United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2023
Federal Firefighter Pay Equity Act This bill modifies certain pay calculations that are used to determine retirement and annuity benefits for federal firefighters. Specifically, the bill adjusts the method of determining the average pay of a federal firefighter by adding one-half of a firefighter's basic hourly rate multiplied by the number of overtime hours included as part of such firefighter's regular tour of duty. It also requires the Office of Personnel Management to issue regulations that cap the number of hours in a regular workweek, which may not exceed 60 hours per week.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2023
This bill provides for the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders, in recognition of their contribution to civil rights by fighting for equality in interstate travel.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2023
Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 20 23 This bill expands various labor protections related to employees' rights to organize and collectively bargain in the workplace. Among other things, it (1) revises the definitions of employee , supervisor , and employer to broaden the scope of individuals covered by the fair labor standards; (2) permits labor organizations to encourage participation of union members in strikes initiated by employees represented by a different labor organization (i.e., secondary strikes); and (3) prohibits employers from bringing claims against unions that conduct such secondary strikes. The bill also allows collective bargaining agreements to require all employees represented by the bargaining unit to contribute fees to the labor organization for the cost of such representation, notwithstanding a state law to the contrary; and expands unfair labor practices to include prohibitions against replacement of, or discrimination against, workers who participate in strikes. The bill makes it an unfair labor practice to require or coerce employees to attend employer meetings designed to discourage union membership and prohibits employers from entering into agreements with employees under which employees waive the right to pursue or a join collective or class-action litigation. The bill further prohibits employers from taking adverse actions against an employee, including employees with management responsibilities, in response to that employee participating in protected activities related to the enforcement of the prohibitions against unfair labor practices (i.e., whistleblower protections). Such protected activities include providing information about a potential violation to an enforcement agency, participating in an enforcement proceeding, initiating a proceeding concerning an alleged violation or assisting in such a proceeding, or refusing to participate in an activity the employee reasonably believes is a violation of labor laws. Finally, the bill addresses the procedures for union representation elections, provides employees with the ability to vote in such elections remotely by telephone or the internet, modifies the protections against unfair labor practices that result in serious economic harm, and establishes penalties and permits injunctive relief against entities that fail to comply with National Labor Relations Board orders.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2023
This bill authorizes the Department of the Interior to take land into trust for all federally recognized Indian tribes. Specifically, the bill applies the Indian Reorganization Act to all federally recognized Indian tribes, regardless of when a tribe became recognized. The amendments made by this bill are retroactively effective as if included in the Indian Reorganization Act. This effectively overrules the Supreme Court's decision in Carcieri v. Salazar, which held that Interior could not take land into trust for a specified tribe because that tribe had not been under federal jurisdiction when the Indian Reorganization Act was enacted in 1934.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2023
Buffalo Soldiers Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023 This bill provides for a Congressional Gold Medal to be awarded to the Buffalo Soldier regiments (six all-Black calvary and infantry regiments authorized by Congress in 1866 to serve in the Armed Forces) in recognition of their vital service to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2023
Don Young Restoration Grants for Coastlines and Fisheries Act of 2023 This bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to establish a grant program for projects that (1) restore marine, estuarine, coastal, or Great Lake habitats; or (2) provide adaptation to climate change. State, local, and tribal governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and institutions of higher education may apply for grants.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2023
Patients' Right to Know Their Medication Act of 2023 This bill establishes requirements relating to the form, content, and distribution of patient safety labels for prescription drugs. Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration must issue regulations with requirements relating to the authorship, content, format, color, printing, and dissemination of such patient safety information. The regulations must require labels to include the drug's approved uses, known interactions with other drugs or substances, contact information for the drug's manufacturer, and other specified information relating to patient safety. The information must be in plain, neutral language and must be given in printed form with each prescription.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2023
Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2023 or the DISCLOSE Act of 2023 This bill addresses campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals, requiring additional disclosures of campaign expenditures, and requiring additional disclosures regarding certain political advertisements. Specifically, the bill expands existing foreign money prohibitions to include disbursements for paid web-based or digital communications and federal judicial nomination communications. It also prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to campaigns related to ballot initiatives and referenda. The Government Accountability Office must, for each four-year election cycle, study and report on the incidence of illicit foreign money in federal elections. Next, the bill makes it unlawful to establish or use a corporation, company, or other entity with the intent to conceal an election contribution or donation by a foreign national. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both. Covered organizations (e.g., corporations, labor organizations, and political organizations) must, within 24 hours, file reports with the Federal Election Commission to disclose campaign expenditures of more than $10,000 during an election cycle. The bill also requires organizations to provide additional disclosures regarding political advertisements, including the donors who contributed the most money to that organization in the last year.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2023
Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benefits Act or the GUARD VA Benefits Act This bill imposes fines on individuals for soliciting, contracting for, charging, or receiving any unauthorized fee or compensation with respect to the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. The attempted commission of such offenses is also punishable by fine.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2023
Advancing Safe Medications for Moms and Babies Act of 2023 This bill establishes programs and requirements to support the inclusion of pregnant and lactating women in clinical research. For example, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to align the Food and Drug Administration's regulations for human subjects in clinical trials with other departmental regulations for pregnant women in clinical research. The bill also establishes (1) a national online clearinghouse with information about clinical trials that enroll pregnant and lactating women, (2) an advisory committee to help coordinate federal activities with respect to clinical research for pregnant and lactating women, and (3) an educational campaign on the importance of including pregnant and lactating women in clinical research. The National Institutes of Health must also prioritize certain research projects on new and existing medications for pregnant and lactating women based on need, feasibility, and the potential impact of the research.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2023
Everett Alvarez, Jr., Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023 This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Everett Alvarez, Jr. in recognition of his service to the nation.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2023
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, including election as the first African American woman in Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2023
Social Security Expansion Act This bill increases benefits and certain taxes related to the Social Security program. Changes to benefits include (1) increasing the primary insurance amount for certain beneficiaries; (2) revising the method of calculating cost-of-living adjustments; (3) establishing a new minimum benefit for certain low earners; and (4) allowing certain children of retired, deceased, or disabled workers to receive benefits until age 22 if they are a full-time student. Changes to taxes include (1) increasing the net investment income tax and making active trade or business income subject to this tax; and (2) extending payroll taxes on wages, salaries, and self-employment earnings to income above $250,000 (the maximum amount subject to the Social Security payroll tax is currently $160,200 for 2023). The bill also combines the existing Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund into a single Social Security Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2023
Combat Harmful Algal Blooms Act This bill includes algal blooms within the definition of major disaster under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act and directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to submit to specified congressional committees a detailed study relating to the health effects of exposure to cyanotoxins in the air that result from algal blooms.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2023
Maritime Fuel Tax Parity Act This bill extends the exemption from the excise tax on motor boat or motor vehicle fuels sold or used as supplies for certain vessels or aircraft engaged in trade between U.S. Atlantic or Pacific ports.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2023
Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to Dustoff crews (helicopter air ambulance crews) of the Vietnam War in recognition of their heroic military service.
United States · United States Congress · 10 February 2023
Prime Minister Golda Meir Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of Golda Meir, former Prime Minister of Israel, and the 75th anniversary of the United States-Israel relationship. All surcharges received by Treasury from the sale of such coins must be paid to the American Friends of Kiryat Sanz Laniado Hospital Inc.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2023
Save Our Seas 2.0 Amendments Act This bill revises provisions governing the administration of the Marine Debris Foundation and the Marine Debris Program. Specifically, the bill allows the foundation to use up to 12% of appropriated funds for administrative expenses. Those expenses may include employee salaries for the two years following the bill's enactment. The bill also allows the foundation to locate its principal office outside of the District of Columbia and encourages the foundation to locate it in a coastal state. In addition, the bill requires the foundation to develop best practices for conducting outreach to Indian tribes. The bill also requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to approve appointments to the foundation's board of directors. NOAA may enter into other agreements, outside of contracts, under the Marine Debris Program. NOAA may also make in-kind contributions for projects under the program.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2023
Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act This bill excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, certain broadband grants made for broadband deployment.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2023
Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair Act or the REPAIR Act This bill requires a motor vehicle manufacturer to provide to a vehicle's owner certain direct, real-time, in-vehicle data generated by the operation of the vehicle that is related to diagnostics, repair, service, wear, and calibration or recalibration of parts and systems of the vehicle. Specifically, a vehicle manufacturer may not impair an owner's access to such vehicle-generated data or impair an aftermarket parts manufacturer from producing or offering compatible aftermarket parts. A manufacturer also must make available to the vehicle's owner, and designees, vehicle-generated data through a standardized access platform. Outside of recall and warranty repairs, a manufacturer may not mandate the use of a particular brand or manufacturer of parts, tools, or equipment. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration must issue standards for access to vehicle data through the standardized access platform. The Federal Trade Commission must establish an advisory committee to (1) provide recommendations on the implementation of this bill, and (2) assess and report on existing and emerging barriers to vehicle repair and vehicle owners' control over their vehicle-generated data. This bill provides authority for the commission to enforce these 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
Fair Access In Residency Act or the FAIR Act This bill requires hospitals to certify that they accept residency applications from both osteopathic and allopathic medical schools and to disclose the number of applicants and acceptances from each type of program in order to receive graduate medical education payments under Medicare.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2023
