United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023
Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act This bill permanently allows the Department of the Treasury to access certain death records maintained by the Social Security Administration (SSA) to prevent improper payments to deceased individuals. Current law requires the SSA to share its Death Master File with the Do Not Pay system maintained by Treasury for three years. The bill makes this requirement permanent, and it allows Treasury to compare SSA death records with personally identifiable information from other federal records systems and to share these comparisons with any federal or state agency that is authorized to use the Do Not Pay system.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023
This resolution recognizes the Motorcycle Safety Foundation for 50 years of safety education and improving the ride for motorcycle riders across the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023
VA Loan Informed Disclosure Act of 2023 or the VALID Act of 2023 The bill requires a Federal Housing Administration mortgage notice to contain comparative rate and fee information about loans available under the Department of Veterans Affairs home loan program.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023
Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act This bill expands Medicare coverage to permanently include services provided by a pharmacist, including incidental services and supplies, related to testing, vaccines, and treatment for COVID-19, influenza, and certain other illnesses. Specifically, the bill provides for continued coverage of pharmacist services relating to evaluation and management of patients for testing and treatment for COVID-19, influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), or streptococcal pharyngitis (strep throat), as well as vaccines for pneumococcal disease, COVID-19, influenza, or hepatitis B. It also generally provides for coverage of pharmacist services during a public health emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023
This resolution (1) designates July 2023 as National Blueberry Month; and (2) recognizes the contributions of blueberry growers in the United States and their families, and that purchasing blueberries grown in the United States supports farmers, jobs, communities, and the economy of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023
Preventing Maternal Deaths Reauthorization Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 and otherwise modifies federal support for state-based efforts to improve maternal mortality review committees; enhance surveillance of pregnancy-associated and -related deaths; and otherwise improve, and reduce disparities in, maternal health outcomes. The bill also requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to annually disseminate best practices for preventing maternal mortality and morbidity to hospitals, professional societies, and perinatal quality collaboratives (i.e., networks of perinatal care providers and public health professionals that work to improve pregnancy outcomes through continuous quality improvement).
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023
Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Security Act This bill directs certain agencies to report on and reduce the role of China in pharmaceutical supply chains. Specifically, the Food and Drug Administration must report on pharmaceutical products and ingredients for which China supplies more than 20% of the quantities available in the United States. In addition, the President must develop a strategy to address the role of China in the global pharmaceutical supply chain and related threats to national security. The United States International Development Finance Corporation must also support manufacturing projects that promote the security of pharmaceutical supply chains, reduce reliance on China, and foster cooperation with other countries.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023
Achieving Thorough Transparency and Accessibility for Information Navigation on Mental Health Act of 2023 or the ATTAIN Mental Health Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to establish an online dashboard with information about federal grants relating to mental health and substance use disorders. Among other requirements, the dashboard must be searchable, current, and indicate whether the application period is open or closed. The dashboard must also include information about associated state programs and subgrants.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023
Strengthening Pharmacy Access for Seniors Act This bill prohibits prescription drug plan (PDP) sponsors and pharmacy benefit managers from restricting access to any covered drug under the Medicare prescription drug benefit to a subset of their network pharmacies except for limited access drugs. Limited access drugs are those for which the Food and Drug Administration has restricted distribution to certain facilities or physicians or for which dispensing requires extraordinary special handling, coordination, or education that a network pharmacy cannot meet. PDP sponsors must annually report to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (1) a list of drugs that the PDP sponsor designated as limited access drugs, (2) the reasons for the designations, (3) information about relevant requirements for pharmacies with respect to these drugs, and (4) the types of pharmacies dispensing these drugs.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023
Treat and Reduce Obesity Act of 2023 This bill expands Medicare coverage of intensive behavioral therapy for obesity. Specifically, the bill allows coverage for therapy that is provided by (1) a physician who is not a primary care physician; or (2) other health care providers (e.g., physician assistants and nurse practitioners) and approved counseling programs, if provided upon a referral from, and in coordination with, a physician or primary care practitioner. Currently, such therapy is covered only if provided by a primary care practitioner. The bill also allows coverage under Medicare's prescription drug benefit of drugs used for the treatment of obesity or for weight loss management for individuals who are overweight.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023
