Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN]

College Admissions Accountability Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2023

Never Again Education Reauthorization Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2023

Never Again Education Reauthorization Act of 2023 This bill extends the authorization for the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum to carry out certain Holocaust education program activities through FY2030.

EXPLORE Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2023

Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences Act or EXPLORE Act This bill sets forth policies for the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture related to recreation on certain public lands. Issues addressed include itemized budget information for outdoor recreation across departments;  long-distance bike trails;  recreational climbing activities;  target shooting ranges;  overnight campsites in Arkansas;  filming and still photography;  motorized and nonmotorized access;  invasive species;  gateway communities;  real-time information for the public on visitor levels;  broadband and cellular service; public-private partnerships;  access for persons with disabilities to trails and recreation opportunities;  recreational and job opportunities for military members and veterans;  youth access to recreational lands;  issuance of special recreation permits; a digital version of the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass; extension of seasonal recreation opportunities; and  volunteers on public recreational lands.

SCREEN Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2023

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Labor relating to "Updating the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts Regulation".

United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2023

Impeaching Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas, Secretary of Homeland Security, for high crimes and misdemeanors.

United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2023

This resolution impeaches Secretary of Homeland Security Mayorkas for high crimes and misdemeanors, including for his handling of issues involving fentanyl and border security.

Simon Crosier Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2023

Simon Crosier Act This bill requires hospitals and other health care providers, as a condition of Medicare and Medicaid participation, to have certain written policies and procedures in place that limit the implementation of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) orders for unemancipated minors in accordance with specified criteria. Among other provisions, such policies and procedures must (1) require the informed consent of at least one parent and a reasonable attempt to contact the other parent before instituting a DNR order, (2) allow either parent to refuse to consent to a DNR order, and (3) allow a parent to transfer a minor to another facility after being informed of an intent to institute a DNR order.

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the National Labor Relations Board relating to "Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status".

United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2023

This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the National Labor Relations Board titled Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status and published on October 27, 2023. The rule establishes a new joint employer standard for determining whether two employers simultaneously employ a particular employee or employees. Under the rule, an entity may be considered a joint employer of another employer's employees if the two share or codetermine the employees' essential terms and conditions of employment. The rule is currently scheduled to take effect on February 26, 2024.  

GUARD Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2023

Protect Funding for Women’s Health Care Act

United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2023

Protect Funding for Women's Health Care Act This bill prohibits federal funding of Planned Parenthood Federation of America or its affiliates, subsidiaries, successors, or clinics.

Iranian Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2023

Maximum Pressure Act

United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2023

Israel Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 30 October 2023

Israel Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2023 This bill provides FY2024 supplemental appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of State for assistance to Israel. The bill designates the funding as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits. The bill provides appropriations to DOD for Operation and Maintenance; Procurement; and Research, Development, Test and Evaluation. The funding is provided for purposes such as replacing defense articles that were provided to Israel; reimbursing DOD for defense services and training provided to Israel; the procurement of Israel's Iron Dome and David's Sling defense systems; Defense Production Act purchases; and the development of Israel's Iron Beam defense system. The bill provides appropriations to the State Department for Diplomatic Programs, including Worldwide Security Protection; Emergencies in the Diplomatic and Consular Service; and the Foreign Military Financing Program. In addition, the bill includes several provisions that expand the authorities of the President to transfer defense articles and services from DOD to Israel. Finally, the bill specifies that the funds provided by this bill may not be used (1) in connection with the war in Ukraine; or (2) for assistance to any entity that is located in the territory of Gaza or is controlled or influenced by Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, or any other organization that the State Department has designated as a foreign terrorist organization.

Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2023

Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 This bill provides statutory authority for the requirement that the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights take into consideration the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA's) working definition of antisemitism when reviewing or investigating complaints of discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. According to the IHRA's working definition, antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. 

Expressing support for the Geneva Consensus Declaration on Promoting Women's Health and Strengthening the Family and urging that the United States rejoin this historic declaration.

United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2023

This concurrent resolution affirms the commitments in the Geneva Consensus Declaration on Promoting Women's Health and Strengthening the Family and applauds the signatory countries for their dedication to advancing women's health, protecting life at every stage while affirming that there is no international right to abortion, and upholding the importance of the family as foundational to society. The resolution calls on President Biden to once again add the United States as a signatory to the Geneva Consensus Declaration.

Condemning the support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education, which may lead to the creation of a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff.

