United States · United States Congress · 21 December 2022
Bus Rapid Transit Act This bill directs the Federal Transit Administration (FTA) to establish a grant program to provide grants to state, local, and tribal governments for the design and implementation of bus rapid transit systems, including for the redesign, retrofit, renovation, update, and repair of existing bus systems. As a condition of receiving a grant, eligible entities must certify that fares for riding the bus rapid transit system shall not increase solely due to improvements carried out with grant funds and for any reason for at least one year after completion of a project funded by the bill. In carrying out the program, the FTA must prioritize projects located in economically disadvantaged communities.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2022
This bill declares that Donald Trump, under the Fourteenth Amendment (which disqualifies from office specified officials who have engaged in insurrection or rebellion), is ineligible to again hold the Office of President of the United States, or to hold any office, civil or military, under the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2022
Student Loan Relief for Medicare and Social Security Recipients Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Education to forgive the outstanding balance of principal, interest, and fees due on eligible federal student loans for borrowers who are recipients of Medicare or Social Security Disability Insurance.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2022
International Violence Against Women Act of 2022 This bill requires a U.S. global strategy to prevent and respond to violence against women and girls. The bill establishes in the Department of State an Office of Global Women's Issues, which shall be headed by an Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues. The Ambassador-at-Large shall (1) coordinate U.S. government efforts regarding gender equality and the advancement of women and girls in foreign policy, and (2) develop or update periodically a U.S. global strategy to prevent and respond to gender-based violence. The bill establishes in the U.S. Agency for International Development the position of Senior Coordinator for Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment who shall coordinate policies, programs, and funding regarding gender equality and women's empowerment.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2022
This concurrent resolution recognizes the disparity between wages paid to Latina women, and its impact on women, families, and the nation and reaffirms Congress' commitment to supporting equal pay and to narrowing the gender wage gap.
United States · United States Congress · 1 December 2022
Build Housing with Care Act of 2022 This bill establishes a competitive grant program to support co-located childcare and housing facilities. It also requires the Government Accountability Office to study the availability and affordability of childcare for residents of public housing. Specifically, the Department of Housing and Urban Development must award the grants to eligible entities, which include community development financial institutions, public housing authorities, licensed childcare providers, government entities, housing developers, and consortia of such entities. Entities must use the grants for designing, planning, constructing, acquiring, renovating, or otherwise supporting new or existing facilities where childcare and housing providers are on the same premises.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2022
Older Workers' Bureau Act This bill establishes an Older Workers' Bureau in the Department of Labor. The bureau must promote employment opportunities and inclusive workplaces for older workers through research, policy development, outreach, and grant programs.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2022
This resolution expresses support for the 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 · 15 November 2022
Funding Attorneys for Indigent Removal (FAIR) Proceedings Act This bill expands access to counsel for non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) in immigration proceedings and provides protections related to such proceedings. Such an individual shall have the privilege of being represented by counsel in any immigration proceeding, whereas currently this privilege is statutorily provided for only in removal proceedings. Similarly, the Department of Justice (DOJ) may provide counsel at government expense to individuals in any immigration proceeding, whereas currently DOJ is statutorily authorized to provide counsel only for removal proceedings and at no expense to the government. Under this bill, DOJ shall provide counsel to children and vulnerable individuals in such proceedings, at government expense if necessary. If DOJ fails to do so, certain limits on filing a motion to reopen removal proceedings (such as the time limit for filing) shall not apply, and the individual's removal shall be stayed upon the motion's filing. The bill establishes the Immigration Counsel Account to be used to provide counsel under this bill. A portion of certain immigration fees shall be deposited into the account. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall provide each individual, generally at the beginning of proceedings, a complete copy of the individual's case file in DHS possession, unless the individual waives this right in writing. Failure to provide such documents shall delay the individual's removal proceeding. DHS shall facilitate for all detained individuals access to counsel and programs that inform such individuals of their immigration-related rights and obligations.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2022
This bill requires the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of State to report to Congress on the death of Shireen Abu Akleh. The report shall also be made available to the public on the State Department's website. (Abu Akleh was a U.S. citizen and journalist who was shot and killed in the city of Jenin in the West Bank in May 2022. At the time of her shooting, Israeli security forces and Palestinians were trading fire in the area.)
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2022
Dr. Joanne Smith Memorial Rehabilitation Innovation Centers Act of 2022 This bill directs the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to publish and biennially update a list of all rehabilitation innovation centers. The bill defines rehabilitation innovation centers as rehabilitation facilities that (1) hold specified federal research and training designations for traumatic brain injury or spinal cord injury research, and (2) serve at least a certain number of Medicare patients. The CMS may waive such criteria as it deems appropriate.
