United States · United States Congress · 6 July 2023
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment that requires federal expenditures and receipts to be balanced, which may occur over more than one year. Under the amendment, expenditures include all federal expenditures except those for payment of debt. Receipts do not include receipts derived from borrowing. The amendment requires Congress to achieve balance within 10 years of the ratification of the amendment. In an emergency situation, two-thirds of the House of Representatives and the Senate may authorize additional expenditures that are not otherwise permitted by the amendment. The additional expenditures must be for a limited time, and debts incurred from the expenditures must be paid as soon as practicable.
United States · United States Congress · 30 June 2023
Canadian Snowbird Visa Act This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to admit into the United States qualifying Canadian citizens as long-term nonimmigrant visitors. A qualifying Canadian citizen is an individual who (1) is at least 50 years old, (2) maintains a Canadian residence, (3) owns a U.S. residence or has rented a U.S. accommodation for the duration of the individual's stay, (4) is not inadmissible or deportable, (5) will not engage in employment or labor for hire in the United States other than for a non-U.S.-based person or entity by whom the Canadian citizen was employed in Canada or for whom the Canadian citizen performed services in Canada, and (6) will not seek certain forms of assistance or benefits. A qualified individual may be admitted for up to 240 days during any single 365-day period. The spouse of such an individual may be admitted under the same terms, except that the spouse is not required to separately satisfy the requirement for owning or renting a residence in the United States. An individual admitted into the United States under this bill shall have nonresident alien tax status.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2023
Promoting and Respecting Economically Vital American Innovation Leadership Act or the PREVAIL Act This bill addresses various issues relating to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO), including by imposing additional requirements on administrative patent validity challenges (proceedings to review and potentially cancel issued patents) at the PTO. The bill modifies provisions relating to inter partes reviews (IPRs) and other administrative patent validity proceedings, including by prohibiting an administrative patent judge who participated in deciding whether to institute an IPR (i.e., whether to allow the IPR to proceed based on the initial petition) from also participating in deciding the final outcome of the same IPR; prohibiting a person (individual or entity) from petitioning for an IPR against a patent unless the person has been sued for or charged with infringing that patent, whereas currently any person may petition for an IPR; prohibiting a person who has challenged a patent's validity in an IPR from raising the same challenges against the patent in other proceedings (e.g., district court) if the IPR has been instituted; and raising the burden that the petitioner in an IPR must meet to invalidate a previously-issued patent claim. This bill also makes institutions of higher education (IHEs) and nonprofit entities that hold patents on behalf of IHEs eligible for reduced patent-related fees, including filing fees. (Currently, employees of IHEs are eligible for reduced fees but not the IHEs themselves.) The bill also makes fees collected by the PTO available for the PTO's use without further appropriations from Congress, whereas currently some of the collected fees are subject to appropriations.
United States · United States Congress · 27 June 2023
Project Safe Neighborhoods Reauthorization Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 the Project Safe Neighborhoods grant program within the Department of Justice. The bill also allows funds under the program to be used for hiring crime analysts to assist with violent crime reduction efforts; the cost of overtime for law enforcement officers, prosecutors, and law enforcement assistants who assist with the program; purchasing, implementing, and using technology to assist with violent crime reduction efforts; and supporting multijurisdictional task forces.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023
Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act or the REPO for Ukrainians Act This bill requires or authorizes various actions related to the confiscation and disposition of Russian sovereign assets (which include funds and other property of Russia's central bank, direct investment fund, or ministry of finance). Under the bill, the President must require U.S. financial institutions to notify the Department of the Treasury of any Russian sovereign assets located at such institutions. The President may confiscate any such assets subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Confiscated funds and the proceeds of liquidated property must be deposited into the Ukraine Support Fund established by the bill. The Ukraine Support Fund shall be used by the Department of State to compensate Ukraine for damages caused by the Russian invasion. The Ukraine Support Fund may also support an international body or mechanism for (1) reconstruction and rebuilding efforts in Ukraine, (2) humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian people, or (3) other purposes which support the recovery of Ukraine and the welfare of the Ukrainian people. The bill also directs the President to seek to establish, with foreign partners, an international mechanism to provide compensation to Ukraine using the Ukraine Support Fund and Russian sovereign assets confiscated by foreign partners. Additionally, the bill sets policy on related topics, such as specifying that the United States should lead an international sanctions regime to freeze Russian sovereign assets in conjunction with allies and partners.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2023
U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson Memorial VA Clinic Act This bill designates the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Plano, Texas, as the U.S. Congressman Sam Johnson Memorial VA Clinic.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2023
No Dollars To Uyghur Forced Labor Act This bill prohibits the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development from spending funds on a policy, program, or contract that uses goods associated with forced labor in China's Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region (XUAR). This prohibition includes goods from (1) the XUAR; (2) entities that source materials from the XUAR; or (3) entities involved with forced labor from the XUAR, such as entities in the XUAR that manufacture goods with forced labor or entities working with the XUAR government to transport forced laborers. The State Department may waive this prohibition after notifying Congress that there is clear and convincing evidence that forced labor was not used in making particular goods.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2023
This joint resolution nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency rule relating to Federal "Good Neighbor Plan" for the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (88 Fed. Reg. 36654) and published on June 5, 2023. The rule ensures that 23 states meet "Good Neighbor" standards required by the Clean Air Act by reducing pollution that significantly contributes to problems attaining and maintaining health-based air quality standards for ground-level ozone in downwind states.
