Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]

Jaime’s Law

United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2023

A resolution designating 2024 as the Year of Democracy as a time to reflect on the contributions of the system of Government of the United States to a more free and stable world.

United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2023

This resolution designates 2024 as the Year of Democracy.

A bill to authorize the extension of nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations treatment) to the products of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.

United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2023

This bill authorizes the President to extend nondiscriminatory treatment (i.e., normal trade relations treatment) to products of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan.

Defending Hunters' Education Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2023

Defending Hunters' Education Act of 2023 This bill authorizes the use of federal elementary and secondary education funds to purchase or use dangerous weapons for purposes of providing students with educational enrichment activities and instruction, such as archery, hunter safety education, or culinary arts. Current law prohibits the use of these funds to provide any person with a dangerous weapon or training in the use of a dangerous weapon. The bill specifies that this prohibition shall not apply to the use of these funds for permissible program activities that provide students with educational enrichment activities and instruction, such as archery, hunter safety education, or culinary arts.

Reducing Waste in National Parks Act

United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2023

Educators Expense Deduction Modernization Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2023

Educators Expense Deduction Modernization Act of 2023 This bill increases from $300 to $1,000 the tax deduction for the expenses of eligible educators. An eligible educator is, with respect to any taxable year, an individual who is a K-12 teacher, instructor, counselor, principal, or aide in a school for at least 900 hours during a school year. The bill also requires the amount of the deduction to be adjusted annually for inflation.

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2024

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2024 This bill provides FY2024 appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Specifically, the bill provides appropriations to DHS for Departmental Management, Intelligence, Situational Awareness, and Oversight, including the Office of the Secretary and Executive Management; the Management Directorate; Intelligence, Analysis, and Situational Awareness; and the Office of the Inspector General. In addition, the bill provides appropriations for Security, Enforcement, and Investigations, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the Transportation Security Administration, the U.S. Coast Guard, and the U.S. Secret Service. The bill provides appropriations for Protection, Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The bill provides appropriations for Research, Development, Training, and Services, including U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Federal Law Enforcement Training Centers, the Science and Technology Directorate, and the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Office. The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.

Break the Cycle of Violence Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Equal Employment for All Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Ghost Guns and Untraceable Firearms Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Connecticut River Watershed Partnership Act

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Connecticut River Watershed Partnership Act This bill establishes programs within the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) to restore and protect the Connecticut River Watershed located in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont. Specifically, the bill directs the FWS to establish a nonregulatory Connecticut River Watershed Partnership program to identify, prioritize, and implement restoration and protection activities within the watershed. It also directs the FWS to establish a grant program for restoration and protection activities in the watershed. States, tribal governments, local governments, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education may apply for the grants.

SHINE for Autumn Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education for Autumn Act of 2023 or the SHINE for Autumn Act of 2023 This bill authorizes grants and establishes other programs to improve data collection on stillbirths. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may award grants for surveillance and data collection on stillbirths, and HHS must issue guidelines for health departments and vital statistics units concerning the collection of stillbirth data. HHS must also develop educational awareness materials about stillbirths and make them publicly available. Furthermore, HHS must implement a fellowship program to provide training in perinatal autopsy pathology and otherwise support research on stillbirths and fetal autopsies. The bill also requires HHS to issue a report with educational guidelines on stillbirths and stillbirth risk factors.

Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Rebuild America's Schools Act of 2023 This bill provides support for long-term improvements to public elementary and secondary school facilities. First, the bill sets forth allocations to states and establishes a need-based grant program for local educational agencies (LEAs) to improve school facilities. Further, the bill specifies allowable uses of grant funds, including carrying out major repairs, improving indoor air quality, and making facilities accessible to disabled individuals. Additionally, the bill requires LEAs that receive funds for new construction, modernization, or renovation projects to comply with hazard-resistance building codes and performance criteria under the WaterSense program of the Environmental Protection Agency. Further, the bill requires such LEAs to adopt certain green practices (environmental standards) and requires the use of iron, steel, and manufactured products that are made in the United States (Buy America). The bill restores school infrastructure tax credit bonds. The bill also sets forth reporting requirements, including annual reports on grant program projects and a report by the Government Accountability Office that requires a study of the geographic distribution of projects, the impact of selected projects on student and staff health and safety, and the accessibility of projects to high-poverty schools. The bill also establishes the Office of School Infrastructure and Sustainability within the Department of Education. Next, the bill extends through FY2028 the Impact Aid Construction program. Finally, the bill establishes a grant program to assist LEAs with repairing or replacing concrete foundations affected by pyrrhotite (an iron sulfide material linked to crumbling foundations).