Advancing Digital Support for Mental Health Services Act or the ADS for Mental Health Services Act This bill requires certain digital advertising platforms to annually report to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) about their free public service advertising, with a particular focus on advertisements for mental, behavioral, and physical health resources. Additionally, the FTC must provide Congress with a summary of the reported information. The reporting requirement applies to social media platforms, search engines or other public-facing websites, online services, and applications that sell digital advertising space and have more than 100 million unique monthly users.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023
This bill requires certain agencies to coordinate and support activities to advance quantum information science. Specifically, the National Quantum Coordination Office must establish a liaison between the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation to coordinate activities under the National Quantum Initiative Program. The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine must report on the program's progress. The bill also requires the National Institute of Standards and Technology to support a Manufacturing USA institute that focuses on manufacturing processes and the related workforce for quantum computing and technology.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2023
Concentrating on High-value Alzheimer's Needs to Get to an End Act of 2023 or the CHANGE Act of 2023 This bill specifies that Medicare annual wellness visits and initial preventive physical examinations must include the use of an approved tool from the National Institute of Aging to detect cognitive impairment, as well as associated documentation of the tool that was used and the results.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2023
Worldwide Animal Testing Compliance and Harmonization Act of 2023 or the WATCH Act This bill subjects foreign laboratories that receive federal funds and that conduct animal research to U.S. animal welfare regulations. The National Institutes of Health must establish a process to inspect these laboratories on a quarterly basis to ensure compliance with U.S. animal welfare regulations, such as the use of animal care committees and evaluations of animal care and treatment. Laboratories that are found to be noncompliant, and that do not take appropriate corrective action, are subject to funding revocation.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2023
Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act This bill requires state Medicaid programs to establish a process through which qualifying out-of-state providers may enroll as participating providers for five years without undergoing additional screening requirements, unless the state has an agreement with other states that governs coverage of children with medically complex conditions that is in accordance with specified guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Among other requirements, a qualifying provider must (1) serve individuals under the age of 21; (2) have previously been screened for Medicare participation or for participation in the Medicaid program of the state in which the provider is located; and (3) have been determined by the CMS or state Medicaid program to pose a limited risk of fraud, waste, or abuse.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2023
Global Investment in American Jobs Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Commerce to conduct an interagency review of the global competitiveness of the United States in attracting foreign direct investment from responsible private-sector entities based in trusted countries and addressing foreign trade barriers that firms in advanced technology sectors face in the global digital economy. Among other elements, the review shall include an assessment of (1) the economic impact of foreign direct investment in the United States, (2) trends in global cross-border investment and data flows, (3) federal government policies that facilitate foreign direct investment, and (4) the adequacy of federal government efforts to encourage and facilitate foreign direct investment in the United States. Commerce must report the findings of such review to Congress and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and include recommendations for increasing the global competitiveness of the United States in attracting foreign direct investment. The GAO must submit a review and assessment of the report to Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2023
Mapping America's Pharmaceutical Supply Act or the MAPS Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to support efforts to map the U.S. pharmaceutical supply chain and identify associated vulnerabilities. As part of these efforts, HHS must support the development of a database of certain essential medicines and the identification of information about their supply chain, including the location of manufacturing facilities. Qualifying essential medicines are those that are likely to be needed in the event of a public health emergency or chemical, biological, radiological, or nuclear threat or for which a shortage would pose a significant threat to the U.S. health care system or at-risk populations.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2023
Drug Shortage Prevention Act of 2023 This bill requires drug manufacturers to notify the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) if there is an increased demand, export restriction, or other circumstance that may result in a shortage of certain critical drugs. Currently, drug manufacturers are required to notify the FDA in the event of a discontinuation or interruption in the supply of prescription drugs that are life-supporting, life-sustaining, or used for a debilitating disease or condition, including those used in medical emergencies, surgeries, or public health emergencies. The bill requires drug manufacturers to also notify the FDA if there is an increased demand, export restriction, or other circumstance that may result in a meaningful shortfall or delay in meeting the demand for such drugs. Manufacturers must notify the FDA as soon as possible but no later than 10 days after the onset of the relevant circumstance. The notice must include the reasons for the increased demand, the expected duration, and any other information the FDA requires. The bill's requirements apply to both prescription and nonprescription drugs. Drug manufacturers must also report twice a year (rather than annually) information on the quantities of drugs produced; manufacturers must also provide the names of the suppliers of corresponding active ingredients.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2023
