United States · United States Congress · 3 February 2022
This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that the case of Peng Shuai is directly related to broader international concerns around the freedom of speech and safety of athletes participating in the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing. The resolution expresses that the failure of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to clearly and forcefully challenge the claims of China concerning Peng's safety raise questions about the ability and willingness of the IOC to stand up for the human rights of athletes participating in the 2022 Olympic and Paralympic games in Beijing. The resolution also expresses that China should (1) provide independent and verifiable proof of Peng's whereabouts and that she is safe, (2) allow Peng to engage directly with the Women's Tennis Association and the United Nations to independently verify her safety and explain her absence from public life since making her allegation, (3) open an independent and transparent investigation into Peng's allegations against former senior Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli, (4) publicly commit to holding sexual violence abusers accountable, (5) cease all censorship of reporting and discussions of Peng's case, and (6) allow Peng to leave China if she so desires and prevent any retaliation against her family members remaining there. Finally, the resolution expresses that, by failing to clearly and forcefully challenge the Chinese Communist Party's narrative, the IOC has failed to uphold its own stated commitments with regard to respect for international conventions on protecting human rights.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2022
This resolution expresses support for observing National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month during the period of January 1-February 1, 2022.
United States · United States Congress · 1 February 2022
Stop the Nosy Obsession with Online Payments Act of 2022 or the SNOOP Act of 2022 This bill modifies requirements for third party settlement organizations to eliminate their reporting requirement with respect to the transactions of their participating payees unless they have earned more than $20,000 on more than 200 separate transactions in an applicable tax period. A third party settlement organization is the central organization that has the contractual obligation to make payments to participating payees (generally, a merchant or business) in a third party payment network. This reverses a provision in the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 that lowered the reporting threshold to $600 with no minimum on the number of transactions.
United States · United States Congress · 19 January 2022
Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022 This bill temporarily waives certain requirements related to the President's authority to lend or lease defense articles if the defense articles are intended for Ukraine's government and necessary to protect civilians in Ukraine from Russian military invasion. An agreement to lend or lease defense articles under this bill shall not be subject to certain requirements and provisions that typically apply to such lend-lease agreements, including (1) a requirement that prohibits a loan period from exceeding five years, (2) a requirement that the United States may recall the loaned defense article at any time, (3) a requirement that the receiving party has agreed to pay the United States all costs incurred in leasing the defense article, and (4) a provision that allows Congress to prohibit certain transfers of defense articles upon the enactment of a joint resolution. The waivers provided by this bill shall be in effect until (1) the conflict beginning with Russia's annexation of the Crimea region of Ukraine in 2014 has ceased, and (2) Russia has reduced its military force on Ukraine's eastern border to the levels maintained prior to March 1, 2021. The President must establish expedited procedures to ensure the timely delivery of defense articles loaned or leased under this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2022
Navigable Waters Protection Act of 2022 This bill enacts definitions that determine which bodies of water fall under the scope of the Clean Water Act and are thereby under federal jurisdiction. Specifically, the bill provides statutory authority for the definitions related to the waters of the United States, commonly known as WOTUS, in specified regulations that were in effect on January 1, 2021.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2022
Thin Blue Line Act This bill expands the list of statutory aggravating factors in death penalty determinations to also include killing or targeting a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or other first responder.
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2022
This resolution supports the annual recognition of Interscholastic Athletic Administrators' Day on December 14, 2021. In addition, the resolution commends (1) athletic administrators for their commitment to secondary school student athletes, and (2) the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association for providing continuous learning and preparation to athletic administrators.
United States · United States Congress · 16 December 2021
Coal Council Certainty Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to reinstate the National Coal Council (NCC), which provided DOE with advice and guidance about policies concerning coal until its charter expired in November 2021. The bill permanently extends the NCC's original charter and thus prevents the reinstated council from expiring.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2021
Capitol Police Emergency Assistance Act of 2021 This bill allows the chief of the U.S. Capitol Police to request emergency assistance from executive departments and executive agencies to prevent significant disruption of governmental function and public order at the U.S. Capitol. The bill also eliminates statutory qualification and approval requirements for law enforcement and uniformed service personnel appointed to serve as special police officers, including during periods of emergency initiated by the chief under the bill. Further, special police regulations prescribed by the U.S. Capitol Police Board are subject to approval by the Speaker of the House and Senate majority leader under the bill. Those regulations are subject to approval by the Speaker and the President pro tempore of the Senate under current law. Finally, the bill requires the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Committee on House Administration to jointly conduct at least one oversight hearing of the U.S. Capitol Police Board during each Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2021
This bill authorizes Hershel Woodrow Williams, who is the last surviving recipient of the Medal of Honor for acts performed during World War II, to lie in state in the Capitol rotunda upon his death.
United States · United States Congress · 2 December 2021
Protect American Taxpayer Dollars from Illegal Immigration Act This bill prohibits expending federal funds for legal settlements to individuals who violated certain laws relating to the proper time and place to enter the United States, if the settlement pertains to claims based on the lawful detention of such an individual as part of a family unit after the individual's entry into the United States at the southern border after January 20, 2017.
