United States · United States Congress · 24 March 2023
Biologics Competition Act of 2023 This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to evaluate (1) the differences between the requirements that apply to interchangeable biologics and the requirements that apply to therapeutically equivalent ratings for generic drugs, and (2) the effects of these differences on the approval of interchangeable biologics. The FDA must update the Purple Book with changes that better align the ways these requirements are communicated while still maintaining each distinct approval pathway. The Purple Book is an FDA publication that lists approved biological products, including biosimilars and interchangeable biologics. Interchangeable biologics are biologics that may be substituted for the original product without consulting the prescriber, similar to how generic drugs may be substituted for brand-name drugs based on therapeutic equivalence.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023
Ensuring Patient Access to Critical Breakthrough Products Act of 2023 This bill provides for Medicare coverage of medical devices that are approved under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Breakthrough Devices Program. (Under the program, manufacturers work with the FDA to expedite the review and approval of certain medical devices that provide for more effective treatment or diagnosis of life-threatening or irreversibly debilitating human diseases or conditions.) The bill allows designated medical breakthrough devices to be temporarily covered under Medicare during a four-year transitional period. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must assign payment codes for such devices within three months of FDA approval. The CMS must also establish a process to allow for continued coverage after the transitional period has expired, taking into account any additional evidence or data the CMS deems necessary. The CMS must also provide for temporary and, where appropriate, permanent Medicare coverage of breakthrough devices for which there is no existing benefit category (i.e., classification).
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023
Emergency Care Improvement Act This bill permanently allows for coverage under Medicare and Medicaid of services that are provided by freestanding emergency centers. The bill takes effect May 11, 2023.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023
Tribal Firearm Access Act This bill allows members of federally recognized Indian tribes to use their valid identification documents issued by tribal governments to obtain a firearm from a federally licensed dealer.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2023
Increasing Access to Dental Insurance Act This bill permits individuals to enroll in a dental benefits plan on a health insurance exchange without also enrolling in a qualified health plan.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2023
This joint resolution nullifies the rule issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives titled Factoring Criteria for Firearms With Attached "Stabilizing Braces" and published on January 31, 2023. The rule establishes criteria for determining whether a firearm equipped with an attached stabilizing brace that facilitates shoulder fire is a rifle subject to regulation (e.g., registration) under the National Firearms Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2023
Save Our Gas Stoves Act This bill places limits on energy conservation standards for kitchen ranges or ovens under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. The Department of the Energy (DOE) may not prescribe or amend energy conservation standards for kitchen ranges or ovens if they would result in the unavailability of a product on account of the type of fuel the range or oven uses. In addition, DOE may not finalize, implement, or enforce the proposed rule titled Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Conventional Cooking Products issued on February 1, 2023, or any substantially similar rule. The proposed rule prescribes energy conservation standards for consumer conventional cooking tops, including electric cooking tops, gas cooking tops, electrical ovens, and gas ovens.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2023
CBD Product Safety and Standardization Act of 2023 This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate food containing cannabidiol (CBD) derived from hemp as a food additive. (The FDA has determined that food containing added CBD cannot be sold in interstate commerce.) Under this bill, in order to be sold, a food containing CBD derived from hemp must conform with current FDA requirements pertaining to food additives or be generally recognized as safe (GRAS). (Under current law, a food additive with the GRAS designation is not subject to FDA premarket review and approval requirements.) In addition, such a food must comply with all other relevant FDA and labeling requirements. Such a food shall be exempt from an existing provision that prohibits the sale of a food containing an additive that is (1) an FDA-approved drug or biological product, or (2) subject to certain clinical investigations. The FDA must issue regulations pertaining to such foods that specify (1) the maximum amount of CBD derived from hemp per serving, (2) labeling and packaging requirements, and (3) any conditions for intended use.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2023
Hemp and Hemp-Derived CBD Consumer Protection and Market Stabilization Act of 2023 This bill allows the use of hemp, cannabidiol (i.e., CBD) derived from hemp, or any other ingredient derived from hemp in a dietary supplement, provided that the supplement meets other applicable requirements. (Currently, the Food and Drug Administration's position is that CBD products may not be sold as dietary supplements.)
