United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2023
Grandfamilies Act of 2023 This bill expands access to specified programs for children living with grandparents or other family members who are not their legal guardian. Specifically, the bill provides that a child of a relative eligible for Old-Age and Survivors Insurance benefits is eligible for such benefit payments if that child (1) began living with such relative before age 18, (2) receives at least 50% of their support from such relative, and (3) has lived with such relative pursuant to a court order for at least 12 months. Additionally, the bill revises the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) eligibility requirements for children living with specified caregiver relatives. First, the bill lessens the requirement for TANF applicants to assign their rights to child support when such assignment may impact the likelihood of reunifying the child with their noncustodial parent, such as where the noncustodial parent is working to gain financial stability so they may reunify with their child. Further, when a child, but not the caregiver relative, receives TANF benefits (i.e., child-only cases), or if the caregiver relative is 55 or older, the bill (1) excludes such caregiver’s income from that child’s eligibility determination, (2) removes the 5-year cap on assistance, and (3) exempts such caregiver relatives from TANF work requirements. The bill also (1) encourages states to enact temporary guardianship laws, (2) provides grants for state plans to support caregiver relatives, and (3) requires the Administration for Community Living to provide grants for establishing cross-sector partnerships that support families with caregiver relatives.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2023
This bill directs the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) to establish a grant program to provide farmworkers, meat processing workers, and grocery workers stabilization payments in the case of a natural disaster or other disaster. Specifically, AMS must provide funding to membership organizations or labor unions representing farmworkers, meat processing workers, and grocery workers for the payments.
United States · United States Congress · 12 December 2023
Promoting Advancement Through Transit Help to College Act or the PATH to College Act This bill authorizes Department of Transportation (DOT) grants for improving transit connections for students at institutions of higher education. Specifically, grants must be used for projects such as (1) adding transit stops that serve campuses and connect to surrounding areas or other cities, (2) increasing the frequency of service or adjusting the transit time to allow students to get to and from their classes, or (3) providing for service operating costs. DOT may award the grants to partnerships of public transit providers and one or more community colleges, historically Black colleges and universities, tribal colleges and universities, or other minority-serving institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 7 December 2023
This resolution mourns the passing of First Lady Rosalynn Carter, extends sympathies to her husband and family, and honors her contributions to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 6 December 2023
LGBTQI Business Equal Credit Enforcement and Investment Act This bill requires financial institutions to report certain credit application data to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for the purposes of enforcing fair lending laws. Specifically, financial institutions must report this data regarding lesbian-, gay-, bisexual-, transgender-, queer-, or intersex-owned businesses. Currently, this data is reported regarding women-owned, minority-owned, and small businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2023
Full-Service Community School Expansion Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 and expands the Full-Service Community Schools program. The program provides support for full-service community schools that serve children and their families, particularly for children who attend high-poverty elementary and secondary schools. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to eligible entities to plan, implement, expand, and support full-service community schools. An eligible entity is a consortium of (1) one or more local educational agencies; and (2) one or more community-based organizations, nonprofit organizations, Indian tribes, tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian organizations, or other entities. A full-service community school is a public elementary or secondary school that incorporates the pillars of community schools. Among other practices, these pillars are defined by the bill as (1) integrated student supports that address out-of-school barriers to learning (e.g., medical care and assistance with housing, transportation, or nutrition); (2) expanded and enriched learning time and opportunities (e.g., before- and after-school programs); (3) student, family, and community engagement (e.g., adult education); and (4) collaborative leadership and practices, which must include a school-based leadership team, a community school coordinator, and a community-wide leadership team. The bill directs ED to award grants to states to plan, implement, and expand full-service community schools. A state educational agency that receives a grant must meet certain requirements, such as providing subgrants to local educational agencies, establishing a state-level steering committee, and establishing goals for the implementation and expansion of full-service community schools throughout the state.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2023
This resolution supports the President's efforts to deter Iran, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hamas, and other Iranian proxies from expanding the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The resolution also recognizes Israel's right to self-defense and encourages the President to work to secure the safe release and return of all hostages held by Hamas.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2023
