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
This resolution condemns and censures Representative Adam Schiff for conduct that misleads the American people and directs the Committee on Ethics to investigate that conduct.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2023
Schools Not Shelters Act This bill prohibits using the facilities of certain schools that receive federal financial assistance to provide shelter or housing for any non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) who has not been admitted for lawful entry. Specifically, this bill shall apply to the facilities of (1) public elementary or secondary schools, and (2) institutions of higher education. This prohibition shall not apply to shelter or housing provided in response to certain disasters such as a fire, flood, explosion, or tornado for which there has been a disaster declaration.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2023
Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act This bill addresses unfair trade practices by making various changes to U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty law. Antidumping provides relief to U.S industries and workers that are materially injured or threatened with injury due to imports of like products sold in the U.S. market at less than fair value, while countervailing duty provides such relief from imports of products subsidized by a foreign government or public entity. Specifically, the bill establishes a process for successive antidumping and countervailing duty investigations. Successive investigations may be concurrent (an ongoing investigation of the same product) or recently completed (not more than two years before the date of the initiation of the successive investigation). Further, the bill establishes a time line for the Department of Commerce to issue determinations in successive investigations. Among other provisions, the bill authorizes Commerce to apply countervailing duty law to subsidies provided by a foreign government or public entity to a company operating in a third country, use another method for calculating the cost of production in specific circumstances, and require importers to provide a certification that the imported merchandise is not subject to an antidumping or countervailing duty order. Additionally, the bill statutorily establishes procedures for Commerce to conduct circumvention inquiries, including by specifying the deadlines for preliminary and final determinations. The bill also provides statutory authority for Commerce to investigate currency undervaluation as a countervailable subsidy.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2023
Youth Coastal Fishing Program Act of 2023 This bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a grant program to support youth fishing projects. Under the program, NOAA must award grants to nonprofit organizations; educational institutions; state, local, or tribal governments; or Native Hawaiian organizations for conducting youth fishing projects. Funds from the grants must be used for related purposes, such as (1) the purchase or rental of fishing equipment; (2) fees for boats, piers, or other facilities; (3) fishing licenses; and (4) fishing guide costs. In awarding such grants, NOAA must prioritize proposals for projects focused on underserved communities. NOAA must also provide technical assistance related to the youth fishing projects. The bill also requires NOAA to report to Congress regarding (1) the entities that were awarded grants, (2) the amount of funds disbursed, and (3) the activities and number of participants funded by the grants.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2023
Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act This bill includes combatting the spotted lanternfly (Lycorma delicatula) as a Department of Agriculture (USDA) high-priority research and extension area. The bill specifically allows grants for developing and disseminating research-based tools and treatments to combat the spotted lanternfly, which is an invasive species native to China that feeds on a wide range of crops and plants (e.g., grapes, apples, hops, walnuts, and hardwood trees). Further, the bill reauthorizes USDA grants to support competitive specialized research and extension activities, including high-priority areas, through FY2028. The bill also specifically reauthorizes through FY2028 the Pulse Crop Health Initiative; the Comprehensive Food Safety Training Network; pollinator protection research and extension grants; increased USDA capacity and infrastructure to address and conduct research on colony collapse disorder and other pollinator issues; and a USDA-conducted nationwide honey bee pest, pathogen, health, and population status surveillance program.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2023
This resolution expresses support for keeping AM radios in cars. (Several car manufacturers announced plans to remove AM radio options from some or all of their models.)
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2023
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 80 Prospect Street in Avon, New York, as the "Officer Anthony Mazurkiewicz Memorial Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2023
This resolution condemns using the facilities of a public elementary or secondary school that serves students to provide shelter for non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who are not admitted into the United States.
