United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2022
This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the Council on Environmental Quality titled National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations Revisions and published on April 20, 2022. The rule restores regulatory provisions issued under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) that were in effect before being modified in 2020 by the Update to the Regulations Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act rule.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2022
This resolution remembers former Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe and his work to strengthen the alliance between the United States and Japan. It also extends condolences to his family and the people of Japan.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2022
Keeping Everyone Safe and Securing Lives by Emergency Readiness Act or the KESSLER Act This bill directs the President to develop a national strategy to ensure the health and safety of the U.S. civilian population in case of catastrophic incidents. Specifically, the President must develop and submit to Congress a strategy to provide for the basic needs of the civilian population that is impacted by catastrophic incidents in the United States; coordinate response efforts with state and local governments, the private sector, and nonprofit relief organizations; promote personal and local readiness and non-reliance on government relief during periods of heightened tension or after catastrophic incidents; and develop international partnerships with allied nations for the provision of relief services and goods. The President must issue a plan to implement and operationalize the strategy. The Department of Homeland Security shall lead a national exercise to test and enhance the operationalization of the implementation plan. The President must provide recommendations for (1) actions that should be taken to prepare the United States to implement the strategy, increase readiness, and address preparedness gaps; and (2) additional authorities that should be considered to more effectively implement the strategy.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2022
Black Sea Security Act of 2022 This bill requires the National Security Council to coordinate with specified federal agencies to provide an interagency report to Congress on U.S. efforts and policy options towards the Black Sea countries (i.e., Turkey, Romania, Bulgaria, Moldova, Ukraine, and Georgia) and matters in the region, such as NATO engagement and Russia's aggression. Based on the report's findings, the council shall direct an interagency strategy for the region to (1) increase military assistance and coordination with NATO and the European Union, (2) deepen economic ties, and (3) strengthen the security and democratic resilience of Black Sea countries.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2022
Global Catastrophic Risk Management Act of 2022 This bill directs the President to establish an interagency committee on global catastrophic risk. Global catastrophic risk is defined as the risk of events or incidents consequential enough to significantly harm, set back, or destroy human civilization at the global scale. The President must (1) conduct and submit to Congress a detailed assessment of global catastrophic and existential risk; and (2) produce a report on the adequacy of continuity of operations and continuity of government plans based on the assessed risk. The President shall develop and submit a strategy to provide for the basic needs of the civilian population that is impacted by catastrophic incidents in the United States; coordinate response efforts with state and local governments, the private sector, and nonprofit organizations; promote personal and local readiness and non-reliance on government relief during periods of heightened tension or after catastrophic incidents; and develop international partnerships with allied nations for the provision of relief services and goods. The President must issue a plan to implement and operationalize the strategy. The Department of Homeland Security shall lead a national exercise to test and enhance the operationalization of the implementation plan. The President must provide recommendations to Congress for (1) actions that should be taken to prepare the United States to implement the strategy, increase readiness, and address preparedness gaps; and (2) additional authorities that should be considered to more effectively implement the strategy.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2022
Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes the Peace Corps program through FY2027 and addresses other issues related to the program. For example, the bill (1) increases the readjustment allowances for returning Peace Corps volunteers; (2) provides statutory authority to an executive order that provides returning volunteers with noncompetitive eligibility for federal employment purposes (i.e., eligibility to be noncompetitively appointed to a competitive federal position); and (3) requires the Peace Corps to take all reasonable measures to prevent and address reprisal or retaliation against a volunteer by any person with supervisory authority over the volunteer, such as a Peace Corps officer.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2022
Safeguarding Awards for Victims and Enforcement Settlements Act of 2022 This bill prohibits the federal government from entering into or enforcing a settlement agreement on behalf of the United States that provides for a payment to any person or entity other than the United States that is not a party to a dispute. The bill provides exceptions to allow certain payments, including those that (1) remedy actual harm (including to the environment) caused by the party making the payment, and (2) constitute a payment for services rendered in connection with the case.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2022
This bill prohibits certain former employees of any intelligence community element from providing services related to intelligence, military, or internal security to the government of China, Russia, or a country that is a state sponsor of terrorism. Generally, this restriction shall apply to any employee, including any contractor or detailee, who had a level of access to sensitive information such that the relevant intelligence community element determines that such restrictions are necessary.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2022
This resolution designates June 26, 2022, as the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking and expresses support for efforts to address substance use and prevent drug trafficking and production.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2022
Interagency Patent Coordination and Improvement Act of 2022 This bill establishes the Interagency Task Force on Patents to support coordination and communication between the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on activities relating to patents for human drugs and biological products. The task force's duties shall include establishing a process for the PTO to request from the FDA information relating to certain patent applications to help patent examiners carry out their duties.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2022
Educational Choice for Children Act This bill allows individuals and corporations a new tax credit after 2022 for charitable contributions to tax-exempt organizations that provide scholarships to elementary and secondary school students. Such students must be members of a household with incomes not greater 300% of the area median gross income and be eligible to enroll in a public elementary or secondary school. The bill excludes from the gross income of taxpayer dependents any scholarship amount for the elementary or secondary education expenses of eligible students. It also prohibits governmental control over scholarship granting organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 June 2022