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2023
Police Officers Protecting Children Act This bill specifies that certain active and retired law enforcement officers who are authorized to carry concealed firearms are not subject to the federal prohibition on possessing (or discharging) a firearm in a school zone.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2023
Lower Energy Costs Act This bill provides for the exploration, development, importation, and exportation of energy resources (e.g., oil, gas, and minerals). For example, it sets forth provisions to (1) expedite energy projects, (2) eliminate or reduce certain fees related to the development of federal energy resources, and (3) eliminate certain funds that provide incentives to decrease emissions of greenhouse gases. The bill expedites the development, importation, and exportation of energy resources, including by waiving environmental review requirements and other specified requirements under certain environmental laws, eliminating certain restrictions on the import and export of oil and natural gas, prohibiting the President from declaring a moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing (a type of process used to extract underground energy resources), directing the Department of the Interior to conduct sales for the leasing of oil and gas resources on federal lands and waters as specified by the bill, and limiting the authority of the President and executive agencies to restrict or delay the development of energy on federal land. In addition, the bill reduces royalties for oil and gas development on federal land and eliminates charges on methane emissions. It also eliminates a variety of funds, such as funds for energy efficiency improvements in buildings as well as the greenhouse gas reduction fund.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2023
Better Interoperability for Devices Act of 2023 or the BID Act of 2023 This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration to report on the interoperability of medical devices, including associated standards, data, and costs.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2023
Protecting an Alien child's Reasonable Expectation of No Trafficking Act of 2023 or the PARENT Act of 2023 This bill establishes that no later than 72 hours after determining that a child in federal custody is an unaccompanied alien minor, custody of that child may only be transferred to the child's verified parent or legal guardian or to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Currently, HHS may release such children to sponsors, who are not required to be a parent or legal guardian but must pass a background check.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2023
Traveler's Gun Rights Act This bill broadens the scope of allowable firearms transactions involving active duty service members and their spouses and individuals who do not have a residence in any state. Currently, federal firearms laws generally prohibit a federal firearms licensee (e.g., a gun dealer) from sell or delivering a firearm to an individual whose state of residence is different than the state where the licensee's place of business is located. This bill defines the term state of residence as the state in which an individual is present with an intention of making a home. In the case of an individual who does not have a physical residence in any state, then the term state of residence means the address of the individual's private mailbox or post office box. In the case of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty, or his or her spouse, the term state of residence means (1) the state in which the member's permanent duty station is located, and (2) the state where the member maintains a place of abode from which he or she commutes to the permanent duty station.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2023
Pipeline Sabotage and Accident Prevention Act This bill establishes criminal penalties for causing a defect in or disrupting the operation of pipeline infrastructure. Specifically, the bill prohibits a person from knowingly and willfully causing or threatening to cause a defect in a pipe, pump, or valve intended to be used in any pipeline facility that would affect the integrity or safe operation of the facility; or disrupting the operation of a pipeline facility. Violators are subject to a fine, a prison term of up to 10 years, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2023
Continuing Robust and Uninhibited Drilling and Exporting Act or the CRUDE Act This bill limits the President's authority to restrict the export of crude oil from the United States. Currently, the President may restrict the export of oil for up to a year if the President declares a national emergency; the restrictions apply to countries, persons, or organizations for reasons of national security; or the Department of Commerce finds and reports to the President that the export of crude oil has caused sustained material oil supply shortages or sustained oil prices significantly above world market levels and those shortages or price increases have caused or are likely to cause sustained material adverse employment effects. However, this bill only allows the President to make such restrictions if the restrictions apply to countries, persons, or organizations for reasons of national security; or the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and Commerce jointly make those findings and report them to the President and Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2023
Preserving Choice in Vehicle Purchases Act This bill modifies the waiver process under the Clean Air Act related to state emission control standards for new motor vehicles (or new motor vehicle engines). Under current law, states are preempted from adopting or enforcing emission control standards for new motor vehicles (or new motor vehicle engines) unless the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) provides a waiver authorizing a state to adopt such standards if certain requirements are met. The bill provides that state standards that directly or indirectly limit the sale or use of new motor vehicles with internal combustion engines are not eligible for waivers. The bill also prohibits the EPA from determining that any state standards amended after the bill's enactment are within the scope of an existing waiver. Additionally, the bill requires the EPA to revoke waivers granted between January 1, 2022, and the date of enactment of this bill if the standards directly or indirectly limit the sale or use of new motor vehicles with internal combustion engines.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2023
Eradicate Crossing of Illegal Tunnels Act of 2023 or the EXIT Act of 2023 This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to take various actions to facilitate the search for and remediation of unlawful border crossing tunnels on private land. Specifically, DHS may waive federal, state, or local environmental permits and reviews as necessary to search for or remediate such tunnels. U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement may enter into indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contracts with two or more sources to facilitate such border tunnel activities. (Indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contracts provide for an indefinite quantity of services for a fixed time.)
