United States · United States Congress · 5 September 2023
This joint resolution nullifies the final rule submitted by the Department of Education titled Improving Income Driven Repayment for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program and published on July 10, 2023. The rule creates a new income-driven repayment plan called the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan.
United States · United States Congress · 15 August 2023
Health Care Provider Shortage Minimization Act of 2023 This bill provides statutory authority to classify qualified locum tenens physicians and advanced care practitioners as independent contractors for federal tax purposes. (Locum tenens generally refers to an individual who temporarily fulfills the duties of another individual and is commonly used to refer to temporary staffing in the healthcare industry.) Under current law, independent contractors are considered self-employed for federal tax purposes and, thus, are required to make quarterly estimated income tax payments and pay self-employment taxes (Social Security and Medicare taxes). (Other federal tax reporting requirements and obligations apply.) The bill defines a qualified locum tenens physician or advanced care practitioner as an individual who provides temporary services for not more than one continuous year at a site of service as (1) a doctor of medicine, osteopathy, dentistry, optometry, or podiatry (authorized to provide such services by the state, U.S. possession, or U.S. territory in which such services are performed); or (2) a nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, or certified registered nurse anesthetist. The term also includes an individual who provides such temporary services and is otherwise considered a physician under the Social Security Act (e.g., certain chiropractors).
United States · United States Congress · 11 August 2023
School Security Enhancement Act This bill allows local educational agencies to use specified portions of Student Support and Academic Enrichment grants for planning and designing school buildings and facilities, installing infrastructure, and implementing other measures to strengthen security on school premises.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2023
Prevent Discrimination in Title X Act This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from requiring recipients of Title X Family Planning Grants to provide abortion counseling or referrals.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2023
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1106 Main Street in Bastrop, Texas, as the "Sergeant Major Billy D. Waugh Post Office."
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
Accountability in Foreign Animal Research Act This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from conducting or supporting research on vertebrate animals in a facility or through an entity that is affiliated with China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or another foreign country of concern.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
This resolution condemns Iran for the 1988 massacre of political prisoners. It also urges the Biden Administration and U.S. allies to publicly condemn the massacre and to pressure Iran to provide information to the families of the victims.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023
Substance Wastewater Inspection For Trends in Detection Act of 2023 or the SWIFT Detection Act of 2023 This bill expands certain federal programs to specifically include wastewater surveillance to monitor the use of controlled substances. Specifically, the bill incorporates wastewater surveillance into (1) grants for states, tribes, and territories to prevent overdoses of controlled substances, and (2) a pilot program to support coordination between public health and law enforcement laboratories to improve the detection of fentanyl and other synthetic opioids.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2023
Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act This bill requires state Medicaid programs to establish a process through which qualifying out-of-state providers may enroll as participating providers for five years without undergoing additional screening requirements, unless the state has an agreement with other states that governs coverage of children with medically complex conditions that is in accordance with specified guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Among other requirements, a qualifying provider must (1) serve individuals under the age of 21; (2) have previously been screened for Medicare participation or for participation in the Medicaid program of the state in which the provider is located; and (3) have been determined by the CMS or state Medicaid program to pose a limited risk of fraud, waste, or abuse.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2023
No Taxpayer Funding For Climate Zealots Advancing Radical Schemes Act or the No Taxpayer Funding For CZARS Act This bill prohibits the use of federal funds for any activity of the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2023
Artificial Intelligence and Biosecurity Risk Assessment Act This bill requires the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response to assess the risks posed by artificial intelligence in developing novel pathogens, viruses, bioweapons, or chemical weapons and to address these risks through related initiatives and activities, such as by including the risk assessment in the National Health Security Strategy (a coordinated strategy among federal, state, and local entities to address public health emergencies).
