Brian Higgins

Calling for the immediate release of Ryan Corbett, a United States citizen, who was wrongfully detained by the Taliban on August 10, 2022, and condemning the wrongful detention of Americans by the Taliban.

United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2024

This resolution calls on the Taliban to immediately release Ryan Corbett (an American citizen wrongfully detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan on August 10, 2022) and all other American detainees. The resolution also (1) urges the Taliban to respect Ryan Corbett's fundamental human rights and provide full, unfettered, and consistent health and welfare visits; and (2) condemns the Taliban’s practice of hostage-taking.

Supporting the goals and principles of Transgender Day of Remembrance by recognizing the epidemic of violence toward transgender people and memorializing the lives lost this year.

United States · United States Congress · 21 November 2023

This resolution expresses support for the goals and principles of Transgender Day of Remembrance by recognizing the epidemic of violence toward transgender people and memorializing the lives lost this year.

Expressing the sense of Congress that a commemorative postage stamp should be issued in honor of the Buffalo Soldiers.

United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2023

This concurrent resolution calls for the Citizens' Stamp Advisory Committee to recommend that the Postmaster General issue a commemorative postage stamp honoring the Buffalo Soldiers.

Recognizing the difficult challenges Black veterans faced when returning home after serving in the Armed Forces, their heroic military sacrifices, and their patriotism in fighting for equal rights and for the dignity of a people and a Nation.

United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2023

This concurrent resolution recognizes the difficult challenges Black veterans faced when returning home after serving in the Armed Forces, their heroic military sacrifices, and their patriotism in fighting for equal rights and for the dignity of a people and a nation. The concurrent resolution also recognizes the need for the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue to work to eliminate any health and benefit disparities for minority veterans.

Cancer Drug Parity Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2023

Recognizing the 5-year anniversary of the horrific antisemitic attack at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on October 27, 2018, and condemning antisemitism.

United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2023

This resolution honors the memories of the victims who were killed in the antisemitic attack at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on October 27, 2018. The resolution also condemns rising antisemitism.

Safe Schools Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2023

Safe Schools Improvement Act This bill requires states to direct their local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish policies that prevent and prohibit bullying and harassment of elementary and secondary school students. In particular, these policies must prohibit bullying and harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), sex characteristics (including intersex traits), disability, or religion. Further, LEAs must provide (1) students, parents, and educational professionals with annual notice of the conduct prohibited in their disciplinary policies; (2) students and parents with grievance procedures that target such conduct; and (3) the public with annual data on the incidence and frequency of that conduct at the school and LEA level. The Department of Education must conduct and report on an independent biennial evaluation of programs and policies to combat bullying and harassment in elementary and secondary schools. The National Center for Education Statistics must collect state data to determine the incidence and frequency of the conduct prohibited by LEA disciplinary policies.

Clean Water Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2023

Standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists.

United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2023

This resolution states that the House of Representatives stands with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists, reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, and condemns Hamas' brutal war against Israel. The resolution also reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's security, supports emergency resupply and certain other types of assistance to Israel, and urges full enforcement of sanctions against Iran to prevent Iran's funding of terrorist groups.

Standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists.

United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2023

This resolution states that the House of Representatives stands with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists, reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, and condemns Hamas' brutal war against Israel. The resolution also reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's security, supports emergency resupply and certain other types of assistance to Israel, and urges full enforcement of sanctions against Iran to prevent Iran's funding of terrorist groups.

Recognizing Operation Green Light for Veterans for supporting veterans and raising awareness about important county resources available to help veterans transition to civilian life.

United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2023

This resolution recognizes Operation Green Light for Veterans and commends the National Association of Counties and the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers for supporting veterans and raising awareness about resources for veterans. The resolution also encourages all counties to participate and raise awareness for Operation Green Light for Veterans.

Federal Emergency Management Advancement of Equity Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2023

Expressing support for the designation of September 30, 2023, as "Rare Cancer Day" to highlight the challenges patients with rare cancers face and to raise awareness and support efforts to improve early diagnosis and treatment.

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2023

This resolution expresses support for the designation of Rare Cancer Day.

EITC Age Parity Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2023

EITC Age Parity Act of 2023 This bill modifies the age requirement for the earned income credit. Under current law, an individual taxpayer must have attained age 25, but not age 65, to claim the credit. This bill reduces the base year to age 18 and eliminates the age 65 cap on the credit.

Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 22 September 2023

Tyler Clementi Higher Education Anti-Harassment Act of 2023 This bill addresses harassment at institutions of higher education (IHEs). Specifically, the bill requires each IHE to include in its annual security report a statement of policy regarding harassment on the basis of a student's actual or perceived race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth, a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth, a sex stereotype, and sex characteristics, including intersex traits), disability, or religion. In addition, the Department of Education may award grants to IHEs to initiate, expand, or improve programs to (1) prevent the harassment of students; (2) provide counseling or redress services to students who have been harassed or accused of subjecting other students to harassment; or (3) educate and train students, faculty, or staff to prevent harassment or address harassment if it occurs.

