United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2023
Stopping Border Surges Act This bill modifies immigration law provisions relating to unaccompanied alien minors and to asylum seekers. For certain unaccompanied inadmissible alien children, generally those not at risk of being trafficking victims nor having a fear of persecution, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall repatriate the child. Currently, only inadmissible unaccompanied aliens from neighboring countries are subject to repatriation, and DHS has discretion whether to repatriate. When the Department of Health and Human Services releases an unaccompanied child to an individual, it must provide DHS with certain information about that individual. DHS must investigate the individual's immigration status and if the individual is not lawfully present in the United States, DHS must initiate removal proceedings against the individual. The bill requires a stricter standard to find a credible fear of persecution and imposes additional rules on credible fear interviews. If an alien is granted asylum because of fear of persecution in a country, the alien shall be deemed to have renounced asylum status by returning to that country, if there has been no change in the country's conditions. The bill also (1) expands the definition of what constitutes a frivolous asylum application, (2) imposes additional limitations on eligibility for asylum, (3) shortens the deadline for applying for asylum, and (4) extends the time period an alien seeking asylum must wait before receiving employment authorization. Any individual who knowingly and willfully makes materially false statements or uses fraudulent documents in asylum-related proceedings shall be fined or imprisoned up to 10 years, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2023
Taylor Force Martyr Payment Prevention Act of 2023 This bill expands the institutional factors the Department of the Treasury must consider when making a finding that a foreign financial institution is of primary money laundering concern and is therefore subject to special measures, including the prohibition of opening or maintaining correspondent accounts in U.S financial institutions. Specifically, Treasury must consider (1) the extent to which an institution knowingly provides financial services to Hamas, or to an agent of Hamas; and (2) the extent to which an institution, transaction, or type of account is used to facilitate or promote payments for certain acts of terrorism against U.S. and Israeli citizens.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2023
Everett Alvarez, Jr., Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023 This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Everett Alvarez, Jr. in recognition of his service to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2023
ATF Transparency Act This bill modifies procedural requirements related to the transfer or making of firearms that are subject to regulation under the National Firearms Act (e.g., machine guns, short-barreled shotguns, and silencers). The bill permits the transfer of a firearm if 90 days have elapsed since the application to transfer the firearm was filed, and the application has not been denied. Additionally, the bill establishes an administrative relief process with respect to an application to transfer that is denied. The bill permits the making of a firearm if 90 days have elapsed since the application to make the firearm was filed, and the application has not been denied. Finally, the bill requires reports on firearms-related background check inquiries that remain unresolved after 90 days and the percentage of firearms-related background check inquiries related to the transfer of a firearm that were administered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2023
Protecting Minors from Medical Malpractice Act of 2023 This bill makes a medical practitioner who performs a gender-transition procedure on an individual who is less than 18 years of age liable for any physical, psychological, emotional, or physiological harms from the procedure for 30 years after the individual turns 18. Additionally, if a state requires medical practitioners to perform gender-transition procedures, that state shall be ineligible for federal funding from the Department of Health and Human Services. Gender-transition procedures generally include certain surgeries or hormone therapies that change the body of an individual to correspond to a sex that is discordant with the individual's biological sex. They exclude, however, interventions to treat (1) individuals who either have ambiguous external biological sex characteristics or lack a normal sex chromosome structure, sex steroid hormone production, or sex steroid hormone action; (2) infections, injuries, diseases, or disorders caused by a gender-transition procedure; or (3) a physical disorder, injury, or illness that places an individual in imminent danger of death or impairment of a major bodily function.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2023
Title X Abortion Provider Prohibition Act This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from awarding family planning grants to entities that perform abortions or provide funding to other entities that perform abortions. To receive a grant, an entity must certify it will refrain from those activities during the grant period. The bill provides exceptions for abortions (1) in cases of rape or incest; or (2) when the life of the woman is in danger due to a physical disorder, injury, or illness. It also exempts hospitals unless they provide funds to non-hospital entities that provide abortions. HHS must report annually on this prohibition.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2023
Fight Inflation Through Balanced Budgets Act This bill establishes points of order that may be raised in the Senate against (1) budget resolutions that do not include a balanced budget; and (2) provisions that would cause the total amount of appropriations for a program, project, or activity to exceed the authorized amount. The bill also limits waivers of budget points of order in the Senate, including by prohibiting (1) waiving multiple points of order against a measure using a single motion, and (2) waiving a point of order that has not been specifically raised by a Senator.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2023