Better CARE for Animals Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023

Better Collaboration, Accountability, and Regulatory Enforcement for Animals Act of 2023 or the Better CARE for Animals Act of 2023 This bill modifies enforcement provisions under the Animal Welfare Act, including by allowing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to bring civil actions against violators of the act for appropriate relief, such as removing animals, revoking violators' licenses, or issuing civil penalties. DOJ must use the penalties to pay for the temporary care for animals pending the disposition of civil or criminal proceedings that allege violations of the act with respect to such animals.

A resolution honoring the life of Lowell Palmer Weicker, Jr., former Senator for the State of Connecticut.

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

This resolution honors the life of former Senator Lowell P. Weicker, Jr., of Connecticut, who died June 28, 2023. The Senate recognizes his death with sorrow and regret, and will stand adjourned in respect to his memory.

College Athlete Economic Freedom Act

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

A resolution recognizing the importance of independent living for individuals with disabilities made possible by the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and calling for further action to strengthen home and community living for individuals with disabilities.

United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023

This resolution (1) recognizes the importance of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 in advancing independent living for individuals with disabilities; (2) pledges continued efforts to address remaining barriers for individuals with disabilities; and (3) calls on federal agencies to provide additional resources for individuals with disabilities with respect to economic self-sufficiency, community-based services, housing, telecommunication, and transportation.

ELEVATE Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Ensuring Linguistic Excellence and Vocational Aptitude by Teaching English Act of 2023 or the ELEVATE Act of 2023 This bill allows elementary and secondary school students who have migrated from Puerto Rico to the states to be fully considered as English learners for annual state allotments under the English Language Acquisition grant program.

Raise the Wage Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Strengthening Consumer Protections and Medical Debt Transparency Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Strengthening Consumer Protections and Medical Debt Transparency Act This bill establishes a series of requirements relating to the collection of medical debt. Among other provisions, the bill restricts the circumstances under which health care entities may initiate extraordinary collection actions, requires entities to provide detailed debt statements and payment receipts to patients, and establishes a public medical debt collection database with information about medical debt collectors.

Freedom to Vote Act

United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023

Freedom to Vote Act This bill addresses voter registration and voting access, election integrity and security, redistricting, and campaign finance. Specifically, the bill expands voter registration (e.g., automatic and same-day registration) and voting access (e.g., vote-by-mail and early voting). It also limits removing voters from voter rolls. Next, the bill establishes Election Day as a federal holiday. The bill declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any election for federal office shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless, at the time of the election, such individual is serving a felony sentence. The bill establishes certain federal criminal offenses related to voting. In particular, the bill establishes a new criminal offense for conduct (or attempted conduct) to corruptly hinder, interfere with, or prevent another person from registering to vote or helping someone register to vote. Additionally, the bill sets forth provisions related to election security, including by requiring states to conduct post-election audits for federal elections. The bill outlines criteria for congressional redistricting and generally prohibits mid-decade redistricting. The bill addresses campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals, requiring additional disclosure of campaign-related fundraising and spending, requiring additional disclaimers regarding certain political advertising, and establishing an alternative campaign funding system for certain federal offices.

A bill to amend title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to require group health plans and health insurance issuers offering group or individual health insurance coverage to permit enrollees to obtain a 365-day supply of contraceptives.

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

PATHS to Tutor Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

Partnering Aspiring Teachers with High-need Schools to Tutor Act of 2023 or the PATHS to Tutor Act of 2023 This bill expands access to tutoring in hard-to-staff and high-need schools by establishing a grant program. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Education (ED) to award competitive grants to local consortia to carry out high-quality tutoring programs. Local consortia refers to partnerships between teacher preparation programs, local educational agencies or individual schools, and community-based organizations. Grant recipients may use these funds for certain activities, including matching and placing tutors, purchasing instructional materials and connectivity resources, and providing transportation and meals to students who attend the tutoring program. ED must also enter into an interagency agreement with the Corporation for National and Community Service to include tutor positions as approved national service positions.

Insuring Fairness for Family Farmers Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023

Fueling Alternative Transportation with a Carbon Aviation Tax Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2023

National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Data Integrity Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2023

Increasing Land Access, Security, and Opportunities Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2023

Increasing Land Access, Security, and Opportunities Act This bill provides statutory authority for and expands the Farm Service Agency's (FSA's) Increasing Land, Capital, and Market Access Program (the Increasing Land Access Program) for farmers, ranchers, and forest owners. Specifically, the FSA must make competitive grants to, enter into cooperative agreements with, or provide other capital support to eligible entities (e.g., state or local governments, Indian tribes, nonprofit organizations, and institutions of higher education) to provide direct assistance to (1) historically underserved farmers, ranchers, and forest owners; (2) farmers, ranchers, and forest owners operating in high-poverty areas; or (3) young and beginning farmers. The bill specifically excludes from assistance any foreign-based or foreign-owned corporation. The direct assistance may include payments to intended beneficiaries to acquire real property (including air rights and water rights), secure clear title on an heirs' property farmland, and improve or remediate land, water, and soil. Eligible entities may also use grants (1) to provide direct assistance to intended beneficiaries in assessing, purchasing, acquiring, or retaining eligible land; (2) for activities designed to support farm establishment and long-term viability; and (3) to provide technical assistance. The FSA must establish a stakeholder committee, and in collaboration with the committee, develop a process for evaluating and selecting applications submitted by eligible entities. The stakeholder committee must include perspectives from a diverse range of stakeholders, including a diverse representation of geographic distribution and farming models, practices, and purposes.  

Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2023

Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to issue a final rule that prohibits certain discharges of plastic pellets and other preproduction plastic into waters of the United States.

Freedom to Vote Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2023

Freedom to Vote Act This bill addresses voter registration and voting access, election integrity and security, redistricting, and campaign finance. Specifically, the bill expands voter registration (e.g., automatic and same-day registration) and voting access (e.g., vote-by-mail and early voting). It also limits removing voters from voter rolls. Next, the bill establishes Election Day as a federal holiday. The bill declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any election for federal office shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless, at the time of the election, such individual is serving a felony sentence. The bill establishes certain federal criminal offenses related to voting. In particular, the bill establishes a new criminal offense for conduct (or attempted conduct) to corruptly hinder, interfere with, or prevent another person from registering to vote or helping someone register to vote. Additionally, the bill sets forth provisions related to election security, including by requiring states to conduct post-election audits for federal elections. The bill outlines criteria for congressional redistricting and generally prohibits mid-decade redistricting. The bill addresses campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals, requiring additional disclosure of campaign-related fundraising and spending, requiring additional disclaimers regarding certain political advertising, and establishing an alternative campaign funding system for certain federal offices.

National Strategy for Social Connection Act

United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2023

Casualty Loss Deduction Restoration Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2023

Casualty Loss Deduction Restoration Act This bill eliminates the suspension period (2018 through 2025) for the tax deduction for personal casualty lossess and increases from $10,000 to $50,000 the limitation on allowable amount of the deduction.

Kira Johnson Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2023

Kira Johnson Act This bill establishes various grants for establishing or expanding programs to advance maternal health equity. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must award grants for community-based programs to improve maternal health outcomes for demographic groups with elevated rates of maternal mortality and morbidity, maternal health disparities, and other adverse outcomes; training for health care providers and others who work in maternity care settings on reducing and preventing racism, bias, and discrimination; and programs in hospitals, health systems, and other maternity care settings to establish processes to identify and address instances of racism or evidence of bias in maternity care (i.e., respectful maternity care compliance programs). HHS must contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study issues related to the training programs, and the Government Accountability Office must study issues related to the respectful maternity care compliance programs.

IDEA Full Funding Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2023

IDEA Full Funding Act This bill provides permanent, mandatory funding for the grant program that assists states and outlying areas in providing special education and related services to children with disabilities.

Equal Dignity for Married Taxpayers Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2023

Equal Dignity for Married Taxpayers Act of 2023 This bill modifies several tax provisions that refer to married couples to make the provisions equally applicable to legally married same-sex couples.

TRACE Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023

Tracking and Reporting Absent Community-Members Everywhere Act or the TRACE Act This bill requires the National Institute of Justice to include in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) an additional data field for information about whether the last known location of a missing person was on federal land. NamUs is a national information clearinghouse and resource center for cases involving missing persons and unidentified or unclaimed remains.

A resolution expressing support for the designation of June 2023 as "National Dairy Month" to recognize the important role dairy plays in a healthy diet and the exceptional work of dairy producers in being stewards of the land and livestock.

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023

This resolution (1) supports the designation of June 2023 as National Dairy Month, and (2) encourages the people of the United States to visit with dairy producers to learn more about agriculture and the vital role dairy producers play in our global food system.

A resolution recognizing June 2023 as "LGBTQ Pride Month".

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023

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.

A resolution expressing opposition to the use of State power against people in the United States seeking essential health care, including criminalization of the full range of sexual and reproductive health care such as abortion, gender-affirming care, and contraceptive care, and disapproving of State punishment of people for their pregnancy outcomes.

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023

This resolution expresses condemnation for criminalizing the provision of and access to reproductive health care services, including abortion, contraception, and gender-affirming care. It further expresses support for efforts to expand access to such services.

