United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023
Intelligence Community Families Act This bill makes officers or employees of the intelligence community (or their spouses and dependent children) who are domiciled or assigned to a duty station in a given state eligible for in-state tuition at public institutions of higher education in that state. Such individuals retain their eligibility for in-state tuition provided they maintain continuous enrollment even if their domicile or duty station changes.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023
Improve and Enhance the Work Opportunity Tax Credit Act This bill increases the work opportunity tax credit (WOTC) for wages paid during the first year of employment to certain employees. The bill also eliminates the maximum age limit applicable to Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefit recipients for purposes of the WOTC. Under current law, an employer generally may claim a WOTC in the amount of 40% of up to $6,000 (or of up to $24,000 for certain veterans, $3,000 for summer youth employees, and $10,000 for long-term family aid recipients) of qualified wages paid during the first year of employment to an employee who is a member of a targeted group. (Exceptions and limitations apply.) The bill increases the WOTC to (1) 50% of up to $6,000 (or of up to $24,000 for certain veterans) of qualified first-year wages paid to an employee who is a member of a targeted group (other than a summer youth employee or recipient of long-term family aid), and (2) 50% of up to $12,000 (or of up to $48,000 for certain veterans) of qualified wages paid during the first year of employment to such employee if the employee works at least 400 hours during the year. Finally, the bill eliminates the maximum age limit applicable to SNAP benefit recipients and, thus, allows an employer to claim the WOTC for qualified first-year wages paid to an employee who is at least 18 years old and receiving SNAP benefits for a certain period of time.
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 · 13 December 2023
Intelligence Community Workforce Agility Protection Act of 2023 This bill allows a current tax deduction for the moving and traveling expenses of an employee or new appointee of the intelligence community who moves due to a change in assignment that requires relocation. It also allows a current tax exclusion for such employees or appointees for moving expense reimbursements. Under current law, the tax deduction and exclusion for the moving expenses of other taxpayers are suspended for the period beginning in 2018 through 2025.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2023
Military Personnel Confirmation Restoration Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide certain relief to individuals whose promotions to a grade or rank in the Armed Forces of O-7 or higher were delayed by the Senate. Specifically, the bill applies to those individuals who were confirmed between December 5, 2023, and December 31, 2023. The bill requires DOD to provide pay and benefits associated with the appointment retroactive to the later of (1) the date that is 30 days after the date on which the nomination was placed on the Executive Calendar of the Senate, or (2) the date on which the individual would have been appointed but for the suspension of Senate confirmation of appointments.
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 · 7 December 2023
Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity and River Restoration Act of 2023 This bill establishes a new investment tax credit in the amount of 30% of the basis of any hydropower improvement property. The bill defines hydropower improvement property as property that adds or improves fish passage at a qualified dam; maintains or improves the quality of the water retained or released by a qualified dam; promotes downstream sediment transport and habitat maintenance; upgrades, repairs, or reconstructs a qualified dam to meet safety and security standards; improves public uses of, and access to, public waterways impacted by a qualified dam; removes an obsolete river obstruction; or places into service an approved remote dam. Further, written approval for hydropower improvement property must be obtained from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or state or local officials prior to January 1, 2032. The bill also allows an election to claim the investment tax credit for qualified progress expenses for some types of hydropower improvement property in advance of such property being placed into service. Any investment tax credit amount claimed for qualified progress expenses reduces the amount of the investment tax credit that may be claimed once the hydropower improvement property is placed into service. The bill authorizes certain entities, including tax-exempt and governmental entities, to treat the investment tax credit for hydropower improvement property as a payment of tax and receive a refund of any overpayment (also known as elective pay). Finally, the investment tax credit for hydropower improvement property may be transferred (i.e., sold).