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 · 7 June 2023
Children's Hospital GME Support Reauthorization Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 the Children's Hospital Graduate Medical Education Payment program, which supports education and training for medical residents and fellows in children's hospitals. The bill also bars children's hospitals that provide gender-affirming care to minors from receiving payments through the program. Under the bill, gender-affirming care generally includes procedures (e.g., surgeries or hormone therapies) that change the body of an individual to correspond to a sex that is different than the individual's biological sex. It excludes, however, specified types of procedures, including those for treating (1) individuals who have both ovarian and testicular tissue or abnormal sex chromosome structure or hormones, or (2) infections or other harms that result from a previous gender-transition procedure.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2023
U.S.-Israel Partnership and Abraham Accords Enhancement Act of 2023 This bill modifies and extends certain authorities related to Israel. For example, the bill extends the authorization for the Department of Defense (DOD) to transfer certain defense items to Israel; extends the authorization to finance cooperative projects among the United States, Israel, and developing countries related to water resources, agriculture, and energy storage; extends energy cooperation and authorizes the Department of Energy to make grants to Israel to support advanced nuclear technologies, as well as for carbon capture, utilization, and storage; requires the U.S. Agency for International Development to ensure that applicants from Abraham Accord countries are eligible for Middle East Regional Cooperation grants; and requires the Department of State to report to Congress on U.S. diplomatic efforts to oppose politically motivated investigations against the United States and Israel at the International Criminal Court.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 2023
This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau titled Small Business Lending under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (Regulation B) and published on May 31, 2023. The rule requires financial institutions to collect and report to the bureau credit application data for small businesses. On July 31, 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas ordered the bureau not to implement or enforce the rule until a related pending case is resolved.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 2023
Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum Act or the SHIP Act This bill requires the President to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions against foreign persons that knowingly transport, process, refine, or otherwise deal in petroleum and petroleum products originating in Iran. These sanctions also extend to certain foreign persons associated with the sanctioned individual, such as adult family members and any entities owned or controlled by the sanctioned individual.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2023
Stopping Harmful Image Exploitation and Limiting Distribution Act of 2023 or the SHIELD Act of 2023 This bill establishes a new criminal offense related to the distribution of intimate visual depictions. Specifically, the bill makes it a crime to knowingly mail or distribute (or attempt or threaten to distribute) an intimate visual depiction of an individual with knowledge of the individual's lack of consent, where what is depicted was not voluntarily exposed by the individual in a public or commercial setting, and where what is depicted is not a matter of public concern; or a visual depiction of a nude minor with the intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, or degrade the minor or to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both—and mandatory restitution. Violators must also forfeit any material involved in the offense, property constituting or derived from the proceeds from the offense, and property used to commit or facilitate the offense.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2023
Primacy Certainty Act of 2023 This bill modifies provisions of the underground injection control program established under the Safe Drinking Water Act related to the review of state applications to obtain responsibility for regulating Class VI wells, which are used to store captured carbon. The bill sets forth a process to give states primary enforcement responsibility for such wells if the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fails to meet specified deadlines. In addition, the bill prohibits the EPA from conditioning the approval of state applications on the inclusion of provisions that are not included in the applications or not explicitly required by the Safe Drinking Water Act.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Reinstate Our Troops Act This bill addresses the reinstatement of members of the Armed Forces who requested an exemption from an order to receive a COVID-19 vaccination and were involuntarily separated solely on the basis of the refusal to receive such vaccination. Specifically, at the election of the separated individual, the bill requires the military department concerned to reinstate the individual, in the same rank and grade the individual held at the time of separation. An individual must elect to be reinstated within the one-year period following the enactment of this bill. Additionally, such individuals (enlisted members and officers) are not required to repay a bonus for failure to complete a period of service solely because such service was incomplete due to the exemption request and involuntary separation. The military department concerned must return a bonus repaid by an individual if the individual elects to be reinstated. If an individual does not elect reinstatement, the military department concerned must ensure the discharge of the individual is characterized as honorable. The military department concerned must also expunge from an individual's military service record any reference to adverse action related to the refusal to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue a rule that requires all new motor vehicles to have devices that can access AM broadcast stations installed as standard equipment. (AM broadcast stations are often used to deliver emergency alerts and news and entertainment programming; some newer vehicles do not include AM equipment.) Specifically, this bill applies to motor vehicles manufactured in the United States, imported into the United States, or shipped in interstate commerce after the rule's effective date. The DOT rule must require all such vehicles to have devices that can receive signals and play content transmitted by AM broadcast stations or digital audio AM broadcast stations installed as standard equipment. Prior to the effective date of the rule, manufacturers that do not include devices that can access AM broadcast stations as standard equipment must inform purchasers of this fact through clear and conspicuous labeling. DOT may assess civil penalties against any manufacturer that fails to comply with the mandate. The Department of Justice may also bring a civil action to enjoin a violation. Further, the Government Accountability Office must study and report on whether a reliable alternative communication system exists for delivering emergency alerts and consider the (1) cost to drivers and passengers of receiving communications through an alternative system, and (2) cost and time required to develop and implement an alternative.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
Upholding a Secure Postal System Act or the USPS Act This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to investigate nationwide patterns and instances of theft of mail and U.S. Postal Service (USPS) property and report to Congress. Any such report must include a description of any measures that the USPS has in place to address, and recommendations on how the USPS and Congress can combat, such theft.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2023
VA Canine Reporting Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to report on the average time it took to provide a veteran with a service or guide dog in the prior year. The report must also include legislative recommendations to reduce such wait time.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2023
Proportional Reviews for Broadband Deployment Act This bill excludes certain requests to modify an existing wireless tower or base station from specified environmental and historic preservation review requirements. Specifically, the bill applies to certain requests to modify an existing wireless tower or base station by collocating, removing, or replacing transmission equipment. In particular, it specifies such projects are not considered major federal actions under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 or undertakings under the National Historic Preservation Act. This excludes the projects from relevant reviews required under those acts.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2023
Permanent Tax Cuts for American Families Act of 2023 This bill permanently increases the standard tax deduction for nonitemizing taxpayers. It also requires an inflation adjustment to the increased deduction amounts.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2023
Fight and Combat Rampant Iranian Missile Exports Act or the Fight CRIME Act This bill imposes sanctions pertaining to Iran's missile program. The President must impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on foreign persons (i.e., foreign individuals, entities, and states) that are knowingly involved with Iran or Iran-aligned entities in certain missile-related activities, such as (1) acquiring, possessing, developing, transporting, transferring, or deploying missiles or related items and technology that are covered by the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), or (2) developing missile or drone technologies. (The MTCR is an informal political understanding among states that seek to limit missile proliferation.) The President must also impose sanctions on (1) certain adult family members of those who are subject to the sanctions discussed above, and (2) foreign persons who knowingly provide significant support to or engage in a significant transaction with those subject to the sanctions discussed above. The bill also requires the Department of State to report to Congress on various topics, including (1) a diplomatic strategy to renew international restrictions on certain missile-related activities set forth in Annex B of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231, which concerns restrictions on arms transfers to and from Iran; (2) the identities of foreign persons engaging in restricted activity under Annex B; and (3) an analysis of the foreign and domestic supply chains that facilitate Iran's missile or drone programs.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2023
This resolution calls on the Russian government to immediately release Evan Gershkovich. It urges all United States executive branch officials, in all interactions with the Russian government, to raise the case of Evan Gershkovich and press for his immediate release. The resolution further calls for the immediate release of Paul Whelan and expresses support for all American citizens and lawful permanent residents detained in Russia and abroad, including Marc Fogel and Vladimir Kara-Murza. The resolution also expresses sympathy and solidarity with the families of Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, and all other American citizens and lawful permanent residents wrongfully detained abroad.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2023
This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to seek U.S. membership in the World Health Organization (WHO), or to make contributions to the WHO, until the Department of State makes certain certifications to Congress. Specifically, these prohibitions shall apply until the State Department certifies that the WHO has met certain conditions, including that the WHO (1) has adopted reforms to ensure that humanitarian assistance is not politicized; (2) is not under the control of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and is not involved in a cover-up of the CCP's response to the COVID-19 pandemic; (3) has granted observer status to Taiwan; and (4) has ceased engagement on certain issues, such as climate change, access to abortion, and gender identity.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2023
