United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2023
Invest to Protect Act of 2023 This bill directs the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services within the Department of Justice to award grants to local and tribal governments that employ fewer than 200 law enforcement officers. Grant funds may be used for various activities, including to provide de-escalation training and improve recruitment and retention.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2023
Taiwan Representative Office Act This bill requires the Department of State to seek to enter into negotiations with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) to rename its office in the District of Columbia the Taiwan Representative Office. (The U.S.-Taiwan relationship is unofficial, and TECRO is Taiwan's principal representative office in the United States.)
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2023
Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder Act of 2023 or the HELPER Act of 2023 This bill establishes a program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide mortgage assistance to law enforcement officers, elementary and secondary school teachers, firefighters, or other first responders. Specifically, these individuals may be eligible for a first-time mortgage on a primary family residence with no down payment. Instead, the mortgage is subject to a one-time, up-front mortgage insurance premium.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2023
CDFI Fund Transparency Act This bill requires annual congressional testimony from the Department of the Treasury regarding the operations of the Community Development Financial Institutions Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2023
Fight and Combat Rampant Iranian Missile Exports Act or the Fight CRIME Act This bill imposes sanctions pertaining to Iran's missile program. The President must impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on foreign persons (i.e., foreign individuals, entities, and states) that are knowingly involved with Iran or Iran-aligned entities in certain missile-related activities, such as (1) acquiring, possessing, developing, transporting, transferring, or deploying missiles or related items and technology that are covered by the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR), or (2) developing missile or drone technologies. (The MTCR is an informal political understanding among states that seek to limit missile proliferation.) The President must also impose sanctions on (1) certain adult family members of those who are subject to the sanctions discussed above, and (2) foreign persons who knowingly provide significant support to or engage in a significant transaction with those subject to the sanctions discussed above. The bill also requires the Department of State to report to Congress on various topics, including (1) a diplomatic strategy to renew international restrictions on certain missile-related activities set forth in Annex B of U.N. Security Council Resolution 2231, which concerns restrictions on arms transfers to and from Iran; (2) the identities of foreign persons engaging in restricted activity under Annex B; and (3) an analysis of the foreign and domestic supply chains that facilitate Iran's missile or drone programs.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2023
This resolution calls on the Russian government to immediately release Evan Gershkovich. It urges all United States executive branch officials, in all interactions with the Russian government, to raise the case of Evan Gershkovich and press for his immediate release. The resolution further calls for the immediate release of Paul Whelan and expresses support for all American citizens and lawful permanent residents detained in Russia and abroad, including Marc Fogel and Vladimir Kara-Murza. The resolution also expresses sympathy and solidarity with the families of Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, and all other American citizens and lawful permanent residents wrongfully detained abroad.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2023
Food Date Labeling Act of 2023 This bill establishes requirements for the format of quality date and discard date labels on food packaging. Specifically, the bill requires the quality date on a food label (i.e., the date after which the quality of the item may deteriorate) to include the phrase BEST If Used By or the abbreviation BB . Similarly, the discard date on a food label (i.e., the date after which the item should not be consumed) must include the phrase USE By or the abbreviation UB . Abbreviations may only be used if the full phrase does not fit on the label. The Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Agriculture may specify alternative phrases through regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2023
This resolution recognizes the significance of Jewish American Heritage Month as a time to celebrate the contributions of Jewish Americans to American society and culture, and calls on elected officials, faith leaders, and civil society leaders to condemn and combat antisemitism.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2023
Military Housing Transparency and Accountability Act This bill modifies requirements for the complaint database for military housing that the Department of Defense must establish. The bill specifies that complaints may be made by a member of the Armed Forces or dependent that resides in a covered dwelling unit (i.e., a unit of accompanied family housing, unaccompanied housing, or barracks in which a member resides but does not own). The Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment must annually report to Congress with a summary of the data collected by the complaint database and any actions taken to remedy complaints.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2023
This resolution encourages the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to continue its work in educating the public about the dangers of antisemitism and the origins of the Holocaust, congratulates those responsible for the creation of the museum, condemns antisemitism, supports educational and community-based programs that counter antisemitism and hate, and supports the designation of a U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Day.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2023
