United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2023
Equal Dignity for Married Taxpayers Act of 2023 This bill modifies several tax provisions that refer to married couples to make the provisions equally applicable to legally married same-sex couples.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2023
This resolution recognizes Gloria Molina's historic political career and extends sympathies to her friends and loved ones. Molina was the first Latina Assembly Member in California, the first Latina on the Los Angeles City Council, and the first Latina on the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2023
VA Loan Informed Disclosure Act of 2023 or the VALID Act of 2023 The bill requires a Federal Housing Administration mortgage notice to contain comparative rate and fee information about loans available under the Department of Veterans Affairs home loan program.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2023
Promoting Respect for Individuals' Dignity and Equality Act of 2023 or the PRIDE Act of 2023 This bill requires the equal treatment of same sex married couples for tax purposes. It permits such couples to amend their filing status to married filing jointly for tax returns outside of the statute of limitations and modifies tax rules relating to married couples to include same sex couples.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023
Protect Vulnerable Immigrant Youth Act This bill exempts Special Immigrant Juveniles visas from certain annual numerical limitations on such visas. (Generally, Special Immigrant Juvenile status is available to qualifying non-U.S. nationals under 21 years of age who are in the United States and have been abused, abandoned, or neglected by a parent.)
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023
LGBTQI+ and Women's History Education Act of 2023 This bill directs the National Museum of American History of the Smithsonian Institution (NMAH) to carry out activities to support LGBTQI+ (sexual and gender minority populations) history and women's history education programs. Specifically, the NMAH must, among other things, carry out the following activities: the development and national dissemination of accurate, relevant, and accessible national resources for classrooms to administer LGBTQI+ and women's history education in an inclusive and intersectional approach; the development, national dissemination, and implementation of principles of sound pedagogy for administering LGBTQI+ and women's history education; the development, operation, and expansion of a teacher fellowship program to cultivate and support leaders in LGBTQI+ and women's history education; and engagement with state and local education leaders to encourage the adoption of resources supported under this bill into curricula across diverse disciplines. In addition to the activities described in this bill, the museum must develop and maintain on its website content designated for educators, students, and families to improve their awareness and understanding of LGBTQI+ and women's history education.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023
American Worker and Trade Competitiveness Act This bill reauthorizes and revises specified U.S. trade programs and provisions. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2030 and revises the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program, including by expanding program eligibility to additional workers, establishing a child and other dependent care allowance, and increasing the maximum benefit of wage insurance. It also permanently extends the tax credit for health insurance costs and increases the percentage of the credit. The bill extends through December 31, 2026, the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), which provides duty-free treatment to products imported from designated beneficiary countries. The bill makes changes to the GSP, including by (1) adding other criteria for designation as a beneficiary developing country, (2) requiring a review of laws relating to worker and gender rights, and (3) requiring a study on rules of origin and GSP utilization rates. Additionally, the bill provides through December 31, 2024, and retroactively applies to 120 days before this bill's enactment, temporary duty suspensions or reductions to eligible imported products. This authorization is commonly known as the Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB). The last version of the MTB was enacted in September 2018 and the temporary treatment for those products listed in the MTB expired on December 31, 2020. The bill extends the American Manufacturing Competitiveness Act of 2016 for two future MTB cycles (one in 2023 and one in 2026). This extension allows the U.S. International Trade Commission to conduct the MTB petition, review, and recommendation process for those additional cycles.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023
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 · 21 June 2023
Horse Transportation Safety Act of 2023 This bill prohibits a person from transporting a horse in interstate commerce in a motor vehicle that contains two or more levels stacked on top of one another. Vehicles operated exclusively on a rail or rails are excluded from the prohibition. The bill prescribes civil penalties for knowing violations of such prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023
Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act of 2023 This bill authorizes a grant program to provide assistance with travel-related expenses for those seeking an abortion. Specifically, the Department of Treasury may award grants to nonprofit or community-based organizations to provide assistance to those seeking abortions with round-trip travel, lodging, meals, and other travel-related expenses. Priority must be given to organizations that serve individuals who are in jurisdictions that have banned or severely restricted abortion access or who travel to another jurisdiction for an abortion, or organizations that have or plan to have programs in place that help individuals access abortion services. In order to qualify for a grant, organizations must assist individuals seeking abortions through unbiased and medically and factually accurate programs, services, or activities. Organizations may not discourage individuals from seeking abortions. Additionally, federal entities that implement the grant program may not participate in any state, tribal, or local antiabortion proceedings (e.g., prosecutions) in connection with grant services.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023
Equality Act This bill prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity with respect to businesses, employment, housing, federally funded programs, and other settings. Specifically, the bill expands Title II and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit public accommodations and federally funded programs, respectively, from discriminating based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. It also includes stores, transit services, recreational facilities, and establishments that provide health care, accounting, or legal services as public accommodations under Title II. The bill also expands Title IV (desegregation of public schools) and Title VII (employment discrimination) to specifically include sexual orientation and gender identity. (The Supreme Court held in Bostock v. Clayton County that Title VII's prohibition of employment discrimination based on sex also prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.) The bill similarly expands the Fair Housing Act (discrimination in public and private housing) to include sexual orientation and gender identity. It also prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity by creditors and with respect to jury selection. The bill defines sex for purposes of the aforementioned provisions to include sex stereotypes, pregnancy, childbirth, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023