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
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 · 31 May 2023
Stop Anti-Semitism on College Campuses Act This bill prohibits an institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in federal student aid programs from authorizing, facilitating, providing funding for, or otherwise supporting any event that promotes anti-Semitism on the IHE's campus.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2023
Digital Dollar Pilot Prevention Act This bill prohibits the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Reserve banks from establishing, carrying out, or approving a program to test the feasibility of issuing a central bank digital currency.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2023
One Vote One Choice Act This bill prohibits states from using ranked-choice voting in federal elections. Ranked-choice voting is a system that allows voters to rank candidates on a ballot in order of preference.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2023
Migrant Relocation Transparency Act This bill requires the federal government to, before resettling, transporting, or relocating any non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) not in detention, consult with the affected state and local governments. Specifically, the department taking the action, either the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), must consult with the affected state and local governments at least three days before the action. HHS and DHS must also submit to Congress monthly state-specific reports about such actions.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2023
Schools Not Shelters Act This bill prohibits schools that receive certain federal financial assistance from using their facilities to shelter certain non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) unless the individual pays for such shelter. Specifically, this prohibition shall apply to sheltering individuals who are (1) unlawfully present, or (2) subject to removal proceedings or a removal order and are not being detained by the Department of Homeland Security. Under this bill, if an elementary school, secondary school, or institution of higher education receives financial assistance from a program administered by the Department of Education, that school or institution may not use its facilities to provide shelter to such individuals unless the individual is housed in a dormitory and pays the amount normally assessed to residents of that dormitory.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2023
Stop Our Scourge Act of 2023 or the SOS Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to designate illicit fentanyl as a weapon of mass destruction and requires the Office of National Drug Control Policy to conduct an assessment regarding that substance. Specifically, the office must assess foreign manufacturing of illicit fentanyl, the tools and capabilities across federal agencies to address trafficking of that substance, the capabilities of the Mexican military to conduct counterdrug missions with respect to that substance, the capacities and willingness of China to take specified actions with respect to that substance, and illicit fentanyl being trafficked into the United States from Mexico.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2023
Medical and Health Stockpile Accountability Act of 2023 This bill requires the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response, which is a part of the Department of Health and Human Services, to develop an automated application to track the amount of supplies in the Strategic National Stockpile and in similar inventories maintained by states, tribes, territories, and private entities (e.g., hospitals). Additionally, the office must (1) provide for an annual exercise to test the effectiveness of the application, and (2) establish a program to assist health care entities in obtaining automated vendor management systems.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Supporting All Producers Act of 2023 or the SAP Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to solicit input from maple industry stakeholders with respect to the research and education priorities of the maple industry for the Acer Access and Development Program (Acer). Specifically, the bill amends Acer to require USDA to consider the information provided through consultation with the maple industry when making program grants. The bill also extends the program's authorization through FY2028. The Acer competitive grant program promotes the domestic maple syrup industry through activities associated with research and education related to maple syrup production, natural resource sustainability in the maple syrup industry, and the marketing of maple syrup and maple sap products. Acer also provides grants to encourage owners and operators of privately held land containing species of trees in the genus Acer to initiate or expand maple sugaring activities, or to voluntarily make the land publicly accessible for maple sugaring activities.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Protecting Veteran Community Care Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish residential mental health or substance-use services to certain veterans through the Veterans Community Care Program (VCCP). Specifically, the VA must furnish such care if a veteran (1) meets VA criteria for priority admission to a VA Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program and the VA is unable to accommodate priority admission, or (2) has contacted the VA to request such mental health services and the VA is not able to furnish such services in a manner that complies with VA access standards for specialty care provided under the VCCP. The VA must ensure that a referral to an alternate Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Program does not take precedence over timely access to mental health or substance-use services unless the referral is requested by the veteran. The VA is prohibited from determining a veteran is ineligible for VCCP care solely because VCCP providers are unable to comply with wait times or access standards. If multiple options for care or services are available, the VA must permit a veteran to elect the option the veteran prefers. Additionally, the bill provides minimum standards for residential mental health or substance-use services provided under the VCCP (e.g., treatment programs or facilities must be licensed and accredited for the specified services).
