United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2022
Veterans Online Information and Cybersecurity Empowerment Act of 2022 or the VOICE Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a program to promote digital citizenship and media literacy among veterans by awarding grants to eligible entities, which include civil society organizations and congressionally chartered veterans service organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2022
Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2022 This bill prohibits discrimination against individuals based on their source of income, veteran status, or military status in the sale or rental of housing and other related real estate transactions and services.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2022
This resolution condemns the use of hunger, including the starvation of civilians, as a weapon of warfare. It also calls on the U.S. government to prioritize diplomatic efforts to call out and address instances where hunger and intentional deprivation of food is being utilized as a weapon of war, including efforts to ensure that security operations do not undermine livelihoods of local populations to minimize civilian harm.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2022
American Technology Leadership Act of 2022 This bill establishes an Office of Global Competition Analysis. The purposes of the office are to carry out a program of analysis on U.S. leadership in technology and innovation sectors critical to national security and economic prosperity relative to other countries, particularly those countries that are strategic competitors of the United States; and support policy development and decision-making to ensure U.S. leadership in technology and innovation sectors critical to national security and economic prosperity. To carry out the purposes, the office shall enter into an agreement with a public-private or a federally funded research and development center, a university affiliated research center, or consortium of such centers. Periodically, the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the National Economic Council, and the National Security Council, in coordination with other executive agencies, shall jointly determine the analytical priorities of the office.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2022
Protecting Public Safety Employees' Timely Retirement Act of 2022 This bill modifies the eligible age (age 50) for the exemption from the retirement plan early withdrawal penalty for public safety officers. The bill establishes the age eligibility at age 50 or 25 years of service under the plan, whichever is earlier.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2022
Affordability is Access Act This bill establishes several requirements relating to health insurance coverage of, and access to, over-the-counter contraceptives. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor, and the Department of the Treasury to specify that private health insurance plans must cover over-the-counter contraceptives that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), even without a prescription. Under current law, private health insurance plans (with some exceptions) must cover FDA-approved prescription contraceptives, without cost-sharing requirements. The bill also prohibits retailers from interfering with an individual's access to oral contraceptives that are meant for routine, daily use and are FDA-approved for use without a prescription.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2022
This resolution expresses support for the rights, freedoms, and equal treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals. The resolution r ecognizes that LGBTQ rights are human rights and protected by the laws of the United States and international treaties. Additionally, the resolution encourages the celebration of LGBTQ Pride Month in June.
United States · United States Congress · 19 May 2022
Public Safety Officer Health Improvement Act of 2022 This bill allows eligible retired public safety officers who have not attained age 65 a tax credit for up to $4,800 of their costs for qualified health insurance premiums (i.e., premiums for coverage for eligible retired public safety officers, their spouses, and dependents by an accident or health plan or qualified long-term care insurance contract). It also provides for an inflation adjustment to the $3,000 exclusion amount for distributions from employer retirement plans to pay for the health and long-term insurance premiums of such public safety officers.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2022
Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take certain actions to address emergencies, disasters, and supply chain disruptions (particularly the shortage of infant formula in the United States) affecting participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). For example, the bill directs USDA to require each infant formula cost containment contract to include remedies in the event of an infant formula recall, including how an infant formula manufacturer would protect against disruption to WIC participants in the state.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2022
Digital Platform Commission Act of 2022 This bill establishes a commission to regulate digital platforms. These are online services that facilitate interactions between users and between users and entities (including online services) that offer goods and services. The bill provides the commission with rulemaking, investigative, and related authorities to regulate access to, competition among, and consumer protections for digital platforms. The bill also provides for administrative and judicial enforcement of the regulations. The commission must establish a council of technical experts, representatives of digital platforms, and other experts (e.g., representatives of nonprofit public interest groups and academics) to recommend standards for algorithmic processes and other policies. Additionally, the commission may designate systemically important digital platforms. The bill includes criteria for the commission to use when designating a platform as systemically important (e.g., whether its operations have significant nationwide economic, social, or political impacts). The bill also requires that the commission receive pre-merger notifications concerning designated platforms. The commission may provide recommendations about such mergers to the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission, and those agencies must give the recommendations substantial weight when reviewing such mergers. The bill also requires the commission and any relevant federal agency to consult each other when investigating or regulating the effects of digital platforms on certain matters, including competition and consumer protection. The President must appoint an independent panel to evaluate the commission after five years and recommend whether to extend the commission.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2022
Give Kids a Chance Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take various actions regarding pediatric cancer treatments, such as requiring pediatric cancer trials involving a combination of drugs when an applicant seeks market approval for a new drug (or biological product).