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2023
Rural Uplift and Revitalization Assistance Act This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide technical assistance in geographically underserved and distressed areas for USDA rural development programs. Specifically, USDA must provide (directly or through cooperative agreements) technical assistance and strengthen local capacity to improve USDA rural development program access for local partners (e.g., local governments, businesses, and nonprofit organizations) in geographically underserved and distressed areas. Under the bill, a geographically underserved and distressed area means a rural area (1) in a socially vulnerable community; (2) in a persistent poverty county; (3) in an economically distressed area; or (4) that lacks adequate water services, sewer services, or decent housing in any region near the border between the United States and Mexico. On an annual basis, USDA must submit to Congress (and make publicly available) a report on how the provision of technical assistance under this bill has affected geographically underserved and distressed areas.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2023
Poverty Line Act of 2023 This bill revises the methodology used to calculate the federal poverty guidelines. The federal poverty guidelines are used to determine eligibility for many federal and state public assistance programs, including the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and the National School Lunch Program. The poverty guidelines are currently calculated by adjusting the Census Bureau’s poverty thresholds to account for changes in the Consumer Price Index. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to calculate regional poverty guidelines based on a combination of factors including average household expenditures on food, clothing, utilities, and transportation; the average cost of rental housing; and the average cost of health insurance. These factors shall be calculated using regional data as applicable. HHS must make available to the public a tool for determining the poverty guideline applicable to a given household. The new regional poverty guidelines established by HHS may not be lower than existing, corresponding poverty guidelines as of the date of enactment of the bill. HHS shall review and evaluate the poverty guidelines at least every four years and propose changes to this methodology as appropriate. The bill shall take effect three years after its enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 5 December 2023
This resolution expresses the sense that Russia's attack on Ukraine is a breach of United Nations (U.N.) Charter. The resolution urges the executive branch to determine whether Russia is lawfully a member of the U.N. Security Council. The resolution also urges the United States, in conjunction with other U.N. members, (1) to limit, suspend, or terminate Russia's rights and privileges as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council; and (2) to support India's accession as a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.
United States · United States Congress · 1 December 2023
This resolution encourages people around the world to work to achieve the goal of zero new HIV transmissions, zero discrimination, and zero AIDS-related deaths, in order to end the HIV epidemic in the United States and around the world by 2030. The resolution supports continued funding for prevention, care and treatment services, and research programs for communities impacted by HIV and people living with HIV in the United States and globally. The resolution supports continued leadership by the United States in domestic, bilateral, multilateral, and private sector efforts to fight HIV. Finally, the resolution urges other members of the international community to sustain and scale up their support for and financial contributions to efforts around the world to combat HIV.
United States · United States Congress · 1 December 2023
Immigration Visa Efficiency and Security Act of 2023 This bill addresses issues concerning family- and employment-based visas. The bill increases the annual per-country cap on family-based immigrant visas from 7% of the total number of such visas available to 15% and eliminates the per-country cap for employment-based immigrant visas. The bill establishes transition rules for employment-based visas such as (1) reserving a percentage of EB-2 (workers with advanced degrees or exceptional ability) and EB-3 (skilled and other workers) visas for individuals not from the two countries with the largest number of recipients of such visas, and (2) allotting a number of visas for professional nurses and physical therapists. The bill imposes additional requirements for H-1B visas, such as prohibiting (1) an employer from advertising that a position is limited to H-1B applicants or that H-1B applicants are preferred, and (2) certain employers from having more than half of their employees as nonimmigrant visa workers. The Department of Labor shall create a publicly available website where an employer seeking an H-1B visa must post information about the open position. The bill also expands Labor's authority to investigate H-1B applications for fraud or misrepresentations. The bill also prohibits H-1B or H-3 (trainee or special education exchange) visas for nationals of a foreign adversary country for employment in any matter vital to U.S. national interests. The bill also allows certain nonimmigrant visa holders to obtain lawful permanent resident status if the individual (1) has an approved immigrant visa petition, and (2) has waited at least two years for a visa.
United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2023
Fostering Overseas Rule of law and Environmentally Sound Trade Act of 2023 or the FOREST Act of 2023 This bill restricts certain commodities produced on illegally deforested land from accessing the U.S. market. Specifically, the bill prohibits the importation of any product made wholly or in part of a covered commodity produced on illegally deforested land. The bill outlines requirements for import declarations of covered commodities. The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) must, within 30 days, publish (1) an initial list of covered commodities that consists of palm oil, soybeans, cocoa, cattle, and rubber; and (2) an initial list of covered products that are defined by the bill in accordance with the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. These lists must be updated at least on an annual basis. Further, the USTR must identify foreign countries without adequate and effective protection against illegal deforestation for the production of commodities that are likely to enter the United States. The USTR must develop an action plan that includes benchmarks for each identified country. Additionally, the bill creates an interagency working group to provide advice and recommendations to the USTR, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and other relevant agencies. The bill provides funding to assist foreign governments in combating illegal deforestation. The bill also includes illegal deforestation as a specified unlawful activity under a federal financial crime statute. The bill establishes a federal procurement preference for commodities that are not produced on land subject to deforestation.
