United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2024
Unborn Child Support Act This bill requires states to apply child support obligations to the time period during pregnancy. This requirement is applicable retroactively based on a court order at the request of the pregnant parent and a determination by a physician of the month during which the child was conceived. Existing state requirements are applicable to these obligations, such as proof of parenthood.
United States · United States Congress · 11 January 2024
This resolution commends Taiwan for its example of self-governance and regards Taiwan's democracy as a great strategic strength for the free world. The resolution also expresses concern about Chinese Communist Party interference in Taiwan's 2024 elections and expresses commitment to continuing a strong partnership with Taiwan regardless of the outcome of the elections. The resolution states that nothing in it shall be construed as an authorization for the use of military force.
United States · United States Congress · 20 December 2023
This bill prohibits federal contracting with certain biotechnology providers connected to foreign adversaries, with exceptions. Specifically, the bill prohibits executive agencies from (1) procuring or obtaining any biotechnology equipment or service produced or provided by a biotechnology company of concern, or (2) entering into a contract or extending or renewing a contract that uses such equipment or service or that will require the direct use of such equipment or services. Those agencies may not obligate or expend loan or grant funds for such purposes. A biotechnology company of concern includes BGI, MGI, Complete Genomics, WuXi AppTec, and any subsidiary, parent affiliate, or successor of such entities, and any entity that is subject to the jurisdiction, direction, control, or operates on behalf of the government of a foreign adversary; is involved in the manufacturing, distribution, provision, or procurement of a biotechnology equipment or service; and poses a risk to U.S. national security based on specified activities. Executive agencies may waive the prohibitions on a case-by-case basis under specified circumstances. The Office of Management and Budget must develop and periodically update a list of the entities that constitute biotechnology companies of concern.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023
Historic Greenwood District—Black Wall Street National Monument Establishment Act This bill establishes the Historic Greenwood District—Black Wall Street National Monument in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The monument is established within the National Park System to preserve, protect, and interpret resources associated with Black Wall Street, the Historic Greenwood District, and the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. (The Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921 occurred in the neighborhood of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma, referred to as America's Black Wall Street. Racial violence resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Black residents and the displacement of thousands, in what came to be known as one of the worst racial attacks in U.S. history.) Under the bill, the Department of the Interior may acquire land within a specified area by donation, purchase, or exchange to constitute the monument. Interior may enter into cooperative agreements with public or private entities to provide and facilitate interpretive and educational services, administrative support, and technical assistance related to the monument. Interior may also enter into agreements to mark or interpret significant historical or cultural resources or locations within the monument. The bill also establishes a commission to advise Interior on the development and management of the monument, including the construction of visitor facilities and infrastructure. Members of the commission must serve without compensation. Interior must consult with the commission to prepare a management plan for the monument.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2023
Military Personnel Confirmation Restoration Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to provide certain relief to individuals whose promotions to a grade or rank in the Armed Forces of O-7 or higher were delayed by the Senate. Specifically, the bill applies to those individuals who were confirmed between December 5, 2023, and December 31, 2023. The bill requires DOD to provide pay and benefits associated with the appointment retroactive to the later of (1) the date that is 30 days after the date on which the nomination was placed on the Executive Calendar of the Senate, or (2) the date on which the individual would have been appointed but for the suspension of Senate confirmation of appointments.
United States · United States Congress · 13 December 2023
This resolution expresses the sense that the slogan from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free and its derivations are anti-Semitic and a call for genocide and destruction of the Jewish state.
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 · 29 November 2023
Black Vulture Relief Act of 2023 This bill allows livestock producers and their employees to take certain actions against black vultures to protect livestock. (Black vultures are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.) Specifically, livestock producers and their employees may (1) take (i.e., capture, kill, or disperse, or transport the carcass of) a black vulture that they reasonably believe will cause death, injury, or destruction to livestock; or (2) in the course of taking or attempting to take the black vulture, cause injury to the bird. However, they may not take or attempt to take a black vulture through the use of poison. Livestock producers and their employees must submit an annual report to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) on black vultures taken under this bill. The FWS must make this reporting form available on its website. Currently, the FWS has a permit process under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act for the taking of black vultures.
United States · United States Congress · 27 November 2023
Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2023 This bill generally prohibits the federal government, states, tribal nations, or localities from discriminating or taking adverse action against a child welfare provider that declines to provide services due to the provider's sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions. However, government entities may still take adverse action against a provider that declines to provide adoption or foster care services based on race, color, or national origin. The Department of Health and Human Services must withhold a portion of federal funding for family services and child welfare activities from a government entity that discriminates against a child welfare provider in violation of this bill. Child welfare providers may also sue the government entity for such discrimination. A prevailing provider may recover reasonable attorney's fees and costs. Furthermore, government entities that accept certain federal funding for family services and child welfare activities must waive sovereign immunity as a defense to lawsuits brought under this bill. (In many cases, sovereign immunity shields states, territories, tribal nations, and some localities against private suits.)