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
Community College Agriculture Advancement Act of 2023 This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make competitive grants to assist eligible entities in maintaining and expanding their capacity to conduct workforce training, education, research, and outreach activities related to agriculture and similar disciplines. An eligible entity includes a junior or community college, or a consortium or alliance of two-year public colleges, supporting agriculture advancement. In awarding grants, USDA must give priority to entities coordinating with a local agriculture industry operator to provide experiential training and other opportunities for students. Grant funds may be used to expand and maintain the capacity of the eligible entity, including through the purchase or other acquisition of equipment and other infrastructure, the professional growth and development of faculty, and the development of apprenticeships and other work-based learning opportunities. An eligible entity may submit to USDA an application for designation and funding as a Center of Excellence for Agriculture Advancement. Funding received as a result of such a designation must be used to demonstrate agriculture best practices and to provide leadership in capacity building at a regional or national level.
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
Charitable Act This bill allows individual taxpayers who do not otherwise itemize their tax deductions a deduction in taxable years beginning in 2023 or 2024 for charitable contributions. The deduction is limited to one-third of the standard deduction allowed to such taxpayers.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2023
Protecting America's Agricultural Land from Foreign Harm Act of 2023 This bill prohibits persons associated with the governments of Iran, North Korea, China, or Russia from purchasing or leasing agricultural land in the United States. Specifically, the President must prohibit any person (individual or entity) owned by, controlled by, or subject to the jurisdiction or direction of these foreign governments from purchasing or leasing (1) public agricultural land that is owned by the United States and administered by a federal department or agency, or (2) private agricultural land that is located in the United States. A person that violates or attempts to violate this prohibition is subject to civil and criminal penalties. This prohibition does not require a person that owns or leases agricultural land as of the date of this bill's enactment to sell that land. Further, the President must prohibit a person associated with these foreign governments and who leases, or who has full or partial ownership of, agricultural land in the United States from participating in Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs. Exceptions are included to allow for participation in USDA programs related to food safety, the health and labor safety of individuals, or certain reporting and disclosure requirements. The restrictions established by the bill do not apply to U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. The bill also amends the agriculture foreign investment disclosure reporting requirements to include reporting on security interests and leases. Finally, USDA must submit a report every two years on foreign ownership of agriculture land in the United States.
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 · 16 May 2023
National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act This bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to establish a National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Program. The bill further directs DOJ to award a grant under the program to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund for the expenses associated with community outreach, public education, and officer safety and wellness programs operated by the of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and National Law Enforcement Museum.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2023
Protect Lifesaving Anesthesia Care for Veterans Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from modifying its policy relating to anesthesia care in a manner that would provide any medical professional other than a physician anesthesiologist with full practice authority for the furnishment of anesthesia care to veterans under VA health care laws. The VA is also prohibited from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing the provisions relating to anesthesia care of the proposed rule titled Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (81 Fed. Reg. 33155), or any substantially similar rule.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2023
Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence Off Fentanyl Act or the FEND Off Fentanyl Act This bill requires or authorizes various actions, including sanctions, targeting foreign persons (individuals and entities) engaged in trafficking of fentanyl and other illicit opioids. This bill requires that the sanctions specified in Executive Order 14059 (relating to sanctions on foreign persons involved in the global illicit drug trade), as well as any amendments to or directives issued pursuant to that executive order before the date of the enactment of this bill, shall remain in effect. The bill also requires the President to impose property-blocking sanctions on any foreign person knowingly involved in (1) significant trafficking of fentanyl, fentanyl precursors, or other related opioids by a transnational criminal organization; or (2) significant activities of a transnational criminal organization relating to the trafficking of fentanyl, fentanyl precursors, or other related opioids. The Department of the Treasury is authorized to take certain actions relating to classes of transactions that (1) involve a non-U.S. jurisdiction, and (2) are of primary money laundering concern in connection with illicit opioid trafficking. For such transaction classes, Treasury may require domestic financial institutions to (1) take certain special measures, (2) prohibit certain transmittals of funds, or (3) impose conditions on transmittals of funds. Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network must issue guidance to U.S. financial institutions for filing reports of suspicious transactions related to suspected fentanyl trafficking by transnational criminal organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2023
National Museum of Play Recognition Act This bill designates the Margaret Woodbury Strong Museum in Rochester, New York, as the National Museum of Play.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2023
