United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2024
This joint resolution nullifies the notice jointly issued by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation titled Principles for Climate-Related Financial Risk Management for Large Financial Institutions and published on October 30, 2023. The notice provides a framework for financial risk management related to climate change for financial institutions with over $100 billion in assets.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2024
This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau titled Credit Card Penalty Fees (Regulation Z) and published on March 15, 2024. The rule lowers the safe-harbor cap on certain credit card late fees. In particular, late fees allowed under safe-harbor provisions must be capped at $8 when charged by a large credit card issuer. This cap is not subject to annual adjustment to reflect inflation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 March 2024
This resolution condemns any action by Congress or a presidential administration to federalize Texas electricity markets. It also recognizes the role and responsibilities of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2024
GSA Technology Accountability Act This bill requires the General Services Administration to report to Congress on projects funded by the Federal Citizen Services Fund and the Acquisition Services Fund. The reports must include various elements, such as a list of each project funded along with an explanation of the project and its cost.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2024
Special District Grant Accessibility Act This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to issue guidance within 180 days that clarifies how a federal agency recognizes a special district as a unit of local government for the purpose of being eligible to receive federal financial assistance. Under the bill, a special district is a political subdivision of a state, with specified boundaries and significant budgetary autonomy or control, that was created by or pursuant to state law to perform limited and specific governmental or proprietary functions that distinguish it as a significantly separate entity from the administrative governance structure of any other form of local government unit within a state. The bill requires federal agencies to implement OMB's guidance within one year of the date it is issued.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2024
Long-term Opportunities for Advancing New Studies for Biomedical Research Act or the LOANS for Biomedical Research Act This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to establish the BioBonds Program to support loans for clinical trials for eligible drugs and medical devices for unmet medical needs. Under the program, fiscal agents purchase loans (up to $25 million per recipient) and issue collateralized bonds that are sold to investors and that are guaranteed by Treasury. An eligible borrower under this program is one conducting (or seeking to conduct) research related to a drug or device that is (1) intended to meet an unmet medical need; and (2) under investigation in certain types of controlled clinical trials, including a trial to investigate the safety and effectiveness of the drug or device. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) and Treasury must report on the program; GAO must also study whether similar programs should be established for other biomedical research projects.
United States · United States Congress · 5 March 2024
Secure Payments Act of 2024 This bill prohibits the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System from implementing the proposed rule published on November 14, 2023, titled Debit Card Interchange Fees and Routing until the consideration of a report on the rule’s effects. The proposed rule establishes standards for reasonable debit card interchange fees and prohibits debit card network exclusivity. The report must analyze the impact of the rule on consumers, merchants, and financial institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2024
Laken Riley Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain certain non-U. S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. The bill also authorizes states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement. Under this bill, DHS must detain an individual who (1) is unlawfully present in the United States or did not possess the necessary documents when applying for admission; and (2) has been charged with, arrested for, convicted for, or admits to having committed acts that constitute the essential elements of burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting. The bill also authorizes state governments to sue for injunctive relief over certain immigration-related decisions or alleged failures by the federal government if the decision or failure caused the state or its residents harm, including financial harm of more than $100. Specifically, the state government may sue the federal government over a decision to release a non-U. S. national from custody; failure to fulfill requirements relating to inspecting individuals seeking admission into the United States, including requirements related to asylum interviews; failure to fulfill a requirement to stop issuing visas to nationals of a country that unreasonably denies or delays acceptance of nationals of that country; violation of limitations on immigration parole, such as the requirement that parole be granted only on a case-by-case basis; or failure to detain an individual who has been ordered removed from the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 2024
Disabled Veterans Housing Support Act This bill excludes compensation received for a military service-connected disability from a veteran's income when determining eligibility for assistance under the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program. The CDBG program provides grants to urban communities for development activities focused on revitalizing neighborhoods, economic development, and providing improved community facilities and services. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must report on how service-connected disability compensation is treated when determining eligibility for all programs administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 2024
Protect America’s Lands Act This bill prohibits national securities exchanges from allowing the trade of securities issued by natural asset companies. Natural asset companies are companies that oversee land for conservation, restoration, or for the sustainable management of the natural resources and ecosystem services on that land.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 2024
FIFA World Cup 2026 Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint coins in commemoration of the FIFA World Cup 2026 to be held in the United States, Mexico, and Canada. All surcharges received by Treasury from the sale of the coins shall be promptly paid by Treasury to FWC2026 US, Inc. (the U.S.-incorporated FIFA subsidiary operating the FIFA Men's World Cup 2026) for the purpose of aiding soccer programs and activities in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 23 February 2024
Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act This bill prohibits payment card networks from using merchant codes that distinguish firearms retailers from other retailers. The Department of Justice must enforce this bill and report annually on the resulting investigations and cases.
