United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2023
Disaster Mitigation and Tax Parity Act of 2023 This bill excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, any qualified catastrophe mitigation payment made under a state-based catastrophe loss mitigation program. A qualified catastrophe mitigation payment means any amount received for making improvements to an individual's property for the sole purpose of reducing the damage that would be done to such property by a windstorm, earthquake, or wildfire.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2023
Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2023 This bill modifies criminal penalties for an offense involving the theft of a firearm from a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer, or from their business premises. Specifically, the bill does the following: increases from 10 to 20 years the maximum prison term, and creates a 3- or 5-year mandatory minimum prison term for an offense that occurs during the commission of a burglary or robbery. An attempt to commit an offense is subject to the same penalties as a substantive offense.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2023
Chinese Currency Accountability Act of 2023 This bill requires the United States to oppose, absent specified conditions, any increase in the weight of Chinese currency (i.e., the renminbi) in the basket of currencies (currently, a set of five currencies, each with different weightings) used to determine the value of Special Drawing Rights. Special Drawing Rights are a currency support tool available to members of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Specifically, the Department of the Treasury must instruct certain U.S. officials at the IMF to oppose any such increase unless Treasury has certified that (1) China is in compliance with all general obligations of members of the IMF, (2) China has not been found to have manipulated its currency in the preceding 12 months, and (3) China is implementing policies and practices necessary to ensure that the renminbi is freely usable.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2023
General Aviation Airport Access Act This bill requires public use airports that have received certain federal grants or property conveyances to provide transient general aviation aircraft parking on or near the existing apron in specific circumstances. A transient general aviation aircraft is an aircraft that is not owned or operated by an air carrier and is seeking to park temporarily at an airport. Specifically, transient general aviation aircraft parking must be provided on or near the existing apron when a pilot or owner of the aircraft does not need or request fuel or use other related services from the airport or a fixed-base operator at the airport. A fixed-base operator is a business that is operating on an airport or heliport and provides aeronautical services, such as fueling, rentals, and parking. A public use airport may assess a fee on a transient general aviation aircraft for using the transient apron; the fee must be fair, reasonable, transparent, and publicly available. It must also exclude any extraneous or hidden costs. A controlled access airport or a fixed-base operator at the airport may not charge a fee for a pilot or passenger to transit between their transient general aviation aircraft parked on the transient apron and a place outside the airport's perimeter fence, whether or not the individual must pass through a building.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2023
This resolution commends the North Carolina Central University football team for winning the 2022 Celebration Bowl of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities National Championship.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2023
Save Our Gas Stoves Act This bill places limits on energy conservation standards for kitchen ranges or ovens under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. The Department of the Energy (DOE) may not prescribe or amend energy conservation standards for kitchen ranges or ovens if they would result in the unavailability of a product on account of the type of fuel the range or oven uses. In addition, DOE may not finalize, implement, or enforce the proposed rule titled Energy Conservation Program: Energy Conservation Standards for Consumer Conventional Cooking Products issued on February 1, 2023, or any substantially similar rule. The proposed rule prescribes energy conservation standards for consumer conventional cooking products, including electric cooking tops, gas cooking tops, electric ovens, and gas ovens.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2023
Military Merit, Fairness, and Equality Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from directing or otherwise compelling any member of the Armed Forces, military dependent, or civilian DOD employee to personally affirm, adopt, or adhere to the tenet that any sex, race, ethnicity, religion, or national origin is inherently superior or inferior. No organization or institution under DOD authority may provide courses, training, or any other type of instruction that directs, compels, or otherwise suggests that any member of the Armed Forces, military dependent, or civilian DOD employee should affirm, adopt, or adhere to the tenet that any sex, race, ethnicity, religion, or national origin is inherently superior or inferior. Additionally, such organizations or institutions are prohibited from making a distinction or classification of members of the Armed Forces, military dependents, or civilian DOD employees based on race, ethnicity, or national origin. All DOD personnel actions must be based exclusively on individual merit and demonstrated performance.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2023
Protecting Whales, Human Safety, and the Economy Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) from issuing either an interim or final rule that modifies or replaces the existing North Atlantic right whale vessel strike reduction regulation until (1) currently required protocols to mitigate injury and mortality of North Atlantic right whales have been fully developed and deployed, and (2) NOAA reports to specified congressional committees on how the protocols will inform any proposed changes to the existing regulation.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2023
