United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2023
Dairy Nutrition Incentive Program Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a dairy nutrition incentive program to develop and test methods to increase the purchase and consumption of dairy under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Specifically, the program must provide an incentive to SNAP benefit recipients for the purchase of naturally nutrient-rich dairy, which the bill defines to include fluid milk, yogurt, and cheese made from cow's milk. To carry out the program, USDA must enter into cooperative agreements with, or provide competitive grants to, state or local governments and nonprofit organizations for projects. The bill provides funding for the program for each fiscal year. USDA must provide for an independent evaluation of each project that measures, to the maximum extent practicable, the effect of incentives on purchases of naturally nutrient-rich dairy by SNAP recipients. Projects currently carried out by the USDA Healthy Fluid Milk Incentives (HFMI) program must be transitioned to the new dairy nutrition incentive program; the bill repeals the HFMI program one year after USDA certifies that the transition is complete.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2023
Increasing Nuclear Safety Protocols for Extended Canister Transfers Act or the INSPECT Act This bill requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission to assign a resident inspector to each commercial nuclear power plant that has permanently ceased operation. The inspector must (1) conduct inspections of decommissioning activities and spent nuclear fuel transfer activities, and (2) remain at the plant until all fuel is transferred from its spent fuel pools to dry storage.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2023
Rural Economic-development Assistance and Consultation to Help Our Tribes Act or the REACH Our Tribes Act This bill requires certain actions, particularly by the Department of Agriculture (USDA), for tribal consultation, data reporting, and interagency collaboration for economic development. Specifically, the bill requires USDA to establish a formal process for consultation with tribal governments on (1) annual budget requests; and (2) bills proposing the reauthorization of certain USDA programs over a period of multiple years with budgetary impacts, including bills providing for the reauthorization of USDA programs (commonly known as farm bills). USDA must report to Congress on this consultation process. Additionally, the bill requires USDA to establish a plan for analyzing and publicly reporting to tribal entities on funding provided through USDA programs for which tribal entities are eligible to apply. The bill also requires USDA, in consultation with the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Economic Development Administration, to establish an interagency task force on economic development programs. This task force must (1) review guidance and application requirements for economic development programs administered by USDA, and (2) develop interagency agreements to reduce administrative and planning burdens for applicants to such programs and the federal agencies administering such programs. The Department of Commerce must establish a working group to develop and regularly update a comprehensive and public repository of federal economic development programs that are available to tribal entities.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2023
National Dam Safety Program Reauthorization Act of 2023 This bill extends through FY2028 several initiatives relating to dam safety. Specifically, the bill extends (1) the National Dam Safety Program of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA); (2) the Interagency Committee on Dam Safety; (3) FEMA's National Inventory of Dams; and (4) outreach, research, training, and staff personnel related to dam safety.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2023
Prioritizing Evidence for Workforce Development Act This bill requires state workforce development plans to describe how the state will prioritize funding evidence-based programs that demonstrate positive outcomes for their target populations.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2023
Erie Canal Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins in recognition of the bicentennial of the Erie Canal. The designs of the coins must be emblematic of the Erie Canal and its impact on the development of the United States and New York. All sales of coins issued under this bill must include a surcharge to be paid to the Erie Canalway Heritage Fund, Inc., to support the historic preservation and community development of the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor in New York and for educational and commemorative programs.