Medical Nutrition Therapy Act of 2023 This bill expands Medicare coverage of medical nutrition therapy services. Currently, Medicare covers such services for individuals with diabetes or kidney disease under certain circumstances; such services must also be provided by a registered dietitian or nutrition professional pursuant to a physician referral. The bill extends coverage to individuals with other diseases and conditions, including obesity, eating disorders, cancer, and HIV/AIDS; such services may also be referred by a physician assistant, nurse practitioner, clinical nurse specialist, or (for eating disorders) a clinical psychologist.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2023
This bill requires federal courts to make remote access to certain criminal court proceedings available for victims of the bombing of Pan American Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, on December 21, 1988. Specifically, federal courts must make remote access available to the proceedings in the criminal case against Abu Agila Mohammed Mas'ud Kheir Al-Marimi and against any co-conspirator subsequently charged and prosecuted in federal court for crimes related to the bombing of Pan American Flight 103.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2023
Training and Nutrition Stability Act of 2023 This bill excludes specific employment and training program allowances, earnings, and payments from income when determining eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). (Under SNAP, a household must have an income below a certain level to qualify for program benefits.) Examples of programs excluded from income include Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) programs, vocational rehabilitation programs, and refugee employment programs. This bill also removes the requirement that earnings from on-the-job training be considered earned income for purposes of determining SNAP eligibility.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2023
Flood Protection and Infrastructure Resilience Act of 2023 This bill modifies Department of Agriculture (USDA) watershed programs. The bill modifies the Emergency Watershed Protection (EWP) Program to allow USDA to undertake certain measures that go beyond addressing the immediate impairment of the watershed. Specifically, USDA may undertake measures that increase the level of protection of the watershed if USDA determines that the restoration is in the best interest of the long-term health and the protection of the watershed from repetitive impairments. (The EWP Program assists sponsors, landowners, and operators in implementing emergency recovery measures for runoff retardation and erosion prevention to relieve imminent hazards to life and property created by natural disasters.) In addition, for Watershed Rehabilitation Program (REHAB) projects that serve a limited resource area, the bill increases the federal cost-share to up to 90% of the total rehabilitation costs. Currently, the federal cost-share for all projects is 65% of the total rehabilitation costs. (REHAB assists project sponsors in rehabilitating aging watershed dams that are reaching the end of their design life or no longer meet certain federal or state standards.) Further, the purpose of the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP) is amended to include the prevention and mitigation of the effects of flooding and drought and the improvement or expansion of flood resiliency. (Under the RCPP, USDA enters into agreements with eligible partners to deliver conservation projects in specific geographical areas. Within an RCPP project, producers enter into contracts and agreements with USDA to carry out eligible conservation activities.)
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2023
All Students Count Act of 2023 This bill requires the results of student academic assessments to be disaggregated within each state, local educational agency, and school by Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander subgroups. In particular, the Asian American category must include Chinese, Asian Indian, Filipino, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Pakistani, Cambodian, Hmong, Laotian, Thai, Taiwanese, Burmese, Bangladeshi, and Nepalese subgroups, and, to the greatest extent practicable, additional subgroups such as the lu Mien and Montagnards. The Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander category must include Native Hawaiian, Samoan, Chamorro, Tongan, iTaukei, and Marshallese, and, to the greatest extent practicable, additional subgroups such as the Chuukese and Palauan. The Department of Education must develop guidance related to whether and when these reporting requirements will yield statistically reliable information. Such guidance shall help to inform the minimum number of students that will maximize data reporting for each major racial and ethnic group.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2023
HCBS Relief Act of 2023 This bill temporarily increases the applicable Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (i.e., federal matching rate) under Medicaid for certain approved home- and community-based services that are provided during FY2024-FY2025. As a condition for receiving the increased rate, a state must agree to undertake activities to improve the delivery of such services, such as by providing additional benefits to home health workers and by helping individuals who were relocated to nursing facilities move back to their homes.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2023
Disaster Relief Medicaid Act This bill establishes a series of programs and requirements relating to Medicaid coverage of individuals affected by a federally declared major disaster, national emergency, or public health emergency. In particular, the bill provides for specific coverage under Medicaid for individuals who meet specified income eligibility standards and were either residents of the impacted area or were employed in the impacted area (and subsequently lost employment). Coverage is effective for two years after the date of the disaster or emergency declaration. State Medicaid programs must provide coverage that is at least as comprehensive as the state's Medicaid coverage and the Medicaid coverage of the individual's home state, as applicable. The bill applies a 100% Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (i.e., federal matching rate) to such coverage and related administrative expenses. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must contract with a nonprofit to evaluate the impact of the bill's implementation.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 2023
