective and energy-efficient lighting systems available, including with respect to sensors, fixture distribution, and other elements. The bill also specifically establishes requirements relating to the procurement of such lighting systems and modifies other requirements accordingly. The bill also requires the GSA to provide information to federal, state, local, and tribal entities about procuring and using such lighting systems in furtherance of governmental efficiency.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2022
Advancing Equity Through the Arts and Humanities Act of 2022 This bill establishes an Advancing Equity Through the Arts and Humanities Program to increase engagement with public and nonprofit entities (including faith-based and community-based organizations that serve and are led by people of color) in supporting arts and humanities projects that directly combat systemic racism through the arts and humanities. The National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities shall carry out this program. The bill also provides for a competitive grant program for the creation and expansion of programs to support public and nonprofit arts and humanities organizations that directly combat systemic racism through the arts and humanities.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2022
Stop Sexual Harassment in K-12 Act This bill outlines the role and duties of Title IX coordinators in elementary and secondary schools, including by requiring local educational agencies to increase the number of full-time employees designated to serve as a Title IX coordinator per specified student population. The bill also creates a grant program to train teachers and staff on how to respond to signs of sexual harassment and assault of students and requires the Department of Education to develop a sexual violence climate survey.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2022
Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2022 This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and others to undertake efforts to reduce health disparities. For example, the bill (1) requires more detailed reporting of demographic and health disparities data, including related to public health emergencies; (2) directs certain components of HHS to support health workforce diversity; and (3) increases access to culturally and linguistically appropriate health care. The bill also modifies eligibility and other requirements for Medicare, Medicaid, private health insurance, nutrition assistance, and other programs to reduce health disparities among vulnerable populations. The bill includes specific provisions with respect to noncitizens; maternal, infant, and child health; mental and behavioral health; specified conditions that disproportionately affect racial and ethnic minority groups, such as certain cancers, HIV/AIDS, kidney disease, and diabetes; investments in communities facing health and other inequities; and nondiscrimination in the provision of services in federally supported health programs. Additionally, the bill (1) revises health information technology programs to address health disparities, and (2) supports health impact assessments and other efforts pertaining to environmental justice and social determinants of health (i.e., nonmedical factors that influence health outcomes, such as income and educational attainment). The bill also requires various studies and reports on issues related to health care and health disparities, including a report by the Government Accountability Office on health workforce diversity.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2022
Economic Development Promotion and Resiliency Act This bill modifies the Economic Development Administration's (EDA) public works and economic development programs. For example, the bill establishes grants (1) for predevelopment activities (e.g., community asset mapping); (2) for economic development capacity building; and (3) to support outdoor recreation, tourism, hospitality.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2022
Seasonal Worker Solidarity Act of 2022 This bill modifies the H-2B (temporary nonagricultural workers) visa program and expands protections for aliens who report workplace violations. Changes to the H-2B program include requiring the Department of Labor to establish a centralized national electronic platform for U.S. workers to find and apply for positions that employers are seeking to fill with H-2B workers; requiring employers to recruit U.S. workers nationwide, including by posting the openings on the platform, before applying for H-2B visas; requiring employers to guarantee at least 40 hours of paid work per week for each H-2B worker (currently employers may guarantee fewer paid hours in certain instances); requiring employers to pay for housing for H-2B workers and transportation to and from the work site (currently employers are allowed to deduct fees for lodgings from an H-2B worker's pay); modifying the requirements for determining the minimum wage for H-2B workers; and prioritizing H-2B visas for certain employers, such as those that pay higher wages. Furthermore, an alien who has worked a certain amount of time as an H-2B worker may obtain permanent resident status, subject to various requirements. In addition, an alien who is likely helpful in an investigation of a workplace claim (i.e., an alleged violation of law or workplace-related injury) may qualify for a U visa for victims of criminal activity. The bill also removes statutory numerical limitations on U visas. The bill also provides protections for certain aliens who file or assist in the investigation of workplace claims.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2022
This concurrent resolution supports the goals and ideals of the National Day of Silence (during which students vow to remain silent to bring attention to the harassment and discrimination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, nonbinary, Two-Spirit, intersex, and questioning individuals in schools).
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2022
Armenian Genocide Education Act This bill requires the Library of Congress to maintain a public website and otherwise support educational initiatives to promote understanding about the Armenian Genocide.