United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2023
This resolution honors and recognizes the patriotism and contributions made by generations of veterans service organizations, veteran advocacy groups, and volunteers and commends the members of such organizations for their dedicated service to members of the Armed Forces, veterans, their families, and their communities. The resolution also encourages the people of the United States to promote awareness of the contributions and dedication of members of veterans service, organizations, veteran advocacy groups, and volunteers to members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families. Additionally, the resolution calls on citizens to follow the example of such groups and volunteer support and services to those who have served the country.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2023
Fairness in Vineyard Data Act This bill requires the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to conduct a survey, within one year of the bill's enactment, on grape production in each state and publish the data on the NASS website. In the following four years, NASS must make publicly available on the website data from the five states with the highest grape production in the preceding year.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2023
This resolution condemns China's Hong Kong national security law (officially called The Law of the People's Republic of China on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region ) and related human rights abuses. The resolution also (1) supports the people of Hong Kong as they fight to exercise fundamental rights and freedoms; and (2) calls upon the Hong Kong government to drop all sedition and national security law-related charges and free all defendants immediately, including Jimmy Lai, Cardinal Zen, and at least 47 individuals known collectively as the Hong Kong 47.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
Wildlife Innovation and Longevity Driver Reauthorization Act or the WILD Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 and revises several conservation programs for wildlife species and their habitats, including the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program as well as programs that provide financial assistance for African elephants, Asian elephants, rhinoceroses, tigers, great apes, and marine turtles.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
Getting Over Lengthy Delays in Care As Required by Doctors Act of 2023 or the GOLD CARD Act of 2023 This bill exempts physicians from prior authorization requirements under Medicare Advantage plans with respect to specific items and services if at least 90% of the physician's requests for such items and services were approved during the previous plan year.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education for Autumn Act of 2023 or the SHINE for Autumn Act of 2023 This bill authorizes grants and establishes other programs to improve data collection on stillbirths. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may award grants for surveillance and data collection on stillbirths, and HHS must issue guidelines for health departments and vital statistics units concerning the collection of stillbirth data. HHS must also develop educational awareness materials about stillbirths and make them publicly available. Furthermore, HHS must implement a fellowship program to provide training in perinatal autopsy pathology and otherwise support research on stillbirths and fetal autopsies. The bill also requires HHS to issue a report with educational guidelines on stillbirths and stillbirth risk factors.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
Better Collaboration, Accountability, and Regulatory Enforcement for Animals Act of 2023 or the Better CARE for Animals Act of 2023 This bill modifies enforcement provisions under the Animal Welfare Act, including by allowing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to bring civil actions against violators of the act for appropriate relief, such as removing animals, revoking violators' licenses, or issuing civil penalties. DOJ must use the penalties to pay for the temporary care for animals pending the disposition of civil or criminal proceedings that allege violations of the act with respect to such animals.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
Empowering Electric Grid Reliability Act This bill directs the Department of Energy to establish a task force to study and report on supply chains for essential components of local electric distribution grids, including substation transformers, equipment, and facilities that deliver retail electric energy to homes and businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
Accountability in Foreign Animal Research Act This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from conducting or supporting research on vertebrate animals in a facility or through an entity that is affiliated with China, Iran, North Korea, Russia, or another foreign country of concern.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
Public Housing Fire Safety Act This bill creates a grant program, to be administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, for public housing agencies to install automatic sprinkler systems in certain public housing projects.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
Healthy Babies Act of 2023 This bill requires that the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) include infant food combinations and dinners as part of the program. (The WIC food packages provide supplemental foods designed to address the specific nutritional needs of income-eligible pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum individuals, infants, and children up to five years of age who are at nutritional risk.) Specifically, the Department of Agriculture must update the regulations that prescribe the supplemental foods that must be made available in the program. Currently, infant food combinations (e.g., meat and vegetables) and dinners (e.g., spaghetti and meatballs) are not allowed.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
Tax Fairness for Workers Act This bill allows an above-the-line tax deduction for union dues and expenses. (An above-the-line deduction is subtracted from gross income and is available whether or not a taxpayer itemizes other deductions.) The bill also reinstates the miscellaneous itemized tax deduction for unreimbursed expenses attributable to the performance of services as an employee (Under current law, all miscellaneous itemized deductions are suspended through 2025).