Lifting Immigrant Families Through Benefits Access Restoration Act or the LIFT the BAR Act This bill repeals certain limits on the eligibility of noncitizens who lawfully reside in the United States for federal means-tested programs, including Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), programs funded through Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) grants, Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and certain nutrition and housing programs.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023
Quiet Communities Act of 2023 This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to reestablish an Office of Noise Abatement and Control to promote the development of local noise control programs and carry out related duties.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023
Hate Crimes Commission Act of 2023 This bill establishes the United States Commission on Hate Crimes. The commission must investigate and report on whether hate crimes have increased; factors that contributed to an increase in hate crimes, if one is determined to exist; policies or actions that law enforcement agencies might adopt to reduce the commission of hate crimes; the impact of underreporting on hate crimes statistics and prevention; ways to improve hate crimes reporting and ensure full and complete participation in the National Incident-Based Reporting System by local law enforcement agencies; bias prevention efforts and responses to hate crimes that are successful and possible through coordination with nonprofit organizations, local education agencies, and government entities; and the prevalence and rise of online hate crime incidents.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023
Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act of 2023 This bill removes limitations on the civil liability of gun manufacturers and the disclosure of gun trace data in civil actions. Specifically, the bill repeals the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which prohibits civil actions against a firearm or ammunition manufacturer, seller, importer, dealer, or trade association for damages resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of a firearm. Additionally, the bill states that firearms trace data maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is not immune from legal process. Such data is subject to discovery; is admissible as evidence; and may be used, relied on, or disclosed in a civil action or administrative proceeding.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023
Computer Science for All Act of 2023 This bill establishes a program through which the Department of Education must award grants to states, local educational agencies, and eligible tribal schools to serve as models for national replication of computer science education expansion efforts. Grant recipients must use these funds for certain activities, including training teachers to teach computer science and expanding access to high-quality learning materials and online options.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023
American Dream and Promise Act of 2023 This bill provides certain non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) with a path to receive permanent resident status and contains other immigration-related provisions. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or the Department of Justice (DOJ) shall provide conditional permanent resident status for 10 years to a qualifying individual who entered the United States as a minor and (1) is deportable or inadmissible, (2) has deferred enforced departure (DED) status or temporary protected status (TPS), or (3) is the child of certain classes of nonimmigrants. The bill imposes various qualifying requirements, such as the individual being continuously physically present in the United States since January 1, 2021, passing a background check, and being enrolled in or having completed certain educational programs. DHS shall remove the conditions placed on permanent resident status granted under this bill if the alien applies and meets certain requirements, such as completing certain programs at an educational institution, serving in the military, or being employed. Furthermore, DHS and DOJ shall provide lawful permanent resident status to certain individuals who had TPS, were eligible for TPS, or were eligible for DED status on certain dates. Such individuals must meet certain requirements and apply for such status within three years of this bill's enactment. DHS may not use information from applications filed under this bill or for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status for immigration enforcement purposes. This bill also repeals a restriction that bars a state from providing higher education benefits to undocumented individuals unless those benefits are available to all U.S. nationals without regard to residency in the state.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2023
Right to Contraception Act This bill sets out statutory protections for an individual's right to access and a health care provider's right to provide contraception and related information. Contraception refers to an action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives (i.e., a device or medication used to prevent pregnancy), fertility-awareness based methods, and sterilization procedures. Generally, the bill prohibits measures that single out and impede access to contraception and related information. However, a party may defend against a claim that a measure violates the bill's prohibitions by demonstrating, through clear and convincing evidence, that the measure significantly advances the safety of contraception and cannot be achieved through less restrictive means. The bill also specifies that the prohibition preempts inconsistent state and local laws and applies in spite of other federal laws, including the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993. The Department of Justice, individuals, or health care providers may bring a lawsuit to enforce this bill, and states are not immune from suits for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2023
College for All Act of 2023 This bill establishes measures to expand access to higher education, including by eliminating tuition and required fees for eligible students, revising the Federal Pell Grant program, and reauthorizing certain programs to assist students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Specifically, the bill provides funding to enable states and tribal colleges and universities, through a federal-state partnership, to eliminate tuition and required fees for (1) all students at community colleges and two-year tribal colleges and universities, and (2) working- and middle-class students at four-year public institutions of higher education and tribal colleges and universities. The bill provides funding to enable private, nonprofit historically Black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions to eliminate tuition and required fees for eligible students. The bill permanently reauthorizes and otherwise revises the Federal Pell Grant program by providing funding to increase the maximum award for each eligible student, increasing the duration limit for the use of Pell Grants, allowing students to use their awards to cover living and nontuition expenses, and expanding eligibility to Dreamer students (i.e., students who have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status and who entered the United States before the age of 16) and students with other immigration statuses. Further, the bill requires the Department of Education to award grants to eligible states and tribal colleges and universities for improving student outcomes. The bill reauthorizes through FY2033 the Federal TRIO Programs and reauthorizes through FY2027 the Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2023
Ensuring Medicaid Continuity for Children in Foster Care Act of 2023 This bill allows states to receive federal Medicaid payment for services provided to foster care children in qualified residential treatment programs (i.e., programs with trauma-informed treatment models that address the needs of children with serious emotional or behavioral disorders or disturbances).