No People's Liberation Army in Logistical Operations and Other Pertinent Humanitarian Operations Leading to Endangered Security Act or the No PLA LOOPHOLES Act This bill increases restrictions on military-to-military exchanges or contacts between the U.S. Armed Forces and the Chinese military. Specifically, the bill expands an existing prohibition on exchanges or contacts that include inappropriate exposure to advanced logistical operations to cover logistical operations instead. Additionally, the bill eliminates an exception to the prohibited exchanges or contacts in the case of search and rescue or humanitarian operations or exercises.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2023
Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2023 This bill generally prohibits school athletic programs from allowing individuals whose biological sex at birth was male to participate in programs that are for women or girls. Specifically, the bill provides that it is a violation of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 for federally funded education programs or activities to operate, sponsor, or facilitate athletic programs or activities that allow individuals of the male sex to participate in programs or activities that are designated for women or girls. (Title IX prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in federally funded education programs or activities, including in public elementary and secondary schools and in colleges and universities.) Under the bill, sex is based on an individual's reproductive biology and genetics at birth.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2023
American Space Commerce Act of 2023 This bill allows a special allowance for bonus depreciation for qualified domestic space launch property and extends the termination of such allowance until the end of 2032. The bill defines qualified domestic space launch property as property placed in service before January 1, 2033, that is (1) a space transportation vehicle or payload that is launched from the United States, or (2) other property or equipment placed in service to facilitate a space launch from the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2023
Protecting Americans from Fentanyl Trafficking Act of 2023 This bill permanently places fentanyl-related substances as a class into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. A schedule I controlled substance is a drug, substance, or chemical that has a high potential for abuse; has no currently accepted medical value; and is subject to regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act. The temporary scheduling order issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration to place fentanyl-related substances into schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act expires on December 31, 2024.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2023
Financial Defense for Industrial Contractors Act of 2023 or the FDIC Act of 2023 This bill requires the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to begin proceedings for terminating the insured status of large depository institutions that deny banking services to federal contractors that otherwise qualify for such services.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2023
Energy Security Cooperation with Allied Partners in Europe Act of 2023 This bill establishes requirements related to U.S. international energy strategy. Applications to export natural gas to North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member countries, Japan, and certain other countries must be granted on an expedited basis without modification or delay. The President must impose sanctions on a person (individual or entity) that provides certain equipment, investment, or services to the Russian government or related entities for constructing or servicing Russian energy export pipelines. The Department of State must report to Congress on a strategy to enhance the energy security of NATO member countries and increase U.S. energy exports to such countries.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2023
World Health Organization Pandemic Treaty Implementation Resolution This resolution prohibits any international agreement that is drafted by the World Health Organization and relates to pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response from legally binding the United States unless the Senate ratifies the agreement as a treaty. The bill also outlines requirements for negotiating and ratifying such an agreement. The Department of State must (1) consult closely and on a timely basis with the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations while negotiating the agreement, and (2) designate at least two Members of that committee to serve as advisors to the negotiation. The State Department must consult with the advisors immediately before initialing the agreement and keep them fully apprised of the negotiations. Additionally, the President must submit to the Senate the agreement (and all annexes and related materials) within 60 days of signing it. The President must also certify that the submitted materials constitute the totality of the agreement and that adopting the agreement serves U.S. national interests. Members may object to the consideration of any legislation that implements the agreement until the President submits it to the Senate for ratification.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2023
Pregnancy Center Security Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants on a competitive basis for upgrading the facilities of pregnancy-help organizations. The bill defines these as organizations that provide services to individuals with unintended pregnancies with the intent of encouraging the individuals to give birth; the definition in the bill excludes, however, organizations that perform or refer for abortions (or affiliates of those organizations). Facility upgrades include installing security systems and making the facilities accessible to people with disabilities. The bill prohibits the use of grant funds for abortion-related services.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2023
National Right-to-Work Act This bill repeals those provisions of the National Labor Relations Act and the Railway Labor Act that permit employers to make an agreement with a labor union to require employees to join such union as a condition of employment. Currently, at least 27 states have enacted laws prohibiting employers from compelling employees to become members of a union as a condition of employment.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2023
