United States · United States Congress · 31 May 2022
Protecting Our Kids Act This bill makes various changes to federal firearms laws, including to establish new criminal offenses and to expand the types of weapons and devices that are subject to regulation. Among the changes, the bill generally prohibits the sale or transfer of certain semiautomatic firearms to individuals who are under 21 years of age; establishes new federal criminal offenses for gun trafficking and related conduct; establishes a federal statutory framework to regulate ghost guns (i.e., guns without serial numbers); establishes a framework to regulate the storage of firearms on residential premises at the federal, state, and tribal levels; subjects bump stocks to regulation under federal firearms laws; and generally prohibits the import, sale, manufacture, transfer, and possession of large capacity ammunition feeding devices.
United States · United States Congress · 27 May 2022
This bill designates the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Canton, Michigan, as the Major General Oliver W. Dillard VA Outpatient Clinic.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2022
This resolution calls on the Russian government to immediately release Brittney Griner. The resolution urges the United States, in all interactions with the Russian government, to raise the case of Brittney Griner and to press for her release. The resolution further urges the Russian government to provide consular access to Brittney Griner while she remains in detention and to respect her human rights. Finally, the resolution expresses support to the family of Brittney Griner and a commitment to bringing her home.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2022
Accountability for Online Firearms Marketplaces Act of 2022 This bill removes the federal liability protection that a provider of an interactive computer service (e.g., a social media company) receives for content provided by third parties (sometimes referred to as Section 230 protection) if the provider operates an online firearms marketplace. Online firearms marketplace refers to an interactive computer service that (1) facilitates firearm-related transactions, (2) advertises or otherwise makes available proposals for transferring firearms, or (3) makes digital instructions for programming a three-dimensional printer to make a firearm.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2022
Health Care Providers Safety Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to health care providers for security services and other expenses related to physical security and cybersecurity.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2022
Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take certain actions to address emergencies, disasters, and supply chain disruptions (particularly the shortage of infant formula in the United States) affecting participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The bill directs USDA to require each infant formula cost containment contract to include remedies in the event of an infant formula recall, including how an infant formula manufacturer would protect against disruption to WIC participants in the state. USDA must, within 30 days, ensure there is a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Health and Human Services that includes procedures for coordination and information sharing regarding any supply chain disruption, including a supplemental food recall. The bill also authorizes USDA to waive or modify any WIC qualified administrative requirement during emergencies, disasters, and supply chain disruptions. Specifically, USDA may waive or modify such a requirement for one or more state agencies if (1) the requirement cannot be met by state agencies during the emergency, disaster, or disruption; and (2) the modification or waiver is necessary to provide assistance to WIC participants and does not substantially weaken the nutritional quality of supplemental foods. For example, USDA may waive the maximum monthly allowance for infant formula. The bill establishes notification requirements for USDA and state agencies related to supply chain disruptions.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2022
This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the President use existing authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950 to ensure the supply and equitable distribution of infant formula. That act confers upon the President a broad set of authorities to influence domestic industry in order to provide essential materials and goods needed for the national defense.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2022
This concurrent resolution expresses opposition to the application of criminal laws to pregnancy outcomes and affirms that people deserve access to high-quality health care without fear of reprisal or punishment.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2022
Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act This bill requires employers to make initial and modified disclosures to employees of the terms of their employment, provide such employees with regular paystubs, and make a final payment to an employee for uncompensated work hours within 14 days of the employee's termination. Employers must also allow employees access to wage records. An employer must compensate an employee at the rate specified in an employment contract, including a collective bargaining agreement, that specifies a rate of pay higher than the minimum wage rate. The bill makes all of such unpaid wages recoverable through civil enforcement. The bill establishes new and increased civil and criminal penalties for violations of overtime or minimum wage requirements, including referral to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution of employers who engage in wage theft, falsification of wage records, or retaliation against employees. The Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor must provide grants to specified organizations, including nonprofits and educational institutions, to enhance the enforcement of wage and hour laws. The Government Accountability Office must study and report on successful grant programs.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2022
This resolution extends collective bargaining rights prescribed in the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to employees of the House of Representatives.