Ensuring Women's Right to Reproductive Freedom Act This bill prohibits anyone acting under state law from interfering with a person's ability to access out-of-state abortion services. ( Abortion services include the use of any drugs that are approved to terminate pregnancies and any health care services related to an abortion, whether or not the services are provided at the same time or on the same day as the abortion.) Specifically, the bill prohibits any person acting under state law from preventing, restricting, impeding, or retaliating against health care providers who provide legal abortion services to out-of-state residents, any person or entity who helps health care providers to provide such services, any person who travels to another state to obtain such services, any person or entity who helps another person travel to another state to obtain such services, or the movement in interstate commerce of drugs that are approved to terminate pregnancies. The Department of Justice may enforce this bill through civil actions; the bill also establishes a private right of action for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 February 2023
Protecting Access to Medication Abortion Act of 2023 This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ensure that patients may receive mifepristone through prescriptions issued via telehealth and filled by mail. The FDA has approved mifepristone for medication abortions (i.e., a procedure in which prescription drugs are used to terminate a pregnancy). (Mifepristone is subject to a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy, which imposes various safety-related requirements. During the COVID-19 public health emergency, the FDA suspended enforcement of a requirement that the drug must be dispensed in person, a requirement in the strategy at the time. In January 2023, the FDA updated the strategy to remove the in-person dispensing requirement.) Under this bill, the FDA must ensure that the strategy for mifepristone (1) does not have an in-person dispensing requirement, (2) allows patients to access prescriptions for mifepristone via telehealth, and (3) authorizes all pharmacies certified to dispense mifepristone to patients to do so via mail.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2023
Job Protection Act This bill reduces from 12 months to 90 days the employment period required for employees (including federal employees) to become eligible for family and medical leave. Additionally, the bill makes the family and medical leave requirements applicable to all employers (currently, the requirements apply to employers with 50 or more employees).
United States · United States Congress · 31 January 2023
Native American Child Protection Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 and otherwise revises certain programs related to the prevention, investigation, treatment, and prosecution of family violence, child abuse, and child neglect involving Indian children and families. Specifically, the bill revises the Indian Child Abuse Treatment Grant Program to encourage the use of grants for culturally appropriate treatment services and programs. The bill renames the Indian Child Resource and Family Services Centers as the National Indian Child Resource and Family Services Center. It also requires the center to (1) provide advice, technical assistance, and training to urban Indian organizations; (2) develop certain technical assistance materials for Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and urban Indian organizations; and (3) develop model intergovernmental agreements between tribes and states to prevent, investigate, treat, and prosecute incidents of family violence, child abuse, and child neglect involving Indian children and families. Additionally, the bill revises the Indian Child Protection and Family Violence Prevention Program to allow Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and intertribal consortia to use program funds for additional activities, such as operational costs for child protective services.
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 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
Coastal Communities Ocean Acidification Act of 2023 This bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Ocean Acidification Advisory Board to collaborate with various entities affected by ocean acidification and coastal acidification (i.e., the decrease in pH and changes in water chemistry of certain bodies of water and waterways). Specifically, NOAA's Ocean Acidification Program must collaborate with state, local, and tribal entities that are conducting or have completed community vulnerability assessments, research planning, or climate action plans related to ocean and coastal acidification and their impacts on coastal communities. The program must (1) support collaborative interagency relationships and information sharing involving state, local, and tribal entities; (2) assist these entities in improving their existing programs to better address ocean and coastal acidification; and (3) assist these entities in identifying whether other communities can use these activities as a model. The bill also requires the Ocean Acidification Advisory Board to include two representatives from Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and tribal consortia that are affected by ocean and coastal acidification.
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 · 30 January 2023
Urban Indian Health Confer Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to confer with urban Indian organizations regarding health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives living in urban areas. Currently, only the Indian Health Service (IHS) is required to confer with urban Indian organizations on matters relating to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act. The bill requires HHS to ensure that the IHS and other agencies and offices within HHS confer with urban Indian organizations on (1) matters relating to the Indian Health Care Improvement Act, and (2) other provisions of law relating to health care for American Indians and Alaska Natives.
United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2023
Preventing Auto Recycling Theft Act or the PART Act This bill establishes requirements for motor vehicles related to catalytic converters and other motor vehicle parts that contain precious metals. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration must revise the motor vehicle theft prevention standard for new motor vehicles to include catalytic converters among the parts that require an inscribed or affixed identifying number. Additionally, the Department of Transportation must establish a grant program through which law enforcement agencies and other entities can stamp vehicle identification numbers onto catalytic converters of existing vehicles. The bill establishes retention requirements for the purchase of motor vehicle parts that contain precious metals. It also sets forth criminal penalties for the theft of catalytic converters or any precious metals removed from a vehicle.
