United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
Protecting Small Business Information Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to ensure all rules issued under the Corporate Transparency Act have the same effective date. Any final rules already issued must not take effect until all final rules under the act have been issued. The act requires companies to report beneficial ownership information (i.e., the identity of individuals behind a corporate entity) to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN).
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
Accelerating Movement of Essential Rx Items to Create Access to National Drug Resources for US Government Services Act or the AMERICAN DRUGS Act This bill generally limits coverage of generic drugs under federal health care programs to those that are manufactured domestically. Specifically, the bill prohibits coverage of generic drugs that are manufactured in foreign countries under Medicare, Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), TRICARE, and benefits provided by the Veterans' Administration. Coverage is permitted for foreign-made generic drugs if there are fewer than two other generic versions that are manufactured domestically or if the generic versions that are manufactured domestically are in shortage or soon to be discontinued. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must notify appropriate agencies about brand-name drugs that have at least two generic versions that are manufactured domestically and those that do not. The bill also allows the FDA to expedite the development and review of applications for generic versions of brand-name drugs that do not have at least two generic versions that are manufactured domestically.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
Backcountry Aviation Protection Act This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to revise regulations to allow a properly qualified pilot operating an aircraft to conduct a go-around, an inspection pass, a practice approach, or a qualified instrument approach without regard to minimum safe altitude standards. Under current regulations, a person may not operate an aircraft below certain minimum safe altitudes except when necessary for takeoff or landing. The regulation does not include exceptions for situations such as a go-around (i.e., an aborted landing) or a practice approach. Beginning one year after the bill's enactment, if the FAA has not published final regulations as required by the bill, the FAA may not take an enforcement action against a person related to a go-around, inspection pass, or practice approach. Under the bill, the FAA has the burden of proof with respect to enforcement actions to prove each element of the offense and the inapplicability of each exception to the offense.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
Secure Rural Schools Reauthorization Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes through FY2026 and modifies the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) program as well as a pilot program that allows regional foresters to appoint members to SRS resource advisory committees. Under the existing SRS program, states and counties containing federal land may receive payments from the Forest Service or the Department of the Interior respectively for schools and certain other municipal services. The bill extends the authority of the Forest Service and Interior to (1) calculate and provide payments to states and counties under the SRS program through FY2026, and (2) initiate projects using funds provided by the program through FY2028. It also extends the deadline to obligate those funds until the end of FY2029. Additionally, the bill expands the pilot program to allow regional foresters in all states, not just those in Montana and Arizona, to appoint members to the advisory committees in their regions.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act This bill revises requirements governing the financing and accreditation of institutions of higher education (IHEs). Specifically, the bill makes postsecondary education courses and programs (e.g., apprenticeship programs) that provide credits toward a postsecondary certification, credential, or degree eligible for federal student aid funding if the programs and courses are accredited by a state that has an alternative accreditation agreement with the Department of Education (ED). The bill requires IHEs to publish certain enrollment and financial aid information, such as (1) the percentage of former financial aid recipients who are employed at various intervals following graduation, and (2) the average amount of total federal student loan debt accrued upon graduation. The Government Accountability Office must compile and study all such information published by IHEs and submit a report containing the results. Further, the bill prohibits the disclosure of personally identifiable information and directs ED to establish penalties for violations. Additionally, the bill consolidates federal student loans into one student loan program and eliminates loan forgiveness for borrowers. Lastly, the bill requires an IHE to pay a default rate fine for a fiscal year in an amount that is equal to the applicable percentage of outstanding loans (i.e., the total amount of loans issued to students for attendance at the IHE for which regular on-time payments are not being made). An IHE shall receive a credit for each graduate of the IHE who received a Federal Pell Grant while enrolled at the IHE during the fiscal year.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
INvestor Democracy is EXpected Act or the INDEX Act This bill establishes guidelines for passively managed funds (e.g., index funds) that vote shares on behalf of fund investors in proxy shareholder votes. Under the bill, these funds generally must vote shares on a proportional basis according to instructions from fund investors. The bill establishes an exemption for routine matters and matters requiring approval of a majority of outstanding securities. Additionally, the bill establishes a safe harbor from these requirements for investment advisers.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023
