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
Clean Ocean And Safe Tourism Anti-Drilling Act or the COAST Anti-Drilling Act This bill prohibits the Department of the Interior from authorizing the exploration, development, or production (i.e., offshore drilling) of oil, natural gas, or other minerals in areas of the Outer Continental Shelf along the Atlantic Coast. Specifically, the prohibition applies to the Mid-Atlantic planning area, the South Atlantic planning area, the North Atlantic planning area, and the Straits of Florida.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2023
Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act of 2023 This bill requires certain medical devices with a digital interface to meet nonvisual accessibility standards established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Specifically, the FDA must establish regulations to require a Class II or Class III medical device with a digital interface to provide a blind or low-vision user access to the same services and information, and generally the same ease of use, as provided to a user who is not low-vision or blind. (The FDA classifies medical devices in three classes. Class I devices are low-risk, Class II devices are moderate-risk, and Class III devices are high-risk.) A Class II or Class III medical device that does not meet the nonvisual accessibility standards established under this bill may not be sold. However, the FDA may waive the bill's requirements for a device upon a showing that applying the standards would fundamentally alter the nature of the device or create an undue hardship for the manufacturer. The bill also does not apply to devices that are intended solely for use by a health care provider or in a setting outside the home.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2023
Cabin Air Safety Act of 202 3 This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to implement regulations regarding smoke or fume incidents on aircraft (excluding helicopters). Specifically, the bill requires flight attendants, pilots, aircraft maintenance technicians, airport first responders, and emergency response teams to receive annual training on how to respond to incidents on aircraft; the FAA to develop a standardized form and system for reporting incidents involving smoke or fumes; the FAA to conduct an investigation after a report is submitted about incidents of smoke or fumes if anybody on the aircraft required medical attention; and air carriers to install and operate onboard detectors and other air quality monitoring equipment situated in the air supply system to enable pilots and maintenance technicians to locate the sources of air supply contamination, including carbon monoxide.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2023
United States Foundation for International Conservation Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of State to establish the U.S. Foundation for International Conservation as a tax-exempt organization to promote international conservation efforts, including by providing grants for eligible projects. The foundation shall fund projects that support effective area-based conservation measures and the long-term management of protected or conserved areas and their contiguous buffer zones. Such areas include terrestrial, coastal, and marine-protected or conserved parks, conservancies, and reserves. Projects must be cost-matched from sources other than the U.S. government. Project grants shall focus on countries that (1) have low-income, lower middle-income, or upper-middle-income economies; (2) have a high degree of biological diversity or important species or ecosystems; and (3) have demonstrated a commitment to conservation through their actions. The foundation may not provide support for any government, or any entity owned or controlled by a government, that has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism or has engaged in a consistent pattern of gross human rights violations. Additionally, the foundation may not engage in any dealings prohibited under U.S. sanctions.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2023
Broadband Incentives for Communities Act This bill requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) to establish a grant program to assist local governments and Indian tribes with efficient review and approval of zoning or permitting applications that facilitate the deployment of broadband infrastructure. Grant recipients must use awarded funds to build application processing capacity or to purchase technology, software, and equipment to facilitate the processing of applications. The NTIA must also establish the Local Broadband Advisory Council to develop solutions to challenges faced by local governments, Indian tribes, and infrastructure providers in facilitating wireless and broadband deployment, including in unserved and underserved communities.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2023
Federal Firefighter Pay Equity Act This bill modifies certain pay calculations that are used to determine retirement and annuity benefits for federal firefighters. Specifically, the bill adjusts the method of determining the average pay of a federal firefighter by adding one-half of a firefighter's basic hourly rate multiplied by the number of overtime hours included as part of such firefighter's regular tour of duty. It also requires the Office of Personnel Management to issue regulations that cap the number of hours in a regular workweek, which may not exceed 60 hours per week.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2023
Reparations for Ukraine through Sovereign nation Support and Integration Act or the RUSSIA Act This bill directs the President to seek to enter into an agreement with other countries that have frozen the assets of Russia's central bank to (1) transfer the frozen assets into a single account at an international financial institution, and (2) distribute such assets to provide for the reconstruction of Ukraine after the cessation of hostilities in Ukraine.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2023