WIC Healthy Beginnings Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to make available online certain information about solicitations for infant formula bids under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Under current law, state agencies must control infant formula costs in the WIC program through competitive bidding for infant formula rebate contracts. The bill requires state WIC agencies to provide USDA with a description of open solicitations for these competitive bids that includes the title of the solicitation, the state agency administering the solicitation, and other relevant information for the USDA to publish online.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2023
Providing Officers With Electronic Resources Act or the POWER Act This bill authorizes the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services within the Department of Justice to make grants to law enforcement agencies to purchase a chemical screening device and to train personnel to use, and interpret data collected by, such device.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2023
Improving Outdoor Recreation Coordination Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to establish the Federal Interagency Council on Outdoor Recreation. The council shall meet as frequently as appropriate for purposes of coordinating specified policies and activities, including recreation management policies across federal agencies; the response by federal land management agencies to public health or other emergencies that result in disruptions to, or closures of, federal recreational lands and waters; the adoption and expansion of emerging technologies on federal recreational lands and waters; and the dissemination to the public of recreation-related information in a manner that ensures that the information is easily accessible with modern communications devices.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2023
Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords Act This bill establishes the position of Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords within the Department of State. (The Abraham Accords are agreements to normalize or improve relations between Israel and four members of the Arab League: the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan.) The Special Envoy shall serve as the primary advisor to the U.S. government for expanding and strengthening the Abraham Accords. The duties of the Special Envoy include (1) encouraging counties without diplomatic relations with Israel to establish formal diplomatic, economic, security, and people-to-people ties; (2) expanding and strengthening existing relationships between Israel and Muslim-majority countries; and (3) coordinating efforts across the US government and engaging diplomatically with foreign governments, nongovernmental organizations, and other stakeholders to expand and strengthen the Abraham Accords. The Special Envoy shall have the rank and status of ambassador.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2023
This resolution expresses support for recognizing National Police Week. The resolution further recognizes law enforcement officers across the United States in the pursuit of preserving safe and secure communities; the need to ensure that such officers have the equipment, training, and resources necessary to protect their health and safety while they are protecting the public; and the law enforcement community for acts of sacrifice and heroism. The resolution expresses condolences and appreciation to the loved ones of each law enforcement officer who has made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2023
Prevent All Soring Tactics Act of 2023 or the PAST Act of 2023 This bill addresses the practice of soring horses. The soring of horses includes various actions taken on horses' limbs to produce higher gaits that may cause pain, distress, inflammation, or lameness. Specifically, the bill expands soring regulation and enforcement at horse shows, exhibitions, sales, and auctions, including by establishing a new system for inspecting horses for soring. In addition, the bill increases penalties for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2023
SALT Fairness and Deficit Reduction Act This bill increases the limitation on the tax deduction for state and local taxes to $60,000 (the limit is currently $10,000 for individual taxpayers). The bill also requires an annual inflation adjustment to the increased amount beginning after 2023, and extends through 2032 the period during which the limitation is in effect.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2023
Back the Blue Act of 2023 This bill establishes new criminal offenses for killing, assaulting, and fleeing to avoid prosecution for killing a judge, law enforcement officer, or public safety officer. Additionally, the bill expands the list of statutory aggravating factors in death penalty determinations to also include the killing or attempted killing of a law enforcement officer, judge, prosecutor, or firefighter or other first responder; broadens the authority of federal law enforcement officers to carry firearms; and limits federal court review of challenges to state court convictions for killing a public safety officer or judge.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2023
Helping Our Heroes Act This bill allows a charitable tax deduction for the service of bona fide volunteer firefighters and emergency medical and rescue personnel. The amount of the deduction is $20 for each hour of service provided by such personnel, limited to 300 hours with respect to any individual in a taxable year. The deduction is available to taxpayers who do not otherwise itemize their deductions.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2023
Preventing Deepfakes of Intimate Images Act This bill makes it a crime to intentionally disclose (or threaten to disclose) a digital depiction that has been altered using digital manipulation of an individual engaging in sexually explicit conduct.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2023