United States · United States Congress · 21 April 2022
Sexual Harassment Independent Investigations and Prosecution Act This bill provides for the inclusion of sexual harassment as an offense subject to the authority of special trial counsel under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and sets forth requirements related to independent investigations of sexual harassment under the UCMJ.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2022
This bill requires states to prioritize additional groups (i.e., victims of firearm violence or the family members of victims of homicide) for state victim assistance formula grants.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2022
Union Auto Workers Job Protection Act This bill requires that any bid for a contract relating to the assembly of a vehicle include information about each motor vehicle plant where the vehicles are to be assembled, including the mailing address of each motor vehicle plant; the average, minimum, and maximum hourly wage of hourly employees at each plant; the number of temporary nonpermanent employees at each plant; and disclosures of any National Labor Relations Act violations or Occupational Safety and Health Administration violations by such employer at each plant.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2022
Excess Urban Heat Mitigation Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to establish a grant program for state, tribal and local governments; metropolitan planning organizations; and certain nonprofits (or consortia of nonprofits) to carry out activities to mitigate heat in urban areas. HUD must coordinate with the Environmental Protection Agency on the program.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2022
Strengthen and Tackle Opportunities to Prevent Violence Act of 2022 or the STOP Violence Act of 2022 This bill allows funds under the Antiterrorism and Emergency Assistance Program to be used for efforts to prepare against mass violence and protect public assembly facilities.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2022
Help for Healing Communities Act This bill establishes a program through which the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration may award grants to support mental and behavioral health services for survivors of active shooter events and incidents of targeted violence. Eligible grant recipients include state, tribal, territorial, and local governments and nonprofits located in or serving a community that experienced an active shooter event or incident of targeted violence in the preceding fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2022
Safe Workplaces Act This bill requires the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to promulgate an occupational safety and health standard on reducing the threat of workplace violence, including firearm violence. Additionally, the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health must study and make recommendations about ways to reduce workplace violence. OSHA must consider those recommendations when promulgating the workplace safety and health standard.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2022
Guaranteeing Overtime for Truckers Act This bill requires employers of commercial truck drivers to provide overtime pay to such drivers engaged in a workweek longer than 40 hours.
United States · United States Congress · 14 April 2022
This resolution condemns the rape and assault of women by Russian forces in the occupied area of Bucha, Ukraine. The resolution condemns the deliberate disruption of the free flow of humanitarian aid that is harming innocent civilians, particularly women. The resolution also highlights the critical importance of ensuring women meaningfully participate in the planning and execution of humanitarian actions and the negotiation of peace agreements to meet their unique needs and to protect their human rights. Finally, the resolution calls on Vladimir Putin to condemn sexual and gender-based violence against women and girls in this conflict; hold all perpetrators who commit acts of sexual and gender-based violence accountable; cease all hostilities, protect human rights, and allow unencumbered humanitarian access; and remove all Russian Armed Forces, and other armed groups, from Ukraine.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2022
Time Off to Vote Act This bill requires an employer, upon the request of an employee, to provide the employee with a minimum of two consecutive hours of paid leave in order to vote in a federal election. The employer may determine the two-hour period, excluding any lunch break or other break. Taking such leave shall not result in the employee losing accrued employment benefits. The bill makes it unlawful for an employer to interfere with the right to take such leave or for an employer to discriminate against an employee for taking such leave. Further, the bill makes it unlawful for any employer to retaliate against an employee for (1) opposing any practice made unlawful by this bill; (2) filing a charge, or instituting or causing to be instituted any proceeding, under or related to this bill; or (3) testifying or preparing to testify in an inquiry or proceeding relating to such leave. The bill specifies penalties for employers who violate these provisions.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2022
Hispanic Educational Resources and Empowerment Act of 2022 This bill directs the Department of Education to (1) award grants to Hispanic-serving institutions of higher education (IHEs) to improve and expand innovative collaboration agreements between local educational agencies and IHEs to better serve Hispanic and Latino students, (2) provide technical assistance to such IHEs, and (3) contract with a third party to conduct an independent evaluation of grant activities. Such grants must be used for specific activities, such as improving school-based and institutional practices to prepare students for postsecondary education and addressing nonacademic needs of students that are barriers to college enrollment.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2022
Victims of Child Abuse Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes for FY2022-FY2028 and otherwise revises grants for local and regional children's advocacy centers (CACs). CACs coordinate a multidisciplinary response to child abuse.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2022
Don Young Veterans Advancing Conservation Act This bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish the Veterans Advancing Conservation Grant Program to award grants, on a competitive basis, to facilitate the training and employment of veterans for marine and coastal conservation activities (e.g., coral restoration and rehabilitation). NOAA must coordinate with the Department of the Interior and the Department of Veterans Affairs to implement the program.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2022
This resolution expresses support for legislation to provide child care assistance to all working families that need it; make childcare affordable and available to meet various job schedules; guarantee that all families eligible for childcare will receive it; improve the quality of childcare; expand access to Head Start and preschool services; and provide sufficient federal, state, and local investment to ensure resources for both high-quality jobs and affordable childcare.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2022
Prohibit Wildlife Killing Contests Act of 2022 This bill makes it unlawful for any persons, except as provided below, to organize, sponsor, conduct, or participate in wildlife killing contests on public lands. This bill shall not apply to field trials, wildlife killing contests that exclusively target ungulates (e.g., deer) or birds of the orders Galliformes (e.g., turkeys) or Anatidae (e.g., ducks), or lethal control actions by state or federal agencies that target wildlife classified as invasive by the National Invasive Species Information Center.
