United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2022
This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from obligating or expending any amounts to provide emergency assistance in response to an emergency at the southern border directly resulting from the repeal of certain public health orders from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Specifically, the bill prohibits such emergency assistance in response to the repeal of the order issued on August 2, 2021, titled Public Health Reassessment and Order Suspending the Right To Introduce Certain Persons From Countries Where a Quarantinable Communicable Disease Exists ; the order issued on April 1, 2022, titled Public Health Determination and Order Regarding Suspending the Right To Introduce Certain Persons From Countries Where a Quarantinable Communicable Disease Exists ; and an order relating to the same public health concerns as the listed orders.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2022
Preventing Future Pandemics Act of 2022 This bill addresses issues related to the commercial trade in live wildlife for human consumption in other countries. For example, the bill requires the Department of State and the U.S. Agency for International Development to work with foreign governments, multilateral organizations, and nongovernmental organizations to carry out activities to (1) close wildlife markets and prevent associated commercial trade in live wildlife, (2) improve regulatory oversight and eliminate practices that contribute to zoonotic spillover and emerging pathogens, and (3) offer alternative livelihood and worker training programs to individuals and communities currently engaged in the commercial trade in live wildlife for human consumption.
United States · United States Congress · 7 April 2022
Public Health and Border Security Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to meet conditions related to notification and planning before terminating certain restrictions on imports and individuals entering the United States. Current law authorizes HHS to restrict entries and imports from foreign countries to prevent the introduction of communicable diseases. HHS exercised this authority as part of its COVID-19 response, including to allow for the expulsion of undocumented migrants at the border without any asylum processing. Under this bill, HHS may not terminate the restrictions for (1) at least 60 days after it notifies Congress of the end of the COVID-19 emergency, and (2) at least 30 days after it submits to Congress a plan for addressing the possible influx of migrants or imports resulting from lifting the restrictions.
United States · United States Congress · 6 April 2022
This resolution recognizes the 100th anniversary of the construction of Big Bertha, which is one of the largest bass drums in use by a university in the United States. Big Bertha is located at the University of Texas at Austin.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2022
Law Enforcement De-Escalation Training Act of 2022 This bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to develop scenario-based training curricula that includes topics such as alternatives to the use of force, de-escalation tactics, and safely responding to an individual experiencing a mental, behavioral health, or suicidal crisis. The bill also directs DOJ to make grants to states for costs associated with providing the training to law enforcement officers or mental health professionals.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2022
Savings Access For Escaping and Rebuilding Act of 2022 or the SAFER Act This bill allows penalty-free distributions from tax-exempt retirement plans for domestic abuse victims.
United States · United States Congress · 5 April 2022
Real Emergencies Act This bill denies the President authority to declare a national emergency, an emergency or major disaster, or a public health emergency on the premise of climate change.
United States · United States Congress · 31 March 2022
Victims of Child Abuse Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes for FY2022-FY2028 and otherwise revises grants for local and regional children's advocacy centers (CACs). CACs coordinate a multidisciplinary response to child abuse.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2022
This resolution recognizes the Senate's observation of Countering International Parental Child Abduction Month in April 2022. It also urges the United States to lead in raising awareness about the devastating impact of international parental child abduction.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2022
Quad Critical Minerals Partnership Act This bill requires the President to establish a comprehensive strategy to address the national security threat posed by China's dominant share of the global critical minerals market by developing a more reliable and secure supply chain of critical minerals. The bill also requires the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation to prioritize projects that will support the strategy, including projects that will facilitate cooperation with other countries in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue on investments related to critical minerals. (The dialogue is a coalition comprised of the United States, Japan, India, and Australia.) The U.S. Trade Representative must initiate multilateral discussions with other countries in the dialogue to support the strategy and facilitate cooperation on investments related to critical minerals.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2022
Protecting Survivors from Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to collect and analyze data about brain injuries resulting from domestic and sexual violence and publish its findings.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2022
Abolish Human Trafficking Reauthorization Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes various antitrafficking programs, establishes a national strategy on cybercrime against individuals, and expands information sharing and data collection requirements regarding human trafficking.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2022
Find and Protect Foster Youth Act This bill requires the Office of the Administration for Children & Families to evaluate the protocols that states have developed to comply with the reporting requirements for locating a child missing from foster care. Additionally, the administration, through the Children's Bureau, must provide states, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and tribal consortia with information, advice, educational materials, and technical assistance relating to eliminating identified obstacles to identifying and responding to children missing from foster care and other vulnerable foster youth and providing such children and youth with effective services.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2022
This joint resolution nullifies the rule titled Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; Updating Payment Parameters, Section 1332 Waiver Implementing Regulations, and Improving Health Insurance Markets for 2022 and Beyond , which was issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the Department of the Treasury on September 27, 2021. The rule expands the open enrollment period for individual health coverage and rescinds the previous interpretation of certain requirements relating to Section 1332 waivers (also known as State Innovation Waivers or State Relief and Empowerment Waivers).