United States · United States Congress · 31 October 2022
This resolution expresses the House of Representatives' support for the goals and ideals of National Veterans Small Business Week, celebrates the millions of people in the United States—especially veterans and their spouses—who benefit from Small Business Administration programs, and expresses appreciation for the continued service to the United States by the nation's veterans through small business ownership and entrepreneurship.
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 2022
This resolution affirms that there is well-established authority for the Food and Drug Administration to approve, license, and otherwise regulate reproductive health products under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and the Public Health Service Act. The resolution also affirms that (1) such federal laws preempt (i.e., supersede conflicting state or local laws) any state or local laws that prohibit or limit access to or use of any reproductive health product, and (2) the Department of Justice has authority to enforce the preemptive effect of such federal laws by suing any state or political subdivision of a state that prohibits or limits access to or use of any reproductive health product.
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 2022
This concurrent resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the enactment of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972, commonly known as the Clean Water Act.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2022
Empowering and Enforcing Environmental Justice Act of 2022 This bill provides statutory authority for the Department of Justice's Office of Environmental Justice. It also establishes grants to improve the capacity of state, local, and tribal governments to enforce environmental laws involving environmental justice matters.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2022
Main Street Competes Act This bill expands certain reporting requirements and responsibilities of the Small Business Administration with respect to the effect on small businesses of the enforcement of federal antitrust laws.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2022
Campus Accountability and Safety Act This bill addresses sexual harassment, sexual assault, and other violence and harassment on the campuses of institutions of higher education (IHEs). Among other provisions, the bill (1) requires additional information to be included in the annual campus security report provided to current and prospective students and employees, (2) requires each IHE to establish a campus security policy that meets certain requirements, and (3) authorizes grants to address these issues.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 2022
This resolution expresses support for the designation of a National Animal Rescue Day to create awareness for animal rescue programs throughout the year and address the challenge of pet overpopulation through continued spaying and neutering.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2022
National Museum of American LGBTQ+ History and Culture Act This bill establishes within the Smithsonian Institution the National Museum of American LGBTQ+ History and Culture. The museum (1) may carry out educational and liaison programs in support of its goals, and (2) shall establish specified grant and scholarship programs.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2022
Commission To Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of American LGBTQ+ History and Culture Act This bill establishes the Commission to Study the Potential Creation of a National Museum of American LGBTQ+ History and Culture. The commission shall submit reports that address the feasibility of establishing and maintaining such a museum, the availability and cost of collections to be acquired and housed in the museum, the impact of the museum on existing American LGBTQ+ history-related museums, development of criteria for evaluating possible locations for the museum, and the feasibility of the museum becoming part of the Smithsonian Institution. The commission shall develop a fundraising plan that will address the support of the museum through contributions from the public. No federal funds may be obligated to carry out this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2022
This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress and the President should examine and support ways to expand access to contraceptives.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2022
The Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Reauthorization Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes through FY2027, increases funding for, and modifies the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program. This program supports home visits for expectant and new parents who live in communities that are at-risk for poor maternal and child health outcomes. Changes to the program include setting out requirements for allocating program funds; increasing the percentage of funds reserved for tribal entities; establishing a publicly available dashboard that reports program outcomes; requiring activities to reduce unnecessary data collection, reporting, and other administrative requirements of the program; and allowing for virtual home visits (provided certain conditions are met).
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2022
STEP Improvement Act of 202 2 This bill reauthorizes through FY2026 the Small Business Administration's (SBA) State Trade Expansion Program, which provides foreign trade assistance to small businesses, and it revises provisions related to the administration of the program. Specifically, the SBA must establish a time frame for, and provide certain information related to, the application process, and it must conduct an annual survey to solicit feedback on the program. The SBA must collect data on certain performance metrics such as the (1) total number of small businesses assisted by the program, (2) total dollar amount of export sales by participating small businesses, and (3) number of small businesses that have created new jobs through their participation in the program. The bill also requires applicants for participation to include a budget plan that outlines their intended use of funds awarded under the program.
United States · United States Congress · 15 September 2022
This resolution recognizes (1) the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month; and (2) the integral role of Latinos and their manifold heritage in the economy, culture, and identity of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2022
Menstrual Products Right To Know Act of 2022 This bill establishes ingredient labeling requirements for menstrual products, including with respect to any fragrance allergens or other fragrance ingredients that may pose a safety concern.
United States · United States Congress · 2 September 2022
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, including by establishing incentive grants for states and political subdivisions to provide translated voting materials. Additionally, the bill directs the Government Accountability Office to study the impact of (1) reducing the threshold requirement under Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and (2) expanding the definition of language minorities to include native speakers of additional languages.