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2022
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. This project supports coordination of federal planning, research, and other efforts to address Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.
United States · United States Congress · 12 May 2022
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 membership of the Advisory Council on Alzheimer's Research, Care, and Services to include (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 · 11 May 2022
National Energy Community Transition Act of 2022 This bill establishes a federally chartered nonprofit corporation to assist communities that have historically relied on fossil fuel energy generation or extraction with transitioning away from that reliance. The bill also endows the corporation initially with funds from the Treasury and then with a percentage of amounts received by the Treasury each year from fossil fuel and renewable energy leases on federal land. The corporation is responsible for investing its endowment and using a portion of the earnings to fund activities to assist communities with economic development and diversification and the provision of government services.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2022
Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act This bill requires the Department of Labor to address workplace violence in health care, social service, and other sectors. Specifically, Labor must issue an interim occupational safety and health standard that requires certain employers to take actions to protect workers and other personnel from workplace violence. The standard applies to employers in the health care sector, in the social service sector, and in sectors that conduct activities similar to those in the health care and social service sectors. In addition, Labor must promulgate a final standard within a specified time line.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2022
LIHTC Financing Enabling Long-term Investment in Neighborhood Excellence Act or the LIFELINE Act This bill permits states, territories, or tribal governments to use State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds to finance qualified low-income housing projects (i.e., projects for residential rental property meeting certain income tests) with loans obligated by December 31, 2024, and having maturities of 30 or more years.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2022
School Shooting Safety and Preparedness Act This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to publish an annual report on indicators of school crime and safety. The report must collect specified information, including the number of school shootings that have taken place nationwide and the number of those that were mass shootings; the number of people killed or injured in each school shooting; the age, gender, race, ethnicity, and nationality of each victim; the motivation of the shooter; how the shooting was stopped; the number and type of firearms and ammunition used in each shooting; and the response time of law enforcement. ED must direct the National Center for Education Statistics to collect and publish specified data on school shootings. The center must collect information on the existence or absence of specified measures at the time of the shooting, including physical and other types of security measures, a communication plan with local law enforcement, a response plan that includes coordination with local agencies, and an active shooter response plan.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2022
This resolution congratulates the students, families, teachers, administrators, and staff of public charter schools across the United States for (1) making ongoing contributions to public education, (2) making impressive strides in closing the academic achievement gap in U.S. schools, and (3) improving and strengthening the public school system. The resolution supports the ideals and goals of the 23rd annual National Charter Schools Week.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2022
This resolution expresses that the Senate has heard of the death of the Honorable Orrin G. Hatch, former U.S. Senator for the state of Utah. The resolution also expresses that the Senate honors the life and legacy of the late Senator Hatch for his unwavering dedication to Utah as a Senator and a public servant and accomplishments in legislating with principle and dedication for the good of the people of the United States. The resolution states when the Senate adjourns today, it stands adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Hatch.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2022
Childhood Cancer Survivorship, Treatment, Access, and Research Reauthorization Act of 2022 or the Childhood Cancer STAR Reauthorization Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 and modifies pediatric cancer research and related programs, including to expand collection of and access to relevant biospecimens and to support the transition of pediatric cancer survivors to primary care.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2022
Higher Education Innovation Act This bill establishes an alternative authorization process for institutions of higher education (IHEs) and other education providers to participate in federal student-aid programs. The Department of Education must approve innovation authorizers to authorize IHEs or other education providers that promote student success outcomes and cost-effectiveness, agree to outcome-based oversight and reporting requirements, meet performance metrics, and comply with other specified requirements. Authorization by an innovation authorizer is deemed recognized accreditation for purposes of participation in federal student-aid programs. An IHE or education provider may be both accredited by a recognized accrediting agency and authorized by an innovation authorizer, if it meets the requirements of both.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2022