United States-Israel Future of Warfare Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Defense to establish the United States-Israel Future of Warfare Research and Development Fund to conduct collaborative defense projects between the United States and Israel in areas of emerging technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence). The purpose of the fund is to enable the U.S. Armed Forces and the military forces of Israel to meet emerging defense challenges.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 2023
Department of Defense Overdose Data Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to report annually on the number of overdoses among servicemembers. DOD must also contract with a federally funded research and development center to prepare a report that includes, among other elements, an assessment of current barriers to determining overdose data. DOD must also establish standards for the distribution of, and training for the use of, naloxone (or other similar medication), opioid disposal materials, fentanyl test strips, and other materials to prevent or reverse overdoses, substance use disorder, or impacts related to substance misuse.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 2023
Taliban Sanctions Act of 2023 This bill requires the President to impose sanctions on certain individuals related to Afghanistan. Specifically, the President must impose certain sanctions on foreign persons, including members of the Taliban, who (1) have directly or indirectly provided support for terrorist groups operating in Afghanistan; (2) are responsible for or complicit in serious human rights abuses in Afghanistan; or (3) play a significant role in or provide support to international narcotics trafficking in Afghanistan. Required sanctions include, for example, property blocking and ineligibility for visas, admission, or parole into the United States. The Department of State shall use the voice and vote of the United States at the United Nations to maintain sanctions on the Taliban imposed pursuant to certain Security Council resolutions.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 2023
Formula 3.0 Act This bill provides duty-free treatment to certain infant formula and infant formula base powder. The bill defines infant formula base powder as a dry mixture of protein, fat, and carbohydrates that requires only the addition of vitamins and minerals in order to meet the definition of the term infant formula in the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It must be (1) imported by a party that has been determined by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be authorized to lawfully market infant formula in the United States or has received a letter of enforcement discretion from the FDA relating to the marketing of its infant formula in the United States, and (2) intended to be used in manufacturing infant formula in the United States. The bill also removes the limitation on the aggregate quantity of certain infant formula containing oligosaccharides (carbohydrates) that may enter the United States in any calendar year.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 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.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
STEM Education in Accounting Act This bill authorizes states and local educational agencies (LEAs) to use grant funds provided through the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program for accounting education. In particular, LEAs may use these grant funds to implement programs to teach accounting, including by increasing access to high-quality accounting courses through 12th grade for students who are members of underrepresented groups.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Gun Owner Registration Information Protection Act This bill prohibits federal funding of, or support for, state databases that list (1) firearms lawfully owned or possessed by individuals, or (2) individuals who lawfully own or possess firearms.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
No START Treaty Act This bill sets requirements for certain nuclear arms agreements with Russia and bars the expenditure of funds to implement the New START Treaty (a nuclear arms reduction treaty between the United States and Russia signed April 8, 2010) or similar future agreements unless such requirements are met. The bill prohibits the President from negotiating or entering into a treaty with Russia that would allow Russia to possess an equal or greater number of nuclear warheads or nuclear-capable delivery systems than the United States unless the treaty or agreement restricts the size of China's nuclear arsenal; includes measures to ensure that Russia and China are compliant with the terms of the treaty; includes inspections of Chinese nuclear facilities comparable to those for Russian facilities; includes current and future Russian strategic nuclear arms not currently limited by the New START Treaty (e.g., intercontinental hypersonic glide vehicles); and includes current and future non-strategic nuclear weapons and delivery systems. In the absence of a ratified treaty incorporating such provisions, the President is prohibited from reducing the size of the U.S. nuclear arsenal or entering into an agreement with Russia or China to limit or reduce U.S. missile defenses. Beginning one year after the bill's enactment, no funds may be expended to implement the New START Treaty, or any future agreement with Russia that limits the number of U.S. nuclear warheads or nuclear capable delivery systems, unless the above requirements are included or already in effect or a waiver is approved.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Federal Insurance Office Abolishment Act of 2023 This bill eliminates the Federal Insurance Office (FIO) within the Department of the Treasury. The bill also removes the FIO director as a nonvoting member of the Financial Stability Oversight Council.