Fighting Oppression until the Reign of Castro Ends Act or the FORCE Act This bill imposes various prohibitions and requirements related to Cuba. Specifically, the bill prohibits removing Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism until the President determines that a transition government in Cuba is in power. Furthermore, persons (individuals or entities) subject to U.S. jurisdiction may not engage in certain direct financial transactions with an entity under the control of or acting on behalf of the Cuban military, intelligence, or security services or personnel. Specifically, such a transaction is prohibited if it would disproportionately benefit the Cuban military, intelligence, or security services or personnel at the expense of the Cuban people or private enterprise in Cuba. The Department of State must publish and annually update a list of the Cuban entities that are subject to these transaction restrictions. The prohibition on financial transactions shall terminate 90 days after the President certifies that Cuba's government has (1) taken the steps necessary to begin transparent, free, and fair elections; and (2) met the requirements to allow for the termination of U.S. economic embargo on Cuba. The bill also requires the State Department to notify Congress of any U.S. engagement with Cuba no later than 14 days after such engagement.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2023
Fair and Open Competition Act or the FOCA Act This bill prohibits federal construction contracts or controlling documents for federally supported construction projects from requiring or prohibiting project labor agreements. Such documents also may not discriminate against or give preference to a bidder or contractor who signs or refuses to sign a project labor agreement. An agency may exempt a project from this prohibition to avert an imminent threat to public health or safety or to serve the national security.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2023
Eric's Law This bill modifies procedures with respect to capital sentencing hearings. If a jury at a capital sentencing hearing does not reach a unanimous recommendation on the defendant's sentence and there is a motion by the attorney for the government, the court must order a new special sentencing hearing and impanel a new jury. If the new jury at the special sentencing hearing does not reach a unanimous recommendation on the defendant's sentence, then the court is prohibited from imposing a death sentence.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2023
Changing Age-Determined Eligibility To Student Incentive Payments Act or the CADETS Act This bill modifies the age requirements for the Student Incentive Payment Program, which provides financial support to cadets who attend one of six state maritime academies and commit to a post-graduation service obligation. Specifically, the bill modifies the age requirements to allow older cadets to qualify for the program if they will meet the age requirements for enlistment in the Navy Reserve at the time of their graduation. Current age requirements prohibit cadets older than 25 from participating in the program.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2023
Securing the Visa Waiver Program Act of 2023 This bill imposes additional requirements on countries that are part of the Visa Waiver Program, which allows citizens or nationals of such countries to travel to the United States without a visa. Specifically, a country that is part of the program must (1) share information with the United States about any of its citizens or nationals who are known or suspected to be involved with terrorism, and (2) establish frameworks for enhanced law enforcement cooperation with the United States. The Department of Homeland Security must terminate a country from the program if it fails to comply with these requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2023
Iran Nuclear Treaty Act This bill requires Senate approval of certain actions with respect to Iran's nuclear program. Specifically, the bill deems any agreement reached between the President and Iran relating to Iran's nuclear program to be a treaty that is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Further, the bill prohibits the President from (1) limiting the application of certain sanctions, or (2) refraining to apply such sanctions pursuant to an agreement unless the agreement is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate as a treaty.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2023
Women's Public Health and Safety Act This bill allows a state to exclude from participation in the state's Medicaid program a provider that performs an abortion, unless (1) the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, or (2) the woman suffers from a physical issue that would place her in danger of death unless an abortion is performed. Under current law, a state plan for medical assistance must provide that any individual eligible for medical assistance may obtain required services from any provider qualified to perform them.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2023
Patient Access to Higher Quality Health Care Act of 2023 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 · 15 February 2023
Protecting Our Kids from Child Abuse Act This bill retroactively makes certain health care facilities and medical practitioners liable for any physical, psychological, emotional, or physiological harms caused by performing a gender-transition procedure on an individual who is younger than 18. The liability extends for 30 years after the individual who received the procedure turns 18, and it applies to procedures that occurred prior to the enactment of the bill. Specifically, the liability applies to pediatric gender clinics (medical facilities specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of gender discordance and dysphoria in minors) that provide gender-transition procedures; institutions of higher education and hospitals affiliated with those clinics, and medical practitioners who perform gender-transition procedures and those who administer health care related to the procedures at pediatric gender clinics. Medical practitioners and health care facilities may defend against a liability claim if they neither knew nor had reason to know the individual was a minor. Additionally, the bill prohibits federal funding for (1) gender-transition procedures performed on minors, (2) pediatric gender clinics, and (3) institutions of higher education or hospitals affiliated with those clinics. Under the bill, gender-transition procedures generally include surgeries or hormone therapies that change the body of an individual to correspond to a sex that is different than the individual's biological sex. They exclude, however, specified types of interventions, including those that address (1) ambiguous external biological sex characteristics or abnormal sex chromosome structure or hormones; or (2) infections or other harms that result from a gender-transition procedure.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2023