Address Iran's Malign Posture Act This bill requires the President to (1) submit any agreement with Iran relating to its nuclear program to the Senate for advice and consent; and (2) apply sanctions to foreign persons identified as providing financial or material support to Iran's Revolutionary Guard, foreign terrorist organizations, or supporters of international terrorism. Specifically, the bill deems any agreement reached between the President and Iran relating to Iran's nuclear program to be a treaty that is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Further, the bill prohibits the President from (1) limiting the application of certain sanctions, or (2) refraining from applying such sanctions pursuant to an agreement unless the agreement is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate as a treaty. Additionally, the President must identify and apply sanctions to persons providing significant financial services or material support to (1) the Revolutionary Guard Corps, or (2) persons or entities designated as foreign terrorist organizations or supporting terrorist acts. The bill terminates presidential authority to grant certain waivers to identification and sanctions on December 31, 2025.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2023
Training and Nutrition Stability Act This bill excludes specific employment and training program allowances, earnings, and payments from income when determining eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). (Under SNAP, a household must have an income below a certain level to qualify for program benefits.) Examples of programs excluded from income include Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs, vocational rehabilitation programs, and refugee employment programs. This bill also removes the requirement that earnings from on-the-job training be considered earned income for purposes of determining SNAP eligibility.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2023
Millennium Challenge Corporation Candidate Country Reform Act This bill modifies the per capita income requirements for countries to be considered candidates for assistance from the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC). The MCC program provides assistance to eligible developing countries through a competitive selection process based on various factors, including a country's per capita income, level of economic freedom, and effectiveness of government. Currently, to be a candidate to receive MCC assistance, the country must have a per capita income not greater than the lower-middle-income country threshold established by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). Under the bill, a candidate country must instead have a per capita income equal to or less than the World Bank's threshold for initiating the IRDB graduation process . (This graduation process begins when IRDB determines that a country is able to sustain long-term development without further IRDB financing. For 2024, the threshold for initiating discussions about a country's graduation begins when a country exceeds $7,805 in per capita income.)
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2023
Increased TSP Access Act of 2023 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to modify the certification process for Technical Service Providers (TSPs) at the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) by establishing an approval process for nonfederal certifying entities and a streamlined certification process for TSPs that hold certain specialty certifications. (TSPs are third-party service providers, such as private businesses, Indian tribes, and nonprofit organizations, who work on behalf of customers to offer planning, design, and implementation services that meet NRCS criteria.) The bill specifies that USDA must ensure, to the maximum extent practicable, third-party providers with expertise in the technical aspects of conservation practice design, implementation, and evaluation are eligible to become approved TSPs. USDA must provide a streamlined certification process for TSPs who hold appropriate specialty certifications (e.g., certified crop advisors). In determining the eligibility of a nonfederal certifying entity, USDA must consider the ability, experience, expertise, and history of the entity. USDA must decide whether to approve an application submitted by a nonfederal certifying entity to certify TSPs not later than 40 business days after receiving an application. USDA must review a TSP's certification by a nonfederal certifying entity not later than 10 business days after receiving a notification from the nonfederal entity. If the certification is satisfactory, USDA must include the TSP on a USDA-maintained registry of certified TSPs. The bill also specifies that TSPs must be paid at rates equivalent to technical assistance provided by USDA. Further, USDA must provide accessible public information on TSPs, including information on funding, contributions, certification results, and utilization rates.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2023
Due Process Continuity of Care Act This bill allows an otherwise eligible individual who is in custody pending disposition of charges (i.e., pretrial detainees) to receive Medicaid benefits at the option of the state. The bill also provides for state planning grants to support the provision of such benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2023
School Access to Naloxone Act of 2023 This bill authorizes grants for expanding access to drugs or devices to treat opioid overdoses (e.g., naloxone) in elementary and secondary schools. The Department of Health and Human Services may award the grants to states, Indian tribes, and localities. To receive a grant, recipients must certify that schools in their jurisdictions will stock the drugs and devices and have trained staff on premises during operating hours to administer them. Additionally, the attorney general of the recipient's state must certify that trained staff are covered by state civil liability protections for individuals who administer aid in an emergency (commonly known as Good Samaritan laws).