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2023
Main Street Tax Certainty Act This bill makes permanent the tax deduction for qualified business income. (Under current law, the deduction expires after December 31, 2025.) Qualified business income is defined as the net amount of qualified items of income, gain, deduction and loss with respect to any trade or business, excluding capital gains or losses, dividends, interest income, or income earned outside the U.S.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2023
Afghan Adjustment Act This bill provides lawful permanent resident status (also known as green cards ) to certain individuals who supported the U.S. mission in Afghanistan and addresses related issues. Generally, to be eligible for a green card under this bill, an Afghan national must be (1) lawfully admitted into the United States, or (2) paroled into the United States on or after July 30, 2021. Any individual who was admitted or paroled after this bill's enactment is eligible only if the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) determines that the individual provided support to the U.S. mission in Afghanistan. DHS must provide a green card to an eligible individual who applies and meets certain requirements, including vetting requirements. The bill also authorizes special immigrant visas for certain Afghan nationals who supported the U.S. mission in Afghanistan while serving in certain capacities, including an individual who (1) served in the Afghan Air Force or certain other branches of the Afghan armed forces, or (2) was a female member of certain entities in the Afghanistan National Defense and Security Forces. To be eligible, such an individual must receive a recommendation from the Department of Defense (DOD). DOD must review the applicant's relevant records, including service records, after receiving a recommendation request. (Special immigrant visa holders qualify for a green card after meeting certain criteria.) The bill also authorizes a special immigrant visa for an Afghan national who is the parent or sibling of a member or veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2023
American Confidence in Elections Act or the ACE Act This bill addresses election administration and security, campaign finance, and other related provisions. Specifically, the bill directs the Election Assistance Commission's (EAC's) Standards Board and Local Leadership Council to issue voluntary considerations for states about various aspects of election administration. Additionally, the bill reduces certain election assistance payments for states and local jurisdictions that allow noncitizens to vote; requires states to provide designated congressional election observers with full access to observe the administration procedures of federal elections; prohibits federal agencies from using funds made available for salaries and expenses to solicit or enter into agreements with nongovernmental organizations to conduct voter registration or voter mobilization activities on the agency's property or website; prohibits federal funds for election administration for states that allow ballot harvesting, with exceptions; establishes various requirements for elections in the District of Columbia; makes various changes to the EAC; and prohibits foreign nationals from making contributions or donations in connection with state or local ballot initiatives or referenda. The bill also establishes the Twentieth Amendment Section Four Panel, which must recommend to Congress model legislation to resolve any vacancy created by the death of a candidate in a contingent presidential or vice-presidential election. The bill makes changes to campaign finance, including by (1) repealing limits on coordinated party expenditures, and (2) prohibiting federal funds from being used to make payments in support of a congressional election campaign. It also makes changes to the Federal Election Commission.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2023
Public Health Guidance Transparency and Accountability Act of 2023 This bill establishes certain standards and requirements for guidance documents that are issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The bill specifies that CDC guidance documents may not create, restrict, or revoke any right of any person, may not be treated as having the force and effect of law, are not binding on the public or state or local agencies, and may not require an individual to take or refrain from an action. The bill also requires the CDC to develop guidance documents with input from the public, including with respect to emerging public health situations. The CDC must post a list of all its guidance documents on its website and provide for an appeals process to address complaints about any violations of the bill's requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2023
Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 and modifies various grants, programs, and activities that address substance use and misuse. This includes reauthorizing (1) data collection, education, and surveillance activities; (2) grants and other support for substance use disorder prevention, treatment, and recovery; (3) student loan repayment and other programs for the substance use disorder workforce; and (4) programs for addressing trauma, particularly for children, youth, and their families. Generally, the modifications expand programs. Additionally, the bill modifies provisions related to the scheduling of controlled substances, including by incorporating illicit xylazine (a compound used in veterinary medicine as a nonopioid tranquilizer) into schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act. Further, the bill makes permanent a requirement that Medicaid programs cover medication-assisted treatment for individuals with substance use disorders.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2023
Casualty Loss Deduction Restoration Act This bill eliminates the suspension period (2018 through 2025) for the tax deduction for personal casualty lossess and increases from $10,000 to $50,000 the limitation on allowable amount of the deduction.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2023
This bill expands the required components of the National Health Security Strategy (a coordinated strategy among federal, state, and local entities to address public health emergencies). Specifically, the National Health Security Strategy must address (1) coordination of federal efforts related to biological attribution (i.e., determining the source of biological hazards and pathogens of pandemic potential); and (2) early warning of emerging biological, chemical, and radiological threats, including synthetic drugs and fentanyl.
