United States · United States Congress · 1 August 2024
Defenders of Bataan, Corregidor, and Attu Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the collective award of a Congressional Gold Medal to the individuals who fought for or with the United States to defend Bataan, Corregidor, Attu, and other places in the Pacific theater (i.e., Shanghai, the Central Pacific Area, the Southwest Pacific Area, and the Aleutian Islands), and to the impacted Saskinax̂ people in recognition of their personal sacrifice and service during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2024
This resolution commends the University of Connecticut men's basketball team for winning the 2024 National Collegiate Athletic Association Men's Basketball Championship.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2024
This resolution expresses the sense that federal funds should not be used to (1) arm school personnel with firearms, or (2) train school personnel in the use of firearms.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2024
Angel Tax Credit Act This bill allows a new business-related tax credit for 25% of equity investments of $25,000 or more in a domestic corporation or partnership that (1) has its headquarters in the United States, (2) has gross revenue for the taxable year of less than $1 million, (3) employs fewer than 25 full-time employees, (4) has been in existence for less than 7 years as of the date of the investment, (5) has more than 50% of its employees performing substantially all of their services in the United States, and (6) is engaged in a high technology trade or business. The bill limits the allowable amount of such credit to $250,000 in any taxable year and imposes an overall limitation on such credit of $500 million for each of calendar years 2025-2029.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2024
This resolution supports the designation of June 28, 2024, as Stonewall Day to commemorate the significance of the grand opening of the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center. It also supports equal rights and protections for all people, including LGBTQIA+ people.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2024
This resolution expresses support for the rights, freedoms, and equal treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals. The resolution r ecognizes that LGBTQ rights are human rights and protected by the laws of the United States and international treaties. Additionally, the resolution encourages the celebration of LGBTQ Pride Month in June.
United States · United States Congress · 4 June 2024
This resolution recognizes the 80th anniversary of the amphibious landing of the Allies on June 6, 1944 (i.e., D-Day), at Normandy, France, during World War II.
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2024
Right to IVF Act This bill provides a statutory right to access fertility treatments (e.g., in vitro fertilization). Specifically, under the bill, individuals have the right to access fertility treatments and to make decisions about the use of their reproductive genetic material (e.g., embryos) without limitation or interference. Health care providers and insurers have the right to provide and cover these services, respectively. Manufacturers of applicable drugs or devices also have the right to provide these drugs or devices. The bill supersedes state laws that limit or otherwise interfere with the provision of fertility treatments as set out under this bill, including laws that require medically unnecessary procedures or services in conjunction with fertility treatments or that restrict the ability of individuals to receive fertility treatments based on marital status or sex (including sexual orientation or gender identity). The bill does not affect state health and safety regulations for medical facilities or health care providers that are in accordance with widely accepted and evidence-based medical standards and for which the purpose cannot be achieved in another, nonrestrictive manner. The Department of Justice may bring civil actions against states, individuals, or entities that implement or enforce limitations or requirements that violate this bill. Individuals and health care providers may also bring civil actions. In addition, the bill provides for coverage of fertility treatments under Medicare and Medicaid and for members of the uniformed services and veterans. It also requires private insurers that cover obstetrical services to also cover fertility treatments.
United States · United States Congress · 16 May 2024
Border Act of 2024 The bill expands Department of Homeland Security (DHS) authority to address the processing of non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) and provides supplemental appropriations for related purposes. Among other provisions, the bill provides DHS emergency authority to summarily remove or prohibit the entry of certain non-U.S. nationals within 100 miles of the southwest land border. DHS may exercise this authority if DHS encounters an average of 4,000 non-U.S. nationals within a seven-day period. If the number of encounters reach certain higher thresholds, DHS must exercise the emergency authority. This emergency border authority expires after three years and may be modified by the President under specified circumstances. Next, the bill establishes an expedited process that authorizes asylum officers to adjudicate certain asylum claims. Among other provisions, these provisional noncustodial removal proceedings impose certain target timelines for determining asylum claims and limit review of denied claims. The bill also establishes a stricter threshold for individuals to remain in the United States pending adjudication of an asylum petition. The bill extends and establishes immigration pathways for Afghan citizens or nationals, including by (1) making certain individuals admitted or paroled to the United States eligible for conditional permanent resident status, and (2) expanding eligibility for special immigrant visas for certain individuals who were injured while supporting the U.S. mission in Afghanistan. The bill also increases base pay for asylum officers and grants DHS temporary direct hire authority to hire personnel to implement the bill.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2024
Essential Caregivers Act of 2024 This bill prohibits certain health care facilities from limiting the access of essential caregivers to residents of those facilities, including during designated emergency periods. Essential caregivers are individuals who are designated by facility residents to provide them with daily living assistance or emotional support or companionship. Specifically, the bill generally prohibits Medicare skilled nursing facilities, Medicaid nursing facilities, Medicaid intermediate care facilities, and associated inpatient rehabilitation facilities from restricting the access of essential caregivers to residents of the facilities, including during emergency periods in which visitation rights are otherwise restricted. During emergency periods, facilities may restrict access for an initial period of up to seven days and for one additional maximum seven-day period (if the additional period is approved by the state health department). Facilities may restrict access for a total of 7 days (or 14 days with the approval of the state health department) during an emergency period. Essential caregivers must agree to comply with any safety protocols set by the facility, which may be no more stringent for caregivers compared to those for staff. Caregivers who fail to comply with these requirements may be denied access, subject to an appeals process.
United States · United States Congress · 8 May 2024
Student Loan Forgiveness for Farmers and Ranchers Act This bill establishes a student loan forgiveness program for certain farmers or ranchers. Specifically, to receive loan forgiveness under this bill, a borrower must (1) make 120 monthly loan payments under a specified repayment plan while employed full-time at a qualified farm or ranch; and (2) fall within certain categories of individuals such as a beginner farmer or rancher, an individual underrepresented in the agricultural profession, or a veteran farmer or rancher.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2024
Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act This act provides for the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of Shirley Chisholm, in recognition of her activism, independence, and groundbreaking achievements in politics, including election as the first African American woman in Congress. The act provides that the gold medal shall be given to and displayed at the Smithsonian Institution. The act also authorizes duplicate medals to be cast in bronze and made available for sale.
United States · United States Congress · 2 May 2024
This resolution expresses the sorrow of the Senate upon the announcement of the death of David Hampton Pryor, who served as a Senator and a Representative for Arkansas.
United States · United States Congress · 30 April 2024
Kids Off Social Media Act This bill limits children’s access to social media platforms and requires both platforms and schools to implement certain restrictions on children’s social media usage and screen time. Specifically, the bill prohibits social media platforms from knowingly allowing children under the age of 13 to create or maintain accounts. Platforms must delete existing accounts held by children and any personal data collected from child users. Platforms are also generally prohibited from using automated systems to suggest or promote content based on personal data collected from users under the age of 17. The bill directs the Federal Trade Commission to enforce these provisions. States may also bring civil actions against platforms whose violations of these provisions have adversely affected residents of the state. Further, as a condition of receiving discounted telecommunications service under the Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support (E-Rate) program, schools must use blocking or filtering technology to prevent students from accessing social media platforms on school networks and devices. Schools receiving E-Rate support must also implement policies that specify permitted device usage and screen time by grade. Schools must submit copies of their internet safety and screen time policies to the Federal Communications Commission, and the commission must make those policies publicly available in a database. Under the bill, social media platforms are defined as consumer-facing sites that function primarily as forums for user-generated content. Some categories of online platforms are explicitly excluded, including sites that provide primarily videoconferencing, emailing, and educational services.