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Disclose Government Censorship Act This bill requires officers and employees of the legislative and executive branches to disclose communications with providers of interactive computer services (e.g., internet service providers) regarding restricting speech. Specifically, executive and legislative branch officers and employees must disclose their communications with a provider or operator of an interactive computer service regarding action to restrict access to material posted by another information content provider. The bill makes exceptions for legitimate law enforcement and national security purposes. The disclosure must be made within seven days of the date on which the communication is made. The bill establishes penalties for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Protect Our Law enforcement with Immigration Control and Enforcement Act of 2023 or the POLICE Act of 2023 This bill makes assaulting a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder a deportable offense. Specifically, the bill makes deportable any non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) who has been convicted of (or admits to have committed) any act that constitutes the essential elements of any offense involving assault of a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to issue a rule that requires all new motor vehicles to have devices that can access AM broadcast stations installed as standard equipment. (AM broadcast stations are often used to deliver emergency alerts and news and entertainment programming; some newer vehicles do not include AM equipment.) Specifically, this bill applies to motor vehicles manufactured in the United States, imported into the United States, or shipped in interstate commerce after the rule's effective date. The DOT rule must require all such vehicles to have devices that can receive signals and play content transmitted by AM broadcast stations or digital audio AM broadcast stations installed as standard equipment. Prior to the effective date of the rule, manufacturers that do not include devices that can access AM broadcast stations as standard equipment must inform purchasers of this fact through clear and conspicuous labeling. DOT may assess civil penalties against any manufacturer that fails to comply with the mandate. The Department of Justice may also bring a civil action to enjoin a violation. Further, the Government Accountability Office must study and report on whether a reliable alternative communication system exists for delivering emergency alerts and consider the (1) cost to drivers and passengers of receiving communications through an alternative system, and (2) cost and time required to develop and implement an alternative.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
Empowering Law Enforcement Act of 2023 This bill addresses issues relating to immigration enforcement. The bill declares that state and local law enforcement have inherent authority to investigate and arrest individuals to assist federal immigration enforcement. (Currently, state and local law enforcement may take certain immigration enforcement actions upon entering into an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.) The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must reimburse state and local law enforcement for the costs of holding or transporting a detained non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law). DHS may detain an individual beyond the removal period (generally the window in which DHS must remove an individual after a final order of removal) upon making certain certifications, such as certifying that the individual's release would threaten community safety. DHS may renew this certification every six months after giving the individual an opportunity to request a reconsideration. An individual challenging such detention may only do so by applying for a writ of habeas corpus. Certain individuals subject to mandatory detention may be held without time limitation while removal proceedings are pending. DHS must detain an individual who is present in the United States without lawful status if the individual has been convicted for driving while intoxicated. DHS must establish a process to determine whether an individual not subject to mandatory detention and who has tried to comply with a removal order should be detained or released with conditions. The Department of Justice must include information about immigration law violations in the National Crime Information Center database.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act of 2023 This bill expands the application, testing, and inspection requirements for a foreign manufacturer of cylinders used for transporting hazardous materials in the United States (e.g., compressed gas cylinders). Current regulations require a foreign manufacturer to apply for approval from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) of the Department of Transportation (DOT) for testing such cylinders outside of the United States. The bill requires that, to obtain an approval, a foreign manufacturer must answer in their application specified questions, including whether the manufacturer is or has been subject to various civil or criminal penalties. Further, DOT must establish a process for any interested party to request a reevaluation of an approval for a foreign manufacturer's cylinders to review the accuracy and safety of the manufacturer's actions. DOT must also revise the foreign inspection regulations to require that annual inspections of foreign manufacturers be carried out if DOT determines there is good cause; specify that a refusal of inspection shall result in the loss of good standing; allow DOT to request testing and production records and random sample testing; and allow for the recovery of the costs of foreign inspections, including travel and time. The bill limits an approval to one year; however, DOT may extend an approval for five years for a manufacturer who meets certain requirements. On an annual basis, DOT must publish a list of approved foreign manufacturers of cylinders on the department's website.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
This resolution designates the week of May 14-May 20, 2023, as National Police Week. The resolution further recognizes law enforcement officers across the United States in the pursuit of preserving safe and secure communities; the need to ensure that such officers have the equipment, training, and resources necessary to protect their health and safety while they are protecting the public; and the law enforcement community for acts of sacrifice and heroism. The resolution expresses condolences and appreciation to the loved ones of each law enforcement officer who has made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2023
Gabriella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0 This bill modifies funding for, and requires reporting about, a pediatric disease research initiative within the National Institutes of Health (NIH). Currently, this initiative receives funding through FY2023 from the 10-Year Pediatric Research Initiative Fund. This bill directs certain penalties assessed by the Securities and Exchange Commission against pharmaceutical companies for specified violations to that fund. Additionally, the NIH must prioritize pediatric research that does not duplicate existing research activities when making allocations from the fund. The bill also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to report to Congress about the research projects funded through the initiative.