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 · 15 February 2023
No WHO Pandemic Preparedness Treaty Without Senate Approval Act This bill establishes that any convention or agreement on pandemic-related issues reached by the World Health Assembly (WHA) pursuant to a specified negotiating body shall be deemed to be a treaty requiring the advice and consent of the Senate. Specifically, this bill applies to any international instrument negotiated by the intergovernmental negotiating body established by the WHA in December 2021 to strengthen pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2023
This resolution supports the designation of February 18-February 25, 2023, 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 the 95th anniversary of the organization.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2023
Financial Freedom Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the Department of Labor from limiting the type or range of investments that fiduciaries may offer participants and beneficiaries in certain employer-sponsored retirement plans. The bill applies to certain defined contribution plans that permit participants or beneficiaries to exercise control over the assets in the account, such as a 401(k) plan that allows participants or beneficiaries to select additional investment options through a self-directed brokerage window.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2023
Natural Gas Export Expansion Act This bill expands the expedited application and approval process for natural gas imports or exports to include a permit to a nation that is not a party to a free trade agreement with the United States, unless the nation is (1) subject to sanctions or trade restrictions, or (2) excluded by the President or Congress for national security reasons.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2023
Prohibiting IRS Financial Surveillance Act This bill prohibits the Department of the Treasury from requiring a financial institution to report on an account's balance, transactions, transfers, or similar information. This prohibition does not apply to laws or regulations in effect on the date of enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2023
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 · 14 February 2023
Stopping Harmful Image Exploitation and Limiting Distribution Act of 2023 or the SHIELD Act of 2023 This bill establishes a new criminal offense related to the distribution of intimate visual depictions. Specifically, the bill makes it a crime to knowingly mail or distribute (or attempt or threaten to distribute) an intimate visual depiction of an individual with knowledge of or reckless disregard for the individual's lack of consent, where what is depicted was not voluntarily exposed by the individual in a public or commercial setting, and where what is depicted is not a matter of public concern; or a visual depiction of a nude minor with the intent to abuse, humiliate, harass, or degrade the minor or to arouse or gratify the sexual desire of any person. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both—and mandatory restitution. Violators must also forfeit any material involved in the offense, property constituting or derived from the proceeds from the offense, and property used to commit or facilitate the offense.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2023
Hearing Protection Act This bill removes silencers from the definition of firearms for purposes of the National Firearms Act. It also treats persons acquiring or possessing a firearm silencer as meeting any registration and licensing requirements of such Act. The Department of Justice must destroy certain records relating to the registration, transfer, or making of a silencer. The bill also revises the definitions of firearm silencer and firearm muffler under the federal criminal code and includes such items in the 10% excise tax category.
United States · United States Congress · 14 February 2023
Build the Wall Now Act This bill resumes the construction of, and modifies the requirements for, a physical barrier along the U.S.-Mexico border. Specifically, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must, within one day of the bill's enactment, resume any project related to the construction of such barriers (and any related infrastructure), and DHS may not cancel any contracts related to such construction that were entered into on or before January 20, 2021. Additionally, funds already appropriated for such construction must remain available until expended. The bill also modifies the requirements for the physical barriers along the southern border and requires DHS to consult with the labor organization representing border patrol agents about the safety and effectiveness of the agents deployed in the vicinity of the barriers. Finally, the bill exempts these construction projects from certain legal requirements, including requirements stemming from the Administrative Procedure Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the federal laws regarding public contracts.
United States · United States Congress · 13 February 2023
Haiti Criminal Collusion Transparency Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of State to provide an annual report to Congress on ties between criminal gangs and political and economic elites in Haiti. The bill also requires the President to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on certain individuals identified in the report if appropriate under specified U.S. laws. Among other things, the report must (1) identify prominent criminal gangs in Haiti, (2) list Haitian political and economic elites that have links to criminal gangs, (3) assess how collusion between Haitian political and economic elites and criminal gangs threatens the Haitian people and U.S. national interests, and (4) assess what actions the governments of the United States and Haiti could take to address those threats. The President may waive sanctions in certain circumstances.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2023
This joint resolution nullifies the Environmental Protection Agency rule relating to Control of Air Pollution From New Motor Vehicles: Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards (88 Fed. Reg. 4296) and published on January 24, 2023. The rule modifies emission standards to reduce air pollution, including ozone and particulate matter, from heavy-duty engines and vehicles.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2023
This bill designates the area in front of the Cuban embassy in the District of Columbia as Oswaldo Payá Way. (Oswaldo Payá was a pro-democracy activist in Cuba.)
