United States · United States Congress · 19 January 2022
Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022 This bill temporarily waives certain requirements related to the President's authority to lend or lease defense articles if the defense articles are intended for Ukraine's government and necessary to protect civilians in Ukraine from Russian military invasion. An agreement to lend or lease defense articles under this bill shall not be subject to certain requirements and provisions that typically apply to such lend-lease agreements, including (1) a requirement that prohibits a loan period from exceeding five years, (2) a requirement that the United States may recall the loaned defense article at any time, (3) a requirement that the receiving party has agreed to pay the United States all costs incurred in leasing the defense article, and (4) a provision that allows Congress to prohibit certain transfers of defense articles upon the enactment of a joint resolution. The waivers provided by this bill shall be in effect until (1) the conflict beginning with Russia's annexation of the Crimea region of Ukraine in 2014 has ceased, and (2) Russia has reduced its military force on Ukraine's eastern border to the levels maintained prior to March 1, 2021. The President must establish expedited procedures to ensure the timely delivery of defense articles loaned or leased under this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2022
This resolution expresses gratitude for the personnel of the U.S. Capitol and the U.S. Capitol Police for their bravery and service to the United States and reaffirms the dedication of the Senate to strengthening the rights of and support to those personnel.
United States · United States Congress · 13 January 2022
Congressional Tribute to Constance Baker Motley Act of 2022 This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal posthumously to Constance Baker Motley in recognition of her contributions and service to the United States in advancing civil rights as an attorney, elected official, and judge.
United States · United States Congress · 12 January 2022
Defending Ukraine Sovereignty Act of 2022 This bill authorizes security assistance for Ukraine, requires sanctions against Russia if it escalates hostilities in or against Ukraine, and addresses related issues. The bill (1) authorizes the Department of Defense to use various authorities to provide and expedite the delivery of defense articles to support Ukraine's armed forces, (2) allows the President to exercise drawdown authority to provide defense articles to Ukraine, and (3) authorizes the Department of State to provide International Military Education and Training assistance to Ukraine. The President must periodically determine whether Russia's government is significantly escalating hostilities in or against Ukraine and whether such an escalation has the aim or effect of undermining Ukraine's government or interfering with Ukraine's sovereignty or territorial integrity. If the President determines that Russia's government has engaged in such escalation, the President must impose sanctions on (1) certain government officials, including Russia's president and prime minister; (2) certain Russian financial institutions; (3) entities involved in certain transactions involving Russian debt; (4) entities (and corporate officers of such entities) involved in constructing or operating Russia's Nord Stream 2 natural gas pipeline; and (5) certain entities involved in Russian resource extraction industries. The President may terminate such sanctions after certifying to Congress that Russia's government has taken certain actions, such as entering into an agreed settlement with Ukraine's legitimate democratic government. The bill also authorizes Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty to explore opening new bureaus to reach new audiences on Russia's periphery. The State Department must establish an initiative to deepen and foster ties with the Baltic states.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 2022
Innovation in Aging Act This bill reauthorizes for FY2022 activities carried out by the Research, Demonstration, and Evaluation Center for the Aging Network (which conducts research, evaluates programs, and identifies best practices related to programs and services for older adults).