United States · United States Congress · 23 August 2022
Congress Leads by Example Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights (OCWR) to investigate alleged violations of occupational safety and health protections in legislative branch entities. The bill also provides certain employment-related protections to employees of such entities. The OCWR shall have subpoena authority to inspect and investigate occupational safety and health complaints in congressional offices and committees, the Congressional Budget Office, the Capitol Police, and other specified entities. The bill also imposes record-keeping requirements on such entities with respect to the enforcement of occupational safety and health protections. Additionally, these entities may not (1) retaliate against an employee for requesting OCWR action or for participating in an OCWR investigation, (2) fire an employee because the employee's wages have been garnished due to a debt, (3) retaliate against an employee for whistleblowing activities, (4) discriminate against an employee for being a debtor or bankrupt, or (5) retaliate against an employee for attending jury service. Other matters addressed in the bill include: authorizing the OCWR to seek, in appropriate cases when an unfair labor practice complaint is filed, court-ordered temporary relief from the practice, such as a temporary restraining order; excluding additional types of proceedings (e.g., proceedings involving discrimination claims) from confidentiality provisions that currently apply; and requiring employing offices in the legislative branch to enter mediation if requested by a claimant (currently, both parties must agree to enter mediation).
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 2022
Protecting Dogs Subjected to Experiments Act This bill prohibits the National Institutes of Health from funding biological, medical, or behavioral research that involves testing dogs.
United States · United States Congress · 5 August 2022
Animal Violence Exposes Real Threat of Future Violence Act of 2022 or the AVERT Future Violence Act of 2022 This bill directs the National Institute of Justice within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to study the factors that contribute to acts of animal cruelty. The report must also analyze acts of animal cruelty as a predictor of future violence against humans. Additionally, the bill authorizes DOJ to establish a grant program to support the development and strengthening of detection strategies and early intervention or diversion resources to stop acts of animal cruelty and rehabilitate offenders.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2022
Linking Investors and Nursing Home Quality Act or the LINHQ Act This bill establishes additional requirements for Medicare skilled nursing facilities and Medicaid nursing facilities with respect to ownership disclosures and quality control, including conditioning Medicare and Medicaid payment on timely ownership disclosures. The bill also establishes dedicated task forces to review disclosures, develop quality metrics, and report violations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2022
Billionaire Minimum Income Tax Act This bill imposes a minimum tax on individual taxpayers whose net worth for the taxable year exceeds $100 million. The tax is equal to 20% of the sum of a taxpayer's taxable income, plus net unrealized gains for the taxable year. The tax may not exceed 40% of the amount by which the taxpayer's net worth exceeds $100 million.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2022
This resolution recognizes the importance of Chicano Heritage Month and asserts that Mexican Americans enhance the diversity and strength of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2022
Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of Shirley Chisholm, in recognition of her activism, independence, and groundbreaking achievements in politics, election as the first African American woman in Congress, and campaign to be the first African American to gain the nomination of a major political party for President of the United States. Following its award, the gold medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution where it shall be available for display and research.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2022
Strengthening Welfare in Marine Settings Act of 2022 or the SWIMS Act of 2022 This bill establishes prohibitions on capturing, importing, exporting, or breeding of orcas, beluga whales, false killer whales, or pilot whales for the purpose of public display. Specifically, the bill prohibits the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from issuing any permit under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 that authorizes the taking (e.g., capturing) or importation of such orcas or whales for the purpose of public display. The bill further revises the act to make it unlawful to export such orcas or whales, unless they are being transported to marine mammal sanctuaries or for release into the wild. Further, the bill makes it unlawful under the Animal Welfare Act for any person to breed or artificially inseminate such marine mammals for purposes of using their progeny for public display.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2022
Credit Reporting Accuracy After a Legal Name Change Act of 2022 This bill prohibits, upon a consumer's request, a credit reporting agency from including on a consumer credit report a consumer's prior name after a legal name change.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2022
This bill requires employers to provide construction employees with paid rest breaks and protects employees against related retaliatory actions. Specifically, the bill requires that construction employees receive at least one 15-minute paid rest break for every four hours of work. An employer may not take retaliatory personnel action or otherwise discriminate against a construction employee who (1) requests or takes paid rest breaks, or (2) files a related complaint with the Department of Labor. At the time of hiring an employee, an employer must provide notice of the right to paid rest breaks and protections against related retaliatory actions in the construction employee's primary language. Further, the employer must post this information at construction work sites in both English and Spanish.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2022