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2023
This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the individuals responsible for the July 1999 murders of U.S. citizens Ylli, Agron, and Mehmet Bytyqi in Serbia should be brought to justice and that the United States should devote sufficient resources to fully assist and monitor Serbia's efforts to investigate and prosecute such individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2023
Corruption in Argentina Stymied by Enforcing Sanctions Act of 2023 or the CASES Act of 2023 This bill requires sanctions to be imposed on five specified Argentinian public officials if such individuals meet the criteria for such sanctions. The specified Argentinian officials are Cristina Elisabet Fernandez de Kirchner, Maximo Kirchner, Juan Martin Mena, Oscar Isidro Jose Parrilli, and Carlos Alberto Zannini. The bill requires the Department of State to submit an annual report to Congress containing (1) a description of each person's assets, including the net worth of immediate family members; and (2) a determination as to whether each person meets the criteria for the imposition of visa- and property-blocking sanctions related to corruption or human rights violations. The President must impose such sanctions on any of these individuals whom the President determines meets the sanctions criteria.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2023
Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund Act of 2023 This bill establishes the Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund within the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to fund the procurement, deployment, and sustainment of aviation security checkpoint technology. The TSA must fund this program using airport passenger security fees that are currently collected by the TSA.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2023
This resolution urges transatlantic unity on a robust deterrence policy to maintain peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. The resolution also (1) encourages NATO allies to work with their partners in the Indo-Pacific to address shared global security challenges; and (2) commends the people of Taiwan for their commitment to democracy, civil liberties, and human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2023
Save Our Sequoias Act This bill provides for the conservation of giant sequoia trees ( Sequoiadendron giganteum ) in California. Specifically, it provides statutory authority for the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition and outlines the coalition's duties. The coalition must submit a Giant Sequoia Health and Resiliency Assessment and annually update it. The information from the assessment must be made available so the information can be integrated into certain other plans. The coalition must also create and maintain a website that contains the assessment, educational materials, searchable information about individual giant sequoia groves, and a searchable database to track the status and costs of reforestation and rehabilitation activities. In addition, the bill declares an emergency on certain public lands and allows officials to carry out protection plans during the emergency to respond to the threat of wildfires, insects, and drought. The emergency expires after seven years. The Department of the Interior must develop and implement a Giant Sequoia Reforestation and Rehabilitation Strategy. Finally, the bill establishes a variety of programs and funds to support the conservation of giant sequoias.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2023
Solidify Iran Sanctions Act of 2023 This bill eliminates a sunset clause in the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996, thereby making permanent the requirement for the President to impose sanctions on certain individuals or entities engaged in specified transactions related to Iran's energy sector or Iran's efforts to acquire or develop certain weapons (such as chemical, biological, or nuclear weapons).