United States · United States Congress · 15 May 2023
Protecting Children From Experimentation Act of 2023 This bill establishes a new federal criminal offense for health care professionals who perform or provide referrals for gender transition procedures on minors. A physical or mental health care professional who performs or provides a referral for a gender transition procedure on a minor is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both. The bill authorizes civil remedies for a minor who undergoes a gender transition procedure. A minor who undergoes a gender transition procedure may not be arrested or prosecuted for an offense under this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2023
This joint resolution nullifies the final rule submitted by the Department of Labor titled Rescission of Implementing Legal Requirements Regarding the Equal Opportunity Clause's Religious Exemption Rule . This rule, which became effective March 31, 2023, rescinded a rule that became effective January 8, 2021. The rule that became effective in 2021 expanded the religious exemption to the prohibition on federal contractors and subcontractors discriminating in employment decisions based on race, religion, sexual orientation, or other factors.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2023
Protecting Taxpayers and Victims of Unemployment Fraud Act This bill addresses overpayments of unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, including by providing incentives for states to investigate and recover these funds. Specifically, the bill allows a state to retain 25% of any funds recovered from fraudulent overpayments of certain UI benefits that were provided during the COVID-19 pandemic. These retained funds must be used for specified program integrity measures, such as modernizing UI systems and information technology and hiring fraud investigators. The bill allows a state to retain up to 5% of (1) any UI overpayment it recovers, except where the overpayment is due to state agency error; and (2) any unpaid employer contributions that the state recovers, if the state certifies that it has enacted certain fraud detection measures. A state must use the retained funds for specified purposes, such as deterring, detecting, and preventing improper payments. Additionally, the bill extends from 3 to 10 years the time during which states must recover overpayments of pandemic UI benefits through benefit offsets. The bill also extends from 5 to 10 years the statute of limitations for federal criminal charges or civil enforcement actions related to UI fraud. Further, the bill extends an exception to the federal requirement that state UI personnel be hired on a merit basis. The bill allows a state to hire temporary staff on a noncompetitive basis through December 31, 2030. Finally, the bill repeals a provision that provided funding to the Department of Labor for UI program integrity activities.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2023
This bill requires the Department of State to (1) submit to Congress any classified State Department cables or memos that express a dissenting opinion relating to the withdrawal of the U.S. Armed Forces from Afghanistan, and (2) make publicly available unclassified versions of such cables and memos.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2023
Affordable Housing Credit Improvement Act of 2023 This bill revises provisions of the low-income housing tax credit and renames it as the affordable housing tax credit . The bill increases the per capita dollar amount of the credit and its minimum ceiling amount beginning in 2023 and extends the inflation adjustment for such amounts. The bill modifies tenant income eligibility requirements and the average income formula for determining such income. It also revises rules for student occupancy of rental units and tenant voucher payments, and prohibits any refusal to rent to victims of domestic abuse. The bill further modifies the credit to increase state allocations of the credit; repeal the qualified census tract population cap; prohibit consideration of local approval and local government contribution requirements for housing projects; increase the credit for certain projects designated to serve extremely low-income households; increase the credit for certain bond-financed projects designated by state agencies; eliminate the basis reduction for properties that receive certain energy-related tax benefits; and increase the population cap for difficult development areas (i.e., areas with high construction, land, and utility costs relative to area median gross income). The bill also includes Indian and rural areas as difficult development areas and modifies other requirements relating to casualty losses, tax-exempt bond financing, and foreclosures.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2023
Maximize Americans' Retirement Security Act This bill revises the fiduciary duties for a retirement or employee benefit plan that is regulated under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The bill generally requires a fiduciary to select and maintain investments for a plan based solely on pecuniary factors. Under the bill, a pecuniary factor is a factor that is expected to have a material effect on the risk or return of an investment based on appropriate investment horizons that are consistent with the plan's investment objectives and funding policy. A fiduciary may only use nonpecuniary factors if the fiduciary is unable to distinguish between investment alternatives on the basis of pecuniary factors alone. In such a case, the fiduciary must provide specified documentation to the plan's participants and beneficiaries, including an explanation of how the chosen nonpecuniary factors are consistent with their interests.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2023
This joint resolution nullifies the Comprehensive Policing and Justice Reform Amendment Act of 2022, enacted by the Council of the District of Columbia. The act sets forth a variety of measures that focus on policing, including measures prohibiting the use of certain neck restraints by law enforcement officers, requiring additional procedures related to body-worn cameras, and expanding access to police disciplinary records.