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
This bill authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to establish a pilot program to determine the effectiveness of body-worn camera continuous training programs in improving policing, including community relations with law enforcement. It allows DOJ to award grants to states and local governments for carrying out these training programs.
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 · 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 · 14 April 2022
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2050 South Boulevard in Bloomfield Township, Michigan, as the "Dr. Ezra S. Parke Post Office Building."
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
This resolution recognizes that Black women are experiencing high, disproportionate rates of maternal mortality and morbidity in the United States and that Black Maternal Health Week is an opportunity to deepen the national conversation about Black maternal health.
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 · 31 March 2022
Protecting America's Retirement Security Act This bill makes various changes with respect to the administration of employer-sponsored retirement plans, including establishing additional spousal consent requirements for distributions under such plans and requiring the periodic automatic reenrollment of nonparticipating employees in automatic contribution arrangements that take effect after December 31, 2024. The bill also requires the Department of Education, in consultation with relevant agencies, to establish a personal finance education portal that includes information about savings, investing, borrowing, and managing student loan repayment.
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 · 30 March 2022
Federal PFAS Research Evaluation Act This bill requires various studies and reports on the exposure, hazards, and management of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS. These substances are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing. Specifically, the bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to enter into an agreement with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) to conduct a two-phase study and report on the research and development needed to advance human exposure estimation and toxicity hazard estimation of individual or total PFAS. The bill also requires the EPA to jointly enter into an agreement with NASEM to conduct a study and submit a report on the research and development needed to advance the understanding of the extent and implications of environmental contamination by PFAS, how to manage and treat such contamination, and the development of safe alternatives. Finally, the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy must submit an implementation plan for federal PFAS research, development, and demonstration activities, taking into account the recommendations of the NASEM reports.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2022
This resolution supports the designation of National Sikh Day to honor and celebrate the important role played by the Sikh community in strengthening and inspiring the people of the United States.
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 · 18 March 2022
This resolution recognizes the important role of local nutrition programs supported through the Older Americans Act of 1965 in addressing senior hunger, malnutrition, and isolation.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2022
Great Lakes Authority Act of 2022 This bill establishes the Great Lakes Authority to promote economic development and job creation; restore and protect fresh water; foster innovation to strengthen and expand manufacturing; promote cleaner and more sustainable power production; establish and administer funding mechanisms to finance clean energy, green infrastructure, water infrastructure, wastewater infrastructure, and broadband infrastructure projects in the region; create a regional development plan; promote affordable access to energy and broadband services in the region; provide technical assistance to entities receiving financial assistance from the authority; and select a location for the National Energy Recycling and Conservation Laboratory established by this bill. The authority must be composed of (1) a chairperson appointed by the President; and (2) one member from each of the following states: Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2022
Prevent Release Of Toxics Emissions, Contamination, and Transfer Act of 2022 or the PROTECT Act of 2022 This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to (1) issue a final rule adding perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) with at least one fully fluorinated carbon atom to the list of hazardous air pollutants, and (2) revise the list of air pollution sources within 365 days after issuing the rule to include categories and subcategories of major sources and area sources of PFAS. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2022
This resolution expresses that the House of Representatives declares its gratitude on behalf of the people of the United States to the journalists and news staff who continue to put themselves in harm's way to report on the humanitarian crisis and ongoing war on the ground in Ukraine following Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine; and honors the contributions of journalists and news staff reporting from the war in Ukraine as essential in the ongoing struggle for the rights of a free press and free speech internationally, pivotal in pushing back against false propaganda by tyrants, and crucial to informing Americans and the world of the horrors being wrought against the Ukrainian people.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2022
This resolution urges the government of Argentina to bring the perpetrators of the March 17, 1992, terrorist attack on the Embassy of Israel in Buenos Aires to justice (in 1999 the Supreme Court of Argentina found that the transnational terrorist organization Hezbollah was responsible for the attack). The resolution commends the Argentinian government for designating Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and urges other U.S. allies and partners in Latin America and the Caribbean to do the same. The resolution urges these allies and partners to condemn and counter regional governments in the hemisphere that aid and abet Iran and Hezbollah. The resolution also commends the Argentinian government for adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism and encourages other partners and allies to do the same. Finally, the resolution commends the Secretary General of the Organization of American States for appointing a Commissioner to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism in the Western Hemisphere.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2022
