United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2023
This resolution expresses that the House of Representatives recognizes the Ukrainian famine of 1932-1933, known as the Holodomor, as a genocide; remembers the atrocities of the Holodomor and extends deepest sympathies to the victims, survivors, and families of this tragedy; condemns the systematic violations of human rights, including the starvation, repression, and persecution of the Ukrainian people by the Soviet Union; recognizes the findings of the Commission on the Ukraine Famine as submitted to Congress on April 22, 1988; and is resolute that Ukraine remain independent and sovereign to protect the people from future genocide.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2023
This resolution condemns Azerbaijan's blockade of the Lachin Corridor to Nagorno-Karabakh (also known as Artsakh). The resolution calls on the U.S. government to work with international partners to deploy observers to explore opportunities for security and peaceful development. The resolution also calls on the President to (1) suspend military and security assistance from the United States to Azerbaijan, and (2) fully enforce a U.S. law prohibiting certain bilateral assistance to Azerbaijan until Azerbaijan takes demonstrable steps to cease all offensive uses of force against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2023
This joint resolution nullifies a Department of Labor rule concerning the fiduciary duties with respect to employee benefit plans. Under the rule issued on December 1, 2022, plan fiduciaries may consider climate change and other environmental, social, and governance factors when they make investment decisions and when they exercise shareholder rights, including voting on shareholder resolutions and board nominations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2023
This resolution reaffirms the Senate's commitment to strengthening the historic partnership between the United States and the Dominican Republic based on shared democratic values and efforts to advance economic prosperity and national security. The resolution also encourages continued actions by the government of the Dominican Republic to assume a regional leadership role in promoting human rights, democratic values, and humanitarian assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 7 February 2023
This resolution condemns Iranian state-sponsored terrorist attacks against U.S. citizens and officials and Iranian dissidents. The resolution also expresses support for the people of Iran who are legitimately defending their rights for freedom against repression and condemns the killing of Iranian protesters by the Iranian regime.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2023
China Exchange Rate Transparency Act of 2023 This bill requires the U.S. Executive Director at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to use the voice and vote of the United States to advocate for increased exchange rate transparency from China. Some areas of focus for this advocacy are (1) Chinese exchange rate arrangements, including any indirect foreign exchange market intervention through Chinese financial institutions or state-owned enterprises; and (2) Chinese compliance with information requests from the IMF regarding Chinese exchange rate policies and holdings. The requirements of the bill expire seven years and 30 days after the date of the bill's enactment or earlier if China meets certain conditions regarding its exchange rate policies.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2023
Fair Investment Opportunities for Professional Experts Act This bill expands the eligibility criteria for an accredited investor for purposes of participating in private offerings of securities to include an individual determined by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to have qualifying professional knowledge through educational or professional experience. (Certain unregistered securities may only be offered to accredited investors.) The SEC is directed to revise the definition of accredited investor in Regulation D (which exempts certain offerings from SEC registration requirements) to conform to changes in this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2023
Sergeant Gary Beikirch Medal of Honor Act This bill allows a surviving spouse of a Medal of Honor recipient to receive a special pension concurrently with dependency and indemnity compensation.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2023
Help Ensure Lower Patient Copays Act or the HELP Copays Act This bill requires health insurance plans to apply certain payments made by, or on behalf of, a plan enrollee toward a plan's cost-sharing requirements. Specifically, plans must apply third-party payments, financial assistance, discounts, product vouchers, and other reductions in out-of-pocket expenses toward the requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 6 February 2023
This concurrent resolution declares that Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station for broadcasting sound recordings over the air, or on any business for such public performance of sound recordings.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2023
Foster Care Stabilization Act of 202 3 This bill requires the Administration for Children and Families to award demonstration grants to foster care stabilization agencies to improve services for foster youth awaiting placement and for other emergency assistance.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2023
Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue 50,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the service that working dogs provide to society. The designs of the coins minted under this bill shall be emblematic of the contributions of working dogs to society, including in detection, military service, therapy, and assistance. Treasury may issue coins only during the one-year period beginning on January 1, 2025. All sales of coins shall include a surcharge, which shall be paid to America's VetDogs for general expenses associated with the fulfillment of its mission.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2023
Removing Extraneous Loopholes Insuring Every Veteran Emergency Act or the RELIEVE Act This bill expands eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) reimbursement of emergency treatment for veterans who are treated in a non-VA facility. Specifically, the bill waives the requirement that a veteran must have received VA care within the 24-month period preceding the furnishing of emergency treatment if the veteran receives such emergency treatment within the 60-day period following their enrollment in the VA health care system.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2023