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2023
Stop Our Sexual Assault in the Military Act This bill requires servicemembers on active duty to receive self-defense training to combat sexual assault. Such training must occur once a month.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2023
Sustainable Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Services in the Home Act This bill permanently allows services relating to cardiac rehabilitation programs, intensive cardiac rehabilitation programs, and pulmonary rehabilitation programs to be furnished via telehealth at a beneficiary's home under Medicare.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2023
No WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty Without Senate Approval Act This bill establishes that any convention or agreement on pandemic-related issues reached by the World Health Assembly (WHA) pursuant to a specified negotiating body shall be deemed to be a treaty requiring the advice and consent of the Senate. Specifically, this bill applies to any international instrument negotiated by the intergovernmental negotiating body established by the WHA in December 2021 to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2023
American Safety And Fairness through Expedited Removal Act of 2023 or the American SAFER Act of 202 3 This bill expands the classes of non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who are subject to expedited removal (i.e., removal from the United States without further hearing or review). Specifically, the bill nullifies a 2004 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule that generally limits expedited removal to certain situations, such as for non-U.S. nationals encountered within 14 days of entry into the United States without inspection and within 100 miles of a U.S. international land border. The bill also (1) prohibits DHS from implementing a rule that limits expedited removal based on how far a non-U.S. national was from the border when encountered or apprehended, and (2) modifies the relevant statute to state that expedited removal authority applies regardless of where the non-U.S. national was encountered or apprehended.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2023
Sultana Steamboat Disaster Commemorative Coin Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 100,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the Sultana steamboat explosion that occured on April 27, 1865, on the Mississippi River. All surcharges received by Treasury from the sale of such coins must be paid to the Sultana Historical Preservation Society for the purpose of establishing, operating, and maintaining a museum.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2023
COVID-19 Origin Act of 2023 This bill requires the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to declassify all information relating to potential links between the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the origin of COVID-19. The ODNI must submit to Congress an unclassified report with all such information with redactions only as necessary to protect sources and methods.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2023
Driver Reimbursement Increase for Veteran Equity Act or the DRIVE Act This bill increases the mileage reimbursement rate available to beneficiaries for travel to or from Department of Veterans Affairs facilities in connection with vocational rehabilitation, required counseling, or for the purpose of examination, treatment, or care. Specifically, the bill makes the reimbursement rate for such travel equal to or greater than the mileage reimbursement rate for government employees using private vehicles when no government vehicle is available.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2023
States Handling Access to Reciprocity for Employment Act or the SHARE Act This bill requires the Federal Bureau of Investigation to make available criminal history record information to a state occupational or professional licensing authority for background checks of individuals seeking a license under an interstate compact. A state licensing authority may not share criminal history record information with the compact's commission, any other state entity or licensing authority, or the public, but may inform the compact's commission of completion of a background check.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2023
Taiwan Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2023 This bill authorizes the President to lend or lease defense articles to Taiwan for protection against potential Chinese military aggression and requires the President to establish expedited procedures for delivering loaned or leased defense articles to Taiwan. The bill also authorizes the President to finance Taiwan's procurement of certain services in connection with the loan or lease of a defense article, provided Taiwan repays the United States within 12 years.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2023
No Retaining Every Gun In a System That Restricts Your Rights Act This bill modifies the retention requirements for firearm transaction records of federal firearms licensees (FFLs) that go out of business. Current law generally requires FFLs that go out of business to deliver their firearm transaction records to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). This bill removes the requirement for FFLs that go out of business to deliver their firearm transaction records to the ATF. Further, the bill requires the ATF to destroy all out-of-business records it has collected from FFLs.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2023
This bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from providing certain funding related to abortion services. Specifically, the bill prohibits DOD from paying or reimbursing any fees or expenses for a health care professional (who provides health care at a military medical treatment facility) to gain a license in a state if the purpose of gaining the license is to provide abortion services. The bill also repeals the DOD memorandum titled Ensuring Access to Reproductive Health Care (October 20, 2022). Such memo sets forth DOD policies and procedures in response to the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization . Under the bill, DOD may not obligate or expend funds to carry out the memo or any successor memo.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2023
Parents Bill of Rights Act This bill establishes various rights of parents and guardians regarding the elementary or secondary school education of their children. Local educational agencies (LEAs) and schools must comply with the requirements of the bill in order to receive federal education funds. Specifically, the bill requires schools to notify parents and guardians of their rights regarding the education of their children. These rights include the right to review the curriculum of their child's school; know if the state alters its challenging academic standards; meet with each teacher of their child at least twice each school year; review the budget, including all revenues and expenditures, of their child's school; review a list of the books and other reading materials in the library of their child's school; address the school board of the LEA; receive information about violent activity in their child's school; and receive information about any plans to eliminate gifted and talented programs in the child's school. Additionally, the bill directs each LEA to post on a publicly accessible website (or otherwise widely disseminate to the public) the curriculum for each elementary and secondary school grade level. The LEA must also include in its annual report card the overall budget of the LEA and the budget for each elementary and secondary school. The bill also provides for additional family educational and privacy rights, including by prohibiting schools from selling student information for commercial or financial gain.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2023
Fair and Open Competition Act or the FOCA Act This bill prohibits federal construction contracts or controlling documents for federally supported construction projects from requiring or prohibiting project labor agreements. Such documents also may not discriminate against or give preference to a bidder or contractor who signs or refuses to sign a project labor agreement. An agency may exempt a project from this prohibition to avert an imminent threat to public health or safety or to serve the national security.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2023
Stop Fentanyl Border Crossings Act This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to restrict migration and imports from foreign countries to prevent the introduction of illicit drugs into the United States. Current law authorizes HHS to restrict migration and imports from foreign countries to prevent the introduction of communicable diseases. Under this bill, HHS may also restrict migration and imports from a country if HHS determines that the existence of substantial illicit drug smuggling from that country poses a risk to public health.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2023
Keeping America's Refineries Act This bill revises the EPA's Risk Management program to exempt a petroleum (e.g., gasoline) refinery that uses a hydrofluoric acid alkylation unit from certain hazard assessment requirements. Petroleum refineries use the acid during the gasoline production process. Hydrofluoric acid is hazardous and corrosive. If it is accidently released, it can form a toxic vapor cloud. Currently, petroleum refineries are required to include in a hazard assessment an evaluation of safer technology and alternative risk management measures for a hydrofluoric acid alkylation unit. This bill eliminates that requirement if the petroleum refinery (1) has obtained a construction permit or operating permit under the program, or (2) demonstrates that it will conform to the most recent version of American Petroleum Institute Recommended Practice 751. This practice provides guidance on the safe operation of such a unit.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2023
Stop CCP Fentanyl Act This bill imposes sanctions on various Chinese government officials and entities. It also establishes a cause of action against China’s government or Chinese government officials for certain harms stemming a fentanyl-related overdose. Specifically, the bill requires the President to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on (1) the president of China, (2) the chairman of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), (3) China’s State Council, and (4) China’s Politburo Standing Committee. The President may waive the sanctions upon certifying that (1) China’s government and the CCP have taken all reasonable measures to prevent the flow of fentanyl produced in China into the United States, and (2) the intelligence community has determined that amount of fentanyl from China and the deaths resulting from overdoses of such fentanyl has dropped 98%. This bill also authorizes a U.S. national or lawful permanent resident to sue certain Chinese government officials or the Chinese government for the death of an immediate family member caused by an overdose by fentanyl (or fentanyl analogue) manufactured using fentanyl precursors from China. Property blocked pursuant to sanctions under this bill may be used to satisfy a judgment from such a lawsuit.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2023