Family Farm and Small Business Exemption Act This bill restores an exemption for certain family farms and small businesses under the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The bill applies to the net worth of (1) a family farm on which the family resides, or (2) a small business with not more than 100 full-time or full-time equivalent employees that is owned and controlled by the family. Prior to recent changes made to FAFSA, the net worth of these family farms and small businesses were excluded as assets when calculating a student's financial need to determine federal student aid eligibility. Beginning with the 2024-2025 academic year, the net worth of these farms and businesses will be treated as an asset and therefore included in the calculation. This bill restores the exemption to exclude such net worth from the calculation.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2023
Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 20 23 This bill expands various labor protections related to employees' rights to organize and collectively bargain in the workplace. Among other things, it (1) revises the definitions of employee , supervisor , and employer to broaden the scope of individuals covered by the fair labor standards; (2) permits labor organizations to encourage participation of union members in strikes initiated by employees represented by a different labor organization (i.e., secondary strikes); and (3) prohibits employers from bringing claims against unions that conduct such secondary strikes. The bill also allows collective bargaining agreements to require all employees represented by the bargaining unit to contribute fees to the labor organization for the cost of such representation, notwithstanding a state law to the contrary; and expands unfair labor practices to include prohibitions against replacement of, or discrimination against, workers who participate in strikes. The bill makes it an unfair labor practice to require or coerce employees to attend employer meetings designed to discourage union membership and prohibits employers from entering into agreements with employees under which employees waive the right to pursue or a join collective or class-action litigation. The bill further prohibits employers from taking adverse actions against an employee, including employees with management responsibilities, in response to that employee participating in protected activities related to the enforcement of the prohibitions against unfair labor practices (i.e., whistleblower protections). Such protected activities include providing information about a potential violation to an enforcement agency, participating in an enforcement proceeding, initiating a proceeding concerning an alleged violation or assisting in such a proceeding, or refusing to participate in an activity the employee reasonably believes is a violation of labor laws. Finally, the bill addresses the procedures for union representation elections, provides employees with the ability to vote in such elections remotely by telephone or the internet, modifies the protections against unfair labor practices that result in serious economic harm, and establishes penalties and permits injunctive relief against entities that fail to comply with National Labor Relations Board orders.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2023
Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostics Act of 2023 This bill establishes separate payment requirements for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals under the Medicare prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services. The bill's requirements apply to diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals that have an average daily cost of $500 or more in 2024 and as adjusted based on a specified fee schedule factor in each year thereafter.
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 · 27 February 2023
This resolution supports the goals and ideals of National Engineers Week to increase understanding of, and interest in, engineering and technology careers.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2023
Resident Education Deferred Interest Act or the REDI Act This bill allows borrowers in medical or dental internships or residency programs to defer student loan payments until the completion of their programs.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2023
Stop Forced Organ Harvesting Act of 2023 This bill imposes sanctions on persons (individuals and entities) involved in forced organ trafficking and authorizes the Department of State to revoke the passports of individuals convicted of certain crimes related to organ trafficking. Specifically, the President must report to Congress a list of persons that facilitate (1) forced organ harvesting, or (2) trafficking in persons for organ harvesting. For each person on the list, the President must impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions. Furthermore, the State Department may deny or revoke the passport of an individual who has been convicted of a federal crime of knowingly transferring any human organ for valuable consideration for use in human transplantation, if the individual (1) is subject to imprisonment or supervised release resulting from that conviction, and (2) used a passport or crossed an international border when committing that crime.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2023
Correcting Guam's History in the PACT Act This bill expands eligibility for a presumption of service-connection for specified diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific conditions diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded. Under the bill, service performed in Guam or its territorial waters between August 15, 1958, and July 31, 1980, provides a veteran who has a specified disease that is associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents with eligibility for a presumption of service-connection. (Under current law, the eligible time frame for service in Guam is between January 9, 1962, and July 31, 1980.)