United States · United States Congress · 19 October 2023

This resolution condemns the support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education, which may lead to the creation of a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff. It also urges the Department of Education to direct the Office for Civil Rights to investigate and, where appropriate, take immediate action.

GAZA Act

United States · United States Congress · 13 October 2023

To provide for the rescission of certain waivers and licenses relating to Iran, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 12 October 2023

This bill terminates the presidential waiver of certain sanctions on Iran and the licenses issued by the Department of the Treasury that allowed for the transfer of previously blocked Iranian funds (namely, the approximately $6 billion of Iranian funds that the Biden Administration permitted to be transferred from restricted accounts in South Korea to restricted accounts in Qatar to facilitate the release of five U.S. citizens detained in Iran). Furthermore, the President may not exercise waiver authority related to certain accounts belonging to Iran.

Student Loan Marriage Penalty Elimination Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2023

Student Loan Marriage Penalty Elimination Act of 2023 This bill allows married couples filing a joint tax return to apply the $2,500 limitation on the tax deduction for student loan interest separately to each spouse.

Urging the Biden administration to demand the release of all hostages in Gaza.

United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2023

This resolution urges the President to demand the release of all hostages in Gaza. The resolution also urges the President to maintain all applicable sanctions on Iran and to use all other coercive and diplomatic resources to secure the release of Americans wrongfully detained in Gaza.

Standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists.

United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2023

This resolution states that the House of Representatives stands with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists, reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, and condemns Hamas' brutal war against Israel. The resolution also reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's security, supports emergency resupply and certain other types of assistance to Israel, and urges full enforcement of sanctions against Iran to prevent Iran's funding of terrorist groups.

Operation Swords of Iron Iron Dome Supplemental Appropriations Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2023

'Operation Swords of Iron' Iron Dome Supplemental Appropriations Act This bill provides $2 billion in appropriations for the Department of Defense to provide to the government of Israel for the procurement of the Iron Dome defense system to counter short-range rocket threats. The funds must be provided to address emergent requirements in support of Operation Swords of Iron.

Standing with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists.

United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2023

This resolution states that the House of Representatives stands with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists, reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, and condemns Hamas' brutal war against Israel. The resolution also reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's security, supports emergency resupply and certain other types of assistance to Israel, and urges full enforcement of sanctions against Iran to prevent Iran's funding of terrorist groups.

Ending Chemical Abortions Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2023

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Food and Nutrition Service relating to "Application of Bostock v. Clayton County to Program Discrimination Complaint Processing-Policy Update".

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2023

This joint resolution nullifies the policy update issued by the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) on May 5, 2022, related to discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) deemed the policy update a rule on June 5, 2023, and therefore subject to the Congressional Review Act (CRA) requirement that a rule must be submitted to Congress and the GAO before it can take effect. The CRA also permits Congress to review and disapprove rules using specified procedures. In June 2020, the U.S. Supreme Court held in Bostock v. Clayton County that, under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the prohibition on sex discrimination in employment includes discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity. The FNS determined that the Bostock analysis also applies to certain FNS-enforced requirements under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 because the requirements are sufficiently similar to those in the Civil Rights Act of 1964. The FNS rule concludes that the prohibitions against sex discrimination in the FNS-enforced statutes prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation. The rule also directs state agencies and program operators to handle complaints alleging discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation as complaints of prohibited sex discrimination.

SHIELD Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2023

FACE Act Repeal Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2023

FACE Act Repeal Act of 2023 This bill repeals provisions of federal criminal law that prohibit conduct intended to injure, intimidate, or interfere with persons who are seeking to obtain or provide reproductive health services.

Collision Avoidance Systems Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2023

Collision Avoidance Systems Act of 2023 This bill allows for the use of a pulsating light system for vehicle braking. Specifically, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard Number 108 (Standard 108) must be deemed to allow for the use of a pulsating light system on covered vehicles (i.e., passenger cars, multipurpose passenger vehicles, trucks, buses, trailers, and motorcycles). The Department of Transportation must issue regulations to update Standard 108 to (1) include performance-based standards for pulsating light systems, and (2) allow for the use of the systems on motor vehicles. As background, Standard 108 regulates all automotive lighting, signaling, and reflective devices. Under the bill, a pulsating light system includes a system for a high-mounted stop lamp in which the lamp pulses rapidly no more than four times and for no more than 1.2 seconds when the brake of the vehicle is applied and then converts to a continuous light (as a normal stop lamp) until the brake is released.

CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2023

CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act This bill prohibits a Federal Reserve bank from offering products or services directly to an individual, maintaining an account on behalf of an individual, or issuing a central bank digital currency (i.e., a digital dollar) directly or indirectly to an individual. Further, The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Open Market Committee are prohibited from using a central bank digital currency to implement monetary policy.

Life.Gov Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 September 2023

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Improving Income Driven Repayment for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program".

United States · United States Congress · 5 September 2023

This joint resolution nullifies the final rule submitted by the Department of Education titled Improving Income Driven Repayment for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program and published on July 10, 2023. The rule creates a new income-driven repayment plan called the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) plan.

Providing Complete Information to Retirement Investors Act

United States · United States Congress · 5 September 2023

Ban Offshore Abortion Tourism Act

United States · United States Congress · 29 August 2023

Condemning the decision of the Secretary of Education to prohibit the use of funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 for hunter, archery, and other shooting sports education programs in schools and explicitly affirming that school programs that train students in archery, hunting, or other shooting sports are eligible for Federal funding under such Act.

United States · United States Congress · 11 August 2023

This resolution condemns the decision of the Department of Education to prohibit the use of funds under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA) for hunter, archery, and other shooting sports education programs in schools. The resolution also explicitly affirms that school programs that train students in archery, hunting, or other shooting sports are eligible for federal funding under the ESEA.

Protecting Girls with Turner Syndrome Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 8 August 2023

Protecting Hunting and Archery in Schools Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 4 August 2023

Protecting Hunting and Archery in Schools Act of 2023 This bill authorizes the use of federal elementary and secondary education funds to provide any person with a dangerous weapon or training in the use of a dangerous weapon. Current law prohibits the use of these funds to provide any person with a dangerous weapon or training in the use of a dangerous weapon. The bill removes this prohibition.

Recognizing the patriotism and contributions of veterans service organizations, veteran advocacy groups, and volunteers.

United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2023

This resolution honors and recognizes the patriotism and contributions made by generations of veterans service organizations, veteran advocacy groups, and volunteers and commends the members of such organizations for their dedicated service to members of the Armed Forces, veterans, their families, and their communities. The resolution also encourages the people of the United States to promote awareness of the contributions and dedication of members of veterans service, organizations, veteran advocacy groups, and volunteers to members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their families. Additionally, the resolution calls on citizens to follow the example of such groups and volunteer support and services to those who have served the country.

Taiwan Peace through Strength Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2023

Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2023 This bill expands Medicare coverage of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity. Specifically, the bill allows coverage for therapy that is provided by (1) a physician who is not a primary care physician; or (2) other health care providers (e.g., physician assistants and nurse practitioners) and approved counseling programs, if provided upon a referral from, and in coordination with, a physician or primary care practitioner. Currently, such therapy is covered only if provided by a primary care practitioner. The bill also allows coverage under Medicare's prescription drug benefit of drugs used for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss management for individuals who are overweight.

Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act This bill establishes a regulatory framework for digital assets. The Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) must regulate a digital asset as a commodity if the blockchain, or digital ledger, on which it runs is functional and decentralized. The bill classifies a blockchain as decentralized if, among other requirements, no person has unilateral authority to control the blockchain or its usage, and no issuer or affiliated person has control of 20% or more of the digital asset or the voting power of the digital asset. In addition, the bill provides the CFTC with exclusive regulatory authority over cash or spot markets for digital commodities. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) must regulate a digital asset as a security if its associated blockchain is functional but not decentralized. However, the bill establishes certain exceptions to SEC regulation for digital assets that limit annual sales, restrict nonaccredited investor access, and satisfy disclosure and compliance requirements. The bill also sets forth requirements for primary and secondary market transactions. The CFTC and SEC must jointly issue rules to define terms and exempt dually registered exchanges from duplicative rules. The bill excludes permitted stablecoins from CFTC and SEC regulation, except regarding anti-fraud authority and specified transactions on registered entities.

PFAS Alternatives Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2023

Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act This bill requires state Medicaid programs to establish a process through which qualifying out-of-state providers may enroll as participating providers for five years without undergoing additional screening requirements, unless the state has an agreement with other states that governs coverage of children with medically complex conditions that is in accordance with specified guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Among other requirements, a qualifying provider must (1) serve individuals under the age of 21; (2) have previously been screened for Medicare participation or for participation in the Medicaid program of the state in which the provider is located; and (3) have been determined by the CMS or state Medicaid program to pose a limited risk of fraud, waste, or abuse.