United States · United States Congress · 20 February 2024
Earned Wage Access Consumer Protection Act This bill addresses the regulation of earned wage access products. Earned wage access products provide consumers with access to their earned wages before their scheduled pay day. The bill specifies that earned wage access products are not consumer credit products for purposes of regulation under the Truth in Lending Act (TILA). TILA requires consumer credit products to disclose borrowing costs, finance charges, and the total cost of the loan. The bill requires providers to inform consumers of their rights under an agreement for an earned wage access product and to disclose all associated fees before the consumer enters into an agreement. Providers must also inform consumers of any material changes to the terms or conditions before implementing those changes. Under the bill, providers of earned wage access products must establish a policy for responding to customer disputes; are prohibited from bringing civil suits or from pursuing collection to compel repayment, except in cases of fraud; and must reimburse the consumer for overdraft fees or penalties imposed on a consumer by their depository institution if incurred because the provider withdrew an incorrect amount or withdrew on an incorrect date. Providers are prohibited from sharing proceeds, fees, or gratuities with the consumer’s employer. The bill also limits the form of payment providers may accept from consumers and limits certain additional fees for failure to pay. If a provider solicits, charges, or receives a tip, gratuity, or other donation from a consumer, the provider must disclose the voluntary nature of such tip, gratuity, or donation.
United States · United States Congress · 5 February 2024
Israel Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024 This bill provides FY2024 supplemental appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of State for activities to respond to the attacks in Israel. The bill designates the funding as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits. Specifically, the bill provides appropriations to DOD for Military Personnel; Operation and Maintenance; Procurement; Research, Development, Test and Evaluation; Defense Working Capital Funds; and the Defense Health Program. The funding is provided for purposes such as supporting current U.S. military operations in the region; replacing defense articles that were provided to Israel; reimbursing DOD for defense services and training provided to Israel; and procuring Israel's Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Iron Beam defense systems to counter short-range rocket threats. The bill also provides appropriations to the State Department for Diplomatic Programs, Emergencies in the Diplomatic and Consular Service, and the Foreign Military Financing Program. The funding is provided to the State Department for purposes such as (1) increasing security at U.S. embassies impacted by the attacks on Israel, and (2) conducting emergency evacuations of U.S. government personnel and citizens in the region. Finally, the bill includes provisions that expand the authorities of the President to transfer defense articles and services from DOD to Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2024
Uncovering UNRWA’s Terrorist Crimes Act This bill prohibits federal funds from being used to provide funding, directly or indirectly, to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). The bill also requires the Department of State to report to Congress on the total U.S. funding to UNRWA from FY2020 through FY2024.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2024
Unlocking our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2024 This bill repeals certain restrictions on the import and export of natural gas under the Natural Gas Act, including requirements for Department of Energy (DOE) approval and related provisions that address free trade agreements. In addition, the bill grants the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) the exclusive authority to approve or deny applications to authorize the siting, construction, expansion, or operation of facilities (e.g., liquefied natural gas terminals) to export natural gas to foreign countries or import natural gas from foreign countries. (Currently, DOE authorizes the export or import of natural gas, and FERC authorizes related facilities.) In determining whether to approve or deny an application, FERC must deem the exportation or importation of natural gas to be consistent with the public interest.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2024
Randy's Resolution This concurrent resolution expresses the sense that certain federal agencies should conduct and support research on the health effects of high-potency marijuana and its impact on vulnerable populations such as youth. The resolution also expresses support for the development of educational programs and evidence-based policies regarding high-potency marijuana.