United States · United States Congress · 4 April 2022
Supply Chain Disruptions Relief Act This bill modifies the treatment of liquidations of new motor vehicle inventory as qualified LIFO (last in first out accounting method) inventory. It allows new motor vehicle dealers to elect to wait until the end of 2025 to replace their inventory for purposes of determining income attributable to the sale of such inventory during 2020 and 2021.
United States · United States Congress · 1 April 2022
Protecting Semiconductor Supply Chain Materials from Authoritarians Act This bill establishes an interagency working group to address semiconductor supply chain issues caused by Russia's attack on Ukraine. The working group must report to Congress on issues including (1) the impact of Russia's attack on Ukraine on the supply of various materials, including palladium, neon gas, and helium; (2) the attack's impact on supply chains and the global economy; and (3) recommendations for legislative steps that Congress can take to further bolster the supply of materials for the semiconductor supply chain that have been curtailed by Russia's actions. The working group must also report annually to Congress on future geopolitical developments that could severely disrupt global semiconductor supply chains in ways that could harm the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022
This concurrent resolution supports the goals and ideals of the International Transgender Day of Visibility. It celebrates the accomplishments and leadership of transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, and gender-diverse people.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 and expands programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). The bill also revises workforce investment, vocational rehabilitation, employment, training, and literacy programs for eligible individuals. For example, the bill increases workforce representation on state and local workforce investment boards from 20% to 30%; reworks one-stop center infrastructure funding by requiring costs to be covered by state allocations of WIOA funds; establishes subsidized youth employment programs that include work-readiness training and mentoring; eliminates a requirement that the Department of Labor ensure that individuals participating in WIOA activities comply with Selective Service laws; modifies the allotment of youth workforce investment funds to states; expands the Job Corps program, including by serving individuals in outlying areas and relaxing age requirements; establishes grants to expand training programs through industry or sector partnerships; expands grants for integrated English literacy and civics education to outlying areas; and expands Wagner-Peyser employment services to the Northern Mariana Islands and American Samoa. The bill also provides statutory authority for Labor to award competitive grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements to improve employment and training outcomes and reduce recidivism of justice-involved youth; and competitive grants for states to create workforce longitudinal administrative databases.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022
This bill prohibits using federal funds to support or facilitate (1) Russia's participation in a Group of Seven (G-7) proceeding, or (2) a reconstituted Group of Eight (G-8) that includes Russia. (The G-7 is an informal group consisting of seven of the world's largest advanced economies. In 2014, the G-8 became the G-7 when Russia 's membership was suspended following Russia's annexation of the Crimea region of Ukraine.)
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022
This resolution expresses support for the designation of Dr. John E. Fryer Day and encourages governmental support for the teaching of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer history.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022
This resolution recognizes the accomplishments and example of Cesar Estrada Chavez. The resolution also encourages the people of the United States to commemorate his legacy and to always remember his rallying cry, "Si, se puede!" (which means "Yes, we can!").