Northern Border Coordination Act This bill establishes a center to coordinate border security activities along the U.S.-Canada border and addresses related issues. Specifically, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must establish the Northern Border Coordination Center to serve as the centralized coordination center for operations, domain awareness, intelligence, and engagement with federal, state, tribal, local, and international partners. The center must also (1) serve as a coordination mechanism for implementing, evaluating, and updating the Northern Border Security Strategy; and (2) support counter-unmanned aircraft systems operations. The bill also requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Air and Marine Operations to (1) establish capability at the center to support northern border missions, specifically in the Great Lakes region; (2) establish a unit at the center to support air and maritime domain awareness; and (3) coordinate with relevant DHS components on various activities, including efforts to monitor unmanned aircraft systems.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2023
Veterans Exposed to Toxic PFAS Act or the VET PFAS Act This bill provides eligibility for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital care and medical services to veterans and their family members (including those in utero) who have specified conditions and resided at a military installation where individuals were exposed to perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly known as PFAS. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. Hospital care and medical services may not be furnished for a condition that is found to have resulted from a cause other than the exposure to PFAS at a military installation. The VA may provide reimbursement for hospital care or medical services provided to a family member only after the family member or provider has exhausted all claims and remedies otherwise available for payment of such care. For disability compensation purposes, the bill establishes a presumption of service-connection for specified conditions in veterans who served at a military installation at which individuals were exposed to PFAS. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific conditions diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2023
Fighter Force Preservation and Recapitalization Act of 2023 This bill establishes requirements related to the fighter aircraft capabilities of the Air National Guard. Specifically, the bill requires that the aircraft inventory of the Air National Guard must include at least 25 fighter aircraft squadrons, each of which must have a minimum of 18 primary aircraft authorized. Such requirement may be waived in extraordinary circumstances. Additionally, the Department of the Air Force must develop a fighter aircraft recapitalization plan that provides for (1) the replacement and modernization of Air National Guard fighter squadrons at a rate that ensures the full recapitalization of such fighter squadrons by the end of FY2034, and (2) the fielding of the Next Generation Air Dominance family of systems in the Air National Guard.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2023
Grant Transparency Act of 2023 This bill establishes transparency requirements for notices of funding opportunity in applications for competitive grants awarded by federal agencies, excluding the Government Accountability Office. Specifically, each notice of funding opportunity issued by an agency for a competitive grant must include a description of any rating system and evaluation and selection criteria the agency uses to assess applications for the grant; a statement of whether the agency uses a weighted scoring method and a description of any such method that it uses for the grant, including the amount by which the agency weighs each criterion; and any other qualitative or quantitative merit-based approach the agency uses to evaluate an application for the grant.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2023
Women and Lung Cancer Research and Preventive Services Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct an interagency review of the status of women and lung cancer. The review must report on the status of existing research and current knowledge gaps; identify new opportunities for collaborative research to determine the causes of lung cancer and advance prevention, screening, diagnosis, and treatment; and provide recommendations for a national cancer screening strategy and public education campaign.
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.
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.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023
Keeping Military Families Together Act of 2023 This bill permanently extends certain Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) burial benefits provided to spouses and dependent children of veterans or active duty servicemembers. Specifically, the bill permanently requires the VA to furnish, upon request, memorial headstones or markers for spouses or dependent children of veterans or servicemembers who were serving on active duty at the time of the spouse’s or child’s death. Additionally, the bill permanently authorizes burial in any open national cemetery under the control of the National Cemetery Administration for a spouse or dependent child of veterans or servicemembers who were serving on active duty at the time of the spouse’s or child’s death.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023
Strengthening Support for American Manufacturing Act This bill requires the Department of Commerce to contract with the National Academy of Public Administration to study and report on the offices and bureaus of the department that are relevant to critical supply chain resilience and manufacturing and industrial innovation. The report must evaluate the purpose, statutory authority, effectiveness, efficiency, and limitations of each such office and bureau and provide recommendations to improve their effectiveness, efficiency, and impact.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023
Protecting and Securing Chemical Facilities from Terrorist Attacks Act of 2023 This bill extends the authorization of the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards Program of the Department of Homeland Security until October 1, 2028.
![Official portrait of Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/p000595_200.jpg)