Pressure Regulatory Organizations To End Chinese Threats to Taiwan Act or the PROTECT Taiwan Act This bill requires certain actions if the President informs Congress about actions by China that result in (1) threats to Taiwan's security or social or economic system, and (2) any danger to U.S. interests. Specifically, after the President informs Congress, various federal agencies must take all necessary steps to exclude China's representatives from the activities of specified international organizations, including the Group of 20, the Financial Stability Board, and the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. The President may waive these requirements if doing so is in the national interest of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2023
Chinese CBDC Prohibition Act of 2023 This bill prohibits money services businesses (e.g., currency exchange providers or money order issuers) from engaging in transactions involving a central bank digital currency issued by China. Central bank digital currencies are digital currencies issued by a government-backed central bank.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2023
International Nuclear Energy Financing Act of 2023 This bill requires the U.S. Executive Director at the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (and the U.S. Executive Director at any other international financial institution deemed appropriate) to support financial assistance for the generation and distribution of nuclear energy, consistent with U.S. national security interests.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2023
Protecting Sibling Relationships in Foster Care Act This bill requires the Administration for Children and Families to establish a competitive pilot grant program for foster care agencies to increase the placement of siblings together in foster care.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2023
ESP Family Leave Act This bill allows education support professionals to meet the hours of service requirements for family and medical leave if they have worked a number of hours equal to not less than 60% of the total monthly hours expected for their job descriptions and duties, as assigned for the previous school year. Education support professionals are employees within a public school or public institution of higher education which may include specified staff, such as paraeducators, administrative support staff, custodians, skilled trade workers, and nursing support staff. The Department of Labor may provide a method for calculating such leave for these professionals.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2023
Protect and Serve Act of 2023 This bill establishes a new criminal offense for knowingly assaulting a law enforcement officer and causing serious bodily injury (or attempting to do so) in circumstances that affect interstate commerce. It imposes criminal penalties—a prison term, a fine, or both—on a violator.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2023
Protecting First Responders from Secondary Exposure Act of 2023 This bill expands the allowable uses of grant funds under the Comprehensive Opioid, Stimulant, and Substance Abuse Program administered by the Department of Justice. Specifically, the bill allows grants to be used for purchasing containment devices for first responders and training first responders on the use of containment devices to prevent secondary exposure to fentanyl and other potentially lethal substances.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2023
Protecting School Milk Choices Act of 202 3 This bill revises requirements for milk provided by the National School Lunch Program of the Department of Agriculture. Currently, schools participating in the program may provide lactose-free and flavored and unflavored milk. Under the bill, these schools must provide students flavored and unflavored milk and maintain the discretion to offer lactose-free milk.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2023
Expanding Labor Representation in the Workforce System Act This bill increases from 20% to 30% the workforce representation on state and local workforce development boards.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2023
Prohibition of Agricultural Land for the People's Republic of China Act This bill requires the President to prohibit nonresident aliens, foreign businesses, and agents associated with China's government from (1) purchasing agricultural (including ranching) real estate located in the United States, or (2) participating in Department of Agriculture programs that are unrelated to food and safety regulatory requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2023
Veterans for Mustangs Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to prioritize use of nonsurgical, medically safe on-range fertility controls to manage populations of wild, free-roaming horses and burros. In implementing such fertility controls, the Bureau of Land Management shall prioritize the recruitment of military veterans to train and become certified in the application of fertility controls, including the certified PZP applicator certification offered by the Science and Conservation Center's Certification Program. Interior shall provide appropriate compensation to military veterans participating in such a certification program. The bill authorizes Interior to contract with military veterans who have completed the training program to carry out fertility control activities.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2023
Think Differently Database Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish an online clearinghouse of resources and other information for individuals with an intellectual disability (and their caregivers and families) that is searchable by zip code. In particular, the clearinghouse must include information about (1) community-based services and long-term support services available through Medicaid; and (2) how to obtain health care, mental health care, and other relevant services. HHS must also promote awareness of the resources in the clearinghouse.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2023
READ Act Reauthorization Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes a law that requires the implementation of a strategy to promote quality basic education in partner countries by (1) expanding access to basic education for all children, particularly marginalized children and vulnerable groups; and (2) improving the quality of basic education and learning outcomes.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2023