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 · 30 November 2023
Never Again Education Reauthorization Act of 2023 This bill extends the authorization for the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to carry out certain Holocaust education program activities through FY2030.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2023
Keeping Our Manufacturers from Being Unfairly taxed while Championing Health Act or KOMBUCHA This bill exempts low alcohol by volume kombucha from the excise tax on wine and beer and related regulations. Kombucha is a fermented tea with a low alcohol content.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2023
This resolution recognizes the importance of the alliance between the United States and Germany and the strong ties between the populations and governments.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 2023
Medicare Economic Security Solutions Act This bill modifies provisions relating to enrollment periods for Medicare medical services. Among other things, the bill establishes a late enrollment penalty of 15% of monthly premiums and applies the penalty for a period equal to twice the number of months in each 12-month period during which the individual was not enrolled. Currently, the late enrollment penalty is 10% of monthly premiums for each 12-month period during which the individual was not enrolled, and the penalty continues to apply for as long as the individual is enrolled in Medicare medical services. The bill also expands the special enrollment periods to individuals who have health insurance coverage other than through their employer.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 2023
This resolution supports the designation of National Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month and supports efforts to meet the needs of homeless children and youth.
United States · United States Congress · 28 November 2023
This resolution expresses support for a whole child approach to education and encourages parents, educators, administrators, and community members to support this approach for each student.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2023
This resolution expresses the sense that the slogan "from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" is antisemitic and must be strongly condemned. The resolution states that the slogan is divisive and does a disservice to Israelis, Palestinians, and all those in the region who seek peace.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2023
This resolution declares support and gratitude to food banks and community-based organizations working to end U.S. food insecurity. The resolution also confirms that food bank and community-based organization employees and volunteers, private donors, and U.S. agricultural producers serve an essential role in working to end food insecurity.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2023
This resolution reaffirms Israel's right to exist. It also (1) recognizes that denying Israel's right to exist is a form of antisemitism; (2) rejects calls for Israel's destruction; and (3) condemns the Hamas-led attack on Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2023
This resolution condemns Hamas' use of human shields as a contravention of international humanitarian law and a violation of the rights and dignity of civilian noncombatants. The resolution also calls for Hamas to immediately cease using human shields, for the swift release of all hostages taken by Hamas, and for Hamas' unconditional surrender.
United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2023
Farmland Security Act of 2023 This bill authorizes increased civil penalties for violations of the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 (AFIDA) and increases Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversight of and research into foreign investment in agricultural land. (AFIDA and the regulations that implemented the act require foreign investors who acquire, transfer, or hold an interest in U.S. agricultural land to report such holdings and transactions to USDA.) In general, the bill allows USDA to determine an appropriate civil penalty amount for an AFIDA violation by removing the cap that currently prohibits the civil penalty from exceeding 25% of the fair market value of the interest in the land. The bill provides an exception for a shell corporation (i.e., a corporation, company, association, firm, partnership, society, joint stock company, trust, or estate that has no or nominal operations). An AFIDA civil penalty for a foreign-owned shell corporation must be 100% of the fair market value of the interest in the agricultural land associated with the violation. The penalty does not apply if the shell corporation remedies a defective filing or failure to file within 60 days of USDA providing notice. USDA must conduct annual compliance audits of at least 10% of the reports. Further, USDA must provide state and county-level personnel annual training in identifying agricultural land for which a report must be submitted. USDA must also annually conduct research and submit a report to Congress on foreign investment in agricultural land, including trends in the purchase of U.S. agricultural land by foreign-owned shell corporations.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2023
Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2023 This bill provides for Medicare coverage of certain audiology services. Specifically, the bill expands coverage to include diagnostic and treatment services that are furnished by audiologists and that would otherwise be covered if provided by a physician, including incidental services, regardless of whether such services are provided pursuant to a referral from, or under the supervision of, a physician or other health care practitioner.
![Official portrait of Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/116_rp_pa_1_fitzpatrick_brian_200.jpg)