United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2023
Russian War Crimes in Ukraine Tax Act This bill imposes a 100% excise tax on certain assets of Russia and Belarus that have been frozen in connection with the invasion of Ukraine. The bill establishes the Ukraine Reconstruction Trust Fund to hold tax revenues generated by this bill. Such revenues shall be used for the benefit of Ukraine, including reconstruction and rebuilding efforts, humanitarian assistance, and the fostering of long-term economic growth. The Department of State must direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations to use U.S. influence to encourage the transfer of capital gains on Russian sovereign assets to Ukraine.
United States · United States Congress · 14 November 2023
Last Servicemember Standing Medal Act This bill establishes the Last Servicemember Standing medal for certain members of the Armed Forces. A person eligible for the medal is any servicemember who served on active duty; was deployed during war or an overseas contingency operation; as a result of a combat instance during such war or operation, was the last surviving member of a unit; demonstrated extraordinary heroism during such combat; and whose character is recommended for recognition by their commanding officer and at least two peers. The medal may be issued to the next-of-kin if the recipient is deceased.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2023
This resolution calls on Azerbaijan to immediately return all Armenian prisoners of war, hostages, and other detained persons and to provide information on those detained or deceased in custody. It also (1) calls on the President to impose human rights sanctions on Azerbaijani officials involved in illegal detention, torture, and extrajudicial killing of Armenian prisoners of war and other detained persons; (2) calls on the President to suspend military or security assistance to Azerbaijan; and (3) urges the Department of State to make clear to Azerbaijani authorities their obligations under international law to release and treat humanely all prisoners of war and other detained persons.
United States · United States Congress · 9 November 2023
This concurrent resolution recognizes the difficult challenges Black veterans faced when returning home after serving in the Armed Forces, their heroic military sacrifices, and their patriotism in fighting for equal rights and for the dignity of a people and a nation. The concurrent resolution also recognizes the need for the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue to work to eliminate any health and benefit disparities for minority veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2023
Supporting Accurate Views of Emergency Services Act of 2023 or the 911 SAVES Act of 2023 This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget, by 30 days after the bill's enactment, to categorize public safety telecommunicators as a protective service occupation under the Standard Occupational Classification System.
United States · United States Congress · 8 November 2023
This resolution supports the naming of new or undedicated Department of Veterans Affairs facilities after women veterans and minority veterans to reflect the diversity of all who have served in the Armed Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2023
State-Based Universal Health Care Act of 20 23 This bill establishes the option for states, or groups of states, to apply to waive certain federal health insurance requirements and provide residents with health insurance benefits plans through a state-administered program. Such programs must cover 95% of the residents in the state within five years and plan benefits must be at least as comprehensive and affordable as the coverage under the equivalent federal program. State programs are supported with funds from the federal programs the state programs replace, which may include Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, the Federal Employee Health Benefits program, certain federal tax credits, and premium-assistance funds, among others. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to appoint an Independent Assessment Panel for Comprehensive Care to review and recommend whether to approve state applications. Each approved state program must be independently reviewed every five years to evaluate changes in health benefits access, quality, and coverage, including whether the state has met the 95% coverage requirement. The federal government must pay all health insurance costs for American Indians and Alaska Natives who enroll in a plan through a state insurance program.
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2023
Helping Educators Respond to Overdoses Act or the HERO Act This bill establishes a grant program to provide schools with opioid overdose reversal drugs and requires reporting related to the distribution of such drugs. First, the bill requires the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration to award competitive grants to eligible entities for (1) purchasing approved opioid overdose reversal drugs; and (2) developing and implementing educational programming or resources to promote student and community knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, drug-use prevention and intervention, and emergency responses to drug overdoses. Eligible entities include private elementary and secondary schools, local educational agencies (LEAs), charter schools that are LEAs, and consortia of LEAs. Second, the bill requires a covered educational institution (i.e., a private school, LEA, or charter school that is an LEA) that receives federal funds to submit a description of any distribution of an opioid overdose reversal drug by such institution to the National Emergency Medical Services Information System and the Overdose Detection Mapping Application Program of the Washington/Baltimore High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2023
Farmers Feeding America Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), increases funding for the program, and provides additional delivery options for geographically isolated states (i.e., Hawaii, Alaska, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam). TEFAP is a federal program that helps supplement the diets of people with low income by providing them with emergency food assistance at no cost. Through TEFAP, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) purchases a variety of commodities and makes those food products (e.g., canned, frozen, dried, and fresh fruits and vegetables, eggs, meat, dairy, and whole-grain and enriched grain products) available to state distributing agencies. The bill increases funding for purchasing commodities under the program. Further, the bill directs USDA to coordinate with geographically isolated states to (1) establish alternative delivery options for allocated commodities, and (2) allow for the states to order commodities through the USDA Department of Defense Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program. USDA may also provide geographically isolated states the ability to directly purchase domestically grown food in lieu of receiving a portion of the commodities. Under this option, USDA may distribute as cash to the state up to 20% of the cash value of the commodities that are allocated to the state under TEFAP. Further, USDA may consider additional factors beyond lowest price in determining winning bids for contracts for fresh produce packages (including product variety and transportation distance).