Main Street Tax Certainty Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2023

Main Street Tax Certainty Act This bill makes permanent the tax deduction for qualified business income. (Under current law, the deduction expires after December 31, 2025.) Qualified business income is defined as the net amount of qualified items of income, gain, deduction and loss with respect to any trade or business, excluding capital gains or losses, dividends, interest income, or income earned outside the U.S.

Ending Normal Trade Relations with China Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2023

Ending Normal Trade Relations with China Act of 2023 This bill withdraws normal trade relations treatment (i.e., nondiscriminatory treatment) from China. Further, the bill (1) sets the applicable duty rates on U.S. imports from China as the rates listed in column 2 of the U.S. Harmonized Tariff Schedule, and (2) authorizes the President to further increase the applicable duty rates. These provisions become effective two years after the bill's enactment.

To amend title 40, United States Code, to prohibit the Administrator of General Services from constructing or acquiring public buildings or entering into leases based on the legality or availability of abortion, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 17 July 2023

HALT Our Adversaries Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 July 2023

Halting Academic Liaisons To Our Adversaries Act or the HALT Our Adversaries Act This bill prohibits federal funding for institutions of higher education (IHEs) that have certain agreements with China or Russia. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to identify academic institutions of China, Russia, and other countries that are known to provide support to China's People's Liberation Army or Russia's armed forces. Further, the bill prohibits an IHE from receiving federal funds if it maintains a contract or other agreement with such an academic institution identified by DOD. Additionally, the bill prohibits an IHE from receiving funds made available for an element of the intelligence community for research, development, testing, and evaluation if it maintains a contract or other agreement with (1) any entity identified as a Chinese military company operating in the United States, or (2) an academic institution of China that maintains a relationship with such an entity. The bill also prohibits an IHE or other postsecondary educational institution from receiving federal funds (with exceptions for certain federal education funds) if it has a contractual partnership in effect with an entity that is (1) owned or controlled by the Chinese government, or (2) organized under the laws of China. The IHE or other postsecondary educational institution may regain eligibility for these funds upon termination of the partnership.

FRIDGE Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2023

Fortifying Refrigeration Infrastructure and Developing Global Exports Act of 2023 or the FRIDGE Act of 2023 This bill expands the Foreign Market Development Cooperator Program to include funding for technical assistance for infrastructure-related projects to ensure U.S. agricultural commodities are not damaged or lost due to infrastructure deficiencies in new and developing markets. This Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) program funds projects that address long-term opportunities to reduce foreign import constraints or expand export growth opportunities. Specifically, the bill directs FAS to enter into contracts or other agreements with trade organizations to enhance the infrastructure capabilities (including cold chain capacity and port improvements) in new and developing foreign markets through needs assessments, training, and other technical assistance.

Protecting U.S. Farmland and Sensitive Sites From Foreign Adversaries Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2023

Protecting U.S. Farmland and Sensitive Sites From Foreign Adversaries Act This bill expands the jurisdiction of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) related to agriculture and land transactions. (CFIUS reviews the national security implications of foreign investment in the United States.) Specifically, the bill requires parties to an elevated risk real estate transaction to submit a mandatory declaration to CFIUS. Generally, this requirement applies to a transaction for a purchase or lease of certain real estate (e.g., real estate that is in close proximity to a sensitive site, such as a military installation or airspace) by a foreign adversary entity (e.g., a foreign person subject to the jurisdiction of a foreign adversary, such as China or Russia). Additionally, the bill creates a presumption that an elevated risk real estate transaction presents a risk to national security that cannot be resolved through any agreement or condition unless CFIUS (1) determines, based on clear and convincing evidence, that the risk to national security of the transaction can be resolved in a manner other than by suspending or prohibiting the transaction; and (2) notifies Congress about this determination and its reasoning.  The bill authorizes CFIUS to consider U.S. food security as a factor in its national security reviews.  The bill also expands the membership of CFIUS to include the Secretary of Agriculture on all transactions related to the purchase of agriculture land, agriculture biotechnology, and any other transaction related to the agriculture industry in the United States.

Retroactive Foreign Agents Registration Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2023

Ernest Peltz Accrued Veterans Benefits Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2023