United States · United States Congress · 11 May 2023
Back the Blue Act of 2023 This bill establishes new criminal offenses for killing, assaulting, and fleeing to avoid prosecution for killing a judge, law enforcement officer, or public safety officer. Additionally, the bill expands the list of statutory aggravating factors in death penalty determinations to also include the killing or attempted killing of a law enforcement officer, judge, prosecutor, or firefighter or other first responder; broadens the authority of federal law enforcement officers to carry firearms; and limits federal court review of challenges to state court convictions for killing a public safety officer or judge.
United States · United States Congress · 10 May 2023
Campus Free Speech Restoration Act This bill addresses expressive activities (e.g., peacefully assembling, distributing literature, or carrying signs) on college campuses. First, the bill generally prohibits a public institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in federal student-aid programs from restricting noncommercial expressive activities in outdoor areas on campus. Further, the bill prohibits a public IHE from receiving federal funds if the Department of Education determines that the public IHE (1) maintains a policy that infringes upon the expressive rights of students; or (2) maintains or enforces time, place, or manner restrictions on expressive activities, except in limited circumstances. In addition, the bill prohibits retaliation against an individual because the individual reported or complained about restrictions on expressive activities or participated in an investigation or hearing. The bill also requires a private IHE that receives federal funds to provide students with its policies related to expressive rights. The bill also establishes a framework for investigating complaints and for IHEs to regain eligibility for federal funds.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2023
Providing Officers With Electronic Resources Act or the POWER Act This bill authorizes the Office of Community Oriented Policing Services within the Department of Justice to make grants to law enforcement agencies to purchase a chemical screening device and to train personnel to use, and interpret data collected by, such device.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2023
Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act This bill provides for Medicare coverage and payment with respect to certain pharmacist services that (1) are furnished by a pharmacist in a health-professional shortage area, and (2) would otherwise be covered under Medicare if furnished by a physician.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2023
This bill prohibits the use of Department of Defense funds or facilities for hosting, advertising, or otherwise supporting an adult cabaret performance (i.e., a performance that features topless dancers, go-go dancers, exotic dancers, strippers, or male or female impersonators who provide entertainment that appeals to prurient interest).