United States · United States Congress · 10 January 2022
This bill expands the expedited environmental review and permitting process under Title 41 of the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act, commonly known as FAST-41, to include certain computer-related infrastructure projects. Specifically, the bill provides for the expedited review of infrastructure projects concerning semiconductors, artificial intelligence and machine learning, high-performance computing and advanced computer hardware and software, quantum information science and technology, data storage and data management, or cybersecurity.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2021
Capitol Police Emergency Assistance Act of 2021 This bill allows the chief of the U.S. Capitol Police to request emergency assistance from executive departments and executive agencies to prevent significant disruption of governmental function and public order at the U.S. Capitol. The bill also eliminates statutory qualification and approval requirements for law enforcement and uniformed service personnel appointed to serve as special police officers, including during periods of emergency initiated by the chief under the bill. Further, special police regulations prescribed by the U.S. Capitol Police Board are subject to approval by the Speaker of the House and Senate majority leader under the bill. Those regulations are subject to approval by the Speaker and the President pro tempore of the Senate under current law. Finally, the bill requires the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Committee on House Administration to jointly conduct at least one oversight hearing of the U.S. Capitol Police Board during each Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2021
Omnibus Tourism Act of 2021 This bill addresses measures to support the U.S. travel and tourism industry with a specific focus on assisting the industry recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill establishes the office of Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Travel and Tourism. Among other responsibilities, the Assistant Secretary must develop and implement a strategy to assist the U.S. travel and tourism industry to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill also provides statutory authority for the United States Travel and Tourism Advisory Board and directs the board to assist with the recovery strategy. Additionally, the Department of Commerce must study the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on employment rates, business revenues, and other aspects of the travel and tourism industry and provide policy recommendations to promote the industry. Further, the Department of Health and Human Services must establish a joint federal task force to address health, safety, security, and other logistical issues affecting air travel during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill establishes a committee comprised of representatives of airports, aviation workers, and other stakeholders to advise the task force. In addition, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) must study the feasibility of using dogs to detect the presence of the virus that causes COVID-19 as part of airport security screenings. The TSA may also establish a pilot program at up to six foreign airports to allow passengers departing from those airports to bypass domestic security rescreening at a connecting airport in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2021
Humane Cosmetics Act of 2021 This bill generally prohibits animal testing in the evaluation of cosmetic products, and it prohibits the sale or transport of cosmetics developed using animal testing, subject to civil penalties. These prohibitions begin one year after enactment. The bill specifies exceptions to these prohibitions, including if such animal testing (1) is conducted outside the United States to comply with a foreign regulatory authority; (2) is pursuant to a specified finding that there are no nonanimal alternatives to test the safety of a potentially dangerous cosmetic product or ingredient; (3) is of a product or ingredient for a drug or device subject to regulation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); or (4) is required for a noncosmetic purpose pursuant to a state, federal, or foreign regulatory authority. Further, no animal-testing evidence may be used to establish the safety of a cosmetic product or ingredient that is regulated by the FDA after the effective date of this bill, subject to limited exceptions.
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2021
Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act This bill directs the Department of Education to award formula grants to state educational agencies and, through them, subgrants to local educational agencies to increase access to school-based, mental-health-services providers at high-need public elementary and secondary schools.
United States · United States Congress · 9 December 2021
Protecting Community Television Act This bill revises the definition of a franchise fee that is paid by a cable operator or cable subscriber to encompass only a tax, fee, or other monetary assessment that is imposed by a franchising authority or other governmental entity.
United States · United States Congress · 8 December 2021
This resolution designates December 18, 2021, as National Wreaths Across America Day and honors the Wreaths Across America project, patriotic escort units, the U.S. trucking industry, and the volunteers and donors involved in this tradition. Additionally, the resolution recognizes the service and sacrifices of veterans and members of the Armed Forces and their families.
United States · United States Congress · 1 December 2021
This bill requires the Joint Committee on the Library to obtain, and the Architect of the Capitol to permanently install in the U.S. Capitol or on the U.S. Capitol Grounds, statues honoring Associate Justices of the Supreme Court Sandra Day O'Connor and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.
United States · United States Congress · 1 December 2021
Dairy Pricing Opportunity Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to hold national hearings to review Federal Milk Marketing Orders. (USDA uses these orders to establish a minimum price for various classes of milk.) The hearings must include the review of proposals from producers and the dairy industry on the price of Class I skim milk.