United States · United States Congress · 29 January 2024
Equal Representation Act This bill requires any questionnaire used in the decennial census to include a checkbox or other similar option for respondents to indicate whether the respondent and each household member is (1) a U.S. citizen, (2) a U.S. national but not a citizen, (3) a non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) lawfully residing in the United States, or (4) a non-U.S. national unlawfully residing in the United States. The Department of Commerce must make public the number of persons in each state, disaggregated by each of these four categories. The bill also requires that the statement sent by the President to Congress indicating the number of persons in each state (related to the reapportionment of U.S. Representatives) exclude noncitizens.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 2024
Protecting Private Job Creators Act This bill provides statutory authority for an exemption from specified disclosure requirements applicable to fixed-income securities (e.g., corporate bonds or a certificate of deposit). Under current securities regulations, brokers and dealers are generally prohibited from publishing securities quotations (i.e., the sale price) in over-the-counter (i.e., not on a national exchange) markets unless they have certain information about the securities issuer in their records. In October 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission issued an order granting an exemption to this rule to fixed-income securities that comply with specified safe-harbor rules. The bill provides statutory authority for this exemption.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2024
Woman's Right To Know Act This bill specifies requirements for informed consent that health care providers must obtain before performing an abortion procedure. Providers must present a woman seeking an abortion with an authorization form at least 24 hours before performing the procedure. The form must (1) include specified information concerning gestational age, associated developmental characteristics, and medical risks; (2) disclose penalties that providers may face for failing to obtain the requisite informed consent; and (3) include an affirmation that the individual signing the form understands the information. The form must be signed and witnessed in person and retained in the medical file. Providers do not have to obtain such consent if, in reasonable medical judgment, obtaining it would pose a greater risk of death or substantial physical impairment of a major bodily function, excluding psychological or emotional conditions, of the pregnant woman. The bill also establishes civil penalties for providers who do not comply with these requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2024
Death Tax Repeal Act This bill repeals the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes. It also sets forth conforming amendments related to the gift tax.
United States · United States Congress · 17 January 2024
Protect Medicaid Act This bill prohibits federal payment under Medicaid for the administrative costs of providing health benefits to noncitizens who are ineligible for Medicaid based on their immigration status. The Department of Health and Human Services must report on specified information regarding states that provide health benefits to such individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 2024
Financial Stability Oversight Council Reform Act This bill subjects the budgets of the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) and the Office of Financial Research (OFR) to the annual appropriations process and establishes requirements for reports and a public notice and comment period. The budgets of the FSOC and the OFR are funded by assessments on financial institutions which are deposited into the Financial Research Fund and, under current law, are immediately available to be spent. This bill requires the funding from the Financial Research Fund to be made available by appropriations acts. The OFR must submit quarterly reports to Congress regarding its finances; workforce; and actions taken to achieve the goals, objectives, and performance measures of the office. The OFR must provide a public notice and comment period of at least 90 days before issuing any proposed report, rule, or regulation. The bill expands the duties of the OFR to include publishing an annual work plan; consulting with other federal departments and agencies with relevant expertise prior to preparing any public report with respect to a specified entity, class of entities, or financial product or service; and developing and implementing a cybersecurity plan. The Government Accountability Office must annually audit the cybersecurity plan and its implementation.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2024
This resolution commends Taiwan for its example of self-governance and regards Taiwan's democracy as a great strategic strength for the free world. The resolution also expresses concern about Chinese interference in Taiwan's 2024 elections and expresses commitment to continuing a strong partnership with Taiwan, regardless of the outcome of the elections.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2024
Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act This bill prohibits the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing (with respect to certain pregnancy centers) a provision of a proposed rule modifying the standard for a state's reasonable use of funds under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. The proposed rule provides that if ACF identifies a TANF expenditure that does not appear to reasonably accomplish a purpose of TANF then the state must show that it used the funds in a manner that a reasonable person would consider to be within one of the purposes. The bill prohibits ACF from applying this standard to state expenditures for pregnancy centers that (1) support protecting the life of the mother and the unborn child; and (2) offer resources and services to mothers, fathers, and families, including but relationship counseling, prenatal and pregnancy education, pregnancy testing, diapers, baby clothes, or material supports. Under current law, TANF funds may be used for any of four purposes, including to prevent and reduce out-of-wedlock pregnancies. In the supplemental information to the proposed rule, ACF states that TANF expenditures for programs that exclusively or primarily provide pregnancy counseling to women only after they become pregnant have a tenuous or nonexistent connection to this purpose and, therefore, likely do not meet the proposed reasonableness standard.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023