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2023
This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the National Labor Relations Board titled Standard for Determining Joint Employer Status and published on October 27, 2023. The rule establishes a new joint employer standard for determining whether two employers simultaneously employ a particular employee or employees. Under the rule, an entity may be considered a joint employer of another employer's employees if the two share or codetermine the employees' essential terms and conditions of employment. The rule is currently scheduled to take effect on February 26, 2024.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2023
This resolution recognizes that the economic relationship between the United States and Israel is strong and has benefitted both countries and the peoples of both countries. It also expresses support for the people of Israel and the economy of Israel in the face of Hamas' attacks against Israel. Additionally, the resolution affirms that (1) the United States-Israel Free Trade Agreement set the stage for robust growth in trade and investment between the United States and Israel, and (2) the agreement can serve as a tool for supporting the economy of Israel during the conflict with Hamas.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2023
Southern Border Transparency Act of 2023 This bill requires various reports on immigration, particularly regarding individuals paroled into the United States. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection must monthly publish details on non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) paroled into the United States at ports of entry or individuals encountered between land ports of entry and subsequently granted parole. The report must include details regarding citizenship, nationality, and demographic information. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services must quarterly publish the number of humanitarian parole petitions received and the number of those granted, disaggregated by nationality. Quarterly, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must report on individuals encountered or apprehended at the southern U.S. border and within nearby patrol sectors. The report must contain information including citizenship, nationality, demographics, the number receiving fear of persecution screenings, and immigration outcomes. DHS must also annually report on individuals paroled into the United States on humanitarian grounds, including demographics, employment authorizations, and current immigration status.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2023
Iranian Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2023 This bill establishes an Iran Sanctions Enforcement Fund to pay expenses relating to seizures and forfeitures of Iranian property and provides statutory authority for the Export Enforcement Coordination Center, which is in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and investigates and prosecutes violations of U.S. export control laws. Specifically, the Iran Sanctions Enforcement Fund may be used to pay (1) investigative costs incurred by a law enforcement agency of DHS or the Department of Justice; (2) expenses related to detention, security, or disposal of seized property; or (3) the costs of contracting associated with the seizure or forfeiture of Iranian property.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2023
Tribal Child Support Enforcement Act This bill permits tribal child support enforcement agencies to access the Federal Tax Refund Offset Program to collect past-due child support payments from the federal tax refunds of noncustodial parents. Additionally, the bill authorizes the Internal Revenue Service and the Social Security Administration to disclose certain tax return information to tribal child support enforcement agencies. Such information may be disclosed to establish and collect child support obligations from, and to locate, those individuals owing such obligations. It also permits the Department of Health and Human Services to reimburse tribal agencies for certain reporting costs related to the Federal Parent Locator Service.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2023
This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to families and businesses and would severely harm the economic and national security of the country.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2023
This resolution strongly condemns any instances of antisemitism occurring at colleges and universities in the United States. The resolution also encourages higher education leaders (e.g., presidents, deans, and administrators) to publicly condemn speech that incites or celebrates violence against any people based on religious beliefs, national origin, or ancestry; and encourages institutions of higher education to engage with Jewish student organizations and ensure that Jewish students, faculty, and staff can pursue their academic and personal aspirations without fear.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2023
This resolution recognizes October 2023 as National Women's Small Business Month, honoring the role of women small business owners and entrepreneurs and encouraging the support and creation of women-owned small businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2023
This concurrent resolution affirms the commitments in the Geneva Consensus Declaration on Promoting Women's Health and Strengthening the Family and applauds the signatory countries for their dedication to advancing women's health, protecting life at every stage while affirming that there is no international right to abortion, and upholding the importance of the family as foundational to society. The resolution calls on President Biden to once again add the United States as a signatory to the Geneva Consensus Declaration.
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
VA Home Loan Awareness Act of 2023 This bill requires Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to include on the Uniform Residential Loan Application (i.e., Fannie Mae Form 1003/ Freddie Mac Form 65) a disclosure that (1) notifies applicants with military service that they may qualify for a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Home Loan, and (2) directs applicants to consult their lender regarding eligibility. Not later than 18 months after the enactment of the bill, the Government Accountability Office must study and report on whether at least 80% of lenders using the loan application form have met this requirement.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2023
Stop Anti-Semitism on College Campuses Act This bill prohibits an institution of higher education (IHE) that participates in federal student aid programs from authorizing, facilitating, providing funding for, or otherwise supporting any event that promotes anti-Semitism on the IHE's campus.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2023
Preempting Misguided Appeasement and Financing of Destabilizing Regimes Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the importation of crude oil, petroleum, petroleum products, and liquefied natural gas from Venezuela and Iran. The prohibition does not apply to those products seized by the U.S. government for violations of sanctions.
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2023
This bill reinstates any statutory sanctions against Iran that had been waived, reduced, or otherwise relieved pursuant to any agreement between the United States and Iran.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2023
Protecting Our Kids from Harmful Research Act This bill prohibits the use of federal funds for research or publications concerning gender transitions in individuals under the age of 18.
![Official portrait of Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/l000575_200.jpg)