United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2023
This bill requires the Department of State to develop a strategy to discourage foreign countries from providing financial or material support to the Taliban, including using U.S.-provided foreign assistance to discourage countries from providing support to the Taliban. The State Department must report to Congress (1) on the strategy and on its implementation; (2) on U.S.-funded direct cash assistance programs in Afghanistan; and (3) on the Afghan Fund, including Taliban influence over Da Afghanistan Bank.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2023
No Technology for Terror Act This bill requires the United States to regulate the export of certain foreign-produced items related to Iran. Such foreign-produced items to be controlled are items that are (1) direct products of or produced in a plant that is a direct product of U.S.-origin technology subject to the Export Administration Regulations and specified in a covered Export Control Classification Number, and (2) produced or destined to Iran. A license shall be required to export, re-export, or in-country transfer such controlled items.
United States · United States Congress · 1 December 2023
Enabling Necessary Discipline with the Defense of Executives’ Endeavors to Properly Staff Their Agencies with Trustworthy Employees Act or the END the DEEP STATE Act This bill requires the Office of Personnel Management to withdraw the proposed rule titled Upholding Civil Service Protections and Merit System Principles and published on September 18, 2023. The bill also prohibits further action to finalize, implement, or enforce the same or a substantially similar rule. The proposed rule addresses civil service protections for federal employees. Among other things, the proposed rule provides that federal employees shall not lose their status or civil service protections when they involuntarily leave the competitive service to enter the excepted service or move between positions in the excepted service; establishes related procedures that apply when moving to these positions; and specifies that the phrase confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating, which is used to describe certain positions that are excepted from civil service protections, is intended to apply to noncareer, political appointments.
United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2023
This resolution expresses strong support for democracy in Pakistan, including free and fair elections. It calls on the President to work with Pakistan to uphold democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The resolution also urges Pakistan to uphold democratic institutions and human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2023
Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act or EXPLORE Act This bill sets forth policies for the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture related to recreation on certain public lands. Issues addressed include itemized budget information for outdoor recreation across departments; long-distance bike trails; recreational climbing activities; target shooting ranges; overnight campsites in Arkansas; filming and still photography; motorized and nonmotorized access; invasive species; gateway communities; real-time information for the public on visitor levels; broadband and cellular service; public-private partnerships; access for persons with disabilities to trails and recreation opportunities; recreational and job opportunities for military members and veterans; youth access to recreational lands; issuance of special recreation permits; a digital version of the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass; extension of seasonal recreation opportunities; and volunteers on public recreational lands.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2023
This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the National Labor Relations Board titled Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status and published on October 27, 2023. The rule establishes a new joint employer standard for determining whether two employers simultaneously employ a particular employee or employees. Under the rule, an entity may be considered a joint employer of another employer's employees if the two share or codetermine the employees' essential terms and conditions of employment. The rule is currently scheduled to take effect on February 26, 2024.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2023
Veterans' Sentinel Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a pilot program establishing a working group in the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention to collect and analyze data regarding on-campus (i.e., on VA property) suicides and on-campus attempted suicides by veterans. The working group is authorized to implement improvements to the process by which the VA collects data related to on-campus suicides to unify the disparate sources of such data. The VA must annually brief Congress regarding the progress and findings of the working group. The bill requires the VA to (1) annually evaluate the statistical trends of suicides and attempted suicides by veterans that occur on VA property, and (2) determine recommendations for preventing such suicides and attempted suicides. Finally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to submit a report on (1) the actions the Office of Mental Health and Suicide Prevention has taken to meet the priority objective of the VA with respect to preventing veteran suicide, (2) the challenges the office has faced in making such actions, and (3) recommendations for improvements.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2023
Embassy Construction Integrity Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the Department of State from acquiring or leasing certain buildings for use as a consular or diplomatic post outside of the United States, with a focus on restrictions against buildings owned by entities controlled by the Chinese government. The restrictions in this bill apply to certain entities affiliated with the Chinese government, generally those controlled or owned (at least a 25% stake) by the Chinese government or its agents. The State Department may not acquire or lease a building for a consular or diplomatic post if (1) the building is owned in whole or in part by an entity affiliated with the Chinese government, or (2) such an entity has performed construction or maintenance on the building at any time after 1948. The bill also prohibits the State Department from allowing such an entity to perform construction or maintenance on any building that functions as a consular or diplomatic post.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2023
This bill requires the Department of State to periodically report to Congress on its information technology (IT) contracts. Specifically, the report shall (1) describe all IT contracts awarded, and (2) include a justification for each contract award and details on cybersecurity risks for all IT contracts exceeding certain costs.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2023