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
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
Expanding Penalty Free Withdrawal Act This bill expands the exceptions in the Internal Revenue Code that permit penalty-free distributions to unemployed individuals from retirement plans. The 10% additional tax on early distributions from retirement plans does not apply to an individual after separation from employment if (1) the individual has received federal or state unemployment compensation for 26 consecutive weeks or, if less, the maximum period available under state law; and (2) the distributions are made during the year or the succeeding year in which the compensation is paid. The exception is limited to the lesser of (1) $50,000 from all plans of the individual over a one-year period, or (2) the greater of $10,000 or one-half of the fair market value of the individual's retirement plans and the nonforfeitable portion of the individual's defined contribution plans. The exception does not apply to distributions that are (1) included in the existing exception for distributions to unemployed individuals for health insurance premiums, or (2) are made after the individual has been employed for at least 60 days after the separation.
United States · United States Congress · 25 January 2023
Deliver for Veterans Act This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay the total shipping price for the delivery of an automobile or other conveyance to certain disabled veterans or members of the Armed Forces. Currently, the VA may pay the lesser of (1) $24,115 (adjusted annually for inflation), or (2) the full purchase price associated with providing an automobile or other conveyance to such individuals (not including delivery costs).
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2023
Tribal Healthcare Careers Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reserve a portion of Health Profession Opportunity Grants for Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and tribal colleges and universities. HHS must award at least 10 grants to tribal applicants.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2023
IHS Contract Support Cost Amendment Act This bill allows tribes to receive contract support costs for activities that would otherwise be carried out by the Department of the Interior or the Department of Health and Human Services for direct operation of a program, but for which the costs are not fully covered by the amount of funds required by the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975.
United States · United States Congress · 20 January 2023
Investing in Rural Manufacturing Act This bill authorizes the Small Business Administration to make loans for certain costs to businesses that manufacture goods essential to critical infrastructure sectors in rural areas. Businesses that meet at least 75% of their job creation goals under such loans may receive partial loan forgiveness.
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 2023
Opportunity To Address College Hunger Act This bill requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) that receive grants to operate work-study programs to notify a student receiving work-study assistance that the student may be eligible for participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Department of Education must provide guidance to states and IHEs on how to identify and communicate with students who are potentially eligible for SNAP.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 2023
This resolution condemns all acts of political violence, as well as attacks on health care facilities, health care personnel, and patients. The resolution also states that all people have the freedom to access reproductive health care services and medical advice without fear of violence, intimidation, or harassment. Finally, the resolution calls on the Biden Administration to use all appropriate authorities to uphold public safety, protect health care facilities, and safeguard health care personnel and patients.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2023
Clean Water SRF Parity Act This bill expands the state revolving fund established under the Clean Water Act, including by allowing low-interest loans to be given to privately owned treatment works to address wastewater. Currently, loans are given to wastewater systems that are publicly owned.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2023
Social Security Fairness Act of 2023 This bill repeals provisions that reduce Social Security benefits for individuals who receive other benefits, such as a pension from a state or local government. The bill eliminates the government pension offset , which in various instances reduces Social Security benefits for spouses, widows, and widowers who also receive government pensions of their own. The bill also eliminates the windfall elimination provision , which in some instances reduces Social Security benefits for individuals who also receive a pension or disability benefit from an employer that did not withhold Social Security taxes. These changes are effective for benefits payable after December 2023.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2022
Reducing Plastics in Wastewater Act This bill permits the use of the Clean Water State Revolving Fund to construct or improve municipal water treatment facilities to reduce and remove plastic waste, microplastics, and other post-consumer materials from wastewater. That fund provides low-cost financing to communities for a wide range of water quality infrastructure projects.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2022
Alaska Land Conveyances and Trails Act This bill addresses issues involving Alaska lands and trails and Alaska Natives. Specifically, the bill establishes within the Bureau of Land Management a program to (1) identify and convey available state-selected land to the University of Alaska to support higher education in the state; and (2) acquire, by purchase or exchange, University of Alaska-owned inholdings (certain interests in land owned by the university) in the state. The bill provides for exclusion of certain settlement trust payments to Alaska natives for purposes of determining eligibility for certain federal programs. The bill (1) designates the Chilkoot National Historic Trail, and (2) provides for a study of the feasibility and desirability of designating the Alaska Long Trail as a national scenic trail.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2022
Colonel Mary Louise Rasmuson Campus of the Alaska VA Healthcare System Act of 2022 This bill designates the medical center of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Anchorage, Alaska, as the Colonel Mary Louise Rasmuson Campus of the Alaska VA Healthcare System.