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2022
Legacy IT Reduction Act of 2022 This bill addresses the problem of legacy information technology (IT) used by the federal government. Specifically, each federal agency must compile an inventory that lists each legacy IT system used, operated, or maintained by the agency; and within two years of this bill's enactment, and every five years thereafter, develop and include a plan to modernize the legacy IT systems as part of the agency's information resource management strategic plan. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) must issue guidance on this bill's implementation, including criteria to determine whether IT qualifies as a legacy IT system. Each agency must transfer to schools or nonprofit organizations any educationally useful federal equipment that the agency no longer uses. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on this bill's implementation and how this bill functions alongside other IT modernization offices, policies, and programs.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2022
This bill directs U.S. Customs Border and Protection to establish procedures for performing repairs and maintenance projects below a certain cost threshold at ports of entry where certain activities are conducted, such as entry inspections and activities to prevent the entry of illicit drugs, agricultural pests, and contraband.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2022
Reduce Human Trafficking through Transportation Act This bill requires the Department of Transportation (DOT) to set aside $10 million each fiscal year to provide grants to certain airports and transit operators for human trafficking awareness, education, and prevention efforts. DOT must give priority in grant amounts to entities that serve regions with a higher prevalence of human trafficking and take into consideration the effect such grants would have on surrounding areas. Additionally, DOT must consult with its Advisory Committee on Human Trafficking in determining the grant amount each recipient receives.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2022
Advancing Cybersecurity Through Continuous Diagnostics and Mitigation Act This bill establishes programs for continuously diagnosing and mitigating cyber threats to and vulnerabilities of government entities. Specifically, the bill provides statutory authority for a continuous diagnostic and mitigation program maintained by the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) that assists federal agencies to address cyber threats and vulnerabilities. The bill further requires that CISA maintain this program with or without reimbursement from other agencies. In addition, the Department of Homeland Security must develop a strategy to implement CISA's program and carry out a pilot program to promote the use of tools developed as part of the program in state, tribal, territorial, and local governments.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2022
Employee Rights Act This bill makes various changes with respect to the collective bargaining process and labor relations. For example, the bill permits an employer to refuse to collectively bargain with a union within 90 days prior to the expiration of a collective bargaining agreement if the employer receives evidence that the majority of the employees in the bargaining unit do not support the union. The bill requires support from a majority of the employees in the bargaining unit (not just a majority of the employees voting) when electing union representation. The bill also requires unions to provide bargaining unit employees with the right to vote by secret ballot, including when voting whether to engage in a strike or refusal to work. Further, union dues, fees, assessments, and other contributions may be used for only collective bargaining or contract administrative functions. Additionally, the bill establishes a process for nullifying executive orders that the Office of Management and Budget determines are likely to result in an employer ordering a plant closure or mass layoff.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2022
Child Care and Development Block Grant Reauthorization Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes through FY2026 and expands programs and services under the Child Care and Development Fund. The bill expands eligibility to include families earning not more than 150% of the state medium income if the state provides an appropriate opportunity for families earning not more than 85% of the state median income to receive services. Additionally, the bill provides grants for states to expand the supply and capacity of child care providers.
United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2022
Border Patrol Pay Security Act of 20 2 2 This bill changes how border patrol agents receive overtime pay when working up to 100 hours in a two-week period. For hours worked above 80, an agent is compensated at a rate of at least 150% of the agent's regular hourly rate.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2022
Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Reauthorization Act of 2022 This bill modifies and reauthorizes through FY2026 the Justice and Mental Health Collaboration Program. The program provides state, local, and tribal grants to improve the criminal justice system's response to people with mental health disorders. Among the modifications, the bill allows funds for diversion and alternative prosecution and sentencing programs to be used for training for state and local prosecutors related to diversion programs; allows funds for multidisciplinary teams to be used to support police officers and mental health crisis workers responding together to mental health calls; and allows grants to be awarded for additional purposes such as suicide prevention programs and services, case management services, and state and local implementation of the 988 suicide hotline. Additionally, the bill reauthorizes through FY2026 the requirement for the Department of Justice to examine and report on the prevalence of mentally ill offenders in prisons and jails.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2022
This joint resolution nullifies the rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services on October 7, 2021, that reverts requirements for federally funded providers of family planning services to those in effect before May 3, 2019, and makes other changes to family planning programs. Specific changes in the rule include (1) removing restrictions on pregnancy options counseling and referrals for abortion services, (2) eliminating requirements for physical and financial separation between abortion-related activities and specified family planning activities, and (3) providing a particular focus on health equity.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2022
Securing America's Ports of Entry Act of 2022 This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to increase the number of CBP officers to specified levels. If CBP does not adequately increase personnel, the Government Accountability Office must report on CBP hiring practices.