This bill requires the Department of State to submit a report to Congress concerning its Conflict and Stabilization Operations Bureau. The report shall include, for example, (1) a bottom-line assessment as to whether the bureau should be maintained, (2) an analysis of costs associated with the bureau and potential cost savings related to dissolving the bureau, and (3) a plan detailing which functions or personnel would be absorbed by other elements in the State Department if the bureau is dissolved.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2023
This bill requires the Department of State to establish a program for employees to self-report fiscal waste they observe on the job. The State Department shall investigate such reports and rectify all instances of determined fiscal waste. Employees must be allowed to make their reports confidential. The State Department must establish a departmental award for any exemplary employee who makes non-confidential submissions to the fiscal waste self-reporting program that result in significant cost savings or the cancellation of wasteful programs.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2023
Living Organ Donor Tax Credit Act of 2023 This bill establishes a refundable tax credit of up to $5,000 for expenses related to the removal and donation of all or part of a kidney, liver, lung, pancreas, intestine, or bone marrow by a living individual for transplant into another individual. Expenses that may be included in the calculation of this tax credit include travel, lodging, medical expenses related to donation and follow-up care, paperwork and legal costs, lost wages, and any other costs paid by the taxpayer in connection with the transplant. Expenses related to the transplant that are reimbursed by any person or entity (public or private) may not be included in the calculation of the credit amount.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2023
Home for the Brave Act of 2023 This bill excludes certain veterans' service-connected disability or death benefits from income for purposes of determinations made in connection with the Department of Housing and Urban Development's housing assistance programs.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2023
This resolution strongly condemns any instances of antisemitism occurring at colleges and universities in the United States. The resolution also encourages higher education leaders (e.g., presidents, deans, and administrators) to publicly condemn speech that incites or celebrates violence against any people based on religious beliefs, national origin, or ancestry; and encourages institutions of higher education to engage with Jewish student organizations and ensure that Jewish students, faculty, and staff can pursue their academic and personal aspirations without fear.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2023
This resolution states that the House of Representatives reaffirms the United States commitment to invoke the 1951 U.S.-Philippines mutual defense treaty if Philippine assets are attacked in the South China Sea. The resolution also calls on the United States and the Philippines to begin joint patrols in the South China Sea, objects to Chinese sovereignty claims to the South China Sea, and welcomes swift implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (a 2014 agreement enabling the U.S. and Philippine militaries to train together, respond to humanitarian crises, and modernize military capabilities).
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2023
Recycling Infrastructure and Accessibility Act of 2023 This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a pilot grant program for improving recycling accessibility in communities. The EPA may award grants to states, local governments, Indian tribes, or public-private partnerships.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2023
This resolution condemns China for its role in the fentanyl crisis. Specifically, China is condemned for its inaction in holding the Chinese producers of fentanyl precursors accountable. The resolution also calls on the Biden Administration to (1) impose sanctions on Chinese officials, entities, and individuals with ties to fentanyl precursor production or trafficking; (2) designate Chinese financial institutions involved in evading U.S. sanctions; and (3) develop a plan to counter the shipment of fentanyl precursors and add China to the list of Major Drug Producing Countries.
United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2023
This resolution supports the designation of National Co-Op Month, commends the cooperative business model for its contributions to the economy, and expresses confidence in cooperatives to continue their successes.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2023
Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Reauthorization Act of 2023 or the Weather Act Reauthorization Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes, revises, and establishes several programs related to weather forecasting, monitoring, and research. For example, the bill reauthorizes through FY2028 programs that are administered by the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including the U.S. Weather Research Program. It also provides statutory authority for NOAA's Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment (known as VORTEX-USA). The bill also requires NOAA to establish programs that support weather forecasting technology, including improvements to radar accuracy, weather forecasting in underserved areas, and coastal flooding forecasting. NOAA must also contract with the private sector to obtain weather-related data and establish a pilot program to test the compatibility of this data with NOAA infrastructure. In addition, NOAA must improve weather-related communication systems, including those related to hazardous weather events, through system upgrades that use more modern technology (e.g., cloud-based services) and that allow for expanded coverage (e.g., in rural areas). Finally, NOAA must administer programs that support weather forecasting for agricultural and water management, including pilot programs to improve precipitation forecasts in the western and central states and a soil moisture monitoring network.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2023
Bolstering America's Defenses Against Potentially Perilous Software Act or the BAD APPS Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to create (1) categorical definitions of foreign mobile applications of concern, and (2) a risk framework to assess certain foreign mobile applications for any potential impact on DOD personnel and operations. Generally, the framework must include mobile applications from countries that DOD determines to be engaged in consistent, unauthorized conduct that is detrimental to the national security or foreign policy of the United States. Such framework must incorporate specified considerations, such as the manner and extent of data collection by the application. DOD must issue guidance to all of its personnel incorporating the categories of foreign mobile applications of concern and advising how to mitigate the risks identified by the risk framework with respect to the applications. DOD must also update the categorical definitions and risk framework at least annually.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2023
Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act This bill requires the Department of State to designate Ansarallah as a foreign terrorist organization and the President to impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions with respect to Ansarallah and any foreign person who is a member, agent, or affiliate of, or owned or controlled by Ansarallah.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 2023
This resolution condemns the support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education, which may lead to the creation of a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. It also urges the Department of Education to direct the Office for Civil Rights to investigate and, where appropriate, take immediate action.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 2023
This bill excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, compensation of members of the Armed Forces performing services in Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Chad on the same basis as if such services had been performed in a combat zone.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 2023
Stop Taxpayer Funding of Hamas Act This bill prohibits obligating or expending U.S. funds in Gaza unless the President makes certain certifications. Specifically, it prohibits such expenditures unless the President certifies that (1) the funds will not benefit Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, other foreign terrorist organizations, or their members; and (2) all hostages taken by such organizations have been freed. The bill also prohibits obligating or expending funds in Gaza through any United Nations entity or office unless the President certifies that the entity or office is not encouraging or teaching anti-Israel or anti-Semitic ideas or propaganda.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2023
This resolution calls on Hamas to immediately release hostages taken during its October 2023 attack on Israel. The resolution (1) condemns Hamas for attacking Israel, taking hostages, and for threats made against hostages; (2) demands that Hamas immediately release hostages; (3) recognizes that hostage-taking is a violation of international humanitarian law; and (4) expresses sympathy to the hostages, wounded, deceased, and their families.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2023
No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act This bill requires the President to impose property-blocking sanctions on foreign financial institutions and international financial institutions that process, participate in, or facilitate a transaction involving certain Iranian funds (namely, the approximately $6 billion of Iranian funds that the Biden administration permitted to be transferred from restricted accounts in South Korea to restricted accounts in Qatar to facilitate the release of five U.S. citizens detained in Iran).
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2023
This resolution states that the House of Representatives stands with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists, reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, and condemns Hamas' brutal war against Israel. The resolution also reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's security, supports emergency resupply and certain other types of assistance to Israel, and urges full enforcement of sanctions against Iran to prevent Iran's funding of terrorist groups.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2023
This resolution expresses unwavering support for Israel and a readiness to consider urgent requests for additional assistance to Israel to defend its people and sovereignty. The resolution also states that (1) Israel is entitled to act in self-defense against Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and associated forces, as well as their state sponsors; and (2) the cross-border attacks and kidnappings against Israel constitute acts of international terrorism and aggression.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2023
This resolution states that the House of Representatives stands with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists, reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, and condemns Hamas' brutal war against Israel. The resolution also reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's security, supports emergency resupply and certain other types of assistance to Israel, and urges full enforcement of sanctions against Iran to prevent Iran's funding of terrorist groups.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2023
No Paydays for Hostage-Takers Act This bill allows the President to deny a representative of the United Nations diplomatic entry to the United States if the individual is sanctioned under specified Executive Orders related to terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Currently, the President may deny entry to a United Nations representative if the individual is found to be engaged in specified espionage or terrorist activities directed against the United States or its allies and may pose a threat to security. The bill also requires the President to report to Congress on certain matters regarding Iran. The President must report on the $6 billion transferred from restricted Iranian accounts in South Korea to restricted accounts in Qatar on August 9, 2023; all cases of hostage taking of a U.S. national in Iran or at the direction of Iran during the last 10 years and whether specified sanctions apply; blocked Iranian assets; international efforts to find, freeze, and forfeit assets of those connected to Iran's hostage-taking, wrongful detention, and human rights violations; whether the travel of U.S. persons to Iran presents an imminent danger to travelers; and a strategy to deter hostage-taking by U.S adversaries.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2023
No Bailout for Sanctuary Cities Act This bill makes a state or political subdivision of a state ineligible for any federal funds the jurisdiction intends to use to benefit non-U.S. nationals (i.e., aliens under federal law) who are unlawfully present if the jurisdiction withholds information about citizenship or immigration status or does not cooperate with immigration detainers. Specifically, such funds are denied to any jurisdiction that has a law, policy, or practice that prohibits or restricts any government entity from maintaining, sending, or receiving information regarding the citizenship or immigration status of any individual; exchanging information regarding an individual's citizenship or immigration status with a federal, state, or local government entity; complying with a valid immigration detainer from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS); or notifying DHS about an individual's release from custody. The funding restriction does not apply to a law, policy, or practice that only applies to an individual who comes forward as a victim of or a witness to a criminal offense. The bill applies beginning in the fiscal year following its enactment.
![Official portrait of Rep. Baird, James R. [R-IN-4]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/6a3aa8877d3b72f27fb69f15_200.jpg)