Chronic Wasting Disease Research and Management Act of 2022 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to address chronic wasting disease afflicting deer, elk, and moose populations. Specifically, the bill directs USDA to establish a program to research and manage the disease. Under the program, USDA must offer to enter into agreements with state or tribal wildlife agencies and departments of agriculture, institutions of higher education, and research centers to support research on the transmission of, resistance to, and diagnosis of the disease. In addition, USDA must offer to enter into agreements with such agencies and departments to support state and tribal efforts to develop and implement management strategies that address the disease. USDA must also develop and maintain materials to inform the public on chronic wasting disease and techniques to help prevent the spread of the disease. In addition, USDA must solicit public feedback on potential updates and improvements to standards of the chronic wasting disease herd certification program.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2022
Clean Energy Minerals Reform Act of 2022 This bill modifies requirements related to the mining of hardrock minerals on federal land. For example, the bill prohibits the United States from issuing a patent for any mining claim, millsite, or tunnel site unless a patent application was filed with the Department of the Interior by September 30, 1994; subjects production of all locatable minerals from any mining claim to a reasonable royalty established by Interior; requires an exploration permit and mining operations permit for non-casual mining operations; establishes the Hardrock Minerals Reclamation Fund for responding to hazardous substance releases on abandoned hardrock mine land; requires consultation with Indian tribes prior to the undertaking or issuing of a permit for mineral activity that has tribal implications; and establishes civil penalties for violation of surface management or operation requirements and related regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2022
Pre-Registration Of Voters Everywhere Act or the PROVE Act This bill requires each state to implement a preregistration process under which individuals age 16 or older may apply to register to vote in federal elections. Further, states must ensure that eligible preregistered individuals are registered to vote in federal elections held on or after the date the individual turns age 18. The Election Assistance Commission must make grants to states to increase the involvement of individuals under age 18 in public election activities.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2022
State and Local Corrections Officer Retirement Fairness Act of 2022 This bill extends the exemption from the penalty for early withdrawals from tax-exempt retirement plans currently allowed to federal public safety officers to certain state and local government corrections officers.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2022
Replacing Essential Passports and Licenses After Certain Emergencies Act or the REPLACE Act This bill requires the President to automatically waive fees to replace critical documents for individuals and households affected by major disasters for which assistance is provided under the Individuals and Households Program.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2022
Rural Hospital Support Act This bill modifies and extends certain payment adjustments for rural hospitals under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system. Specifically, the bill indexes payment adjustments for sole community hospitals and Medicare-dependent hospitals to FY2016 operating costs, if it results in higher payments for such hospitals. The bill also makes payment adjustments for Medicare-dependent hospitals and low-volume hospitals permanent (the adjustments currently expire at the end of FY2022).
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022
Restorative Practices in Schools Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Education to award grants for local educational agencies to replace existing zero-tolerance disciplinary polices and punitive discipline in elementary and secondary schools with restorative practices. Additionally, the bill directs the Government Accountability Office to study and report on the use of discipline practices that funnel students out of school and toward the juvenile legal and criminal legal systems (i.e., the school-to-prison pipeline).
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022
Support Kids Not Red Tape Act of 2022 This bill extends and modifies the authority of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to waive certain requirements related to the National School Lunch Program, the School Breakfast Program, the Child and Adult Care Food Program, and the Summer Food Service Program. Current law authorizes USDA to waive certain requirements, such as those related to nutritional content and congregate feeding, for the purpose of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. Under this bill, USDA shall have authority through FY2023 to grant such a waiver, with no waiver having effect past FY2023. Currently, USDA's authority to grant a waiver expires on June 30, 2022, with no waiver having effect past the 2021-2022 school year. If a state elects to receive a waiver that modifies the operation of a school breakfast or lunch program for the 2022-2023 school year, the state must provide a transition plan to USDA. USDA must provide technical assistance to help school food authorities and states meet nutritional standards and resume regular meal program operations for the 2023-2024 school year. While a waiver is in effect during the 2022-2023 school year, the state subject to the waiver must provide technical assistance in lieu of fiscal action for meal pattern violations due to supply chain disruptions. The bill also appropriates funds as necessary to carry out this bill's activities.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022
This concurrent resolution supports the goals and ideals of the International Transgender Day of Visibility. It celebrates the accomplishments and leadership of transgender, nonbinary, gender nonconforming, and gender-diverse people.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022
This resolution recognizes the accomplishments and example of Cesar Estrada Chavez. The resolution also encourages the people of the United States to commemorate his legacy and to always remember his rallying cry, "Si, se puede!" (which means "Yes, we can!").