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 · 15 March 2022
This resolution strongly condemns the ongoing violence, including war crimes and systematic human rights abuses, being carried out by Russia's military and its proxies at the direction of Russian President Vladimir Putin. It also encourages the U.S. government and partner nations to use their influence and vote in international organizations to hold those responsible for such crimes and abuses accountable.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2022
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 3903 Melear Drive in Arlington, Texas, as the "Ron Wright Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2022
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1304 4th Avenue in Canyon, Texas, as the "Gary James Fletcher Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2022
Bankruptcy Threshold Adjustment and Technical Corrections Act This bill modifies provisions related to small business reorganization bankruptcies and wage earner's bankruptcies. Specifically, the bill makes permanent the increase of the amount of debt allowed to be carried by debtors to qualify for small business reorganization bankruptcy and provides that this debt limit is subject to adjustment for inflation. Additionally, it provides that a small business debtor includes a debtor that is an affiliate of certain publicly traded companies. Further, it authorizes the bankruptcy trustee to operate the business of the debtor if the debtor ceases to be a debtor in possession. The bill also increases the debt limit for individuals filing for bankruptcy under Chapter 13 (i.e., the wage earner's plan) and allows both secured and unsecured debt to count towards this single limit. (Currently, separate limits apply to secured and unsecured debt.)
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2022
Hydrogen for Trucks Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Transportation to provide grants for the funding of capital projects to purchase heavy-duty fuel cell vehicles and related equipment.
United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2022
Energy Regulations Certainty Act This bill restricts implementation of specified executive orders, air quality and emission standards, and other actions that affect costs and other aspects of energy development until Russian troops are withdrawn from Ukraine. The bill also authorizes construction of the TransCanada Keystone Pipeline for importing oil from Canada to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2022
Dark Web Interdiction Act of 2022 This bill establishes enhanced criminal penalties for distributing controlled substances via the dark web. It also establishes other programs and requirements to address the use of the dark web for illicit drug activities. ( Dark web means the portions of the internet with hidden sites and services that (1) are not generally searchable, and (2) can only be accessed with specialized devices or services that conceal the identities and locations of users.) Specifically, the bill provides an enhanced criminal penalty for delivering, distributing, or dispensing controlled substances via the dark web. The bill also provides statutory authority for the Joint Criminal Opioid and Darknet Enforcement Task Force, which supports the investigation and prosecution of drug offenses committed via the dark web domestically and internationally. In addition, the Department of Justice must report on how and to what extent virtual currencies are used for opioid distribution via the dark web.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2022
Safely Accessing Telecommunications Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the Department of Defense and the Department of State to enter into contracts with satellite-based companies to provide internet and mobile services in countries where the U.S. government is engaged in certain activities, such as providing military or humanitarian assistance. The bill imposes requirements on such contracts, such as requiring such a satellite-based company to comply with certain export licensing regulations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2022
Stop Russian Government and Oligarchs from Limiting Democracy Act of 2022 or the Stop Russian GOLD Act of 2022 This bill prohibits a U.S. person from engaging in a transaction with a foreign person who purchases, transacts in, or transports Russian gold.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2022
Strategy to Reduce Russian Energy Influence Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of State to report to Congress an evaluation of how federal laws and authorities can be used to counter Russia's energy influence globally. The report must include a strategy to reduce or replace Russia's supply of energy products in global markets.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2022
This resolution condemns violence and threats of violence against historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and reaffirms the federal government's commitment to combating violence against HBCU students, faculty, and staff.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2022
American Energy Independence from Russia Act This bill addresses U.S. energy security, the production of oil and gas, and the importation and exportation of oil and gas. Specifically, the President must submit an energy security plan that (1) evaluates U.S. crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas imports and exports; (2) assesses the energy security risks of such imports; and (3) includes strategies to encourage increased domestic production of crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas to offset Russian imports. The bill also approves the TransCanada Keystone Pipeline in Phillips County, Montana for the import of oil from Canada to the United States. In addition, the bill grants the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission the authority to approve or deny applications for facilities to export natural gas from the United States to foreign countries or import natural gas from foreign countries. The President and federal agencies must obtain congressional approval before (1) prohibiting or substantially delaying certain new energy mineral leases or permits on federal lands, or (2) withdrawing certain federal lands from mineral and geothermal leasing activities. The Department of the Interior must resume issuing oil and gas leases on federal lands and offshore submerged lands in the Outer Continental Shelf as specified under the bill. Finally, the bill limits the drawdown of petroleum in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve until the Department of Energy develops a plan to increase the percentage of federal lands leased for oil and gas production.