This resolution calls for the Department of State to designate Nigeria as a country of particular concern for egregious violations of religious freedom. It also states that the President should appoint a Special Envoy for Nigeria and the Lake Chad Region with the rank of Ambassador to monitor and combat atrocities there.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2023
Root and Stem Project Authorization Act of 2023 This bill authorizes the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to conduct certain forest restoration projects. Specifically, the Forest Service or BLM may enter into an agreement for a project on federal land that was developed through a collaborative process that meets local and rural community needs if the party with whom it enters into an agreement initially provides the Forest Service or BLM with a portion of the funding necessary to complete any analysis deemed necessary under federal law for consideration of the proposed project; the Forest Service or BLM uses the funding to pay a contractor included on a list of contractors that it maintains to conduct the analysis; upon completion of the analysis, the Forest Service or BLM solicits bids to carry out the project and enters into a contract or agreement under the Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 to carry out the project; and using certain receipts from the project, the Forest Service or BLM repays the initially provided funding. For purposes of a civil action relating to such a project, any person that participated in the collaborative process to develop the proposal for the project shall be (1) entitled to intervene, as of right, in any subsequent civil action; and (2) considered to be a full participant in any settlement negotiation relating to the project. The authority to enter into an agreement and the requirement to maintain a list of contractors shall expire on January 1, 2033.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2023
This joint resolution provides that the Equal Rights Amendment, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex, was ratified by three-fourths of the states and is therefore a valid constitutional amendment, regardless of any time limit that was in the original proposal. The Equal Rights Amendment was originally proposed to the states in 1972. The original proposal included a deadline for ratification of March 22, 1979; Congress subsequently extended the deadline to June 30, 1982. Although the requisite 38 states have ratified the amendment, three of these states did so after the deadlines, and five states subsequently rescinded their ratifications. The status of the amendment has been the subject of litigation.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2023
This resolution condemns Russia's invasion of Ukraine, supports the people of Ukraine in their fight for freedom, and urges the President to support the creation of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2023
This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture to waive the matching funds requirement for grants under the specialty crop research initiative. Currently, entities that receive grants under the initiative must provide nonfederal matching funds (including funds from an agricultural promotion, research, and information program) equal to not less than the amount of the grant.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2023
Tax Relief for Middle Class Families Act of 2023 This bill increases from $10,000 to $100,000 the maximum amount of the tax deduction for state and local taxes in taxable years 2018 through 2025.
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2023
Disaster Reforestation Act This bill sets forth a special rule for the tax deduction for casualty losses of uncut timber (including pre-merchantable timber). It provides that in losses of any uncut timber from fire, storm, insects, invasive species, drought, or other casualty, or from theft, the basis for determining the amount of the deduction for such loss shall not be less than the excess of the value of such timber determined immediately before such loss was sustained, over the salvage value of such timber. To be eligible for the casualty loss deduction, the uncut timber subject to the loss must be reforested not later than the close of the five-year period beginning on the date of the loss.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2023
Improving Access to Workers' Compensation for Injured Federal Workers Act This bill expands the role of nurse practitioners and physician assistants in providing services to injured federal workers under the federal workers' compensation program. Specifically, under the program, nurse practitioners and physician assistants acting within the scope of their practice may (1) prescribe or recommend treatment for injured federal workers; (2) certify the nature of an injury and probable extent of disability; (3) provide prescribed treatment for injured federal workers; and (4) participate, with a physician designated by the Department of Labor, in a mandatory workers' compensation examination of an injured worker. In general, only physicians may fulfill these roles under current law.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2023
Alzheimer's Accountability and Investment Act This bill requires the National Institutes of Health to annually submit, beginning in FY2024, an estimate of its budget and personnel needs for carrying out initiatives pursuant to the National Alzheimer's Project directly to the President for review and transmittal to Congress. The Department of Health and Human Services and the Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research, Care, and Services may comment on the budget estimate but may not change it. The National Alzheimer's Project supports coordination of federal planning, research, and other efforts to address Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2023
NAPA Reauthorization Act This bill extends through 2035 and makes other changes to the National Alzheimer's Project. This project supports coordination of federal planning, programs, and other efforts to address Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. In particular, the bill incorporates a focus on promoting healthy aging and reducing risk factors associated with cognitive decline. The bill also expands the Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research, Care, and Services to include additional members, such as (1) a researcher with experience recruiting and retaining diverse clinical trial participants, (2) an individual diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, and (3) representatives from additional federal agencies (e.g., the Department of Justice and the Office of Management and Budget).
