United States · United States Congress · 18 April 2024
This resolution recognizes April 22, 2024, as the 54th anniversary of Earth Day and commends the leadership of its founder, Senator Gaylord Nelson.
United States · United States Congress · 16 April 2024
This resolution designates April 20-28, 2024, as National Park Week. The resolution also encourages the people of the United States and the world to responsibly visit, experience, recreate in, and support the treasured national parks of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2024
This resolution commends the work of library staff in the United States and supports the goals and ideals of National Library Week. The resolution also reaffirms (1) the fundamental right of the people of the United States to access information, and (2) certain fundamental and civil rights of library workers. Further, the resolution recognizes the right of library staff to speak out on matters of public concern.
United States · United States Congress · 11 April 2024
This resolution condemns the wrongful detention of Ryan Corbett by the Taliban, calls for his immediate and unconditional release, and expresses support for his family. (Ryan Corbett is an American citizen detained by the Taliban in Afghanistan since 2022.) The resolution also condemns the Taliban’s continued use of the wrongful detention of U.S. citizens and calls for the immediate release of other U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents wrongfully detained in Afghanistan.
United States · United States Congress · 9 April 2024
This resolution lauds NATO for its 75-year maintenance of the alliance and recognizes its foundational contributions to maintaining the safety, security, and democratic systems of its members. The resolution also (1) recognizes the key role NATO has played in enabling the most peaceful and prosperous period in history for the North Atlantic area, (2) calls on NATO member states to immediately meet their pledges and raise their defense spending levels above the target of two percent of their gross domestic product, and (3) welcomes the recent additions of Finland and Sweden to the alliance.
United States · United States Congress · 8 April 2024
This resolution condemns the arrest and detention of U.S. citizens Evan Gershkovich, Paul Whelan, Alsu Kurmasheva, Marc Fogel, and Ksenia Khavana, and U.S. permanent resident Vladimir Kara-Murza by the government of Russia and calls for their immediate and unconditional release. The resolution also condemns Russia's persecution, arrest, and imprisonment of ordinary Russian citizens and human rights defenders who call for the end of the war in Ukraine and demand freedom.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2024
This resolution designates March 24, 2024, as Maine Maple Sunday. It also recognizes the contribution and importance of maple syrup producers and their families in the state of Maine.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2024
Getting Rid of Abusive Trust Schemes Act or the GRATS Act This bill imposes new requirements on grantor retained annuity trusts (GRATs) to discourage tax avoidance schemes by wealthy taxpayers. Specifically, such trusts must have a minimum term of 15 years and a maximum term of the life expectancy of the annuitant plus 10 years. The bill also prohibits any decrease in a GRAT during its term and requires that the remainder interests in such trusts at the time of their transfer must have a minimum value for gift tax purposes. The bill also treats a transfer of property between a GRAT and its deemed owner as a sale or exchange for income tax purposes, with specified exceptions. The bill designates any income tax paid on the income of a GRAT as a gift for purposes of the gift tax unless the owner of the trust is reimbursed during the same calendar year. The amount of the gift may not be reduced through the use of certain deductions, including the charitable or marital deduction, or gifts of tuition or medical care.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2024
Prevent All Soring Tactics Act of 2024 or the PAST Act of 2024 This bill addresses the practice of soring horses. The soring of horses includes various actions taken on horses' limbs to produce higher gaits that may cause pain, distress, inflammation, or lameness. Specifically, the bill expands soring regulation and enforcement at horse shows, exhibitions, sales, and auctions, including by establishing a new system for inspecting horses for soring. In addition, the bill increases penalties for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 20 March 2024
This resolution designates March 21, 2024, as National Women in Agriculture Day. It also recognizes the important role of women in agriculture as producers, educators, leaders, mentors, and more.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2024
Telehealth Modernization Act This bill modifies requirements relating to coverage of telehealth services under Medicare. Specifically, the bill permanently extends certain flexibilities that were initially authorized during the public health emergency relating to COVID-19. Among other things, the bill allows (1) rural health clinics and federally qualified health centers to serve as the distant site (i.e., the location of the health care practitioner); (2) the home of a beneficiary to serve as the originating site (i.e., the location of the beneficiary) for all services (rather than for only certain services); and (3) all types of practitioners to furnish telehealth services, as determined by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2024
This resolution recognizes that the relationship between the United States and Canada is an essential strategic asset to the United States and U.S. citizens, reaffirms the U.S. commitment to maintain and grow the U.S.-Canada partnership, and fully commits to the creation of more well-paying jobs in the United States through trade and investment with Canada.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2024
This resolution (1) recognizes Girl Scouts of the United States of America for 112 years of providing girls with a safe and inclusive space where they can hone their skills and develop leadership abilities, and (2) congratulates all Girl Scouts who earned the Gold Award in 2023.