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
This resolution condemns Iran for the 1988 massacre of political prisoners. It also urges the Biden Administration and U.S. allies to publicly condemn the massacre and to pressure Iran to provide information to the families of the victims.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
This bill allows a deduction from gross income (above-the-line deduction) for expenses incurred by an employee if such expenses are for construction tools, personal protective clothing and gear, and other expenses necessary for the employee to be able to work. This allowance is an exception to the general rule that employee expenses are not deductible business expenses.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
Alyssa's Legacy Youth in Schools Safety Alert Act or the ALYSSA Act This bill requires each local educational agency (LEA), as a condition of receiving federal elementary and secondary education funds, to ensure that each elementary and secondary school served by the LEA is equipped with at least one silent panic alarm for use in a school security emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023
This resolution condemns the Taliban’s ongoing human rights abuses against women and girls, members of religious and ethnic minorities, and members of other vulnerable groups in Afghanistan. It also encourages the Department of State to consider determining whether the Taliban have committed crimes against humanity in connection to their treatment of women and girls.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023
Enabling Farmers to Benefit from Processing Nutrition Programs Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a streamlined process for farmers and ranchers to provide benefits under certain federal nutrition programs (i.e., the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program; the Senior Farmers Market Nutrition Program; the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); and the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program). Specifically, USDA must establish a streamlined application process for farmers and ranchers to apply to be vendors under the nutrition programs, including by developing a single application for the programs or an information sharing system. USDA must also develop a streamlined process for these vendors to use standardized technology to process program benefits (such as a single piece of equipment or a mobile application). Further, USDA must ensure that the program benefit processing equipment and systems made available by a state agency are appropriate for the entity. For example, this includes ensuring wireless or mobile processing equipment and technology systems are appropriate for farmers markets and other direct-to-consumer markets.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023
SNAP Nutrition Security Act of 2023 This bill expands the policy of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to include reducing food insecurity, increasing nutrition security, and improving diet quality for low-income people in the United States. It also requires additional related reporting by states and the Department of Agriculture (USDA). The bill defines (1) food security as access by all people at all times to enough food for an active, healthy life; (2) nutrition security as consistent and equitable access to healthy, safe, affordable foods essential to optimal health and well-being; and (3) diet quality as the extent to which a set of foods aligns with key recommendations of the most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Under current requirements, a state agency that provides nutrition education and obesity prevention services under SNAP must submit an annual report to USDA. The bill requires the report to include (1) state actions taken to enhance the food and nutrition security of SNAP participants, and (2) recommendations regarding administering SNAP in a manner that would enhance state food and nutrition security in the state. Further, USDA must submit an annual report to Congress on U.S. food security, nutrition security, and diet quality. USDA must use data collected from retail stores participating in SNAP to submit a report to Congress at least every four years on food sales in SNAP. The report must be made publicly available and include an analysis of the specific food items acquired with SNAP benefits by eligible households.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023
This resolution calls on North Korea to release any abducted foreign nationals, including those from Japan. It also urges North Korea to return the remains of deceased abductees, to make restitution, to apologize, and to permanently cease such activities.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023
Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act This bill modifies the Conrad 30 Waiver program, which incentivizes qualified foreign physicians to serve in underserved communities. It also extends statutory authority for the program for three years from this bill's enactment. Aliens coming to the United States under a J-1 nonimmigrant visa to receive medical training typically must leave the country and reside for two years abroad before being eligible to apply for an immigrant visa or permanent residence. The Conrad program waives this requirement for individuals who meet certain qualifications, including serving for a number of years at a health care facility in an underserved area. The bill increases the number of waivers that a state may obtain each fiscal year from 30 to 35 if a certain number of waivers were used the previous year, and provides for further adjustments depending on demand. An alien physician may be employed at an academic medical center to meet the Conrad program's employment requirements if the alien's work is in the public interest, even if the medical center is not in an underserved area. Employment contracts for alien physicians under the Conrad program shall contain certain information, such as the maximum number of on-call hours per week the physician shall have to work. Certain alien physicians (along with the physician's spouse and children) shall be exempt from the direct annual numerical limits on immigration, including those physicians that have met certain requirements related to visas for physicians to serve in underserved areas.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023
Strategic Petroleum Reserve Security Assessment Act or the SPR Security Assessment Act This bill directs the Department of Energy to annually report on any physical or cybersecurity incidents to a storage facility or a related facility of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023
Sustainable Aviation Fuels Accuracy Act of 2023 This bill defines the standards that apply to sustainable aviation fuel at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA must issue or revise regulations as necessary to provide that the bill's definition of sustainable aviation fuel applies to (1) all aircraft flown to, from, or within the United States; and (2) all programs established, administered, or overseen by the FAA. Under the bill, sustainable aviation fuel means liquid fuel, the portion of which is not kerosene, which (1) meets specific international standards, (2) is not derived from coprocessing specific materials (e.g., triglycerides) with a non-biomass feedstock, (3) is not derived from palm fatty acid distillates or petroleum, and (4) is certified as having a lifecycle greenhouse gas emissions reduction percentage of at least 50% compared with petroleum-based jet fuel (based on specific standards and agreements).