Empowering the U.S. Fire Administration Act This bill authorizes the U.S. Fire Administration (USFA) to conduct on-site investigations of major fires and other fires under other specified circumstances. In the case of a major fire, the USFA may send incident investigators (e.g., safety specialists, fire protection engineers, codes and standards experts, researchers, and fire training specialists) to the site. Any such investigation shall (1) be conducted in coordination with appropriate federal, state, and local authorities; and (2) examine the determined cause and origin of the fire and assess broader systematic matters. Upon concluding any such investigation, the USFA must issue a public report to local, state, and federal authorities on the findings of such investigation or collaborate with another investigating federal agency on that agency's report. Additionally, the USFA may send fire investigators to conduct investigations at the site of any fire with unusual or remarkable context that results in losses less severe than those occurring as a result of a major fire.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2022
Veterans Exposed to Toxic PFAS Act or the VET PFAS Act This bill provides eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital care and medical services to veterans and their family members (including those in utero) who have specified conditions and resided at a military installation where individuals were exposed to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. Hospital care and medical services may not be furnished for a condition that is found to have resulted from a cause other than the exposure to PFAS at a military installation. The VA may provide reimbursement for hospital care or medical services provided to a family member only after the family member or provider has exhausted all claims and remedies otherwise available for payment of such care. For disability compensation purposes, the bill establishes a presumption of service-connection for specified conditions in veterans who served at a military installation at which individuals were exposed to PFAS. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific conditions diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded.
United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2022
Honoring Harriet Tubman Act This bill requires the Joint Committee on the Library to obtain a statue of Harriet Tubman and place the statue in a suitable permanent location in National Statuary Hall.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2022
This resolution expresses that the House of Representatives must take action on climate change and address the mental health effects of climate change on children and families.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2022
Green Postal Service Fleet Act of 2022 This bill prohibits the U.S. Postal Service from carrying out the contract with Oshkosh Defense for the procurement of postal delivery vehicles unless each purchase is at least 75% electric or zero-emission vehicles.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2022
Stopping Harmful Image Exploitation and Limiting Distribution Act of 2022 or the SHIELD Act of 2022 This bill establishes a new criminal offense related to the distribution of intimate visual depictions. Specifically, it makes it a crime to knowingly distribute (or intentionally threaten to distribute) an intimate visual depiction of an individual (1) with knowledge of or reckless disregard for the individual's lack of consent and reasonable expectation of privacy, and (2) without a reasonable belief that distributing the depiction touches a matter of public concern. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to two years for each individual victim depicted, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2022
Clean Slate through Consolidation Act This bill provides for the removal of any adverse credit history related to a defaulted federal student loan from a borrower's credit history once the borrower has obtained a Federal Direct Consolidation Loan discharging the borrower's liability on the defaulted loan.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2022
This resolution recognizes the impact of COVID-19 on children who have lost a caregiver during the pandemic and the disproportionate effect of this impact on racial and ethnic minorities.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2022
Ban Russian Energy Imports Act This bill declares that a national emergency exists with respect to the aggression of Russia against Ukraine. During this emergency, the President must prohibit the importation of crude oil, petroleum, petroleum products, liquefied natural gas, and coal in which Russia or a Russian national has any interest. The bill exempts products that are already loaded or in transit at the time of this bill's enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2022
Susan Muffley Act of 2022 This bill restores the full vested monthly benefits for eligible participants of certain pension plans that were sponsored by Delphi Corporation and terminated as a result of General Motors' bankruptcy in 2009. The Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC) must recalculate and adjust each plan participant's monthly benefits payment. The PBGC must also apply the recalculation to previously-made monthly payments and make a lump-sum payment for any additional benefits based on the recalculation. The bill establishes and provides appropriations to a fund for the payment of these benefits and specifies how the lump-sum payments are treated for tax purposes.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2022
Job Protection Act This bill reduces from 12 months to 90 days the employment period required for employees (including federal employees) to become eligible for family and medical leave. Additionally, the bill makes the family and medical leave requirements applicable to all employers (currently, the requirements apply to employers with 50 or more employees).