Deregulating Restrictions on Interstate Vehicles and Eighteen-wheelers Act or the DRIVE Act This bill prohibits the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) from issuing any rule or regulation to require vehicles that have a gross vehicle weight of more than 26,000 pounds and are operating in interstate commerce to be equipped with a speed limiting device set to a maximum speed. The FMCSA issued an advance notice of supplemental proposed rulemaking on this subject on May 4, 2022.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2023
Secure the Border Act of 2023 This bill addresses issues regarding immigration and border security, including by imposing limits to asylum eligibility. For example, the bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to resume activities to construct a wall along the U.S.-Mexico border; provides statutory authorization for Operation Stonegarden, which provides grants to law enforcement agencies for certain border security operations; prohibits DHS from processing the entry of non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) arriving between ports of entry; limits asylum eligibility to non-U.S. nationals who arrive in the United States at a port of entry; authorizes the removal of a non-U.S. national to a country other than that individual's country of nationality or last lawful habitual residence, whereas currently this type of removal may only be to a country that has an agreement with the United States for such removal; expands the types of crimes that may make an individual ineligible for asylum, such as a conviction for driving while intoxicated causing another person's serious bodily injury or death; authorizes DHS to suspend the introduction of certain non-U.S. nationals at an international border if DHS determines that the suspension is necessary to achieve operational control of that border; prohibits states from imposing licensing requirements on immigration detention facilities used to detain minors; authorizes immigration officers to permit an unaccompanied alien child to withdraw their application for admission into the United States even if the child is unable to make an independent decision to withdraw the application; imposes additional penalties for overstaying a visa; and requires DHS to create an electronic employment eligibility confirmation system modeled after the E-Verify system and requires all employers to use the system.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2023
Reinforcing Sanctions on Iranian Terrorists Act This bill requires the President to transmit to Congress a determination as to whether the President will apply sanctions to the Iran Airports Company pursuant to Executive Order 13224 ( Blocking Property and Prohibiting Transactions With Persons Who Commit, Threaten To Commit, or Support Terrorism ). The determination must be sent to Congress within 90 days of the bill's enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2023
Clean Slate Act of 2023 This bill establishes a framework for sealing records related to certain federal criminal offenses. Courts must automatically seal records related to (1) a conviction for simple possession of a controlled substance or for any nonviolent offense involving marijuana, or (2) an arrest for an offense that does not result in a conviction. Additionally, an individual who meets certain criteria may petition to seal records related to a conviction for other nonviolent offenses.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2023
Save Local Business Act This bill provides that a person may be considered a joint employer in relation to an employee under federal labor law only if such person directly, actually, and immediately (and not in a limited and routine manner) exercises significant control over the essential terms and conditions of employment. Such control may by demonstrated by hiring and discharging employees, determining individual employee rates of pay and benefits, day-to-day supervision of employees, assigning individual work schedules, positions, and tasks, and administering employee discipline.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2023
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 2395 East Del Mar Boulevard in Laredo, Texas, as the "Lance Corporal David Lee Espinoza, Lance Corporal Juan Rodrigo Rodriguez & Sergeant Roberto Arizola Jr. Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2023
Fighting Trade Cheats Act of 2023 This bill increases penalties for, and establishes additional enforcement mechanisms related to, fraudulent and grossly negligent violations of U.S. customs laws. Specifically, the bill increases the maximum civil penalty for a fraudulent violation to three times the domestic value of the merchandise. Further, the bill prohibits a person who commits a fraudulent violation from importing merchandise into the United States for a five-year period. Additionally, the bill increases the maximum civil penalty for a grossly negligent violation to the lesser of (1) 3 times the domestic value of the merchandise; or (2) 10 times the lawful duties, taxes, and fees. It also prohibits a person who commits a grossly negligent violation from importing merchandise into the United States for a two-year period. Further, the bill applies these importation bans to an affiliated person (e.g., a family member, partner, or employee) of the person who committed the fraudulent or grossly negligent violation. The bill also establishes a private right of action for customs fraud or grossly negligent violations. In particular, the bill allows manufacturers, producers, wholesalers, labor unions, or trade associations to bring a civil action against a violator or any person that aids or abets a violator. The bill prohibits any person (or an affiliated person) who commits a fraudulent or grossly negligent violation from participating in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Importer of Record program, and further requires their importer of record numbers to be revoked.