Amendment for Crowdfunding Capital Enhancement and Small-business Support Act of 2023 or the ACCESS Act of 2023 This bill expands the exemption from certain disclosures applicable to crowdfunding issuers with specified target offering amounts. Crowdfunding is used to raise capital through a large number of individuals investing potentially small amounts of money. Under current law, crowdfunding issuers that have target offering amounts of $100,000 or less are not required to make available financial statements reviewed by an independent public accountant. The bill increases that amount to $250,000.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023
Rectifying Undefined Descriptions of Abusive Acts and Practices Act or the Rectifying UDAAP Act This bill restricts the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB’s) authority to deem a financial practice abusive for purposes of enforcement activities. Currently, under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, the CFPB may take enforcement action against a financial product or service provider in connection with any transaction with a consumer for a consumer financial product or service that is unfair, deceptive, or abusive. Specifically, the bill prohibits the CFPB from including discrimination as an abusive practice. Further, the bill revises what an abusive practice is, including by additionally requiring the act or practice to intentionally interfere with the ability of a consumer to understand a term or condition. The bill also establishes additional criteria for abusive actions. For example, conduct is considered abusive if (1) it causes or is likely to cause substantial injury to consumers which is not reasonably avoidable by consumers, (2) the substantial injury is not outweighed by countervailing benefits to consumers or to competition, or (3) the conduct is otherwise prohibited under federal consumer financial law. The bill also eliminates the CFPB’s ability to seek monetary relief for unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices if the provider establishes a good faith effort to comply with requirements. The bill establishes rulemaking requirements, including requiring a cost-benefit analysis for a rule relating to unfair, deceptive, or abusive acts or practices. Finally, the bill establishes the right for providers to cure violations if they self-report and limits the CFPB’s use of alternative claims in court.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023
Capital Markets Financing and Economic Growth Investments Act of 2023 This bill allows a money market fund, under specified conditions, to elect to operate using a different method of valuation than is otherwise required. A money market fund that elects to do so shall not be subject to requirements related to the imposition of liquidity fees. (A money market fund is a type of mutual fund that invests in liquid, short-term assets.) The Securities and Exchange Commission and securities exchanges are prohibited from enforcing rules or issuing guidance that imposes specified pricing structures or fees on an open-end company. (An open-end company offers securities in pooled investment vehicles such as mutual funds.)
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2023
Roberto Clemente Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue coins in recognition of the life of Roberto Clemente, baseball player and human rights activist. All sales of coins issued under this bill must include a surcharge to be paid to the Roberto Clemente Foundation.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2023
Save Women’s Sports Act of 2023 This bill requires intercollegiate, intramural, or club athletic teams or sports that are sponsored by a public school or a public college or university or a non-public school or institution receiving federal financial assistance to have three categories based on biological sex at birth: males, females, and coed. The membership of athletic teams or sports designated solely for females shall only be open to biological females at birth. All federal financial assistance shall be terminated for failure to comply.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2023
Preserving Seniors' Access to Physicians Act of 2023 This bill increases payments under the Medicare physician fee schedule for 2024. Specifically, the bill increases payments for 2024 by 4.62% (current law provides for a 1.25% increase).
United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2023
This resolution expresses strong support for democracy in Pakistan, including free and fair elections. It calls on the President to work with Pakistan to uphold democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. The resolution also urges Pakistan to uphold democratic institutions and human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2023
This bill prohibits federal funds from being used by the Department of Homeland Security to implement or enforce a policy requiring any non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) to remain in Texas after the individual receives immigration parole or is released by immigration officials.
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2023
This resolution honors the service, sacrifice, and contributions of Texas veterans and their families. The resolution also expresses that the House of Representatives commits to working with the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that veterans are provided timely care and applicable benefits and compensation as a result of their service.