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2023
Promoting Free and Fair Elections Act This bill prohibits federal agencies from using funds made available for salaries and expenses to solicit or enter into agreements with nongovernmental organizations to conduct voter registration or voter mobilization activities on the agency's property or website. The bill also requires federal agencies to delay carrying out certain activities pursuant to Executive Order 14019 (which established requirements for expanding access to voter registration and election information) until various conditions are met, such as the agency submitting reports to Congress. The bill also prohibits institutions of higher education that operate federal work-study programs from registering or mobilizing voters on or off campus.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2023
This resolution honors the 75 th anniversary of the founding of modern Israel. It reaffirms the partnership between Israel and the United States and the U.S. commitment to the security of Israel. The resolution also supports peace between Israelis and Palestinians, the Abraham Accords, the Negev Forum, and all ongoing efforts to formalize and strengthen relations between Israel and its Arab neighbors.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2023
Financial Technology Protection Act of 2023 This bill establishes the Independent Financial Technology Working Group to Combat Terrorism and Illicit Financing. The working group must study and report on terrorist and illicit use of new financial technologies and develop proposals to improve anti-money laundering and counterterrorist financing efforts.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2023
Maritime Architecture and Response to International Terrorism In the Middle East Act of 2023 or the MARITIME Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to seek to develop an integrated maritime domain awareness and interdiction capability for the Middle East to protect against specified maritime threats in the region. DOD must also submit to Congress (1) a strategy for achieving this capability in cooperation with regional partners and allies; and (2) a study on the feasibility and advisability of establishing a fund to support this effort, including an assessment of contributions that could be made by allies and partner countries.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2023
Help Ensure Lower Patient Copays Act or the HELP Copays Act This bill requires health insurance plans to apply certain payments made by, or on behalf of, a plan enrollee toward a plan's cost-sharing requirements. Specifically, plans must apply third-party payments, financial assistance, discounts, product vouchers, and other reductions in out-of-pocket expenses toward the requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2023
Federal Employee Student Debt Transparency Act This bill requires certain executive branch employees to disclose their federal student loan debt in an annual report. The bill's requirement applies to an employee serving in a Senior Executive Service position or a position of a confidential or policy-determining nature (i.e., a Schedule C position). Covered employees must file a report detailing the principal and interest owed on loans under the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program, the Federal Family Education Loan Program, and the Federal Perkins Loan Program. The bill also requires the Office of Government Ethics to submit an annual report to Congress that contains (1) the total amount owed by all covered employees, and (2) the name of any covered employee who failed to report the required information.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2023
Fentanyl Eradication and Narcotics Deterrence Off Fentanyl Act or the FEND Off Fentanyl Act This bill requires or authorizes various actions, including sanctions, targeting foreign persons (individuals and entities) engaged in trafficking of fentanyl and other illicit opioids. This bill requires that the sanctions specified in Executive Order 14059 (relating to sanctions on foreign persons involved in the global illicit drug trade), as well as any amendments to or directives issued pursuant to that executive order before the date of the enactment of this bill, shall remain in effect. The bill also requires the President to impose property-blocking sanctions on any foreign person knowingly involved in (1) significant trafficking of fentanyl, fentanyl precursors, or other related opioids by a transnational criminal organization; or (2) significant activities of a transnational criminal organization relating to the trafficking of fentanyl, fentanyl precursors, or other related opioids. The Department of the Treasury is authorized to take certain actions relating to classes of transactions that (1) involve a non-U.S. jurisdiction, and (2) are of primary money laundering concern in connection with illicit opioid trafficking. For such transaction classes, Treasury may require domestic financial institutions to (1) take certain special measures, (2) prohibit certain transmittals of funds, or (3) impose conditions on transmittals of funds. Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network must issue guidance to U.S. financial institutions for filing reports of suspicious transactions related to suspected fentanyl trafficking by transnational criminal organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2023
Save Local Business Act This bill provides that a person may be considered a joint employer in relation to an employee under federal labor law only if such person directly, actually, and immediately (and not in a limited and routine manner) exercises significant control over the essential terms and conditions of employment. Such control may by demonstrated by hiring and discharging employees, determining individual employee rates of pay and benefits, day-to-day supervision of employees, assigning individual work schedules, positions, and tasks, and administering employee discipline.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2023
This joint resolution nullifies a Department of Labor final rule entitled Adverse Effect Wage Rate Methodology for the Temporary Employment of H-2A Nonimmigrants in Non-Range Occupations in the United States and published on February 28, 2023. This rule makes changes to the methodology used to set adverse effect wage rates for H-2A workers (temporary agricultural workers), including by using Bureau of Labor Statistics wage surveys in certain instances. (Generally, the minimum wage for an H-2A worker is the highest of the adverse effect wage rate, the applicable minimum wage, the prevailing wage for that occupation in that area, or any agreed-upon collective bargaining wage.)
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2023
This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas does not have the confidence of the Senate or of the American people to faithfully carry out his duties.
![Official portrait of Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/b001305_200.jpg)