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2022
Baltic Defense and Deterrence Act This bill requires the Department of State to establish and implement an initiative to increase security and economic ties with the Baltic countries (i.e., Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania). The bill also requires the Department of Defense to establish and implement an initiative to deepen security cooperation with the Baltic countries.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2022
Disabled Jurors Nondiscrimination Act This bill prohibits the exclusion of individuals from jury service on the basis of their disability. Further, the bill prohibits the disqualification of individuals from jury service who fail to meet certain qualifications (e.g., adequate proficiency in English) on the basis of their disability.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2022
Feed Hungry Veterans Act of 2022 This bill expands eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) for certain disabled veterans, including those determined to be catastrophically disabled.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2022
READ Act Reathorization [ sic ]Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes a law that requires the implementation of a strategy to promote quality basic education in partner countries by (1) expanding access to basic education for all children, particularly marginalized children and vulnerable groups; and (2) improving the quality of basic education and learning outcomes.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2022
Strengthen Kids' Mental Health Now Act of 2022 This bill establishes several requirements to support the provision of behavioral health services under Medicaid and other programs, particularly for children. For example, the bill temporarily requires payment for pediatric mental, emotional, and behavioral health services under Medicaid to align with Medicare payments to providers. The bill provides for a 100% Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (i.e., federal matching rate) for any associated additional expenditures. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must issue guidance on how state Medicaid programs may expand the availability of telehealth services and mental, emotional, and behavioral health services. In addition, the Health Resources and Services Administration must award grants to support (1) pediatric behavioral health care integration in communities, (2) pediatric mental health and substance use disorder workforce training, and (3) the infrastructure of pediatric hospitals and rural health clinics with respect to behavioral health services.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2022
This resolution supports the goals and ideals of National Women's History Month and recognizes the women and organizations that continue to promote the teaching of women's history.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2022
Small State and Rural Rescue Act This bill addresses requests for, and other matters pertaining to, disaster assistance provided through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), with a focus on small states and rural communities. The bill expands the duties of FEMA's Small State and Rural Advocate to include assistance for states in the collection and presentation of material in the disaster or emergency declaration request relevant to demonstrate severe localized impacts within the state for a specific incident. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must review FEMA's implementation of its final rule regarding factors considered when evaluating a governor's request for a major disaster declaration. In particular, the review must focus on requests for a major disaster declaration authorizing individual assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2022
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment to prohibit the Constitution from being construed to forbid Congress or the states from (1) imposing reasonable viewpoint-neutral limitations on private campaign contributions or independent election expenditures; or (2) enacting systems of public campaign financing, including those designed to restrict the influence of private wealth by offsetting campaign spending or independent expenditures with increased public funding.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2022
This resolution expresses support for the designation of Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day. It also honors and recognizes the contributions of veterans who served in Vietnam.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2022
Growing, Recruiting, and Obtaining Workers in Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Services Act or the GROW SISPS Act This bill requires the Department of Education to award competitive grants to eligible partnerships (e.g., partnerships between institutions of higher education, local educational agencies, and organizations that provide credentialing for specialized instructional support personnel) for expanding or establishing programs to increase specialized instructional support personnel in schools.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2022
Federal Contracting for Peace and Security Act This bill requires executive agencies to terminate their contracts with companies conducting business operations in Russia. This requirement ends when Russia takes steps to restore the safety, sovereignty, and condition of Ukraine. The bill shall not apply to the procurement of products or services for (1) the benefit, either directly or through the efforts of regional allies, of Ukraine; or (2) humanitarian purposes to meet basic human needs. The bill provides for a waiver where in the national interest of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2022
Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Supportive Services Expansion Act The bill increases funding for and expands the disadvantaged business enterprise supportive services program of the Department of Transportation (DOT). The program provides training, assistance, and services to minority-owned small businesses to help them achieve proficiency to compete, on an equal basis, for federal aid highway project contracts and subcontracts. Specifically, the bill (1) increases the annual funding cap for the program from $10 million to $25 million, and (2) authorizes DOT to implement the program at the Federal Transit Administration and Federal Aviation Administration so that small businesses owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals may achieve proficiency to compete for contracts and subcontracts regarding public transportation and airport projects.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2022
This resolution affirms the importance of the U.S. relationship with the Pacific Islands and recognizes the importance of U.S.-Pacific Island partnerships to promote peace, security, and prosperity for all countries through a rules-based regional order that respects the sovereignty and political independence of all nations. The resolution urges the Biden Administration to continue to work with the Pacific Islands to preserve the Pacific Ocean as an open and vibrant corridor for international maritime trade; promote sustainable development; and address socioeconomic challenges related to public health, education, renewable energy, and digital connectivity. The resolution reaffirms the support of the House of Representatives for (1) regional efforts to address the challenges posed by climate change; and (2) the vision, values, and objectives of existing regional multilateral institutions and frameworks, such as the Pacific Islands Forum, the Pacific Islands Conference of Leaders, and the Pacific Community. Finally, the resolution recognizes the importance of working closely with U.S. allies and partners with existing relationships and interests in the Pacific Islands, including Australia, Japan, New Zealand, and Taiwan, in advancing common goals.
United States · United States Congress · 18 March 2022
This resolution celebrates the 200th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the United States and Colombia. The resolution recognizes the vital strategic alliance between the United States and Colombia, built on a shared commitment to democracy. The resolution also celebrates the contributions made by Colombians and Colombian Americans to the United States.