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2023
Cost Recovery and Expensing Acceleration to Transform the Economy and Jumpstart Opportunities for Businesses and Startups Act or the CREATE JOBS Act This bill allows permanent expensing of qualified property (i.e., property with a recovery period of 20 years or less and that is computer software, water utility property, or film, television, or live theatrical production property). It also modifies depreciation provisions for residential rental property and nonresidential real property. The bill repeals provisions for the amortization of research and experimental expenditures, thus providing for direct expensing of such expenditures.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2023
Stop Higher Education Espionage and Theft Act of 2023 This bill establishes a process for designating foreign actors as foreign intelligence threats to higher education. Specifically, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) must designate a foreign actor as a foreign intelligence threat to higher education if the foreign actor has committed, attempted to commit, or conspired to commit certain actions in connection with an institution of higher education (IHE), such as espionage, misuse of visas, or theft of trade secrets. Prior to making such a designation, the FBI must submit notice to Congress and the Department of Justice. Upon the designation of a foreign actor as a threat, the Department of State must revoke the nonimmigrant visa issued to the foreign actor present in the United States, and the Department of Homeland Security must initiate removal proceedings against the foreign actor. Additionally, the bill provides for judicial review and a process for revoking a foreign actor's designation as a threat. Finally, the bill also requires an IHE to disclose to the Department of Education any gift or contract with a foreign intelligence threat, including the fair market value of the gift or contract.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2023
This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that (1) for purposes of federal law, an individual's sex means the individual's biological sex at birth; and (2) distinctions between the sexes are justified in certain settings, laws, and policies.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2023
Highway Formula Fairness Act This bill modifies the formula that the Department of Transportation uses to apportion federal highway funds among the states for the national highway performance program, the surface transportation block grant program, the highway safety improvement program, the congestion mitigation and air quality improvement program, the national highway freight program, and metropolitan transportation planning.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2023
Protecting America From Spies Act This bill expands the grounds for barring non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who have engaged in acts of espionage or sabotage from entering the United States. Specifically, any individual shall be inadmissible if the individual has engaged in or will engage in an act that (1) violates a U.S. law relating to espionage or sabotage; (2) would violate any U.S. law relating to espionage or sabotage if it occurred in the United States; or (3) violates any U.S. law prohibiting the export of goods, technology, or sensitive information. Currently, an individual is inadmissible if the individual seeks to enter the United States to engage in such an action. Furthermore, the bill expands these grounds of inadmissibility and other security-related grounds to cover the spouse or child of the barred individual if the act occurred in the last five years. The bill also modifies the authority of the Department of Justice to waive certain security-related grounds of inadmissibility for an individual applying for a nonimmigrant visa.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2023
Pistol Brace Protection Act This bill removes certain brace-equipped firearms from regulation under certain federal firearms laws. Specifically, under the bill, a pistol that that is equipped with an attachable stabilizing brace (or arm brace) that allows the pistol to be fired with one hand is not a rifle or shotgun subject to regulation (e.g., registration requirements) under the National Firearms Act.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2023
WALL Act of 2023 This bill appropriates $25 billion for the construction of a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and addresses other issues related to immigration. As offsets to this spending, the bill restricts the child tax credit, earned income credits, and lifetime learning credits to those with Social Security numbers and not prohibited from employment in the United States. Also, individuals who file taxes using an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security number must pay a fee ($300 for each individual on the tax return using an ITIN). The bill restricts eligibility for certain federally-funded benefits, including unemployment compensation, supplemental nutrition assistance, and housing benefits, to those eligible to work in the United States. Agencies administering such benefits must use the E-Verify program to confirm the eligibility of applicants for such benefits. This bill also sets fines for non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who improperly enter the United States or overstay their visas.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2023
Retain Skilled Veterans Act This bill modifies the restriction related to the appointment of retired members of the Armed Forces to certain civil service positions in the Department of Defense. Under the bill, the 180-day waiting period before a retired member may be appointed to a position only applies to those positions in the excepted or competitive service classified at or above GS-14 of the General Schedule (or equivalent).
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2023
Protecting Our Wealth of Energy Resources Act of 2023 or the POWER Act This bill requires the President and federal agencies to obtain the approval of Congress before prohibiting or substantially delaying certain new energy or mineral leases or permits on federal lands. Specifically, approval must be obtained for new (1) oil and gas leases, drill permits, approvals, or authorizations; (2) coal leases, permits, approvals, or authorizations; and (3) mineral patents, leases, permits, approvals, or authorizations. In addition, the President and agencies must obtain the approval of Congress before withdrawing certain federal lands from mineral and geothermal leasing activities.
![Official portrait of Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/c001098_200.jpg)