United States · United States Congress · 1 December 2021
This bill requires the Joint Committee on the Library to obtain, and the Architect of the Capitol to permanently install in the U.S. Capitol or on the U.S. Capitol Grounds, statues honoring Associate Justices of the Supreme Court Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
United States · United States Congress · 30 November 2021
Section 401 Certification Act The bill provides statutory authority for the rule published on July 13, 2020, by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) entitled Clean Water Act Section 401 Certification Rule . Under Section 401 of the Clean Water Act, an applicant for a federal license or permit to conduct an activity that may result in any discharge into navigable waters must also obtain a certification—or waiver of such certification—from a relevant state, intrastate agency, or Indian tribe that the proposed activity will not violate certain water quality requirements of the state or Indian tribe. The rule revised existing regulations, including by limiting the scope of the certification review process as well as the time frame for a state, interstate agency, or Indian tribe to issue a certification.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2021
Facilitating Relief for Efficient Intermodal Gateways to Handle Transportation Act or the FREIGHT Act This bill makes multiple changes to address the efficiency of ports and the intermodal shipping of cargo. The Department of Transportation (DOT) must undertake actions related to data-sharing and communication, including by supporting efforts to standardize terms used in port operations. Additionally, DOT must collect and publish information about the performance of recipients that received grants to improve port infrastructure. Further, DOT's Bureau of Transportation Statistics must publish data about the dwell time of marine shipping containers and chassis (i.e., the quantity of time such equipment is subject to maintenance versus in use). The bill also requires a study on best practices for operating a chassis pool to optimize supply chains. In addition, the bill modifies duties and authorities of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC), including by providing statutory authority for an office that offers mediation and related services to resolve issues under the FMC's jurisdiction; allowing the FMC to order refunds in certain enforcement proceedings; and authorizing the FMC to expand data-sharing between port operators, shippers, and other stakeholders to facilitate efficient freight operations if the FMC determines port congestion constitutes an emergency. Other matters addressed in the bill include (1) expanding prohibitions for certain retaliatory or discriminatory conduct; (2) making permanent a COVID-19 waiver that modified training and testing procedures for commercial driver's licenses; and (3) increasing the number of members on the Railroad-Shipper Transportation Advisory Council.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2021
Preventing Diabetes in Medicare Act of 2021 This bill extends Medicare coverage for medical nutrition therapy services to beneficiaries with pre-diabetes or risk factors for developing type-2 diabetes.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2021
This bill increases the number of days—from 14 to 60—within which a practitioner must administer certain narcotic drugs (e.g., buprenorphine) to a patient for maintenance or detoxification treatment (i.e., substance use disorder treatment) after receiving the drugs from a pharmacy. Additionally, the bill revises the process by which the Department of Justice may modify the number of days within which such drugs must be administered.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2021
This resolution supports the designation of November 9, 2021, as National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day. Microtia is a congenital condition affecting the outer ear; it is often accompanied by aural atresia (the absence or closure of the external ear canal resulting in hearing loss).
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2021
This joint resolution nullifies a Department of Labor emergency temporary standard for preventing the transmission of COVID-19 in employment settings. Under the standard issued on November 5, 2021, employers with 100 or more employees must require their onsite employees to either be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly COVID-19 testing.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2021
Judgment Fund Accountability Act of 2021 This bill prohibits payments from the Judgment Fund to individuals who entered or attempted to enter the United States unlawfully. (The Judgment Fund is an account for paying judgments and settlements against the United States.)
United States · United States Congress · 3 November 2021
Prohibiting Taxpayer Funded Settlements for Illegal Immigrants Act This bill prohibits using federal funds to make settlement payments to compensate any individuals for being separated from family members while detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection if the detention was (1) a result of the individual improperly entering (or attempting to improperly enter) the United States, and (2) in accordance with a Department of Justice memorandum that adopted a zero-tolerance policy for such improper entry into the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2021
Pro bono Work to Empower and Represent Act of 2021 or the POWER 2.0 Act This bill makes permanent the requirement for the chief judge of each federal judicial district to lead, at least annually, a public event to promote pro bono legal services for survivors of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The requirement was enacted in 2018; it is scheduled to sunset after a four-year period.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2021
No Time Limit for Justice Act This bill directs the Department of Justice to increase a state's allocation of funds under the STOP Violence Against Women Formula Grant Program if, under the laws of the state, child sexual abuse criminal offenses and civil actions authorizing damages for victims of child sexual abuse are not subject to a statute of limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2021
Hydrogen Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a hydrogen infrastructure finance and innovation pilot program. Under the program, DOE must provide grants and low-interest loans to certain entities for hydrogen infrastructure, including projects for hydrogen transportation, storage, or delivery.