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2023
See the Board Act This bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to support nonprofit organizations in furnishing eye-care services free of charge to students in public elementary or secondary schools.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 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 · 1 November 2023
This resolution states that the House of Representatives reaffirms the United States commitment to invoke the 1951 U.S.-Philippines mutual defense treaty if Philippine assets are attacked in the South China Sea. The resolution also calls on the United States and the Philippines to begin joint patrols in the South China Sea, objects to Chinese sovereignty claims to the South China Sea, and welcomes swift implementation of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (a 2014 agreement enabling the U.S. and Philippine militaries to train together, respond to humanitarian crises, and modernize military capabilities).
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2023
Tribal Cultural Areas Protection Act This bill provides for the preservation of tribal cultural sites on public land by establishing the Tribal Cultural Areas System. Within three years of this bill's enactment, the Department of the Interior or the Department of Agriculture (USDA), as applicable, must establish criteria for recommending tribal cultural sites for designation as tribal cultural areas for inclusion in the system, using specified factors; solicit recommendations from tribes, state historic preservation officers, and tribal historic preservation officers; review designations in local land management plans to identify tribal cultural sites that meet established criteria; consider any other relevant information; consider and evaluate tribal cultural sites for designation as a tribal cultural area for inclusion in the system; and make recommendations to Congress. The bill gives Congress the sole authority to (1) designate a tribal cultural site located on public land as a tribal cultural area for inclusion in the system, and (2) remove a tribal cultural area from the system. Congress must consider the recommendations of Interior and USDA when determining whether to make such a designation. For each congressionally designated tribal cultural area, Interior or USDA must (1) establish a tribal commission to provide guidance and recommendations on the development of a management plan for the tribal cultural area, and (2) develop a comprehensive management plan. The bill allows for self-determination contracts with tribes or tribal organizations to perform administrative or management functions within a tribal cultural area.
United States · United States Congress · 1 November 2023
Original National Domestic Violence Awareness Month Resolution of 2023 This resolution supports the goals and ideals of National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Further, it expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that Congress should continue to raise awareness of and support programs to end domestic violence.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2023
This resolution honors the memories of the victims who were killed in the antisemitic attack at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on October 27, 2018. The resolution also condemns rising antisemitism.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2023
Empowering Striking Workers Act of 2023 This bill allows workers engaged in a labor dispute to receive unemployment compensation. It also exempts such workers from the requirement that they be available to work and are actively seeking work.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2023
Safe Schools Improvement Act This bill requires states to direct their local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish policies that prevent and prohibit bullying and harassment of elementary and secondary school students. In particular, these policies must prohibit bullying and harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex (including sexual orientation and gender identity), sex characteristics (including intersex traits), disability, or religion. Further, LEAs must provide (1) students, parents, and educational professionals with annual notice of the conduct prohibited in their disciplinary policies; (2) students and parents with grievance procedures that target such conduct; and (3) the public with annual data on the incidence and frequency of that conduct at the school and LEA level. The Department of Education must conduct and report on an independent biennial evaluation of programs and policies to combat bullying and harassment in elementary and secondary schools. The National Center for Education Statistics must collect state data to determine the incidence and frequency of the conduct prohibited by LEA disciplinary policies.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 2023
Federal Retirement Fairness Act This bill modifies the federal civilian service that is creditable service under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS). Specifically, it expands the nondeduction service that may be creditable under FERS. Nondeduction service is federal service where an employee's pay is not subject to retirement deductions (e.g., service under a temporary appointment). Currently, nondeduction service performed before January 1, 1989, is creditable under FERS so long as a deposit is made into the retirement fund to cover the period of nondeduction service. This bill allows nondeduction service performed on or after January 1, 1989, to be creditable under FERS so long as a deposit is made into the retirement fund.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2023
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 517 Seagaze Drive in Oceanside, California, as the "Charlesetta Reece Allen Post Office Building."