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2022
Choice in Affordable Housing Act of 2022 This bill establishes programs and grants to incentivize landlord participation in the Housing Choice Voucher program (i.e., Section 8 tenant-based housing assistance). The bill authorizes the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide one-time incentive payments to landlords, security deposit payments, bonuses to public housing agencies that employ landlord liaisons, and amounts for other recruitment purposes. Additionally, the bill allows dwelling units to meet Housing Choice Voucher program inspection requirements by satisfactory inspection through participation in other housing programs. Landlords not yet participating in a low-income housing assistance program may request inspection by a public housing agency to determine whether the dwelling meets requirements prior to selection by a tenant. Finally, HUD must expand the use of an alternative method of calculating fair market rent for purposes of the Housing Choice Voucher program.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2022
Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2022 This bill prohibits government entities and insurance providers from denying community-based services to individuals with disabilities that require long-term service or support that would enable such individuals to live in the community and lead an independent life. Specifically, these entities may not discriminate against such individuals in the provision of community-based services by such actions as imposing prohibited eligibility criteria, cost caps, or waiting lists or failing to provide a specific community-based service. Additionally, community-based services must be offered to individuals with such disabilities prior to institutionalization. Institutionalized individuals must be notified regularly of community-based alternatives. The bill requires the Department of Justice to issue regulations requiring government entities and insurance providers to offer community-based long-term services to individuals with such disabilities who would otherwise qualify for institutional placement. Government entities must ensure sufficient availability of affordable, accessible, and integrated housing that is not a disability-specific residential setting or a setting where services are tied to tenancy. Regulations shall also (1) require government entities and insurance providers to perform self-evaluation on current services, policies, and practices and concerning compliance with requirements of this bill; and (2) require government entities to submit a transition plan. The bill provides funds for FY2022 for the Department of Health and Human Services to provide technical assistance with respect to transition plans. The bill allows civil actions by individuals subjected to, or about to be subjected to, a violation of its requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2022
Election Worker and Polling Place Protection Act This bill addresses certain protections for election workers and polling places. In particular, the bill prohibits, with enhanced penalties for certain types of threats and harms (1) intimidation of poll watchers, election officials, and election agents, vendors, and contractors involving violence or threats of harm; and (2) physical damage to or threats to physically damage a polling place, tabulation center, or other election infrastructure.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2022
Nonprofit Security Grant Program Improvement Act of 2022 This bill modifies the Nonprofit Security Grant Program of the Department of Homeland Security and reauthorizes appropriations for such program through FY2028. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must establish an office, headed by a senior FEMA official, to administer the program. Office responsibilities include those related to outreach, engagement, education, and technical assistance. FEMA must also publish grant guidelines and may prohibit states from closing application processes prior to the publication of the guidelines.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2022
Minorities in Aviation Education Act of 2022 This bill establishes grants for increasing the exposure of students who are underrepresented in aviation to that industry. The Department of Transportation must award the grants to state and local governments or educational agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 25 February 2022
Original Black History Month Resolution of 2022 This resolution recognizes the importance of commemorating Black History Month to acknowledge the achievements of Black Americans throughout history.