United States · United States Congress · 29 November 2021
This bill redesignates the Geospatial Learning Center in the Next NGA West facility in St. Louis, Missouri, as the Senator Roy Blunt Geospatial Learning Center.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2021
Reforming Broadband Connectivity Act of 2021 This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to make changes to the financing of the Universal Service Fund. This fund, which is financed by fees contributed by telecommunications carriers, supports programs to expand the availability of and access to telecommunications services. Specifically, the bill directs the FCC to (1) study the need for expanding the fund's contribution base to ensure fairness and equity in applicable contribution requirements, and (2) reform the fund's contribution system through rulemaking. In carrying out the rulemaking, the FCC must consider the findings and recommendations of its study and the impact of changes on consumers, businesses, and seniors.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2021
Healthy Maternity and Obstetric Medicine Act or the Healthy MOM Act This bill expands health insurance coverage availability for pregnant individuals. It requires health insurers, health insurance exchanges, and group health plans to offer a special enrollment period to pregnant individuals. The special enrollment period offered by an insurer or exchange must begin when the pregnancy is reported to the insurer or exchange. The special enrollment period offered by a group health plan must begin when the pregnancy is reported to the plan or is confirmed by a health care provider. The bill also makes pregnancy a qualifying life event for the purpose of enrolling in a federal employee health benefit plan. Additionally, a group health plan or health insurer that covers dependents must provide coverage for maternity care to all covered individuals. Any individual who is eligible for Medicaid and is, or becomes, pregnant maintains such eligibility for one year after the end of the pregnancy. The bill revises the range in which a state must establish a maximum level of family income for pregnant women and infants to be eligible for Medicaid. The upper limit of the range is eliminated and the lower limit is set to the level in place on January 1, 2014.
United States · United States Congress · 18 November 2021
Transformation to Competitive Integrated Employment Act This bill addresses employment standards for people with disabilities. First, the Department of Labor must award grants to states and certain eligible entities to assist them in transforming their business and program models to support people with disabilities by providing competitive integrated employment, assisting them in finding and retaining work in such employment, providing them with integrated employment and integrated community participation and wraparound services, and ensuring that such services comply with federal regulations for individuals receiving home and community-based services. The bill also prohibits the issuance of new special certificates that allow payment of subminimum wages to people with disabilities and phases out existing certificates over a five-year period. Further, Labor's Office of Disability Employment must award grants for technical assistance and other strategic support to employers transitioning from special certificates to competitive integrated employment for people with disabilities. Labor must contract with a nonprofit entity to conduct an evaluation of the impact of these transitions.
United States · United States Congress · 17 November 2021
This resolution designates November 2021 as National Hospice and Palliative Care Month. It also encourages individuals to increase their understanding and awareness of care at the end of life.
United States · United States Congress · 16 November 2021
USACE Military Personnel Augmentation Act of 2021 This bill expands the types of Army personnel entitled to receive certain pay and allowances while assigned to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on nonmilitary public works projects. Currently, regular Corps officers and reserve Army officers assigned to the Corps are entitled to receive pay and allowances from funds appropriated for the project that they are working on. The bill entitles warrant officers and enlisted members of the Army, whether regular or reserve, to receive such pay and allowances when assigned to the Corps.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2021
This resolution establishes the McCain-Mansfield Fellowship Program for wounded or disabled veterans. Under the program, qualifying individuals may serve a 24-month fellowship in the office of a Senator. The Senate Committee on Rules and Administration must issue regulations for program administration, including eligibility criteria.
United States · United States Congress · 4 November 2021
This bill states that the United States should seek to support (1) improving Taiwan's asymmetric defense capabilities; (2) bolstering deterrence to preserve peace, security, and stability across the Taiwan Strait; (3) and deepening defense capability interoperability with Taiwan.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2021
This resolution designates October 2021 as National Dyslexia Awareness Month and calls on Congress, schools, and educational agencies to recognize that dyslexia has significant educational implications that must be addressed.