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2023
Mahsa Amini Human rights and Security Accountability Act or the MAHSA Act This bill requires the President to impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions on certain persons (individuals and entities) affiliated with Iran. The President must periodically make determinations about whether certain existing sanctions apply to specified persons and impose the applicable sanctions, including determinations concerning (1) the Supreme Leader of Iran and any official in the Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran, (2) the President of Iran and any official in the Office of the President of Iran, and (3) any entity overseen by the Office of the Supreme Leader of Iran which is complicit in supporting human rights abuses or terrorism.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2023
This resolution supports the goals of National Catholic Schools Week, an event cosponsored by the National Catholic Educational Association and the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and established to recognize the contributions of Catholic elementary and secondary schools in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2023
Postal Employee Appeal Rights Amendment Act of 2023 This bill extends federal employee protections against adverse personnel actions, including the right to appeal such actions to the Merit Systems Protection Board, to additional categories of employees at the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). Specifically, it extends such protections to any officer or employee of the USPS who is not represented by a bargaining representative and is in a supervisory, professional, technical, clerical, administrative, or managerial position covered by the Executive and Administrative Schedule.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2023
Postal Supervisors and Managers Fairness Act of 2023 This bill modifies procedures for negotiating pay and benefits of supervisory and other managerial personnel of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). At least 60 days before the expiration of a pay decision, the USPS must propose to the supervisors' organization any changes in pay policies, pay schedules, or fringe benefit programs for members of such organization. Not later than 60 days after the USPS agrees to a collective bargaining agreement that affects the pay or benefits of supervisors or managers who are members of the supervisors' organization, the USPS shall provide a proposal regarding such matters to the organization. The bill makes binding the decision of the fact-finding panel appointed by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service in the event of an impasse between the USPS and a supervisors' organization over proposed changes in pay and benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2023
This resolution recognizes and appreciates the dedication and devotion demonstrated by the men and women of law enforcement. It also condemns calls to defund, disband, dismantle, or abolish the police.
United States · United States Congress · 27 January 2023
Holocaust Education and Antisemitism Lessons Act or the HEAL Act This bill directs the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to study and report on Holocaust education efforts in states, local educational agencies (LEAs), and public elementary and secondary schools. Among other elements, the study must (1) determine whether states and LEAs require Holocaust education as part of the curriculum taught in public elementary and secondary schools, (2) identify the standards and requirements relating to Holocaust education, and (3) identify the types of instructional material used to teach students about the Holocaust.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2023
Metastatic Breast Cancer Access to Care Act This bill expedites payment of Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits and eligibility for Medicare coverage for those with metastatic breast cancer (i.e., breast cancer that has spread to other sites in the body). Specifically, the bill eliminates the 5-month waiting period for SSDI benefits and the subsequent 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage for individuals with metastatic breast cancer. Under current law, individuals generally must wait 5 months after the onset of disability to begin receiving SSDI benefits and an additional 24 months to become eligible for Medicare.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2023
Taiwan Conflict Deterrence Act of 2023 This bill requires additional reporting regarding the domestic and foreign financial activity of specified Chinese officials. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of the Treasury, upon a determination by the President that a threat to the interests of the United States exists resulting from actions by China, to (1) report to Congress on funds held by certain members of the Chinese Communist Party, including the total amount of funds, a description of the funds, and a list of related financial institutions; and (2) brief Congress on how these funds were acquired and any illicit or corrupt means employed to acquire or use the funds. The bill also allows Treasury to prohibit significant transactions between U.S. financial institutions and these individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2023
Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to 60 diplomats posthumously in recognition of their brave and vital service of saving Jews during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2023
Securing America's Vaccines for Emergencies Act of 2023 or the SAVE Act of 2023 This bill authorizes the President to make payments to manufacturers to increase supply-chain security if doing so is important to the national defense. The President must submit a strategy to Congress that includes (1) a plan to use authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950 to ensure the supply of medical materials essential to the national defense; and (2) plans to diversify, and address vulnerabilities in, supply chains for essential medical materials. The President must submit to Congress annual progress reports through FY2025 evaluating the implementation of the strategy.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2023
Promoting a Resolution to the Tibet-China Conflict Act This bill addresses issues relating to Tibet, including by establishing a statutory definition of Tibet that includes areas in Chinese provinces outside the Tibet Autonomous Region (TAR). For the purposes of U.S. policies and activities relating to Tibet, this bill defines Tibet to include the TAR and the Tibetan areas of the Qinghai, Sichuan, Gansu, and Yunnan provinces. (Generally, when China's government refers to Tibet, it means only the TAR, while Tibetan exile groups consider historical Tibet to include the TAR as well as areas in the provinces included in this bill's definition. China's government formally established the TAR in 1965.) Furthermore, the objectives of the Office of the U.S. Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues shall include working to ensure that U.S. government statements and documents counter disinformation about Tibet by China's government and the Chinese Communist Party, including disinformation about Tibet's history and institutions. The bill also authorizes the office to take other actions to counter such disinformation. This bill also states that it is U.S. policy that the conflict between Tibet and China is unresolved and that Tibet's legal status remains to be determined in accordance with international law.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2023
Taiwan Non-Discrimination Act of 2023 This bill requires actions to support Taiwan's participation in the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The U.S. Governor of the IMF must advocate for (1) Taiwan's admission into the IMF as a member, (2) Taiwan's participation in the IMF's regular surveillance activities relating to Taiwan's economic and financial policies, (3) employment opportunities at the IMF for Taiwan nationals, and (4) Taiwan's ability to receive IMF technical assistance and training.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2023
Salvaging American Lumber Via Action with Greater Efficiency Act or the SALVAGE Act This bill provides for certain activities related to salvage operations and certain reforestation activities conducted on National Forest System lands or public lands. The bill categorically excludes salvage operations carried out by the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of the Interior, on certain National Forest System lands or certain public lands, respectively, from the requirement to prepare an environmental assessment or an environmental impact statement. Each salvage operation covered by the categorical exclusion may not contain treatment units that exceed a total of 10,000 acres. An environmental assessment for a salvage operation or reforestation activity proposed to be conducted on National Forest System lands or public lands that are adversely impacted by a large-scale catastrophic event shall be completed within 60 days after the conclusion of the event. In the case of such reforestation activities USDA and Interior shall, to the maximum extent practicable, achieve reforestation of at least 75% of the impacted lands during the five-year period following the conclusion of the catastrophic event. No later than 60 days after a wildfire is contained on National Forest System lands, USDA shall convert any timber sales on lands impacted by such wildfire to salvage sales. No restraining order, preliminary injunction, or injunction pending appeal shall be issued by any U.S. court respecting any decision to prepare or conduct a salvage operation or reforestation activity in response to a large-scale catastrophic event.
United States · United States Congress · 26 January 2023
Beginning Agriculturalist Lifetime Employment Act of 2023 or the BALE Act of 20 2 3 This bill revises the limits for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation loan guarantee program. The bill replaces the existing 80% limit on the portion of a loan that USDA may guarantee with limits that range from 80%-90%, depending on the principal amount of the loan. For socially disadvantaged or beginning farmers or ranchers, the bill replaces the existing 90% limit with limits that range from 85%-95%, depending on the principal amount of the loan. The bill also (1) prohibits USDA from guaranteeing a loan under the program that exceeds $4 million, and (2) requires USDA to adjust the limits annually for inflation.