This bill allows the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to issue a temporary waiver of requirements under the Clean Air Act or the Solid Waste Disposal Act for a critical energy resource facility if the EPA finds that the processing or refining of a critical energy resource at the facility is necessary to meet national security or energy security needs. Further, the EPA may issue such waiver with or without notice, hearing, or other report.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2023
Natural Gas Tax Repeal Act This bill eliminates a program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that provides incentives for petroleum and natural gas systems to reduce their emissions of methane and other greenhouse gases. It also repeals a charge on methane emissions from specific types of facilities that are required to report their greenhouse gas emissions to the EPA's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Program.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2023
This resolution supports the designation of National FFA Week. It also (1) recognizes the important role of the National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America) in developing the next generation of leaders who will change the world, and (2) celebrates the 90th anniversary of the iconic FFA jacket.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2023
Stop Higher Education Espionage and Theft Act of 2023 This bill establishes a process for designating foreign actors as foreign intelligence threats to higher education. Specifically, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) must designate a foreign actor as a foreign intelligence threat to higher education if the foreign actor has committed, attempted to commit, or conspired to commit certain actions in connection with an institution of higher education (IHE), such as espionage, misuse of visas, or theft of trade secrets. Prior to making such a designation, the FBI must submit notice to Congress and the Department of Justice. Upon the designation of a foreign actor as a threat, the Department of State must revoke the nonimmigrant visa issued to the foreign actor present in the United States, and the Department of Homeland Security must initiate removal proceedings against the foreign actor. Additionally, the bill provides for judicial review and a process for revoking a foreign actor's designation as a threat. Finally, the bill also expands disclosure requirements related to foreign gifts or contracts, including by requiring an IHE to disclose to the Department of Education any gift or contract with a foreign intelligence threat, including the fair market value of the gift or contract.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2023
Stop Taxpayer Funding of Traffickers Act This bill prohibits an individual who is indicted for or charged with a covered trafficking offense from receiving federal benefits. Covered trafficking offense refers to a human trafficking offense or a drug trafficking offense occurring at an international border, or within the territorial waters, of the United States. Federal benefit refers to (1) the issuance of any grant, contract, loan, professional license, or commercial license provided by a U.S. agency or by appropriated U.S. funds; and (2) any retirement, welfare, Social Security, health, disability, veterans, public housing, or other similar benefit. The bill requires the federal government to provide retroactive benefits payments for an individual who has the charge dismissed or is found not guilty of the covered trafficking offense.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2023
Everett Alvarez, Jr., Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023 This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Everett Alvarez, Jr. in recognition of his service to the nation.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2023
This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the federal government should not impose (1) overly restrictive regulations on the exploration, production, or marketing of energy resources; or (2) any restrictions on the export of crude oil or other petroleum products under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2023
Women's Public Health and Safety Act This bill allows a state to exclude from participation in the state's Medicaid program a provider that performs an abortion, unless (1) the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, or (2) the woman suffers from a physical issue that would place her in danger of death unless an abortion is performed. Under current law, a state plan for medical assistance must provide that any individual eligible for medical assistance may obtain required services from any provider qualified to perform them.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2023