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2023
Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act of 2023 This bill excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, any qualified catastrophe mitigation payment made under a state-based catastrophe loss mitigation program. A qualified catastrophe mitigation payment means any amount received for making improvements to an individual's property for the sole purpose of reducing the damage that would be done to such property by a windstorm, earthquake, or wildfire.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2023
3D Printed Gun Safety Act of 2023 This bill makes it unlawful to intentionally publish digital instructions that can automatically program a three-dimensional printer or similar device to produce or complete a firearm from an unfinished frame or receiver.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2023
United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade First Agreement Implementation Act This bill expresses the approval of Congress for the June 1, 2023, agreement regarding trade between the United States and Taiwan. The bill also imposes requirements on the negotiations of certain further trade agreements between the United States and Taiwan. (The June 1, 2023, agreement, which addresses issues such as customs administration and regulatory practices, is the first of several expected agreements under the United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade.) The June 1, 2023, agreement may enter into force no earlier than 30 days after the President certifies in writing to Congress that Taiwan has taken measures necessary to comply with the agreement. The bill also imposes requirements on the negotiation of further agreements under the United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade, such as requiring the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to (1) share any U.S. negotiating texts with Congress prior to sharing the text with Taiwan or any parties outside of the executive branch, (2) share any negotiating texts from Taiwan within three days of receipt, and (3) provide daily briefings to certain Members of Congress during negotiating rounds. A further agreement shall not take effect unless (1) the President, at least 60 days before entering into the further agreement, makes the text publicly available on a USTR website; and (2) a bill is enacted into law expressly approving the further agreement.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2023
Fair and Open Skies Act This bill amends the policy considerations the Department of Transportation (DOT) must take into account when issuing a foreign air carrier permit. (This allows foreign air carriers to operate in U.S. air space.) DOT must consider preventing the undermining of labor standards when determining whether the foreign air transportation will be in the public interest. Further, the bill amends the requirements for the Department of State and DOT in formulating U.S. international air transportation policy. Under current law, the State Department and DOT must develop a negotiating policy emphasizing the greatest degree of competition compatible with a well-functioning international air transportation system and include specific considerations; this is amended to also include preventing the undermining of labor standards.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2023
Children Don't Belong on Tobacco Farms Act This bill prohibits an individual under the age of 18 from performing work that has direct contact with tobacco plants or dried tobacco leaves by specifying that the work is oppressive child labor. (Oppressive child labor is generally prohibited under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, with some exceptions.)