This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) titled Waiver of Buy America Requirements for Electric Vehicle Chargers and published on February 21, 2023. The rule temporarily waives the Buy America requirements for steel, iron, manufactured products, and construction materials in electric vehicle (EV) chargers. FHWA defines an EV charger to mean the EV charger unit itself and the equipment contained inside it. EV charger housing components that are predominantly steel and iron are excluded from the waiver and must meet current FHWA Buy America requirements. The FHWA final rule waives Buy America requirements for all EV chargers and components that are manufactured from the effective date of this waiver until June 30, 2024. Further, the final assembly must occur in the United States and the installation must begin by October 1, 2024. Beginning with EV chargers manufactured on July 1, 2024, the FHWA phases out waiver coverage for those previously covered EV chargers where the cost of U.S. manufactured components does not exceed 55% of the total components cost. (Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, more than 55% of the components of manufactured goods must be obtained from U.S. manufacturers and sources.) This waiver remains in place until terminated by the FHWA.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023
Promotion and Expansion of Private Employee Ownership Act of 2023 This bill accelerates to the enactment date of this bill the deferral of tax (currently, after December 31, 2027) on sales of employer stock to employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs) sponsored by S corporations. It also eliminates the limitation on the amount that may be deferred. The Department of the Treasury must establish the S Corporation Employee Ownership Assistance Office to foster increased employee ownership of S corporations. The office must provide education and outreach about the benefits of employee ownership of S corporations and technical assistance to assist S corporations in sponsoring ESOPs. The bill directs the Department of Labor to appoint an Advocate for Employee Ownership.
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.
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
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
Regular Order for Investments of the Federal Reserve Act or the ROI of the Federal Reserve Act This bill establishes requirements for Federal Reserve System investments, accounting standards, and reports. Under the bill, Federal Reserve banks are prohibited from purchasing Treasury bills with a term of maturity of more than three years and mortgage-backed securities. Federal Reserve banks are also prohibited from holding shares of common stock that are acquired on or after the date of enactment of this bill. The Federal Reserve Board, Federal Reserve banks, and the Federal Open Market Committee must use generally accepted accounting principles and specified valuation methods in certain filings, reports, and audits. Finally, the board and Federal Reserve banks must annually report to Congress on (1) the status of the middle class and the impact their policies and programs have had on the middle class, and (2) the impact their actions have had on small business lending and lines of credit since 2000.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023
Rein in the Federal Reserve Act This bill requires regular reports from the Federal Reserve Board upon the initiation of a quantitative easing or tightening program or an emergency lending program. Further, without congressional authorization, the board must end the operation of any such program after a year. Congress is also authorized to disapprove of any such program.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023
Right-size the Federal Reserve Act This bill places restrictions on the Federal Reserve System, including by placing a cap on specified assets, eliminating a Federal Reserve Board facility, and setting forth conditions on bank reserve requirements. The bill places a cap on the total aggregate assets of all Federal Reserve banks. Specifically, these assets must not amount to more than 10% of the U.S. gross domestic product. This cap takes effect 10 years after the bill’s enactment. The bill also eliminates the Overnight Reverse Repurchase Facility, a board facility that conducts monetary policy through security repurchase agreements. The board’s depository institution reserves requirements must not be lower than the reserve requirements as of March 25, 2020. The board and each Federal Reserve bank must annually report on certain interest payments to foreign-owned banks and financial institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023
This concurrent resolution calls for an end to the consumption and trade of dog and cat meat and urges nations to adopt and enforce laws banning that trade.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023
Promoting Employment and Lifelong Learning Act or the PELL Act This bill expands student eligibility for Pell Grants by establishing the Workforce Pell Grants Program. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to award Workforce Pell Grants to students enrolled in eligible short-term programs. Eligible programs are those that provide 150 to 600 clock hours of instructional time over a period of 8 to 15 weeks and meet other eligibility criteria. An accrediting agency or association recognized by ED must determine a program's eligibility based on several criteria, including that the program provides education aligned with the requirements of in-demand industry sectors and occupations and meets specified completion and job placement rates. ED must annually collect and publish information on the College Scorecard regarding each eligible program, including job outcomes. The College Scorecard is a comparison tool for information on school sizes, settings, graduation rates, average costs, and salary ranges per field of study.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2023