Therapeutic Fraud Prevention Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023

Expanding Access to Family Planning Act

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023

Expanding Access to Family Planning Act This bill provides, subject to specified conditions, funding through FY2033 for federally funded family planning services and clinics. In particular, the funds must be used for (1) grants and contracts that support the provision of family planning services, and (2) clinic infrastructure (e.g., construction and renovation of clinics). Clinics that receive funding to provide family planning services must offer each patient with a positive pregnancy test the opportunity for nondirective counseling on (1) prenatal care and delivery; (2) infant care, foster care, and adoption; and (3) pregnancy termination. This counseling must include referrals if requested by a patient. Additionally, if a funding recipient makes subawards for the provision of family planning services, the recipient may not prohibit an entity from participating in a subaward program for reasons other than the entity's inability to provide family planning services.

Patsy T. Mink and Louise M. Slaughter Gender Equity in Education Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023

Refund Equality Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023

Refund Equality Act of  2023 This bill permits legally married same sex couples to amend their tax returns to file as married filing jointly for returns outside of the statute of limitations.

Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023

Consensual Donation and Research Integrity Act of 2023 This bill requires certain entities that acquire human bodies and sell for profit a whole human body or human body part to register with the Department of Health and Human Services. Registered entities must comply with record-keeping, labeling, packaging, and disposition requirements. The registration and related requirements do not apply to the Organ Transplantation Network (a public-private partnership that links the professionals involved in the U.S. donation and transplantation system) or its members; the preparation, transportation, and final disposition of human bodies or body parts by funeral service professionals; and schools of medicine, dentistry, and mortuary science and other research and training entities that do not sell whole human bodies or body parts for profit.

A resolution recognizing Tunisia's leadership in the Arab Spring and expressing support for upholding its democratic principles and norms.

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023

This resolution recognizes Tunisia as the symbolic birthplace of the Arab Spring movement and commends the Tunisian people for their courage and democratic achievements. It also expresses concern for recent reversals of such democratic gains and urges Tunisia to release all political prisoners and to respect the rights of people to free exercise of peaceful assembly, expression, and the press.

Equality Act

United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023

Equality Act This bill prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity with respect to businesses, employment, housing, federally funded programs, and other settings. Specifically, the bill expands Title II and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit public accommodations and federally funded programs, respectively, from discriminating based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. It also includes stores, transit services, recreational facilities, and establishments that provide health care, accounting, or legal services as public accommodations under Title II. The bill also expands Title IV (desegregation of public schools) and Title VII (employment discrimination) to specifically include sexual orientation and gender identity. (The Supreme Court held in Bostock v. Clayton County that Title VII's prohibition of employment discrimination based on sex also prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.) The bill similarly expands the Fair Housing Act (discrimination in public and private housing) to include sexual orientation and gender identity. It also prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity by creditors and with respect to jury selection. The bill defines sex for purposes of the aforementioned provisions to include sex stereotypes, pregnancy, childbirth, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.

A resolution reaffirming the importance of the United States promoting the safety, health, and well-being of refugees and displaced persons in the United States and around the world.

United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2023

This resolution reaffirms the U.S. commitment to protect the safety, health, and well-being of refugees and asylum seekers. The resolution calls upon the Department of State, the Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations to partner with the international community to solve existing conflicts, prevent new conflicts from emerging, and tackle the root causes of involuntary migration.

Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2023

Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act of 2023 This bill prohibits anyone from interfering with a person's ability to access out-of-state reproductive health care. ( Reproductive health care is defined as medical, surgical, counseling, or referral services and care related to pregnancy, including the prevention or termination of a pregnancy, and other reproductive care.) Specifically, the bill prohibits anyone from restricting, discriminating against, or otherwise disadvantaging anyone who receives, provides, or assists with out-of-state reproductive health care that is legal in the state in which it is provided. The bill allows the Department of Justice to bring a civil action and establishes a private right of action for violations. The bill specifically waives any applicable governmental immunity and preempts any contravening state laws.

Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act

United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2023

Equal Access to Justice for Victims of Gun Violence Act This bill removes limitations on the civil liability of gun manufacturers and the disclosure of gun trace data in civil actions. Specifically, the bill repeals the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act, which prohibits civil actions against a firearm or ammunition manufacturer, seller, importer, dealer, or trade association for damages resulting from the criminal or unlawful misuse of a firearm. Additionally, the bill states that firearms trace data maintained by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is not immune from legal process. Such data is subject to discovery; is admissible as evidence; and may be used, relied on, or disclosed in a civil action or administrative proceeding.

Cancer Drug Parity Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023

Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2023

Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2023 This bill expands the earned income tax credit and makes the child tax credit fully refundable. The bill increases and makes permanent the earned income tax credit for taxpayers with no qualifying children and expands age limits for credit eligibility (currently, taxpayers must be at least 25 years of age and not older than 65). It lowers the age baseline of 25 years to 19 years and eliminates the 65 age limit). The bill increases the child tax credit amount and provides for monthly advance payments of such credit.