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2023
This resolution calls on Hamas to immediately release hostages taken during its October 2023 attack on Israel. The resolution (1) condemns Hamas for attacking Israel, taking hostages, and for threats made against hostages; (2) demands that Hamas immediately release hostages; (3) recognizes that hostage-taking is a violation of international humanitarian law; and (4) expresses sympathy to the hostages, wounded, deceased, and their families.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2023
Keeping Drugs Out of Schools Act of 2023 This bill allows the Office of National Drug Control Policy to award grants for eligible entities to implement school-community partnerships for preventing and reducing substance use and misuse among youth. Eligible entity refers to a coalition that (1) is a Drug-Free Communities funded coalition on or before the date on which the coalition submits a grant application, and (2) has a memorandum of understanding in effect with not less than one local school to establish a school-community partnership.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2023
This resolution (1) condemns the brutal attacks by Hamas, (2) reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, and (3) urges Senator Tommy Tuberville and any others involved in the delay of critical military confirmations to stand with Israel and ensure that the United States is able to demonstrate military strength and ability to respond to this crisis.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2023
This resolution states that the House of Representatives stands with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists, reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, and condemns Hamas' brutal war against 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 urges full enforcement of sanctions against Iran to prevent Iran's funding of terrorist groups.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2023
'Operation Swords of Iron' Iron Dome Supplemental Appropriations Act This bill provides $2 billion in appropriations for the Department of Defense to provide to the government of Israel for the procurement of the Iron Dome defense system to counter short-range rocket threats. The funds must be provided to address emergent requirements in support of Operation Swords of Iron.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2023
This resolution states that the House of Representatives stands with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists, reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, and condemns Hamas' brutal war against 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 urges full enforcement of sanctions against Iran to prevent Iran's funding of terrorist groups.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2023
This resolution supports the goal of increasing Latino individuals in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) as a way to promote economic empowerment and sustainability, not only in their community, but in the overall U.S. economy. The resolution also encourages increased federal support for initiatives aimed at boosting the number of Latino students who pursue STEM education and career paths, particularly engineering. Finally, the resolution recognizes the important role that Hispanic-serving institutions and all institutions of higher education must play in order to achieve the goal of increasing Latino individuals in STEM.
United States · United States Congress · 6 October 2023
This bill expands the allowable uses of grants under the Strengthening Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) program to include activities related to arts, arts education, and cultural programs. Specifically, the bill allows grants under the HBCU program to be used for providing financial and other assistance to students in arts, arts education, and cultural programs; establishing outreach programs and development offices for arts, arts education, and cultural departments; providing comprehensive wraparound services for arts, arts education, and cultural students, including faculty and peer mentorship, work-based learning opportunities, guidance counseling, and career advising; exhibiting, maintaining, monitoring, and protecting Black art collections in exhibition and in storage; and providing well-paid apprenticeship, internship, and fellowship opportunities to students in arts, arts education, and cultural programs through partnerships with nonprofit arts, arts education, and cultural institutes. A grant recipient may enter into a partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts to carry out these activities.
United States · United States Congress · 2 October 2023
Substance Use Disorder and Family Engagement in Recovery Act or the SAFE in Recovery Act This bill expands services available to families affected by substance use disorders (SUD) and implements protections for parents seeking SUD treatment. Specifically, the bill requires health centers funded through the Community Health Center Fund (CHC Fund) to provide mental health and SUD treatment services, and provides funds to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to implement this change in FY2025. The bill also reauthorizes the CHC Fund through FY2028. Moreover, under the Opioid Use Disorder Treatment Demonstration Program, the bill permits HHS to provide increased per-beneficiary payments for beneficiaries receiving pregnancy or postpartum services. As a condition of Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant funding, the bill restricts states from investigating and reporting pregnant and postpartum patients affected by SUD in specified instances. For example, the results of toxicology testing on patients taking prescription drugs (including drugs that treat SUD) in accordance with the recommendations of the prescribing doctor may not be the sole factor in a family separation determination. Further, states may not investigate a patient for child neglect or abuse, nor report them to a child protective services system, solely on account of their use of a prescription drug. Finally, the bill establishes new federal efforts to study and fund care for families affected by SUD, including a consortium led by the National Institutes of Health to set research priorities related to SUD.
United States · United States Congress · 30 September 2023
This resolution calls for Saudi Arabia to ensure accountability for all individuals responsible for the murder of Jamal Khashoggi, release all individuals wrongly detained, lift restrictions on dissidents, and respect the rights of Saudi citizens.