Continuing High-quality Evaluations of Concerning and Known Persons Of Interest through National Training updates Act or the CHECKPOINT Act This bill requires the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to update certain offices and policies with respect to drug seizures and checkpoints. For example, CBP must periodically assess the drug categories in its systems and update them to reflect the drug smuggling scenarios encountered by CBP agents, as necessary. CBP must also update immigration checkpoints with appropriate technology, such as license plate readers, and support intelligence centers on the southern border to combat transnational criminal organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2023
This resolution affirms that Israel is not a racist or apartheid state. The resolution also (1) rejects all forms of antisemitism and xenophobia, and (2) affirms that the United States will always be a staunch partner of Israel.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2023
Preventing Restrictions and Empowering Speakers to Enable Robust and Varied Exchanges in Online Speech Act of 2023 or the PRESERVE Online Speech Act of 2023 This bill requires interactive computer services (e.g., social media companies) to issue a public disclosure containing specified information related to a request or recommendation by a government entity that the service moderate content on its platform. Examples of such moderation include eliminating the ability of a user to comment upon information or terminating or limiting a user's account. Failure to comply with this requirement shall result in a fine of $50,000 per day, which shall be deposited in the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. The Federal Communications Commission must submit an annual report that includes the contents of each such public disclosure.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2023
Middle Class Borrower Protection Act of 2023 This bill rolls back changes made by the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to the fees charged by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac for a conventional single-family mortgage (i.e., loan-level pricing adjustments) and restricts future fee adjustments. These changes, effective May 1, 2023, revised the fee charts that provide percentage adjustments based on a mortgagor's credit score and down payment. The bill reinstates the fee structure that was in place prior to May 1, 2023. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must report on the changes made by the FHFA. Further adjustments to the fee structure by FHFA are prohibited until 90 days after the publication of the GAO report. After this period, FHFA must follow Administrative Procedure Act requirements when proposing adjustments to the fee structure. The bill also requires that, to the greatest extent feasible, revisions to the fee schedule must be based on risk. Further, FHFA, Fannie Mae, and Freddie Mac are prohibited from imposing any loan-level pricing adjustment fee that is based on the ratio of the debt of the mortgagor to the income of the mortgagor.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2023
Land Grant Research Prioritization Act of 2023 This bill includes additional priorities as Department of Agriculture (USDA) high-priority research and extension areas. Under the bill, USDA may award grants for developing and evaluating (1) technologies to mechanize agricultural processes (and may emphasize processes for harvesting specialty crops), and (2) agricultural uses of artificial intelligence (and may emphasize uses for improving specialty crop production). Further, USDA may award grants to support research projects at land-grant colleges and universities to develop and apply methods to manage and eradicate invasive species of plants and animals, including through methods of biocontrol; and aquaculture methods, including through the propagation and rearing of economically and ecologically valuable aquatic and marine species.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2023
Maternal and Child Health Stillbirth Prevention Act This bill expands the scope of the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant to include research and activities to prevent stillbirths.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2023
Protecting Investors' Personally Identifiable Information Act This bill prohibits the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) from requiring a national securities exchange, association, or a member of either to provide a market participant's personally identifiable information to satisfy the reporting requirements of the Consolidated Audit Trail (i.e., data used to track market activity). However, this information must be provided to the SEC upon request if the information is related to a securities investigation. The SEC must destroy the information not later than one day after the conclusion of the matter for which this information was required.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2023
This resolution expresses solidarity with the brave people of Cuba who participated in the peaceful demonstrations on July 11, 2021, and were subsequently arbitrarily detained and sentenced. It also urges democratic governments in Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean to hold Cuba accountable for human rights violations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023
Flood Insurance Transparency Act of 2023 This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) make publicly available all data, models, assessments, analytical tools, and other information relating to the National Flood Insurance Program that is used in assessing flood risk or identifying and establishing flood elevations and premiums. This includes data relating to the risks of individual properties, loss ratio information, and current and historical policy and claims information. To accomplish this, FEMA must establish an open source data system through which all such information may be electronically accessed by the public. Further, FEMA must establish a public database that provides information regarding each community participating in the program.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023
This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to allow a Write Your Own insurance company to sell private flood insurance. A Write Your Own insurance company is a private property insurance company that writes and services federal flood insurance policies in its own name.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023