United States · United States Congress · 6 July 2023
Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2023 This bill limits the authority of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) with regard to regulating emissions standards for new motor vehicles. Specifically, the EPA is prohibited from prescribing a regulation related to new motor vehicle emissions standards that (1) mandates the use of any specific technology, or (2) results in limited availability of new motor vehicles based on the type of new motor vehicle engine. Additionally, the bill prohibits the EPA from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing the proposed rule titled Multi-Pollutant Emissions Standards for Model Years 2027 and Later Light-Duty and Medium-Duty Vehicles . Among other purposes, the proposed rule includes more stringent greenhouse gas standards for both light-duty and medium duty vehicles starting with model year 2027.
United States · United States Congress · 6 July 2023
This bill broadens the authority of pharmacies under the Controlled Substances Act to deliver certain controlled substances to health care practitioners for the purpose of administering the substance to a patient. Under current law, pharmacies may deliver controlled substances in schedules III, IV, or V to a practitioner if it is for maintenance or detoxification treatment and is administered via injection or implantation, among other requirements. The bill applies this authority to any controlled substance in schedules III, IV, or V that is approved by the Food and Drug Administration to be administered by, or under the supervision of, a practitioner.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2023
Citizen Ballot Protection Act This bill allows a state to include on its mail voter registration application form a requirement that the applicant provide proof of U.S. citizenship.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2023
Saving Organs One Flight at a Time Act This bill requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to jointly issue regulations, as necessary, to enable air carriers to transport human organs for transplant above wing (i.e., in the cabin of an aircraft). Among other things, the regulations must include consideration of protocols for air control outages; a requirement that air carriers implement a protocol for a person to accompany organs to and from the aircraft and between connecting flights; and a standardized process for commercial air carriers to accept, handle, and manage organs in transit. The TSA and the FAA must also consult with the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network to identify metrics for the handling of organs and organ-related tissue by air carriers.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023
This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to issue guidance on considerations for conducting clinical trials for psychedelic assisted therapy, including how to request support from the FDA for related investigational use exemptions.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023
Stop Illegal Reentry Act or Kate's Law This bill increases criminal penalties for certain non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who illegally reenter the United States after removal or exclusion. Generally, an individual who had been denied entry into or removed from the United States and who later enters or attempts to enter the United States without prior approval from the Department of Homeland Security shall be fined, imprisoned for up to five years, or both. Current law requires a fine, imprisonment for up to two years, or both, for such an individual. An individual who had been denied entry or removed three or more times and who later enters or attempts to enter the United States shall be fined, imprisoned for up to 10 years, or both. An individual who was convicted of an aggravated felony or convicted at least two times before removal or departure and who subsequently enters or tries to enter the United States shall be imprisoned at least five years and for up to twenty years, and may also be fined. Currently, there is no minimum term of imprisonment for an individual who reenters after a conviction for an aggravated felony, and there are no criminal penalties for a reentering individual who had been convicted at least two times (other than the penalties for illegal reentry generally).
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023
Protecting America's Distribution Transformer Supply Chain Act This bill prohibits the Department of Energy (DOE) from revising existing energy conservation standards for distribution transformers in electric power systems for the next five years. During that time, DOE may not propose, finalize, implement, administer, or enforce any rule under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act that establishes requirements that are different than the requirements for distribution transformers under the 2013 final rule titled Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Distribution Transformer s.
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 · 14 June 2023
Preserving Patient Access to Home Infusion Act This bill specifically includes pharmacy services as part of covered home infusion therapy under Medicare. The bill also allows nurses and physician assistants to establish and review the plan of care for home infusion therapy.