Patent Trial and Appeal Board Reform Act of 2022 This bill modifies the authorities and procedures of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board (PTAB), the body within the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) that decides administrative patent validity challenges and reviews (e.g., inter partes reviews and post-grant reviews). For example, the bill (1) authorizes the director of the PTO to review and set aside PTAB decisions, (2) modifies the time limits for filing such patent validity challenges at the PTAB, and (3) limits the institution of certain such challenges if the challenges are filed by the same petitioner and includes one or more of the same claims.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2022
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 5302 Galveston Road in Houston, Texas, as the "Vanessa Guillen Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2022
USA Civics Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 and revises the American History for Freedom grant program. The bill renames the program as the American Civics and History Education Program. The bill authorizes the Department of Education to award grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) at least once every three years to establish or strengthen academic programs to promote American political thought and history and the history, achievements, and impact of American representative democracy and constitutional democracies globally. Currently, these grants are awarded to IHEs for three years and are focused on traditional American history and the history and achievements of Western civilization. IHEs may use grants to support additional activities, such as collaborating with federal or state humanities programs and using open educational resources.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2022
Civics Secures Democracy Act This bill provides resources to expand educational programs in American civics and history, including by establishing grant and fellowship programs, reauthorizing various programs, and creating the Civics Secures Democracy Fund. First, the bill authorizes the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to states, qualified nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education (IHEs), and qualified researchers to support and expand access to civics and history education. Next, the bill establishes a fellowship program to diversify the civics and history education workforce. In addition, the bill reauthorizes through FY2027 and revises the American History for Freedom grant program. The bill renames the program as the American Civics and History Education Program. The bill revises the grant program to authorize ED to award grants to IHEs at least once every three years to establish or strengthen academic programs to promote American political thought and history and the history, achievements, and impact of American representative democracy and constitutional democracies globally. IHEs may use grants to support additional activities, such as collaborating with federal or state humanities programs and using open educational resources. Further, the bill revises the Harry S. Truman Memorial Scholarship Trust Fund and the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Trust Fund. The bill requires the National Assessment of Educational Progress in civics and history to be administered every two years to certain grade levels. The bill also establishes the Civics Secures Democracy Fund, through which funds shall be made available to carry out provisions of the bill. The bill transfers certain unobligated COVID relief funds to the fund.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2022
Protecting our Servicemembers through Proven Methods Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to include in its annual primary prevention research agenda additional elements related to sexual assault, sexual harassment, and domestic violence. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to (1) compare DOD's sexual harassment and prevention training with similar programs at other federal departments and agencies, and (2) prepare a report on the findings.
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2022
Protecting America from Narcotics and Illicit Chemicals Act of 2022 or the PANIC Act of 2022 This bill expands the definition of major illicit drug producing country to include a country that is a direct source of certain drugs (or precursor chemicals for producing such drugs) that are significantly affecting the United States. (Under current law, a country designated a major illicit drug producing country may be eligible for certain U.S. foreign assistance, including transfers of excess defense articles. However, a designated country that fails to adhere to commitments related to drug control measures may be barred from receiving other forms of foreign assistance and may also be subject to trade restrictions.)
United States · United States Congress · 26 May 2022
DHS Illicit Cross-Border Tunnel Defense Act This bill authorizes for FY2023 and FY2024 U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) activities to identify and remediate illicit cross-border tunnels. CBP shall also develop and report to Congress a strategic plan to guide and improve such operations.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2022
Delivering Elderly Lunches and Increasing Volunteer Engagement and Reimbursements Act of 2022 or the DELIVER Act of 2022 This bill increases the standard charitable mileage rate for the delivery of meals to elderly, disabled, frail, and at-risk individuals. The rate shall be equal to the standard business mileage rate (58.5 cents per mile in 2022).
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2022
Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act This bill requires registered lobbyists to disclose any foreign countries or political parties that are involved in the direction, planning, supervision, or control of the lobbyist's activities.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2022
INvestor Democracy is EXpected Act or the INDEX Act This bill establishes guidelines for passively managed funds (e.g., index funds) that vote shares on behalf of fund investors in proxy shareholder votes. Under the bill, these funds generally must vote shares on a proportional basis according to instructions from fund investors. The bill establishes an exemption for routine matters and matters requiring approval of a majority of outstanding securities. Additionally, the bill establishes a safe harbor from these requirements for investment advisers.
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 · 17 May 2022
This resolution supports the goal of increasing the number of Latino individuals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as a way to promote economic empowerment and sustainability, not only in their community but in the overall economy of the United States. The resolution also supports increasing the representation of Latino individuals in STEM fields to enhance and improve representation and improve performance in the STEM workforce. Finally, the resolution encourages increased federal support for initiatives aimed at boosting the number of Latino students who pursue STEM education and career paths, particularly engineering.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2022
This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that the President should work with Congress to develop and execute a strategy to counter the rise in violent crime across the country by reinforcing strong criminal justice policies, by laying blame on the perpetrators of violent acts, and by securing the southern border.