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2023
North Korean Human Rights Reauthorization Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 various activities to promote human rights in North Korea. These activities include (1) providing grants to nonprofit organizations to promote human rights, democracy, rule of law, and the development of a market economy in North Korea; (2) increasing the availability of sources of information inside North Korea that are not controlled by North Korea's government; and (3) supporting organizations that provide humanitarian assistance to North Koreans who are outside of North Korea without the permission of North Korea's government.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2023
IGO Anti-Boycott Act This bill penalizes U.S. persons (individuals or entities) that participate in certain boycotts imposed by international governmental organizations (IGOs). The bill expands an existing law that prohibits various actions by U.S. persons in relation to boycotts imposed by foreign governments on a country that is friendly to the United States and not itself the object of a U.S. boycott. This bill applies those prohibitions to similar boycotts imposed by IGOs. Prohibited actions include (1) refusing to do business with companies organized under the laws of the boycotted country, if the refusal is pursuant to an agreement with or request from the country or IGO imposing the boycott; (2) furnishing information about whether any person has a business relationship with or in the boycotted country; and (3) furnishing information about whether someone is associated with charitable or fraternal organizations that support the boycotted country. Criminal penalties for willful violations of this law include fines of up to $1 million. In addition to such fines, individuals may be imprisoned for up to 20 years. Civil penalties may include fines and revocations of export licenses for certain national security-related items.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2023
This resolution recognizes the need for education, research, and medical interventions to address infertility and disparities associated with that disease.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2023
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that (1) an all-of-the-above approach to energy is the most viable approach to energy independence, (2) energy security is an issue of national security, and (3) increased domestic energy production will result in lower energy prices.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2023
Postal Police Reform Act of 2023 This bill removes certain restrictions on U.S. Postal Service (USPS) police officers to investigate criminal matters related to the USPS and postal mail.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2023
Military Suicide Prevention in the 21st Century Act This bill requires the Department of Defense to carry out a two-year pilot program to program suicide prevention resources onto smart devices issued to members of the Armed Forces and to provide training on these resources.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2023
Bipartisan Restoring Faith in Government Act This bill prohibits Members of Congress (and their spouses and dependents) from purchasing or selling certain investments, such as individual stocks and related financial instruments that are not diversified investment funds, U.S. Treasury securities, or other specified holdings. Members must divest prohibited investments within 90 days by selling them or placing them in a qualified blind trust. The bill also restricts communications between trustees and beneficiaries related to investments held in qualified blind trusts. Members must certify their compliance with the supervising ethics office, which must make the certificates publicly available online. Violations are subject to specified civil penalties. Additionally, losses stemming from a transaction involving a prohibited investment that violates the provisions of the bill may not be deducted from income taxes.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2023
Life Saving Leave Act This bill expands employee medical leave to provide additional time for bone marrow or blood stem cell donations. Specifically, the bill expands leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA) to provide up to 40 hours of leave every 12 months for related predonation, donation, and postdonation activities. Under the bill, leave may be taken intermittently or on a reduced leave schedule. An employee has the option to substitute accrued paid vacation, personal, or sick leave for the unpaid FMLA time. The bill requires an employee to make a reasonable effort to schedule treatments for when the treatment would not unduly disrupt the employer's activities. Eligible employees may use this leave regardless of the employee's length of employment or the size of the employer.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2023
Autism Family Caregivers Act of 2023 This bill establishes a pilot program to provide training for caregivers on improving the well-being of children with autism spectrum disorder and other developmental disabilities or delays. To carry out the program, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) must award grants to, among other eligible entities, health systems and nonprofits to provide the training. HRSA must also establish a national center to provide technical assistance to grant recipients and to evaluate the program.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2023
Fairness in Borrowing Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) from implementing their January 2023-announced changes to the single-family pricing framework for fees on purchase, rate-term refinance, and cash-out refinance loans. The changes revise the fee charts that provide percentage adjustments based on a borrower's credit score and other factors.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2023
Public Service Loan Forgiveness Payment Completion Fairness Act or the PSLF Payment Completion Fairness Act This bill removes the requirement that a borrower must be employed in a public service job at the time of loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Under the current PSLF program, the Department of Education must cancel the balance of interest and principal due on a borrower's Federal Direct Loans after the borrower makes 120 monthly loan payments while employed in a public service job and, at the time of loan forgiveness, the borrower is employed in a public service job. This bill removes the requirement that the borrower must be working in a public service job at the time of loan forgiveness.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2023
Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget to establish a separate category within the Standard Occupational Classification system for direct support professionals (i.e., individuals who provide services to promote independence in individuals with an intellectual or developmental disability) for data reporting purposes.