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2022
This resolution designates March 24, 2022, as National Women in Agriculture Day. It also recognizes the important role of women in agriculture as producers, educators, leaders, mentors, and more.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2022
Repurposing Elite Luxuries Into Emergency Funds for Ukraine Act This bill establishes the Ukrainian Relief Fund, which shall be available, subject to appropriations, to provide assistance to Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees. The Department of Justice shall deposit into the fund all proceeds resulting from the liquidation of assets seized by an interagency law enforcement task force established to enforce sanctions imposed in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2022
Military Spouse Hiring Act This bill expands the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include the hiring of a qualified military spouse. (The WOTC permits employers who hire individuals who are members of a targeted group such as qualified veterans, ex-felons, or long-term unemployment recipients to claim a tax credit equal to a portion of the wages paid to those individuals.) A qualified military spouse is any individual who is certified by the designated local agency as being (as of the hiring date) a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2022
This resolution celebrates the successes of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women and the contributions they have made in the United States. The resolution also recognizes the importance of supporting equity, providing safety, and upholding the interests of these women.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2022
This resolution congratulates the people of Greece as they celebrate the 201st anniversary of Greece's independence. The resolution also expresses support for the principles of democratic governance to which the people of the United States and Greece are committed.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2022
This resolution (1) recognizes Girl Scouts of the United States of America for 110 years of providing girls with a safe, inclusive space where they can hone their skills and develop leadership abilities; and (2) congratulates all Girl Scouts who earned the Gold Award in 2021.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2022
Big Oil Windfall Profits Tax Act This bill imposes an excise tax on the windfall profits of crude oil on taxpayers who extracted and imported more than 300,000 barrels (a barrel equals 42 U.S. gallons) of taxable crude oil (i.e., crude oil, crude oil condensates, and natural gasoline) in 2019, or who extracted and imported that amount in the current calendar quarter. The bill requires rebates of the tax collected to be paid to individual taxpayers. The bill establishes the Protect Consumers from Gas Hikes Fund to finance such rebates.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2022
This resolution designates March 2022 as National Women's History Month. The resolution also recognizes the celebration of such month as a time to reflect on the contributions that women have made to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2022
Ban Russian Energy Imports Act This bill declares that a national emergency exists with respect to the aggression of Russia against Ukraine. During this emergency, the President must prohibit the importation of crude oil, petroleum, petroleum products, liquefied natural gas, and coal in which Russia or a Russian national has any interest. The bill exempts products that are already loaded or in transit at the time of this bill's enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2022
Continued Waiver of Interest on State Unemployment Loans during the Pandemic Act This bill extends the waiver on interest on State Unemployment Loans from September 6, 2021, to September 30, 2022.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2022
Colorado National Heritage Areas Reauthorization Act This bill extends through FY2036 the authority of the Department of the Interior to provide assistance for the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area, the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area, and the South Park National Heritage Area.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2022
Upper Colorado and San Juan River Basins Recovery Act This bill extends through FY2024 the authority of the Department of the Interior to implement capital projects (i.e., construction of facilities) for the endangered fish recovery programs for the Upper Colorado and San Juan river basins. The bill raises the ceiling on costs for the Recovery Implementation Program for Endangered Fish Species in the Upper Colorado River Basin and lowers the ceiling on costs for the San Juan River Recovery Implementation Program. The bill also extends through FY2022 the deadline for the submission of the report on the recovery implementation programs.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2022
Portable Benefits for Independent Workers Pilot Program Act This bill requires the Department of Labor to award grants for FY2022, on a competitive basis, to states, local governments, or nonprofit organizations to support broad innovation and experimentation with respect to portable benefits. Portable benefits are work-related benefits that are provided to workers who are not traditional full-time employees in a manner that allows the worker to maintain the benefits upon changing jobs. The grants must be used for (1) the evaluation, or improvement to the design or implementation, of existing models or approaches for providing portable benefits; or (2) the design, implementation, and evaluation of new models or approaches for providing such benefits. The grants may not be used for a model or approach that provides only retirement-related benefits. The Government Accountability Office must evaluate and report to Congress on the outcome of the grants awarded pursuant to this bill.