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023
Urban Waters Federal Partnership Act of 2023 This bill provides statutory authority for the Urban Waters Federal Partnership Program. Under the program, the Environmental Protection Agency and other specified agencies must reconnect urban communities, particularly urban communities that are overburdened or economically distressed, with their waterways by improving coordination among federal agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023
Improving Training for School Food Service Workers Act This bill adds requirements regarding the availability of training that the Department of Agriculture provides under current law for local food service personnel in schools. The training must be scheduled primarily during regular, paid working hours; offered in-person whenever appropriate; and incorporate hands-on training techniques. If the training is scheduled outside of working hours, food service personnel must be informed about the necessity of scheduling the program and compensated for attending the program. Personnel may not be penalized for failing to attend a program outside of working hours.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023
IDB Transparency Act This bill directs the U.S. Executive Director at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to act to reduce China's influence and to promote greater transparency about China's role in the IDB. Specifically, the U.S. Executive Director must vote and advocate to reduce the influence of China's government and Chinese companies at the IDB, including by opposing any IDB funding or projects that (1) are at least 10% funded by China or Chinese companies, and (2) present risks to U.S. national interests. Additionally, the U.S. Executive Director must vote against and take other actions to oppose the acquisition of IDB stock by China or Chinese companies. The bill also directs the Department of the Treasury to provide Congress with a report on China's influence at the IDB, including an action plan to reduce Chinese involvement in IDB projects. If the report is not provided within 180 days of the bill's enactment, and until it is, the U.S. Executive Director must vote against or act to prevent a quorum for any vote related to the IDB budget.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023
Food Supply Chain Capacity and Resiliency Act This bill allows the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to expand the Food Supply Chain Guaranteed Loan Program. The program may guarantee loans to support new investments in the start-up or expansion of projects in the United States that will increase U.S. food supply chain capacity to aggregate, process, manufacture, store, transport, wholesale, or distribute food. In awarding loan guarantees under this bill, USDA must give preference to loans for projects that create jobs in economically distressed communities or to help create a more resilient, diverse, and secure U.S. food supply chain. USDA must prescribe such regulations as may be necessary to carry out this program. The bill specifies that USDA must use the amounts made available to carry out this bill to supplement, and not supplant, funds provided under other federal, state, or local law.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023
Doctors in our Borders Act This bill increases the number of Conrad 30 waivers available each year from 30 to 100. Typically, a J-1 visa holder (nonimmigrant exchange visitor) must leave the United States for two years after finishing the exchange visitor program, including J-1 visa holders who entered the United States to receive graduate medical training. The Conrad 30 waiver program waives this requirement for eligible foreign medical graduates who agree to practice medicine in an underserved area or for an underserved population in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2023
This resolution disapproves of the Central Business District Tolling Program of New York City and strongly recommends that (1) New York conduct an economic impact report on the program, and (2) relevant federal agencies and New York halt the program's implementation. The tolling program, also known as congestion pricing, will charge drivers a toll to enter an area designated as Manhattan's central business district.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023
Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2023 This bill expands Medicare coverage of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity. Specifically, the bill allows coverage for therapy that is provided by (1) a physician who is not a primary care physician; or (2) other health care providers (e.g., physician assistants and nurse practitioners) and approved counseling programs, if provided upon a referral from, and in coordination with, a physician or primary care practitioner. Currently, such therapy is covered only if provided by a primary care practitioner. The bill also allows coverage under Medicare's prescription drug benefit of drugs used for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss management for individuals who are overweight.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023
Honey Identification Verification and Enforcement Act or the HIVE Act This bill directs the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to establish a standard of identity for honey based on U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP) standards. (USP is an independent, scientific nonprofit organization whose work includes developing and publishing standards for food ingredients.) The FDA must submit a report to Congress on enforcement actions taken based on honey that is adulterated or misbranded. (A food is deemed misbranded and may not be sold if it does not meet the FDA-established definition and standard of identity.) Further, the bill modifies the Department of Agriculture country-of-origin labeling requirements for honey to require that the countries-of-origin be listed in order of predominance. The bill also establishes a requirement for including a certificate, mark, or statement on the label indicating that the honey meets the standard of identify established under this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023
Strengthening Efforts to End Violence Against Children Act of 2023 This bill modifies the framework for providing foreign aid to programs that support vulnerable children by expanding the goals of these programs and requiring additional reports. Specifically, aid may be provided to programs that (1) support family care for vulnerable children and extend protective services to children living outside of family care; (2) promote the protection of children from violence, exploitation, abuse, and neglect through preventative and responsive programming; and (3) provide lifesaving protection and interventions for vulnerable children in emergency settings. The bill also requires the President, among other reporting requirements, to develop and submit to Congress a strategy for coordinating, implementing, and monitoring assistance programs for children in adversity, submitting a review to Congress every 4 years afterwards.
![Official portrait of Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000599_200.jpg)