LGBTQI+ and Women's History Education Act of 2022 This bill directs the National Museum of American History of the Smithsonian Institution to carry out, among other things (1) the development and national dissemination of accurate, relevant, and accessible national resources for classrooms to administer LGBTQI+ and women's history education in an inclusive and intersectional approach; (2) the development, national dissemination, and implementation of principles of sound pedagogy for administering LGBTQI+ and women's history education; and (3) the development, operation, and expansion of a teacher fellowship program to cultivate and support leaders in LGBTQI+ and women's history education. In addition to the activities described in this bill, the museum shall develop and maintain on its website content designated for educators, students, and families to improve their awareness and understanding of LGBTQI+ and women's history education.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2022
Renewing Immigration Provisions of the Immigration Act of 1929 This bill expands eligibility for a program that authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to, at its discretion, provide lawful permanent resident status to certain long-term residents of the United States, including individuals who are unlawfully present. Currently, this program, sometimes referred to as the Registry program, is only available to eligible non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who entered the United States before January 1, 1972. The bill removes this entry cutoff date and opens up the program to eligible individuals who have resided in the United States for at least seven years. Existing requirements (e.g., the individual must not be inadmissible or deportable due to certain grounds related to crime or terrorism) continue to apply.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2022
Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to pay for travel, childcare, and other expenses of an individual seeking access to abortion services. Eligible grant recipients must be nonprofit or community-based organizations that assist individuals seeking abortion services through programs that are unbiased and medically and factually accurate. The grants may not be used to pay for abortion procedures.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2022
No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act This bill denies employers a tax deduction for any expenditures incurred for attempting to influence their employees with respect to labor organizations or labor organization activities, such as elections, labor disputes, and collective actions. The bill requires employers to report on their attempts to influence their employees with respect to labor organizations and their activities.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2022
Tipped Worker Protection Act This bill increases the minimum wage for tipped employees over a phase-in period and provides a process for employers to pool and distribute tips.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2022
Respect for Marriage Act This bill provides statutory authority for same-sex and interracial marriages. Specifically, the bill replaces provisions that define, for purposes of federal law, marriage as between a man and a woman and spouse as a person of the opposite sex with provisions that recognize any marriage that is valid under state law. (The Supreme Court held that the current provisions were unconstitutional in United States v. Windsor in 2013.) The bill also replaces provisions that do not require states to recognize same-sex marriages from other states with provisions that prohibit the denial of full faith and credit or any right or claim relating to out-of-state marriages on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin. (The Supreme Court held that state laws barring same-sex marriages were unconstitutional in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015; the Court held that state laws barring interracial marriages were unconstitutional in Loving v. Virginia in 1967.) The bill allows the Department of Justice to bring a civil action and establishes a private right of action for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2022
EPA Regulatory Authority Act of 2022 This bill provides that in identifying the best system of emission reduction for purposes of a standard performance under the Clean Air Act, the Environmental Protection Agency may include measures that apply beyond an individual stationary source or category of stationary sources. Additionally, the bill provides that each determination in the Clean Power Plan (i.e., the final rule titled Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units published in the Federal Register on October 23, 2015) with respect to a best system of emission reduction is deemed as authorized.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2022
Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Shab-eh-nay Band Reservation Settlement Act of 2022 This bill provides for the settlement of claims by the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation relating to the Shab-eh-nay Band Reservation in northern Illinois. The reservation consists of 1,280 acres and, due to a sale in 1849, is currently occupied by the tribe and nontribe entities, including the State of Illinois, the Dekalb County government, and corporate entities. In particular, the bill recognizes the tribe's ownership of 130 acres of land within the reservation. Further, the bill extinguishes the tribe's title to the remainder of the reservation. Additionally, the bill requires the Department of the Interior to pay the tribe a specified amount as partial settlement of the tribe's claims for the tribe to promote economic development and land acquisition. The bill also outlines a process for subsequent payments to the tribe. The tribe may use these settlement funds to acquire up to 1,151 acres of land within or near the reservation. The bill authorizes the tribe to enter into agreements with the State of Illinois and local governments. It requires land that is located within the boundaries of the reservation and owned by state and local governments to be managed to protect any human or cultural remains.
United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2022
Right to Contraception Act This bill sets out statutory protections for an individual's right to access and a health care provider's right to provide contraception and related information. Contraception refers to an action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives (i.e., a device or medication used to prevent pregnancy), fertility-awareness based methods, and sterilization procedures. Generally, the bill prohibits measures that single out and impede access to contraception and related information. However, a party may defend against a claim that a measure violates the bill's prohibitions by demonstrating, through clear and convincing evidence, that the measure significantly advances access to contraception and cannot be achieved through less restrictive means. The Department of Justice, individuals, or health care providers may bring a lawsuit to enforce this bill, and states are not immune from suits for violations.