Equality in the Halls of Congress Act This bill authorizes the President to invite each U.S. territory to provide and furnish no more than two statues for placement in National Statuary Hall.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2023
Rural Internet Improvement Act of 2023 This bill merges the pilot ReConnect Loan and Grant Program with existing loans and grants provided by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to facilitate broadband access to rural areas that lack sufficient access to broadband. Unobligated amounts available for the pilot program must be transferred and made available, without further appropriations, to this merged program. The bill specifies eligibility criteria and other requirements that apply to the merged program. For example, the bill limits funds from the merged program to projects in areas where at least 90% of the households lack sufficient access to broadband services, which is currently required under the pilot program. Other changes in the bill address procedures for contesting the accuracy of broadband maps that are used to identify eligible areas. It also requires efforts to increase coordination concerning broadband initiatives between USDA, the Federal Communications Commission, and the National Telecommunications Information Administration.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2023
Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2023 This bill revises provisions of the low-income housing tax credit and renames it as the affordable housing tax credit . The bill increases the per capita dollar amount of the credit and its minimum ceiling amount beginning in 2023 and extends the inflation adjustment for such amounts. The bill modifies tenant income eligibility requirements and the average income formula for determining such income. It also revises rules for student occupancy of rental units and tenant voucher payments, and prohibits any refusal to rent to victims of domestic abuse. The bill further modifies the credit to increase state allocations of the credit; repeal the qualified census tract population cap; prohibit consideration of local approval and local government contribution requirements for housing projects; increase the credit for certain projects designated to serve extremely low-income households; increase the credit for certain bond-financed projects designated by state agencies; eliminate the basis reduction for properties that receive certain energy-related tax benefits; and increase the population cap for difficult development areas (i.e., areas with high construction, land, and utility costs relative to area median gross income). The bill also includes Indian and rural areas as difficult development areas and modifies other requirements relating to casualty losses, tax-exempt bond financing, and foreclosures.
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
Supporting all Healthy Options when Purchasing Produce Act or the SHOPP Act This bill modifies the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program (GusNIP), which provides grants for projects that provide incentives for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants to purchase fruits and vegetables. Specifically, the bill amends GusNIP to require the Department of Agriculture to give priority to projects that increase year-round availability of nutrition incentives by offering fresh frozen fruits or vegetables in the program. The bill also amends the GusNIP Produce Prescription Program to include fresh frozen fruits and vegetables, as well as fresh and fresh frozen legumes. Currently, only fresh fruits and vegetables are covered under the program. (This program supports projects that demonstrate and evaluate the impact of fruit and vegetable prescriptions on increasing procurement and consumption of fruits and vegetables, reducing individual and household food insecurity, and reducing healthcare usage and associated costs.)
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2023
WIC Healthy Beginnings Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make available online certain information about solicitations for infant formula bids under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Under current law, state agencies must control infant formula costs in the WIC program through competitive bidding for infant formula rebate contracts. The bill requires state WIC agencies to provide USDA with a description of open solicitations for these competitive bids that includes the title of the solicitation, the state agency administering the solicitation, and other relevant information for the USDA to publish online.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2023
Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords Act This bill establishes the position of Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords within the Department of State. (The Abraham Accords are agreements to normalize or improve relations between Israel and four members of the Arab League: the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan.) The Special Envoy shall serve as the primary advisor to the U.S. government for expanding and strengthening the Abraham Accords. The duties of the Special Envoy include (1) encouraging counties without diplomatic relations with Israel to establish formal diplomatic, economic, security, and people-to-people ties; (2) expanding and strengthening existing relationships between Israel and Muslim-majority countries; and (3) coordinating efforts across the US government and engaging diplomatically with foreign governments, nongovernmental organizations, and other stakeholders to expand and strengthen the Abraham Accords. The Special Envoy shall have the rank and status of ambassador.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2023
Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act This bill directs the General Services Administration to establish a program under which a federal law enforcement officer may purchase a retired handgun from the agency that issued the handgun to the officer.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2023
This resolution expresses support for recognizing National Police Week. The resolution further recognizes law enforcement officers across the United States in the pursuit of preserving safe and secure communities; the need to ensure that such officers have the equipment, training, and resources necessary to protect their health and safety while they are protecting the public; and the law enforcement community for acts of sacrifice and heroism. The resolution expresses condolences and appreciation to the loved ones of each law enforcement officer who has made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2023
Words Matter Act of 2023 This bill removes outdated terminology in specified statutes by replacing references to mentally retarded and mental retardation with intellectual disability .