United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2023
Supporting Safety Net Hospitals Act This bill delays reductions to Medicaid disproportionate-share hospital (DSH) allotments until FY2026. (DSHs are hospitals that receive additional payments under Medicaid for treating a large share of low-income patients.)
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2023
National Human Trafficking Hotline Enhancement Act This bill requires an applicant for a grant to operate the National Human Trafficking Hotline to certify that the applicant will provide information received from the hotline to state and local law enforcement agencies, at their request.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2023
Safe Step Act This bill requires a group health plan to establish an exception to medication step-therapy protocol in specified cases. A medication step-therapy protocol establishes a specific sequence in which prescription drugs are covered by a group health plan or a health insurance issuer. A request for such an exception to the protocol must be granted if (1) an otherwise required treatment has been ineffective, (2) such treatment is expected to be ineffective and delaying effective treatment would lead to irreversible consequences, (3) such treatment will cause or is likely to cause an adverse reaction to the individual, (4) such treatment is expected to prevent the individual from performing daily activities or occupational responsibilities, (5) the individual is stable based on the prescription drugs already selected, or (6) there are other circumstances as determined by the Employee Benefits Security Administration. The bill requires a group health plan to implement and make readily available a clear process for an individual to request an exception to the protocol, including required information and criteria for granting an exception. The bill further specifies timelines under which plans must respond to such requests.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2023
Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act This bill allows for Medicare coverage and payment for multi-cancer early detection screening tests that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and that are used to screen for cancer across many cancer types, if the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services determines such coverage is appropriate.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2023
Farm Credit Administration Independent Authority Act This bill specifies that the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) is the sole regulator of the Farm Credit System (FCS) and establishes reporting requirements for FCS institutions. Specifically, the bill states that the FCA is the sole and independent regulator of the FCS and exempts entities that are supervised by the FCA from the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (ECOA). (The bill addresses a proposed rule by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau [CFPB] that would implement provisions of the ECOA by requiring covered financial institutions, including FCS lenders, to collect and report to the CFPB data on credit applications for small businesses, including the principal owner's race, sex, and ethnicity.) The bill also requires FCS institutions to (1) request that loan applicants and borrowers that are small farmers disclose information identifying their race, sex, and ethnicity; and (2) annually report the collected information to the FCA. If an FCS institution customer does not voluntarily report the requested information, the FCA may not require the institution to use other means to deduce the information.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2023
Visa Overstays Penalties Act This bill increases the civil penalties for unlawful entry into the United States and establishes criminal penalties for overstaying a visa. A non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) apprehended while unlawfully entering the United States shall be subject to a fine of at least $500 and up to $1,000 (currently at least $50 and up to $250). If an individual overstays a visa (or otherwise fails to comply with the conditions of a visa) for 10 days or more, on first offense the individual shall be subject to fines or imprisonment for up to six months, or both. For subsequent violations, the individual shall be subject to fines or imprisonment of up to two years, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2023
Combating Illicit Xylazine Act This bill criminalizes the illicit use of xylazine. (Xylazine, also known as Tranq , is a sedative that is approved for use in animals. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has reported an increase in the trafficking of fentanyl mixed with xylazine.) Specifically, the bill establishes criminal penalties for manufacturing, distributing, or dispensing, or possessing with intent to manufacture, distribute, or dispense, xylazine for illicit use (i.e., for use in humans) in accordance with the penalties for schedule III substances (up to 10 years imprisonment or, if death or serious bodily injury occurs, up to 15 years imprisonment, as well as criminal fines). In addition, the DEA must coordinate with the Food and Drug Administration to report on the prevalence of the illicit use of xylazine, including associated supply chains. The bill also declares the illicit use of xylazine as an emerging drug threat.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2023