United States · United States Congress · 9 May 2022
This resolution designates May 10, 2022, as National Fentanyl Awareness Day to bring attention to the impact of fake or counterfeit fentanyl pills. (Fentanyl is a potent prescription opioid for treating severe pain that is also made and used illegally.)
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
Supreme Court Police Parity Act of 202 2 This bill grants the Marshal of the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court Police the authority to protect any member of the immediate family of the Chief Justice, any Associate Justice, or any officer of the Supreme Court if the Marshal determines that such protection is necessary.
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 · 5 May 2022
Federal Law Enforcement Service Weapon Purchase Act This bill generally permits a federal law enforcement officer to purchase a retired handgun from the agency that issued a handgun to the officer. The bill directs the General Services Administration to develop policies to facilitate the sale and disposition of eligible handguns.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2022
Stop Pills That Kill Act This bill increases criminal penalties for offenses relating to the manufacture of fentanyl or counterfeit substances. It also establishes requirements for federal agencies to address the use of counterfeit substances. Specifically, the bill applies an increased criminal penalty for possessing, manufacturing, or distributing certain equipment or materials that are used to illegally manufacture fentanyl, an analogue of fentanyl, or a counterfeit substance (the increased penalty is currently limited to offenses involving methamphetamine). The bill also requires the United States Sentencing Commission to review sentencing guidelines and amend them, if appropriate, to include an enhanced penalty for those who knowingly misrepresent counterfeit pills that have fentanyl, a fentanyl analogue, or methamphetamine as legitimate pills. The Drug Enforcement Administration must establish and implement a plan to address counterfeit fentanyl or methamphetamine substances through law enforcement action and education and prevention efforts. In addition, the Department of Justice must annually report on the collection of counterfeit fentanyl or methamphetamine substances by law enforcement and on related prosecutions.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2022
Supreme Court Police Parity Act of 202 2 This bill addresses security-related authorities involving the Supreme Court. Specifically, the bill grants the Marshal of the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court Police the authority to protect any member of the immediate family of the Chief Justice, any Associate Justice, or any officer of the Supreme Court if the Marshal determines that such protection is necessary. Further, the bill establishes penalties for willfully obstructing, resisting, or interfering with a member of the Supreme Court Police engaged in the performance of its protective functions.
United States · United States Congress · 4 May 2022
Ukraine Invasion War Crimes Deterrence and Accountability Act This bill requires the President to report to Congress on atrocities committed during Russia's invasion of Ukraine since February 24, 2022. Specifically, the report must describe in detail (1) U.S. government efforts to collect, analyze, and preserve evidence related to war crimes and other atrocities committed during the invasion; (2) media, public diplomacy, and information operations to make the Russian people, including their military and political leaders, aware of efforts to identify and prosecute those responsible for such atrocities; and (3) the process for a domestic, foreign, or international court or tribunal to obtain information from the U.S. government related to such atrocities.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2022
Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2022 This bill repeals provisions under the Stark law (i.e., the Physician Self-Referral Law) that limit, for purposes of Medicare participation, self-referrals by newly constructed or expanded physician-owned hospitals.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2022
This resolution supports efforts to combat illicit economies, illicit trade, and trade-based money laundering through risk assessments, strategies, and coordination with international partners.
United States · United States Congress · 3 May 2022
This resolution recognizes the centrality of a free press to free societies and democratic governance and expresses concerns about threats to the exercise of freedom of expression globally.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2022
This resolution recognizes the importance of connecting children with appropriate mental health services and supports programs for expanding access to care, building resiliency, and addressing trauma.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2022
Supply Chain Disruptions Relief Act This bill modifies the treatment of liquidations of new motor vehicle inventory as qualified LIFO (last in first out accounting method) inventory. It allows new motor vehicle dealers to elect to wait until the end of 2025 to replace their inventory for purposes of determining income attributable to the sale of such inventory during 2020 and 2021.
United States · United States Congress · 28 April 2022
This joint resolution nullifies the interim final rule submitted by the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security and published on March 29, 2022, concerning procedures for the consideration of asylum claims and other related issues. (Among other changes, the interim final rule requires an asylum seeker subject to expedited removal to be screened by an asylum officer for a credible fear of persecution or torture, rather than a credible fear of persecution, reasonable possibility of persecution, or reasonable possibility of torture.)
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2022
This resolution recognizes the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities National Internship Program for 30 years of providing internship opportunities to Hispanic and underrepresented students attending Hispanic-serving institutions and other institutions of higher education.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2022
Overdose Review Team Act This bill provides funding to the Department of Health and Human Services for grants that support drug overdose fatality review teams in states, Indian tribes, territories, and localities. These multidisciplinary teams track fatal and nonfatal drug overdoses that occur in the jurisdiction to identify relevant trends and patterns and recommend policies and practices for preventing and reducing drug overdoses.
![Official portrait of Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c001056_200.jpg)