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2023
Helping Our Heroes Act This bill allows a charitable tax deduction for the service of bona fide volunteer firefighters and emergency medical and rescue personnel. The amount of the deduction is $20 for each hour of service provided by such personnel, limited to 300 hours with respect to any individual in a taxable year. The deduction is available to taxpayers who do not otherwise itemize their deductions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2023
Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act This bill makes it a crime to intentionally disclose (or threaten to disclose) a digital depiction that has been altered using digital manipulation of an individual engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2023
Increased TSP Access Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to modify the certification process for Technical Service Providers (TSPs) at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) by establishing an approval process for nonfederal certifying entities and a streamlined certification process for TSPs that hold certain specialty certifications. (TSPs are third-party service providers, such as private businesses, Indian tribes, and nonprofit organizations, who work on behalf of customers to offer planning, design, and implementation services that meet NRCS criteria.) The bill specifies that USDA must ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, third-party providers with expertise in the technical aspects of conservation practice design, implementation, and evaluation are eligible to become approved TSPs. USDA must provide a streamlined certification process for TSPs who hold appropriate specialty certifications (e.g., certified crop advisors). In determining the eligibility of a nonfederal certifying entity, USDA must consider the ability, experience, expertise, and history of the entity. USDA must decide whether to approve an application submitted by a nonfederal certifying entity to certify TSPs not later than 40 business days after receiving an application. USDA must review a TSP's certification by a nonfederal certifying entity not later than 10 business days after receiving a notification from the nonfederal entity. If the certification is satisfactory, USDA must include the TSP on a USDA-maintained registry of certified TSPs. The bill also specifies that TSPs must be paid at rates equivalent to technical assistance provided by USDA. Further, USDA must provide accessible public information on TSPs, including information on funding, contributions, certification results, and utilization rates.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2023
Solidify Iran Sanctions Act of 2023 This bill eliminates a sunset clause in the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, thereby making permanent the requirement for the President to impose sanctions on certain individuals or entities engaged in specified transactions related to Iran's energy sector or Iran's efforts to acquire or develop certain weapons (such as chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons).
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2023
IGO Anti-Boycott Act This bill penalizes U.S. persons (individuals or entities) that participate in certain boycotts imposed by international governmental organizations (IGOs). The bill expands an existing law that prohibits various actions by U.S. persons in relation to boycotts imposed by foreign governments on a country that is friendly to the United States and not itself the object of a U.S. boycott. This bill applies those prohibitions to similar boycotts imposed by IGOs. Prohibited actions include (1) refusing to do business with companies organized under the laws of the boycotted country, if the refusal is pursuant to an agreement with or request from the country or IGO imposing the boycott; (2) furnishing information about whether any person has a business relationship with or in the boycotted country; and (3) furnishing information about whether someone is associated with charitable or fraternal organizations that support the boycotted country. Criminal penalties for willful violations of this law include fines of up to $1 million. In addition to such fines, individuals may be imprisoned for up to 20 years. Civil penalties may include fines and revocations of export licenses for certain national security-related items.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2023
Postal Police Reform Act of 2023 This bill removes certain restrictions on U.S. Postal Service (USPS) police officers to investigate criminal matters related to the USPS and postal mail.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2023
This resolution expresses U.S. support for Israel and its efforts to defend its right to existence. The resolution also declares that the United States and international community must prevent Iran from acquiring or building nuclear weapons.