United States · United States Congress · 19 March 2024
This resolution celebrates the successes of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women and the contributions they have made in the United States. The resolution also recognizes the importance of providing for the safety and upholding the interests of these women.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2024
Transportation Security Screening Modernization Act This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to streamline the process for individuals applying for or renewing enrollment in multiple security threat assessment (STA) programs, in particular the Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) and the Hazardous Materials Endorsement (HME) programs. Among other things, the TSA must permit an individual to enroll at a TSA-authorized enrollment center once and use the application, as well as information generated by TSA’s vetting, to enroll in any other programs; permit an individual to enroll in more than one STA program at the same time for a single fee that is less than the combined fee for applying to the same programs separately; provide for a streamlined and expeditious renewal process; and provide states the expiration dates for each individual’s STA to ensure commercial driver's licenses include an individual's current HME status. Additionally, the TSA must publish on its website information relating to the streamlining of the enrollment system. If the TSA determines it is necessary to implement these changes through rulemaking, the bill provides for an expedited rulemaking process.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2024
Making Agricultural Products Locally Essential Act or the MAPLE Act This bill includes maple syrup as one of the eligible foods under the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). The Department of Agriculture's SFMNP provides grants to participating states to provide low-income seniors with coupons/vouchers that may be used at farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture programs to purchase eligible foods (i.e., fresh, nutritious, locally-grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey).
United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2024
Right to Vote Act This bill addresses the right to vote in federal elections. Specifically, the bill declares that every citizen of legal voting age shall have the fundamental right to vote in federal elections. In addition, the bill prohibits federal, state, and local governments from substantially impairing the ability to vote in federal elections unless the government action furthers an important and particularized governmental interest. Further, the bill specifies that a government may not diminish the ability to vote in federal elections unless the action uses the least restrictive means to achieve such an interest. A violation of rights created by the bill may be challenged in district court, and a prevailing plaintiff may receive attorney fees. The bill outlines judicial review standards for challenges to voting practices.
United States · United States Congress · 29 February 2024
This resolution recognizes religious freedom as a fundamental human right and expresses concern over threats to religious freedom around the world, such as through harassment, violence, and imprisonment.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2024
This resolution expresses support for the designation of March 18, 2024, as the Health Workforce Well-Being Day of Awareness. The resolution also recognizes the seriousness of widespread health care worker burnout in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 9 February 2024
This resolution calls on the Biden Administration, in coordination with allies and partners in the international community, to help facilitate a dramatic increase in humanitarian aid to prevent starvation and disease in Gaza.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2024
America's Conservation Enhancement Reauthorization Act of 2024 This bill reauthorizes through FY2030 and modifies several wildlife and conservation programs, including the Chronic Wasting Disease Task Force, the management of invasive species under the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act, the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Establishment Act, the Chesapeake Bay Program, the Chesapeake Bay Initiative Act of 1998, and fish habitat conservation projects under the America's Conservation Enhancement Act. In addition, the bill modifies the America's Conservation Enhancement Act, including to provide statutory authority for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to carry out a black vulture livestock protection program that allows one public entity per state to hold a statewide depredation permit to protect commercial agriculture livestock from black vulture predation. It also authorizes appropriations for the FWS to complete the National Fish Habitat Assessment and the associated database. Finally, the bill extends through FY2030 a prohibition on the Environmental Protection Agency taking any action to regulate the lead content of sport fishing equipment or components under the Toxic Substances Control Act.
United States · United States Congress · 8 February 2024
Right Start Child Care and Education Act of 2024 This bill increases or allows new child care tax credits and increases the tax exclusion for employer-provided dependent care assistance. Specifically, the bill doubles the rate and the maximum allowable amount of the employer-provided child care credit. It also allows an additional increase for certain small businesses. The bill allows a new three-year tax credit for individuals who hold child care-related educational degrees and who work in licensed child care facilities. The bill increases the tax exclusion for employer-provided dependent care assistance.