Healthy Meals Help Kids Learn Act of 2023 This bill permanently increases the federal reimbursement rates for the school lunch and breakfast programs. Specifically, beginning July 1, 2024, the bill provides an additional 45 cents per lunch served in the National School Lunch Program and an additional 28 cents per breakfast served in the School Breakfast Program. These amounts must be adjusted annually for inflation beginning July 1, 2025.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 2023
This resolution states that the Senate stands with Israel as it defends itself, reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, and calls on all countries to unequivocally condemn Hamas' war on Israel. The resolution also reaffirms the United States' commitment to Israel's security, supports emergency resupply and certain other types of assistance to Israel, and calls on the United States to lead an international effort to deprive Hamas of Iranian and other sources of funding and lethal assistance. Furthermore, the resolution states that it may not be construed as a declaration of war or an authorization for the use of military force.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2023
This resolution expresses support for members of the United Auto Workers union in their negotiations with automakers General Motors, Stellantis, and Ford (known as the Big Three) . The resolution supports workers' rights to organize and to collectively bargain. It also calls on the automakers to negotiate in good faith and offer their workers a fair contract.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2023
Disability Employment Incentive Act This bill expands tax credits and deductions that are available for employers who hire and retain employees with disabilities. The bill expands the work opportunity tax credit to include the hiring of employees who receive disability insurance benefits under the Social Security Act. For employers who hire vocational rehabilitation referrals, Supplemental Security Income recipients, or Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) recipients, the bill (1) increases the amount of wages that may be taken into account for the credit, and (2) allows an additional credit for second-year wages. With respect to the tax credit for expenditures by eligible small businesses to provide access to disabled individuals, the bill (1) increases the limits that apply to the amount of expenditures that are eligible for the credit, and (2) modifies the gross receipts and full-time employee eligibility criteria for such businesses. The bill also expands the tax deduction for expenditures to remove architectural and transportation barriers to the handicapped and elderly. The bill modifies the deduction to (1) increase the limitation on the amount of the deduction, and (2) include expenses for certain improvements in the accessibility of i nternet or telecommunications services to handicapped and elderly individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2023
Resilient Transit Act of 2023 This bill authorizes the Department of Transportation (DOT) to provide grants under the State of Good Repair Grants Program to assist states and local governments in financing public transportation resilience improvement projects that increase the resilience of public transportation systems from the impacts of climate change, such as sea level rise, flooding, wildfires, extreme weather events, and other natural disasters. Under the program, grants may be used for (1) standalone projects, and (2) components of capital projects. DOT must submit an annual report to Congress on the program and publish the report on DOT's website.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2023
This resolution condemns Hamas in the harshest terms for its attacks on Israel. It also decries Hamas's abductions and threats against hostages and calls on the United States to lead a global campaign to demand the release of those hostages.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2023
Maintaining and Enhancing Hydroelectricity and River Restoration Act of 2023 This bill establishes a new investment tax credit in the amount of 30% of the basis of any hydropower improvement property. The bill defines hydropower improvement property as property that adds or improves fish passage at a qualified dam; maintains or improves the quality of the water retained or released by a qualified dam; promotes downstream sediment transport and habitat maintenance; upgrades, repairs, or reconstructs a qualified dam to meet safety and security standards; improves public uses of, and access to, public waterways impacted by a qualified dam; removes an obsolete river obstruction; or places into service an approved remote dam. Further, written approval for hydropower improvement property must be obtained from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission or state or local officials prior to January 1, 2032. The bill also allows an election to claim the investment tax credit for qualified progress expenses for some types of hydropower improvement property in advance of such property being placed into service. Any investment tax credit amount claimed for qualified progress expenses reduces the amount of the investment tax credit that may be claimed once the hydropower improvement property is placed into service. The bill authorizes certain entities, including tax-exempt and governmental entities, to treat the investment tax credit for hydropower improvement property as a payment of tax and receive a refund of any overpayment (also known as elective pay). Finally, the investment tax credit for hydropower improvement property may be transferred (i.e., sold).
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2023
Community Development Investment Tax Credit Act of 2023 This bill allows investors a business-related tax credit for investment in a Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI). The applicable percentage of such credit is 3% for the first 10 years of investment in a CDFI with a 1% increase after the initial credit allowance date and for investments without a fixed term or duration. The tax credit is available to investors who invest in various CDFIs to provide financial support for increasing wealth in low- and moderate-income communities. The national limitation on the credit is $1 billion for 2022, $1.5 billion for 2023, and $2 billion for 2024 and each year thereafter, with adjustments for inflation.
![Official portrait of Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/g000555_200.jpg)