United States · United States Congress · 3 March 2022
This resolution strongly condemns the ongoing violence, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and systematic human rights abuses being carried out by Russia's military and its proxies at the direction of Russian President Vladimir Putin. It also encourages the U.S. government and partner nations to use their influence and vote in international organizations to hold those responsible for such crimes and abuses accountable.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2022
This bill generally prohibits the use of federal funds, including funds from the federal Judgment Fund, for interim storage of spent nuclear fuel by a privately owned facility. The prohibition does not apply to (1) manufacturers of nuclear reactors or fabricators of nuclear fuel that accept the return of spent nuclear fuel, (2) nuclear power plants that accept spent nuclear fuel for interim storage, or (3) privately owned interim storage facilities that are currently in operation. Funds may also be used for costs associated with transferring or storing spent nuclear fuel at sites owned by the Department of Energy.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2022
This resolution supports the designation of February 19-February 26, 2022, as National FFA Week. It also (1) recognizes the important role of the National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America) in developing the next generation of leaders who will change the world, and (2) celebrates 70 years of the National FFA Organization's membership magazine.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2022
Combating Money Laundering, Terrorist Financing, and Counterfeiting Act of 2022 This bill makes changes to anti-money laundering requirements under federal criminal and banking laws. Among the changes, the bill specifies that a blank check that is drawn on an account containing more than $10,000 and that is possessed by the bearer to avoid reporting requirements is a monetary instrument subject to international transport reporting requirements, increases the maximum criminal penalties for bulk cash smuggling, and permits the government to charge a defendant with a single count of money laundering for multiple violations that are part of the same scheme or continuing course of conduct.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2022
This resolution commends the courage, resolve, and restraint shown by the Ukrainian people in their pursuit of sovereignty and democracy and reaffirms unwavering U.S. support for a secure, democratic, and independent Ukraine. It also condemns Russia's attempted annexation of Crimea in 2014 and denounces Russia's military buildup of over 150,000 troops on Ukraine's border.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2022
This resolution supports reopening the U.S. Capitol Building and Senate Office Buildings to visitors under the public visitation policies that were in place before the COVID-19 pandemic.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2022
This resolution supports the designation of February 2022 as Career and Technical Education Month to celebrate career and technical education across the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2022
Never Yielding Europe's Territory (NYET) Act of 2022 This bill addresses Russia's actions against Ukraine and other countries in the region. The bill authorizes and expedites the provision of security assistance, including by (1) prioritizing delivering excess defense articles to Ukraine, (2) authorizing the Department of State to waive certain costs for defense articles leased to Ukraine, and (3) authorizing additional Foreign Military Financing for programs in Europe. The bill also provides funding for (1) Foreign Military Financing assistance to Ukraine, (2) the Global Engagement Center to counter foreign-sponsored propaganda and disinformation, (3) the Countering Russian Influence Fund to support Ukraine and other countries in response to Russia's aggression, and (4) International Military Education and Training assistance for Ukraine. Furthermore, the bill imposes sanctions, including on (1) senior Russian military officials responsible for planning or executing military operations that violated Ukraine's sovereignty or territorial integrity, and (2) foreign individuals or entities that acted on behalf of Russia's government to destabilize Ukraine or disrupt Ukraine's critical infrastructure. The bill also addresses additional matters, including (1) authorizing Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty to explore opening new bureaus to reach audiences on Russia's periphery; and (2) providing for expedited approval of natural gas exports to qualifying nations, including NATO members, whereas currently expedited approval is only available for exports to countries that are in a free trade agreement relating to natural gas with the United States.