To amend the Trade Act of 1974 to exempt from the Generalized System of Preferences certain tire articles, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2023

This bill makes tire articles ineligible to receive duty-free treatment under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP) trade program.  The GSP is a trade program that provides preferential duty-free treatment for certain products from designated beneficiary countries. Certain products are considered import-sensitive and are specifically prohibited from receiving GSP treatment. This bill specifically lists tire articles as import-sensitive and therefore ineligible to receive duty-free treatment under the GSP.

John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2023

John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2023 This bill establishes new criteria for determining which states and political subdivisions must obtain preclearance before changes to voting practices may take effect. Preclearance is the process of receiving preapproval from the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia before making legal changes that would affect voting rights. A state and all of its political subdivisions shall be subject to preclearance of voting practice changes for a 10-year period if, during the previous 25 years: 15 or more voting rights violations occurred in the state; 10 or more violations occurred, at least 1 of which was committed by the state itself; or 3 or more violations occurred and the state administers the elections. A political subdivision as a separate unit shall also be subject to preclearance for a 10-year period if three or more voting rights violations occurred there during the previous 25 years. States and political subdivisions that meet certain thresholds regarding minority groups must preclear covered practices before implementation, such as redistricting. States and political subdivisions must notify the public of changes to voting practices. The bill authorizes DOJ to require states or political subdivisions to provide certain documents or answers to questions for enforcing voting rights. The bill outlines factors courts must consider when hearing challenges to voting practices, such as the extent of any history of official voting discrimination in the state or political subdivision.

Saving Our Mainstreet American Locations for Leisure and Shopping Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2023

Saving Our Mainstreet American Locations for Leisure and Shopping Act of 2023 This bill excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, income attributable to certain discharges of commercial or retail indebtedness secured by real property.

Expressing support for the designation of September 2023 as "Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month" in order to educate communities across the United States about sickle cell disease and the need for research, early detection methods, effective treatments, and preventative care programs with respect to complications from sickle cell disease and conditions related to sickle cell disease.

United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2023

This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month and encourages the President to support access to innovative therapies for the disease. Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder than can lead to pain, anemia, infections, and stroke.

Disarm Hate Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2023

Humane Cosmetics Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2023

Humane Cosmetics Act of 2023 This bill generally prohibits animal testing in the evaluation of cosmetic products, and it prohibits the sale or transport of cosmetics developed using animal testing, subject to civil penalties. These prohibitions begin one year after enactment. The bill specifies exceptions to these prohibitions, including if such animal testing (1) is conducted outside the United States to comply with a foreign regulatory authority; (2) is pursuant to a specified finding that there are no nonanimal alternatives to test the safety of a potentially dangerous cosmetic product or ingredient; (3) is of a product or ingredient for a drug or device subject to regulation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); or (4) is required for a noncosmetic purpose pursuant to a state, federal, or foreign regulatory authority. Further, no animal-testing evidence may be used to establish the safety of a cosmetic product or ingredient that is regulated by the FDA after the effective date of this bill, subject to limited exceptions.

SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2023

SSI Savings Penalty Elimination Act This bill increases resource limits used to determine eligibility for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program. SSI is a federal assistance program that provides monthly cash payments to aged, blind, or disabled individuals with limited income and resources. Specifically, the bill increases the resource limits from $2,000 to $10,000 for individuals and from $3,000 to $20,000 for married couples. The bill annually adjusts the limits for inflation.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to restore the taxable REIT subsidiary asset test.

United States · United States Congress · 25 August 2023

This bill increases from 20% to 25% the value of the total assets represented by securities of one or more taxable Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) subsidiaries (thus restoring the REIT subsidiary asset test).

Expanding the VOTE Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 August 2023

Expanding the Voluntary Opportunities for Translations in Elections Act or the Expanding the VOTE Act This bill expands access to voting materials for individuals with limited proficiency in the English language. Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) requires covered states and political subdivisions to provide voting materials and other language assistance to persons who are American Indian, Asian American, Alaskan Natives, or of Spanish heritage and whose ability to speak or understand English limits electoral participation. A state or political subdivision that is subject to Section 203 is prohibited from providing English-only voting materials in an election. Among other requirements, this bill (1) requires the Department of Justice to issue a notice of prohibition, including the trigger threshold at which the prohibition applies, to certain states and political subdivisions; and (2) requires covered states and political subdivisions to provide written translations of all voting materials, with the consent of any applicable tribal government, to election workers. Additionally, the bill requires the Election Assistance Commission to make incentive grants for states and political subdivisions to provide translated voting materials. The bill also directs the Government Accountability Office to study and report on the impact of (1) reducing the threshold requirement under Section 203 of the VRA, and (2) expanding the definition of  language minorities to include native speakers of additional languages.