United States · United States Congress · 27 October 2021
Cancer Drug Parity Act of 20 21 This bill requires group health plans that cover anticancer medications administered by a health care provider to provide no less favorable cost sharing for patient-administered anticancer medications. This requirement applies to medications that are (1) approved by the Food and Drug Administration; (2) medically necessary for the cancer treatment; and (3) clinically appropriate in terms of type, frequency, extent site, and duration. To comply with this requirement, plans may not, with respect to anticancer medications (1) change or replace benefits to increase out-of-pocket costs, (2) reclassify benefits to increase costs, or (3) apply more restrictive limitations to orally administered medications than to intravenously administered or injected medications.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2021
This resolution (1) recognizes October 2021 as National Principals Month and supports its goals and ideals; and (2) honors the contributions of principals in elementary, middle, and high schools in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2021
Battery Material Processing and Component Manufacturing Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Energy to establish grant programs to support, enhance, and sustain a domestic supply chain for batteries, including grants to facilities for processing, manufacturing, and recycling batteries.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2021
Comforting Our Military Families through On-base or Remote Treatment Act of 2021 or the COMFORT Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the Office of Military Family Readiness Policy within the Department of Defense (DOD) to coordinate programs and activities for the provision of nonmedical counseling services to military families through the DOD Military and Family Life Counseling Program. Under the bill, nonmedical counseling services means mental health care services that are nonclinical, short-term, and solution-focused to address topics related to personal growth, development, and positive functioning. The bill authorizes mental health professionals to provide non-medical counseling services regardless of where the provider or recipient is located so long as the provision of service is within the scope of the authorized duties of the provider. For purposes of the bill, mental health professionals include licensed or certified mental health professionals or members of the uniformed services, civilian DOD employees, or DOD contractors.
United States · United States Congress · 20 October 2021
Save Our Servicemembers Act of 2021 This bill requires the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness within the Department of Defense (DOD) to evaluate and standardize DOD's suicide prevention efforts. Specifically, the bill directs the Defense Suicide Prevention Office to collaborate with each military department to (1) develop and implement a process to ensure that individual nonclinical suicide prevention efforts are assessed for effectiveness, and (2) develop consistent suicide-related definitions for use throughout DOD. The bill also requires the use of such suicide-related definitions in any updated policies of DOD or each military department.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 2021
CISA Cyber Exercise Act This bill establishes the National Cyber Exercise Program to evaluate the National Cyber Incident Response Plan and related plans and strategies. (The National Cyber Incident Response Plan outlines the roles and responsibilities, capabilities, and coordinating structures that support how the United States responds to and recovers from significant cyber incidents posing risks to critical infrastructure.) Based on current risk assessments, the exercise program shall be designed to (1) simulate partial or complete incapacitation of a government or critical infrastructure network resulting from a cyber incident, (2) provide for the systematic evaluation of cyber readiness and enhance operational understanding of the cyber incident response system and relevant information sharing agreements, and (3) develop after-action reports and plans that can incorporate lessons learned into future operations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2021
This resolution supports the designation of October 3-October 9, 2021, as National 4-H Week. It also (1) recognizes the important role of 4-H in youth development and education, and (2) encourages all citizens to recognize 4-H for the significant impact the organization and members have made and continue to make by empowering young people with the skills needed to lead for a lifetime.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2021
This resolution recognizes (1) the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 - October 15, 2021; and (2) the integral role of Latinos and their manifold heritage in the economy, culture, and identity of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2021
FDA Modernization Act of 2021 This bill allows an applicant for market approval for a new drug to use methods other than animal testing to establish the drug's safety and effectiveness. Under this bill, these alternative methods may include cell-based assays, organ chips and microphysiological systems, computer modeling, and other human biology-based test methods.
United States · United States Congress · 7 October 2021
Arctic Diplomacy Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the position of Assistant Secretary of State for Arctic Affairs within the Department of State. The position shall maintain continuous observation and coordination of matters pertaining to foreign policy in the Arctic, including trade, the environment, and political-military affairs.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2021
Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act of 2021 This bill extends liability protection for harm caused by acts or omissions by volunteer health care professionals in the course of providing certain health care services during specified public-health or national emergencies or major disasters. However, such liability protection shall not apply if (1) the harm was caused by willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed; or (2) the health care professional provided services under the influence of alcohol or an intoxicating drug.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2021
John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021 This bill establishes new criteria for determining which states and political subdivisions must obtain preclearance before changes to voting practices may take effect. Preclearance is the process of receiving preapproval from the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia before making legal changes that would affect voting rights. The bill also includes provisions related to federally protected activities at polling places and voting access on tribal lands. A state and all of its political subdivisions shall be subject to preclearance of voting practice changes for a 10-year period if 15 or more voting rights violations occurred in the state during the previous 25 years; or 10 or more violations occurred during the previous 25 years, at least 1 of which was committed by the state itself. A political subdivision as a separate unit shall also be subject to preclearance for a 10-year period if three or more voting rights violations occurred there during the previous 25 years. States and political subdivisions that meet certain thresholds regarding minority groups must preclear covered practices before implementation, such as changes to methods of election and redistricting. Further, states and political subdivisions must notify the public of changes to voting practices. Next, the bill authorizes DOJ to require states or political subdivisions to provide certain documents or answers to questions for enforcing voting rights. The bill also outlines factors courts must consider when hearing challenges to voting practices, such as the history of official voting discrimination in the state or political subdivision. In addition, the bill (1) includes certain protections for election workers, polling places, and election infrastructure; and (2) expands voting access on tribal lands.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2021
Voter Choice Act This bill directs the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to establish a program to support state and local governments in the transition to ranked choice voting (a system in which voters rank candidates in order of preference). Specifically, the EAC must provide technical assistance to state and local governments that are considering whether to make, or that are in the process of making, the transition to a ranked choice voting system for their elections. The EAC must also award grants to support such transition, including through the acquisition of voting equipment and tabulation software, appropriate ballot design, educational materials, and voter outreach.