This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Billie Jean King in recognition of her courageous and groundbreaking leadership in advancing equal rights for women in athletics, education, and society.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2023
This joint resolution nullifies the rule issued by the Department of Education on October 12, 2022, that suspends federal student loan payments and discharges debt.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2023
Equal Campus Access Act of 2023 This bill prohibits funding made available under the Higher Education Act of 1965 from being provided to any public institution of higher education (IHE) that denies to religious student organizations any right, benefit, or privilege that is otherwise afforded to other student organizations at the IHE because of the religious beliefs, practices, speech, leadership standards, or standards of conduct of the religious student organization.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2023
This bill requires the President to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on foreign persons (individuals or entities) that knowingly engage in certain acts of corruption in Mexico. Such corruption includes bribery, extortion, acts of violence against corruption investigators, and involvement in illicit fentanyl production or distribution.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2023
United States-Israel Future of Warfare Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Defense to establish the United States-Israel Future of Warfare Research and Development Fund to conduct collaborative defense projects between the United States and Israel in areas of emerging technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence). The purpose of the fund is to enable the Armed Forces of the United States and Israel to meet emerging defense challenges.
United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2023
Ensuring Lawful Collection of Hidden Assets to Provide Order Act or the EL CHAPO Act This bill requires the forfeited profits of Joaquin Archivaldo Guzman Loera (El Chapo) from his illicit drug trafficking enterprise to be reserved for border security measures between the United States and Mexico, including the completion of a wall. Additionally, it requires the forfeited funds from the felony conviction of a member of a drug cartel to be reserved for border security measures between the United States and Mexico, including the completion of a wall.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023
Regional Immigration Diplomacy and Enforcement Act or the RIDE Act This bill requires the Department of State to seek to negotiate agreements with Western Hemisphere countries concerning issues related to immigration enforcement and refugee processing. The bill also requires a State Department study on certain issues related to border security. Such agreements must contain certain provisions. For example, the government of Mexico must (1) accept the rapid entrance into Mexico of non-Mexican nationals seeking asylum; (2) process the asylum claims of such individuals inside Mexico in accordance with domestic law and international treaties; (3) accept the continued presence in Mexico of such individuals who have pending applications for asylum in the United States, if the individual is ineligible for asylum in Mexico; and (4) provide appropriate humanitarian protections. Such agreements must also require the governments of Honduras, El Salvador, and Guatemala to accept the entrance of nationals of other countries seeking asylum and process such claims in accordance with domestic law and international treaties. The State Department must also report to Congress an assessment of the feasibility of opening a U.S. International Law Enforcement Center in southern Mexico to assist U.S. efforts to combat transnational organized crime and illegal immigration.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2023
Protecting and Enhancing Public Access to Codes Act or the Pro Codes Act This bill addresses copyright protections for privately-developed technical standards that are incorporated into a law or regulation (e.g., a state law that requires buildings to comply with the electrical standards developed by a private standards development organization). Currently, there is not a consensus as to whether a technical standard that has been incorporated by reference into a law retains copyright protection. (A technical standard created by a private organization is typically eligible for copyright protection, but some courts have ruled that standards incorporated into law lose their copyright protections for various reasons. For example, some courts have held that incorporated standards effectively became law and therefore entered the public domain.) Under this bill, a technical standard shall retain its copyright protection even if it has been incorporated by reference into a law or regulation, if the applicable standards development organization makes the standard available on a free publicly accessible online source. If a party asserts that an incorporated technical standard has lost its copyright protection because it has not been made available for free online, the party making that assertion shall bear the burden of proof.
![Official portrait of Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/680008c5f22eaf56065817f4_200.jpg)