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2023
LGBTQ I+ Data Inclusion Act This bill addresses federal data collection of voluntary, self-disclosed information on sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics. Specifically, the bill requires federal agencies that collect information through a survey for statistical purposes that includes demographic data (where subjects self-report information or a proxy provides information about the subject or responds for all persons in a household) to review existing data sets to determine which data sets do not include information about sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics. Such agencies must assess needed changes in survey methods related to asking questions on such matters. Agencies that publish reports relying on survey demographic data must include information on sexual orientation, gender identity, and variations in sex characteristics. Agencies may waive this publication requirement on a case-by-case basis if the confidentiality of the information cannot be maintained or if adding such information to the survey would impair the agency's ability to preserve the utility, accuracy, or objectivity of the survey while also generating relevant evidence about the LGBTQI+ community. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on the implementation of this bill's requirements by agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2023
Debt Ceiling Reform Act This bill replaces the existing federal debt limit with procedures that allow the Department of the Treasury to continue issuing additional debt unless a joint resolution of disapproval regarding the additional debt is enacted into law. The bill also requires Congress to consider the joint resolution using specified expedited legislative procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2023
Neighborhood Homes Investment Act This bill allows a business-related tax credit for certain development costs for the acquisition, rehabilitation, or remediation of qualified real property (i.e., real property affixed on a permanent foundation and comprised of four or fewer residential units, a condominium unit, or a house or apartment owned by a cooperative housing corporation). The bill also provides for the exclusion from gross income, for income tax purposes, of the value of any subsidy provided to a taxpayer by any state energy office for purposes of improvements made to a qualified residence.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2023
Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act or the TICKET Act This bill requires ticket sellers (including sellers on the secondary market) for concerts, performances, sporting events, and similar activities to clearly and prominently disclose at the beginning of the transaction, and prior to the selection of a ticket, the total ticket price for the event and an itemized list of the base ticket price and each fee (e.g., service fee, processing fee, delivery fee, facility charge fee, tax, or other charge). The total ticket price must also be disclosed in any advertisement, marketing, or price list. Currently, ticket sellers generally disclose fees at the checkout stage. Additionally, ticket sellers that are offering to sell a ticket that the seller does not have in their actual or constructive possession must clearly and prominently disclose that the ticket is not in their possession before an individual selects a ticket to purchase. The Federal Trade Commission must enforce these requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2023
Judicial Ethics and Anti-Corruption Act of 2023 This bill makes various changes to the federal framework governing judicial ethics. Among the changes, the bill prohibits federal judges and Supreme Court Justices from owning individual stocks and securities; requires the Judicial Conference of the United States to issue regulations restricting the solicitation or acceptance of gifts in connection with a private judicial seminar; expresses the sense of Congress that the Code of Conduct for U.S. Judges shall apply to Supreme Court Justices; requires federal judges and Supreme Court Justices to report on each association or interest that would require recusal, including any financial interest of a spouse or minor child who resides in the household; and establishes a committee to review complaints against the Supreme Court.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2023
Debt-Free College Act of 2023 This bill establishes measures to cover the unmet financial need of students who are enrolled at certain institutions of higher education (IHEs). Unmet financial need refers to the difference between a student's cost of attendance and the student's student aid index, plus any federal, state, and local sources of grant aid. In addition, the bill makes certain Dreamer students (i.e., students who have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status) eligible for federal financial aid. First, the bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to award grants for state-federal partnerships with a goal of providing debt-free college for all eligible students at in-state public IHEs. Eligible student refers to an individual who (1) is enrolled or is eligible to enroll in an in-state public IHE, and (2) completes a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or demonstrates eligibility for a Federal Pell Grant through institutional financial-aid eligibility forms. Next, the bill requires ED to award grants to historically Black colleges and universities and minority-serving institutions to cover the unmet financial need of enrolled students. ED must establish an office to administer grants and provide oversight. In addition, the bill makes Dreamer students who entered the United States before the age of 16 and who meet certain educational criteria eligible for federal student aid.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2023
This resolution recognizes Immigrant Heritage Month in honor of the contributions immigrants and their children have made to the United States. It also welcomes immigrants presently in the United States and individuals seeking to immigrate to the United States to contribute to the health, safety, diversity, and prosperity of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2023
Access to Genetic Counselor Services Act of 2023 This bill provides for coverage under Medicare of genetic counseling services that are furnished by genetic counselors. Covered services include those services, as well as incidental services and supplies, that would otherwise be covered under Medicare if provided by a physician.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2023
Securing Unhoused Peoples' Program for Outreach Resources and Transportation For SNAP Act or the SUPPORT For SNAP Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a pilot program to raise awareness among and provide support for homeless individuals eligible for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Under the program, USDA must award grants to eligible entities (e.g., state and local agencies, nonprofit and community-based organizations, and community action agencies) to (1) raise awareness among homeless individuals of the availability, eligibility requirements, application procedures, and benefits of SNAP; (2) support homeless individuals in enrolling in SNAP; and (3) train outreach workers, caseworkers, and others on SNAP application and program requirements. The bill specifies that a grant recipient may only use program funding to supplement (and not supplant) the level of state or local funds that would be available in the absence of the grant funds.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2023
Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2023 This bill bars the Department of Agriculture from allowing the construction of roads, the reconstruction of roads, or logging in an inventoried roadless area where those activities are prohibited by the Roadless Rule (i.e., certain federal regulations relating to roadless area management).