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2023
Taiwan International Solidarity Act This bill requires the Department of State to annually report to Congress on efforts by China to undermine Taiwan's participation in international organizations or Taiwan's relationships with other countries.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2023
Protecting Taxpayers and Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act This bill addresses fraud and overpayments of pandemic unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, including by providing incentives for states to investigate and recover overpayments of these benefits. Specifically, the bill allows states to retain 25% of any recovered fraudulent overpayments. These retained funds may be used for modernizing unemployment compensation systems and information technology, reimbursing administrative costs, hiring fraud investigators and prosecutors, and for other program integrity activities. Additionally, the bill allows states to retain 5% of any overpayments of regular and extended UI benefits. A state must, in order to retain these overpayments, certify that it has met certain conditions for data matching. Next, the bill extends from 3 to 10 years the time during which states can recover overpayments of pandemic UI benefits. Further, the bill extends flexibilities for states to hire temporary staff on a noncompetitive basis to identify, pursue, and recover fraudulent overpayments. The bill also extends from 5 to 10 years the statute of limitations for federal criminal charges or civil enforcement actions related to UI fraud. Finally, the bill repeals a section of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (as amended by the American Rescue Plan of 2021) that provided funding for UI program integrity activities.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2023
Bolstering Northeast Heating Oil and Gasoline Reserves Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Energy to (1) complete a long-range strategic review of the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve and the Northeast Gasoline Supply Reserve, and (2) develop an action plan that includes an estimate of the resources required to attain and maintain the reserves' long-term sustainability and operational effectiveness.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2023
Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act This bill requires registered lobbyists to disclose any foreign countries or political parties that are involved in the direction, planning, supervision, or control of the lobbyist's activities.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2023
Preventing Crimes Against Veterans Act of 2023 This bill establishes a new federal criminal offense for knowingly executing, or attempting to execute, a scheme to defraud an individual of veterans' benefits, or in connection with obtaining veteran's benefits for an individual. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2023
Fighting Presidential Budget Waste Act This bill requires the President and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to consider the Government Accountability Office's (GAO's) annual report on ways to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the federal government when preparing the President's annual budget. Specifically, the President and OMB must consider the information and recommendations contained in the most recent GAO report titled Additional Opportunities to Reduce Fragmentation, Overlap, and Duplication and Achieve Billions of Dollars in Financial Benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2023
This resolution condemns Russia for committing acts of genocide against the Ukrainian people. It also calls on the United States, in cooperation with North Atlantic Treaty Organization and European Union allies, to undertake measures to support the Ukrainian government to prevent further acts of Russian genocide against the Ukrainian people.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2023
This resolution states that the House of Representatives holds the Russian government responsible for the illegal kidnapping of children from Ukraine and condemns these actions. The resolution also (1) declares that illegal adoptions are contrary to the Genocide Convention (the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide); (2) claims that Russia is attempting to wipe out a generation of Ukrainian children; and (3) asserts that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has increased the risks of children being exposed to human trafficking, exploitation, child labor, gender-based violence, hunger, injury, trauma, deprivation of education and shelter, and death.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2023
Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023 This bill revises requirements for milk provided by the National School Lunch Program of the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Currently, schools participating in the program must provide milk that is consistent with the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans; USDA regulations require milk to be fat-free or low-fat and allow milk to be flavored or unflavored. The bill modifies these restrictions and instead permits schools to offer students whole, reduced-fat, low-fat, and fat-free flavored and unflavored milk. In addition, schools currently participating in the program must provide meals that meet certain nutrition requirements; USDA regulations require that the average saturated fat content of the meals offered must be less than 10% of the total calories. Under the bill, USDA must revise these requirements to increase the allowable average saturated fat content of a meal to account for milk fat included in whole milk.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2023
John Lewis Civil Rights Fellowship Act of 2023 This bill establishes the John Lewis Civil Rights Fellowship Program within the J. William Fulbright Educational Exchange Program (commonly referred to as the Fulbright Program). The fellowship program shall honor the legacy of Representative John Lewis and advance U.S. foreign policy priorities by promoting studies, research, and international exchange in the subject of nonviolent civil rights movements around the world. The Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board shall annually select qualified individuals to serve as fellows in the fellowship program. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs may determine the number of fellows for each year, with at least 25 fellows each year whenever feasible. Each fellow shall (1) work in an internship or research position with an approved organization in a country with an operational Fulbright U.S. Student Program, and (2) receive an award sufficient to cover the fellow's reasonable costs during the fellowship period and certain travel and lodging expenses related to the program.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2023
Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benefits Act or the GUARD VA Benefits Act This bill imposes fines on individuals for soliciting, contracting for, charging, or receiving any unauthorized fee or compensation with respect to the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. The attempted commission of such offenses is also punishable by fine.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2023
Advancing Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act of 2023 This bill establishes programs and requirements to support the inclusion of pregnant and lactating women in clinical research. For example, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to align the Food and Drug Administration's regulations for human subjects in clinical trials with other departmental regulations for pregnant women in clinical research. The bill also establishes (1) a national online clearinghouse with information about clinical trials that enroll pregnant and lactating women, (2) an advisory committee to help coordinate federal activities with respect to clinical research for pregnant and lactating women, and (3) an educational campaign on the importance of including pregnant and lactating women in clinical research. The National Institutes of Health must also prioritize certain research projects on new and existing medications for pregnant and lactating women based on need, feasibility, and the potential impact of the research.
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
United States-Taiwan Advanced Research Partnership Act of 2023 This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to enter into cooperative research activities with Taiwan to strengthen preparedness against cyber threats and enhance capabilities in cybersecurity.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2023
Promoting Programming, Research, Education and Preservation in Civics and Government Act or the PREP Civics and Government Act This bill amends the National Foundation on the Arts and the Humanities Act of 1965 to include the study and interpretation of civics and government under the definition of humanities.