United States · United States Congress · 28 October 2021
Further Surface Transportation Extension Act of 2021 This bill extends and revises provisions related to federal-aid highway, transit, highway safety, rail, and other surface transportation programs of the Department of Transportation. Specifically, the bill extends FY2021 enacted levels of funding through December 3, 2021, for federal-aid highway, transit, and safety programs; and extends expenditure authority through December 4, 2021, for the Highway Trust Fund, Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, and the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2021
Reaching Every Homeless Veteran Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Labor, in administering homeless veterans reintegration programs, to (1) consider grant applications from entities in all states (to the maximum extent practicable), and (2) conduct an outreach and education program in states where no entity has been awarded a grant to ensure communities are aware of homeless veterans reintegration programs.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2021
This resolution designates October 2021 as National Dyslexia Awareness Month and calls on Congress, schools, and educational agencies to recognize that dyslexia has significant educational implications that must be addressed.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2021
Cancer Drug Parity Act of 20 21 This bill requires group health plans that cover anticancer medications administered by a health care provider to provide no less favorable cost sharing for patient-administered anticancer medications. This requirement applies to medications that are (1) approved by the Food and Drug Administration; (2) medically necessary for the cancer treatment; and (3) clinically appropriate in terms of type, frequency, extent site, and duration. To comply with this requirement, plans may not, with respect to anticancer medications (1) change or replace benefits to increase out-of-pocket costs, (2) reclassify benefits to increase costs, or (3) apply more restrictive limitations to orally administered medications than to intravenously administered or injected medications.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2021
Give Americans Stability at Pumps as Rising Inflation Causes Emergencies Act or the GAS PRICE Act This bill requires the Energy Information Administration (EIA) to report on any policy, regulation, or executive order with an effective date of January 20, 2021, or later that the EIA determines has increased or may increase energy prices in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2021
Upholding the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Law Act of 2021 This bill prohibits using federal funds to establish any diplomatic facility in Jerusalem other than the U.S. Embassy to Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 21 October 2021
Prohibiting IRS Financial Surveillance Act This bill prohibits the Department of the Treasury from requiring a financial institution to report the balances, transactions, or the transfers into and out of a financial account. This prohibition does not apply to laws or regulations in effect on the date of enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2021
Improving Seniors' Timely Access to Care Act of 2021 This bill establishes several requirements and standards relating to prior authorization processes under Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. Specifically, MA plans must (1) establish an electronic prior authorization program that meets specified standards, including the ability to provide real-time decisions in response to requests for items and services that are routinely approved; (2) annually publish specified prior authorization information, including the percentage of requests approved and the average response time; and (3) meet other standards, as set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, relating to the quality and timeliness of prior authorization determinations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2021
Homes for Every Local Protector, Educator, and Responder Act of 2021 or the HELPER Act of 2021 This bill establishes a program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide mortgage assistance to law enforcement officers, elementary and secondary school teachers, firefighters, or other first responders. Specifically, these individuals may be eligible for a one-time mortgage on a primary family residence with no down payment and no monthly mortgage insurance premium.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2021
This resolution designates the week beginning on October 17, 2021, as National Chemistry Week. The resolution also recognizes the need to promote the fields of science, including chemistry, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and to encourage youth, including from underrepresented groups, to pursue careers in these fields.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2021
NTIA Policy and Cybersecurity Coordination Act This bill establishes the Office of Policy Development and Cybersecurity within the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to analyze and develop policies related to internet and communications technologies. Specific activities of the office include, for example, developing policies that promote (1) innovation, competition, and other elements of the communications, media, and technology markets; (2) security and resilience to cybersecurity incidents while fostering innovation; and (3) commercialization of communications technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2021
Better Enforcement of Grievous Offenses by unNaturalized Emigrants or the BE GONE Act This bill expands, for immigration purposes, the definition of aggravated felony to include sexual assault and aggravated sexual violence. (Under current law, a conviction for an aggravated felony is grounds for deportation and may bar an individual from other immigration-related benefits.)
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2021
This resolution recognizes September 28, 2021, as National Voter Registration Day and encourages those eligible to vote to register, verify their personal information on record with local election officials, and vote.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2021
This resolution recognizes the importance of education to prevent substance use disorders and expresses gratitude for family members and others who support individuals in recovery.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2021
This bill provides funding through FY2026 and provides statutory authority for an office and related initiatives within the Department of State to advance U.S. foreign policy concerning the status of women and girls. Specifically, the bill provides statutory authority for an Office of Global Women's Issues. The office, headed by an Ambassador-at-Large for Global Women's Issues, must advise on foreign policy and international programs relating to equal opportunities for and the advancement of women and girls. Additionally, the bill provides statutory authority for the Women's Global Development and Prosperity Initiative, which promotes women in the workforce and otherwise supports economic advancement for women internationally. The bill prohibits the office, ambassador, or initiative from using funding to lobby other countries to change their abortion laws or policies or include abortion as a programmatic requirement. The State Department must report annually on the program, including compliance with the abortion-related funding restrictions.
United States · United States Congress · 27 September 2021
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.
![Official portrait of Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c001047_200.jpg)