United States · United States Congress · 5 October 2021
Bicameral Congressional Trade Authority Act of 2021 This bill requires congressional approval for a presidential import adjustment due to a national security threat from an import related to military equipment, energy resources, or critical infrastructure essential to national security. Specifically, the bill requires the President to submit a proposal to Congress, which Congress may approve by a joint resolution. Under current law, the President determines whether any adjustment of an import is necessary and must submit to Congress the reasons for any action taken or not taken. The Department of Defense (currently, the Department of Commerce) must investigate the effect of these imports on national security. The bill retroactively applies to any proposed action made four years before enactment of this bill. In general, any rate of duty modification occurring in the time period beginning four years before and ending the day before enactment of this bill must revert to the previous rate unless it receives congressional approval.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 2021
Afghanistan War Commission Act of 2021 This bill establishes the Afghanistan War Commission. The commission must conduct a study of various matters related to the war in Afghanistan, including (1) U.S. actions immediately prior to the attacks on September 11, 2001; (2) U.S. actions during the invasion of Afghanistan; (3) peace negotiations involving the United States, the government of Afghanistan, and the Taliban; and (4) the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan. The commission must annually report to Congress on the progress of its study. Within four years of the commission's first meeting, it must submit to Congress and the President a final report with its findings, conclusions, and recommendations to address any mistakes in the conduct of the war.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 2021
This resolution designates September 2021 as National Voting Rights Month, encourages people to uphold the right to vote, encourages Congress to pass certain voting rights legislation, recommends the development of a curriculum in public schools and universities regarding voting, encourages the U.S. Postal Service to issue a special John R. Lewis stamp during the month of September, and invites Congress to allocate funds for public service announcements regarding elections.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2021
Outdoors for All Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to establish an outdoor recreation legacy partnership grant program under which Interior may award grants to states, certain political subdivisions of a state, special purpose districts, Indian tribes, or Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian communities or organizations. Funds must be used for projects to (1) acquire land and water for parks and other outdoor recreation purposes in qualifying areas, and (2) develop new or renovate existing outdoor recreation facilities that provide outdoor recreation opportunities to the public in qualifying areas. A qualifying area is an area that has a population of 30,000 or more in the most recent census, or that is administered by an Indian tribe or an Alaska Native or Native Hawaiian community organization. Interior shall give priority to projects that create or significantly enhance access to park and recreational opportunities in an urban neighborhood or community, engage and empower underserved communities and youth, provide opportunities for employment or job training for youth or underserved communities, establish or expand public-private partnerships, and take advantage of coordination among various levels of government.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2021
Provider Training in Palliative Care Act This bill allows National Health Service Corps (NHSC) participants to apply for a deferral of their service obligation period in order to receive training in palliative care. The Department of Health and Human Services may grant a deferral for up to one year. The NHSC provides scholarships and student loan repayment awards to primary care, dental, and mental health providers who agree to complete a service obligation period by working in areas designated as having a shortage of those types of providers.
![Official portrait of Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/k000383_200.jpg)