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
Debbie Smith Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes through FY2029 the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program. The program provides grants to state and local governments to improve and expand the collection and analysis of DNA evidence, including evidence in sexual assault kits.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2023
Caring for Survivors Act of 2023 This bill increases the monthly rate of dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving spouses through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Dependency and indemnity compensation is a monthly payment made to eligible survivors (i.e., spouses, parents, or children) of (1) certain veterans who died as a result of a service-connected condition; (2) service members killed while on active military duty or active or inactive duty for training; or (3) veterans who did not die from a service-connected condition, but were totally disabled by a service-connected disability for a certain period of time. The bill also (1) reduces, from 10 years to 5 years, the period of time that certain veterans must have been rated totally disabled due to a service-connected disability in order for a survivor to qualify for benefits; and (2) specifies the amount that is payable to survivors of veterans who were rated totally disabled for a period of less than 10 years before their death.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2023
250th Anniversary of the United States Marine Corps Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the 250th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps. All surcharges received by Treasury from the sale of such coins must be paid to the Marine Corps Heritage Foundation and shall only be used for the purposes of supporting the mission of the Marine Corps Heritage Center.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2023
Outdoors for All Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to establish an outdoor recreation legacy partnership grant program under which Interior may award grants to states, certain political subdivisions of a state, special purpose districts, Indian tribes, or Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian communities or organizations. Funds must be used for projects to (1) acquire land and water for parks and other outdoor recreation purposes in qualifying areas, and (2) develop new or renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities that provide outdoor recreation opportunities to the public in qualifying areas. Qualifying area means an urbanized area or urban cluster that has a population of 25,000 or more in the most recent census, two or more adjacent urban clusters with a combined population of 25,000 or more in the most recent census, or an area that is administered by an Indian tribe or an Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian community organization. Interior shall give priority to projects that create or significantly enhance access to park and recreational opportunities in an urban neighborhood or community, engage and empower underserved communities and youth, provide opportunities for employment or job training for youth or underserved communities, establish or expand public-private partnerships, and take advantage of coordination among various levels of government.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2023
Better Empowerment Now to Enhance Framework and Improve Treatments Act of 2023 or the BENEFIT Act of 2023 This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to consider relevant patient experience data in the risk-benefit assessment framework used in the process for approving new drugs. After a new drug application has been approved, the FDA's public statement about how it used patient experience data shall include a description of how such data was considered in the risk-benefit assessment framework.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2023
This bill requires the Joint Committee on the Library to enter into an agreement to obtain a statue of Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman elected to Congress. The committee shall place the statue in a permanent public location in the U.S. Capitol.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2023
Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of Shirley Chisholm, in recognition of her activism, independence, and groundbreaking achievements in politics, including election as the first African American woman in Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2023
Congressional Tribute to Constance Baker Motley Act of 2023 This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal posthumously to Constance Baker Motley in recognition of her contributions and service to the United States in advancing civil rights as an attorney, elected official, and judge.
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
Humane and Existing Alternatives in Research and Testing Sciences Act of 2022 [ sic ] or the HEARTS Act of 2022 [ sic ] This bill establishes a center within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and requires other activities to promote alternatives to using animals in research and testing. The duties of the center include developing nonanimal research models (e.g., advanced cell cultures and advanced imaging systems) and training scientists about the methods. Additionally, if a federal department or agency or federally funded research entity uses animals for research and testing, it must develop and update plans for reducing such uses and periodically report on the number and types of animals that they use to the center. The center must establish a standard process for entities to submit and update their plans and reports and for making the plans and reports publicly available. The NIH must also provide incentives for the use of nonanimal research and generally ensure that nonanimal alternatives are considered when reviewing and approving research applications and proposals. Further, NIH applications for research grants must include an assurance that nonanimal methods for carrying out the research are unavailable.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2023
Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act of 2023 This bill modifies the extension of dependent coverage under TRICARE by allowing a dependent under the age of 26 to be covered without an additional premium. Additionally, the bill authorizes such coverage of dependents without an additional premium regardless of whether they are eligible to enroll in an employer-sponsored plan.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2023
Data Science and Literacy Act of 2023 This bill establishes a grant program for data literacy education and requires additional reporting regarding secondary school teachers. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Education to award grants to educational agencies, tribal schools, institutions of higher education, or consortia of such entities for programs to increase access to and support for data literacy, data science, and statistics education. The Institute of Education Sciences must evaluate the grant program within five years after the first grant is made to assess its effectiveness in improving access to data science and literacy. Additionally, the bill requires the National Center for Education Statistics to collect and report information on the number of science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) teachers in secondary schools in each state.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2023
This resolution expresses support for the designation of International Black Aviation Professionals Day. It also encourages the observation of the day through recognition and celebration of the contributions of Black aviation professionals.
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 · 14 February 2023
Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to Dustoff crews (helicopter air ambulance crews) of the Vietnam War in recognition of their heroic military service.
![Official portrait of Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/116_rp_pa_1_fitzpatrick_brian_200.jpg)