UNRWA Accountability and Transparency Act This bill makes changes to U.S. foreign policy in matters concerning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA). For purposes of this policy, the bill defines Palestinian refugee as a person who (1) resided from June 1946 to May 1948 in Mandatory Palestine (a region controlled by Britain until 1948), (2) was personally displaced as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, and (3) has not accepted citizenship or other permanent adjustment in status in another country. Furthermore, under U.S. policy, derivative refugee status may only extend to the spouse or minor child of such a Palestinian refugee. The bill withholds U.S. funding for the UNRWA unless the Department of State makes certifications concerning the UNRWA's staff, partners, and funding. Specifically, the State Department must certify that neither UNRWA staff and partners nor its funding and facilities are affiliated with terrorism or disseminating certain rhetoric, such as calling for the destruction of Israel or describing Israelis as occupiers or settlers . Additionally, the State Department must certify that the UNRWA is (1) subject to comprehensive independent financial audits, and (2) not affiliated with any financial institutions complicit in money laundering or terror financing. The State Department must also implement a plan to encourage other countries to align their UNRWA-related activities with U.S. policy objectives, including the phaseout of the UNRWA by resettling Palestinian refugees outside of Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2023
This joint resolution recognizes the sacrifice of veterans of the Vietnam War and commends them for their sacrifice to the United States. The joint resolution also urges the President to formally acknowledge the widespread mistreatment of such veterans as part of the ongoing Vietnam War Commemoration and issue a formal apology to the veterans and their families. Additionally, the joint resolution expresses urgent support for increased education to better reflect the sacrifice and treatment of Vietnam veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2023
Build the Wall Now Act This bill resumes the construction of, and modifies the requirements for, a physical barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border. Specifically, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must, within one day of the bill's enactment, resume any project related to the construction of such barriers (and any related infrastructure), and DHS may not cancel any contracts related to such construction that were entered into on or before January 20, 2021. Additionally, funds already appropriated for such construction must remain available until expended. The bill also modifies the requirements for the physical barriers along the southern border and requires DHS to consult with the labor organization representing border patrol agents about the safety and effectiveness of the agents deployed in the vicinity of the barriers. Finally, the bill exempts these construction projects from certain legal requirements, including requirements stemming from the Administrative Procedure Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the federal laws regarding public contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2023
Prohibiting IRS Financial Surveillance Act This bill prohibits the Department of the Treasury from requiring a financial institution to report the transfers into and out of a financial account. This prohibition does not apply to laws or regulations in effect on January 1, 2023.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2023
TCJA Permanency Act This bill makes permanent provisions affecting individual and business taxpayers that were enacted in 2017 by the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and are scheduled to expire at the end of 2025. The bill makes permanent reductions in individual and capital gain tax rates. The bill increases the standard tax deduction for individual taxpayers. It also increases and modifies the child tax credit and raises the contribution base for the tax deduction for charitable contributions. The bill allows additional contributions to ABLE accounts (tax-exempt accounts designed to enable individuals with disabilities to save and pay for disability-related expenses). It exempts from taxation combat zone benefits of members of the Armed Forces serving in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt and limits the deduction for moving expenses to active duty members of the Armed Forces. Additionally, the bill expands the types of elementary and secondary school expenses eligible for payment from qualified tuition programs (529 programs); lowers to $750,000 the amount of mortgage debt eligible for an interest expense tax deduction; reinstates after 2024 the exclusion of income from the gross income of student loan borrowers for loan debt discharged due to death or total and permanent disability; makes permanent the limitation on the tax deduction for state and local taxes and denies a deduction for foreign real property taxes; makes permanent the tax deduction of the income of certain pass-through business entities; repeals the tax deduction for personal tax exemptions and the exclusion of employer-provided bicycle commuter fringe benefits; terminates certain miscellaneous itemized tax deductions; doubles the estate and gift tax exemption amount; and makes permanent the increase of the alternative minimum tax exemption amount for individual taxpayers.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2023
Protecting Military Installations from Foreign Espionage Act This bill places restrictions on the purchase of certain property by a foreign person who is owned or controlled by, is acting for or on behalf of, or receives subsidies from Russia, China, Iran, or North Korea. Specifically, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States must review a purchase or lease by, or a concession to, any such foreign person of private or public real estate in the United States that is within (1) 100 miles of a military installation; or (2) 50 miles of a military training route, special use airspace, a controlled firing area, or a military operations area. Further, the Department of Defense and the Department of Transportation may not issue final determinations regarding specified projects (e.g., energy projects) that involve a transaction under review by the committee until the committee concludes its action.