Flood Insurance Consumer Choice Act of 2023 This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to consider any period during which a property was continuously covered by private flood insurance to be a period of continuous insurance coverage, including for the purposes of National Flood Insurance Program subsidies.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023
Iran Sanctions Relief Review Act This bill restricts the President's authority to unilaterally undertake certain actions with respect to Iran and increases congressional oversight of those actions. Specifically, the President must report to Congress before terminating or waiving sanctions related to Iran or taking a licensing action that significantly alters U.S. foreign policy with respect to Iran. Each report must (1) describe the proposed action and its rationale, and (2) indicate whether or not the action is intended to significantly alter foreign policy concerning Iran. If the intention is to alter that policy, the report must provide additional information about the policy objectives and anticipated effects of the action. After the President submits a report, the bill provides Congress with a 30-day period to review it; this period is extended to 60 days for reports submitted between July 10 and September 7. During this period, Congress may enact a joint resolution approving or disapproving the action. During the review period, the President may not take the action unless Congress passes a joint resolution of approval; if Congress enacts a joint resolution of disapproval, the bill prohibits the President from taking the action. The bill also outlines procedures for the introduction and consideration of these types of joint resolutions.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023
No ESG at TSP Act This bill prohibits investments under the Thrift Savings Plan in mutual funds that are based on environmental criteria (e.g., emissions standards), social criteria (e.g., company diversity), political criteria (e.g., political affiliations), or corporate governance criteria that differ from the standards that currently apply under law.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023
Ryan White PrEP Availability Act This bill expands the use of Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program grants for providing medical care and services to low-income individuals with HIV/AIDS. Recipients may use the grants to provide pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) and related preventive services for individuals who are at risk of contracting HIV.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023
This resolution commemorates the passage of two years since the building collapse in Surfside, Florida, on June 24, 2021, and expresses support for the survivors and community.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023
This resolution supports observing National Women's Sports Week as the week of June 18-June 24, 2023, to recognize the expansion of opportunities for female athletes since the enactment of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and marks the observance of such week with appropriate programs and activities and legislative efforts to protect single-sex sports.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023
This joint resolution disapproves a rule submitted by the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs of the Department of Labor relating to Rescission of Implementing Legal Requirements Regarding the Equal Opportunity Clause's Religious Exemption Rule. Such rule shall have no force or effect.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023
This bill prohibits the General Services Administration (GSA) from considering the legality or availability of abortion when acquiring or constructing public buildings. Also, GSA may not consider the legality or availability of abortion when leasing federal buildings and property or when entering into lease agreements for the use of buildings by a federal agency.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023
Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act This bill allows for Medicare coverage and payment for multi-cancer early detection screening tests that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and that are used to screen for cancer across many cancer types, if the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services determines such coverage is appropriate.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023
Rebuilding Economic Prosperity and Opportunity for Ukrainians Act or the REPO for Ukrainians Act This bill requires or authorizes various actions related to the confiscation and disposition of Russian sovereign assets (which include funds and other property of Russia's central bank, direct investment fund, or ministry of finance). Under the bill, the President must require U.S. financial institutions to notify the Department of the Treasury of any Russian sovereign assets located at such institutions. The President may confiscate any such assets subject to U.S. jurisdiction. Confiscated funds and the proceeds of liquidated property must be deposited into the Ukraine Support Fund established by the bill. The Ukraine Support Fund shall be available to the Department of State only to compensate Ukraine for damages caused by the Russian invasion, including by providing funds to an international body or mechanism for (1) reconstruction and rebuilding efforts in Ukraine, (2) humanitarian assistance to the Ukrainian people, or (3) other purposes which support the recovery of Ukraine and the welfare of the Ukrainian people. The bill also directs the President to seek to establish, with foreign partners, an international mechanism to provide compensation to Ukraine using the Ukraine Support Fund and Russian sovereign assets confiscated by foreign partners. Additionally, the bill sets policy on related topics, such as specifying that the United States should lead an international sanctions regime to freeze Russian sovereign assets in conjunction with allies and partners.
![Official portrait of Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s001217_200.jpg)