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 · 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 · 6 June 2023
Medicaid Primary Care Improvement Act This bill specifies that state Medicaid programs are authorized to provide primary care services through direct primary care arrangements (i.e., arrangements in which primary care providers receive a fixed periodic fee for their services). The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must (1) issue guidance on how state Medicaid programs may implement direct primary care arrangements, and (2) report on the extent to which state Medicaid programs contract with independent providers and on the quality and cost of care under direct primary care arrangements that are offered through Medicaid managed care organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2023
Improving Public Health Preparedness Act This bill expressly transfers to the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response (ASPR) the responsibility for administering the Strategic National Stockpile and related activities. (The Strategic National Stockpile consists of drugs, vaccines, medical products, and other supplies that may be deployed to respond to public health emergencies.) Current law requires the Department of Health and Human Services to administer the stockpile in collaboration with ASPR and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. However, ASPR assumed general responsibility for overseeing the stockpile in 2018.
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2023
Disease X Act of 2023 This bill expands the priorities of the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) to specifically include viral threats that have the potential to cause a pandemic. In particular, the bill expands the scope of innovation grants and contracts that may be awarded by BARDA to specifically include those that support research and development of certain manufacturing technology for medical countermeasures against viruses, including respiratory viruses, with pandemic potential. It also expands BARDA's authorized strategic initiatives to include advanced research, development, and procurement of countermeasures and products to address viruses with pandemic potential.
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 · 26 May 2023
This bill generally prohibits Title X grants for family planning services, research, and training from being used for a hotline, website, or other system that provides individuals with counseling and referrals regarding abortion services. However, the prohibition does not apply (1) in cases of rape or incest, or (2) when a physician certifies that the individual suffers from a physical condition that is life-threatening unless an abortion is performed.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2023
Medical Device Electronic Labeling Act This bill allows directions for use and warning labels for all medical devices to be provided electronically. Currently, this option extends only to (1) prescription devices that are used in health care facilities or by health care professionals, and (2) in vitro diagnostic devices that are used by health care professionals or in blood establishments.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2023
Douglas "Mike" Day Psychedelic Therapy to Save Lives Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to award grants to eligible entities to research the treatment of certain members of the Armed Forces through the use of specified psychedelic substances (e.g., MDMA). Specifically, the research must focus on members of the Armed Forces who are serving on active duty and have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress, a traumatic brain injury, or chronic traumatic encephalopathy. Under the bill, eligible entities include federal or state government entities, academic institutions, and nonprofit entities.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2023
Kazakhstan Permanent Normal Trade Relations Act of 2023 This bill authorizes the President to extend nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of Kazakhstan.
United States · United States Congress · 23 May 2023
No ESG at TSP Act This bill prohibits investments under the Thrift Savings Plan in mutual funds that are based on environmental criteria (e.g., emissions standards), social criteria (e.g., company diversity), political criteria (e.g., political affiliations), or corporate governance criteria that differ from the standards that currently apply under law.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2023
Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency Act of 2023 or the PATIENT Act of 2023 This bill expands hospital price transparency requirements and establishes additional reporting requirements with respect to prescription drugs and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The bill also extends funding for various programs such as the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program, Community Health Center program, and National Health Service Corps. Specifically, the bill provides statutory authority for the requirement that hospitals publish an annual list of shoppable services they provide, including specified pricing information. Beginning in 2025, a hospital may not use an internet-based price estimator tool to meet the publication requirement for shoppable services. The bill also modifies the health insurance plan disclosure requirements to include the rates for certain in-network services and prescription drug payment information. The bill further requires providers of diagnostic laboratory tests under Medicare to publish online certain price information. Medicare Advantage (MA) organizations must report information about payments made to providers in which the MA organization has an ownership interest. Medicare prescription drug plan sponsors must report certain price information for covered drugs. Additionally, the bill requires health insurance plan issuers (or the PBM providing services on behalf of the plan) to report to the plan sponsor specified information about prescription drugs dispensed under the plan. This includes rebates, fees, alternative discounts, or other remuneration the plan receives from drug manufacturers. Finally, the bill requires pass-through pricing models, and prohibits spread-pricing, for payment arrangements with PBMs under Medicaid.
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
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 · 18 May 2023
Fiscal State of the Nation Resolution This concurrent resolution requires the congressional budget committees to conduct an annual joint hearing to receive a presentation from the Comptroller General regarding (1) the Government Accountability Office's audit of the financial statement of the executive branch, and (2) the financial position and condition of the federal government.
![Official portrait of Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/698a13d0a7af728d4e6c2038_200.jpg)