United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2023
This resolution recognizes the accomplishments and example of Cesar Estrada Chavez. The resolution also encourages the people of the United States to commemorate his legacy and to always remember his rallying cry, "Si, se puede!" (which means "Yes, we can!").
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2023
Global Health, Empowerment and Rights Act This bill establishes that a foreign nongovernmental organization shall not be disqualified from receiving certain U.S. international development assistance solely because the organization provides medical services using non-U.S. government funds if the medical services do not violate the laws of the country in which they are being provided and would not violate United States federal law if provided in the United States. Such foreign organizations shall not be subject to requirements relating to their use of non-U.S. funds for advocacy or lobbying activities, other than those that apply to U.S. nongovernmental organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2023
Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2023 This bill requires the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to study access by underserved populations to general surgeons. Specifically, HRSA must study (1) whether the health professional shortage area designation under the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) program accurately assesses adequacy of access to general surgeons, (2) whether another measure would be more accurate, and (3) potential methodologies for designating general surgery shortage areas. (The NHSC provides scholarships and student loan repayment awards to primary care, dental care, and mental health care providers who agree to work in areas that HRSA designates as having a shortage of those particular types of providers.) HRSA must also publish data comparing the availability and need of general surgery services in urban, suburban, and rural areas. On the basis of its study, HRSA may establish a methodology for designating general surgery shortage areas and make such designations. If any designations are made, HRSA must publish a list of general surgery shortage areas.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2023
Financial Regulators Transparency Act of 2023 This bill makes certain disclosure and ethics requirements applicable to the Federal Reserve banks and financial regulators and changes the authority and appointment procedure of the inspector general of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. The bill applies to Federal Reserve banks Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requirements, congressional FOIA request requirements, and federal records retention requirements. The bill also expands ethics-related congressional FOIA requests to apply to the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Federal Reserve banks, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the National Credit Union Administration, the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Finally, the bill requires the inspector general of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. The inspector general shall also have authority over the Federal Reserve banks. Under current law, this appointment is made by the chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2023
Promoting Women in Aviation Act This bill establishes a Women in Aviation Advisory Committee within the Department of Transportation (DOT). The committee must advise DOT and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on matters related to women in the aviation industry and coordinate with the FAA's Federal Women's Program. Membership in the committee must include representatives from major airlines and aerospace companies, nonprofit organizations within the aviation industry, airport operators and employees, aviation and engineering business associations, the Civil Air Patrol, the FAA, educational institutions, and labor organizations. The committee must submit a report annually to Congress, DOT, and the FAA on the committee's findings and conclusions, as well as any recommendations for legislation and administrative actions.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2023
Recovering America’s Wildlife Act of 2023 This bill provides funding for the conservation or restoration of wildlife and plant species of greatest conservation need, including endangered or threatened species. Specifically, the bill establishes and funds through FY2027 a subaccount of the Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account, which was established under the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act. The subaccount must be used to support efforts of states, territories, or the District of Columbia to recover and manage wildlife and plant species of greatest conservation need. The Department of the Interior must use a portion of the funding from the subaccount for grants that may be used by state fish and wildlife departments or other specified entities for innovative recovery efforts for species of greatest conservation need, species listed as endangered or threatened species, or the habitats of such species. The bill also establishes and funds a Tribal Wildlife Conservation and Restoration Account to support Indian tribes' efforts to recover and manage wildlife and plant species of greatest conservation need. In addition, the bill establishes and funds through FY2027 the Endangered Species Recovery and Habitat Conservation Legacy Fund. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must use the fund to (1) implement an Endangered Species Recovery Grant Program; (2) address its interagency consultation responsibilities under the Endangered Species Act of 1973; (3) work with nonfederal entities to conserve wildlife habitat and certain at-risk species; or (4) address the development and permitting of voluntary conservation agreements under such act.
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2023
Rural Hospital Support Act This bill modifies and extends certain payment adjustments for rural hospitals under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system. Specifically, the bill indexes payment adjustments for sole community hospitals and Medicare-dependent hospitals to FY2016 operating costs, if it results in higher payments for such hospitals. The bill also makes payment adjustments for Medicare-dependent hospitals and low-volume hospitals permanent (the adjustments currently expire at the end of FY2024).
United States · United States Congress · 30 March 2023
Accelerating Deployment of Versatile, Advanced Nuclear for Clean Energy Act of 2023 or the ADVANCE Act of 2023 This bill sets forth provisions to develop and deploy advanced nuclear fuel for the United States and certain allied countries, restrict the possession or ownership of enriched uranium from Russia or China, clean up hazardous land, and establish related requirements. Specifically, the bill provides incentives for developing and deploying new nuclear technologies, such as reduced licensing fees and prize awards for deploying such technologies. It also extends through 2045 the indemnification policy under the Price-Anderson Act that limits liability related to the nuclear industry. It also requires the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to (1) develop a process that enables timely licensing of nuclear production facilities or utilization facilities at brownfield sites, and (2) establish an initiative to enhance preparedness and coordination with respect to the qualification and licensing of advanced nuclear fuel. NRC may hire specialized staff without regard to civil service laws to address its critical licensing or regulatory oversight needs. The NRC must also coordinate certain international nuclear activities and may establish an International Nuclear Reactor Export and Innovation Branch within the Office of International Programs. The bill allows certain foreign entities to receive licenses under the Atomic Energy Act of 1954 for nuclear utilization facilities as specified by the bill. The bill also allows the Environmental Protection Agency to conduct activities to assist in cleaning up certain abandoned mining sites on tribal lands that are hazardous.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2023
Servicemembers and Veterans Empowerment and Support Act of 2023 This bill modifies and implements policies and procedures related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and benefits for veterans who have experienced military sexual trauma (MST), which is generally defined as physical assault of a sexual nature, battery of a sexual nature, or sexual harassment that occurred while the veteran was serving in the military. In the case of any veteran who claims that a covered mental health condition (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder) based on MST was incurred or aggravated by active service, the VA must consider (1) a diagnosis of the condition by a mental health professional, (2) a medically proven link between current symptoms and MST, and (3) credible supporting evidence that MST occurred. The VA may not deny a veteran's claim of compensation for a covered mental health condition based on MST without first (1) advising the veteran that nonmilitary evidence and behavioral evidence may constitute credible corroborating evidence, and (2) allowing the veteran an opportunity to furnish the corroborating evidence or advise the VA of potential sources of such evidence. The Veterans Benefits Administration must conduct an annual special focus review on the accuracy of the processing of claims for disability compensation for disabilities relating to MST. Additionally, the bill (1) expands access to mental health care at VA facilities for survivors of MST, and (2) requires the Government Accountability Office to report on access to such care for MST survivors.
United States · United States Congress · 29 March 2023
National Plan to End Parkinson's Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to carry out a project to prevent and cure Parkinson's disease (a progressive brain disorder that causes unintended or uncontrollable movements) and related conditions. Among other components of the project, HHS must (1) implement and periodically update a national plan to coordinate and guide efforts to prevent, slow the progression of, and cure the disease; and (2) improve diagnosis, treatment, and care of those with the disease. HHS must also annually assess the preparations for and response to the increased burden of Parkinson's disease. In addition, the bill establishes a council, comprised of federal and nonfederal stakeholders, to advise HHS on and make recommendations concerning the prevention and treatment of Parkinson's disease. The provisions of the bill terminate at the end of calendar year 2035.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2023
This bill directs the Forest Service to convey specified property to Gila County, Arizona, upon the county's submission of a written request for such conveyance. The property, identified as the Gila County Area, consists of approximately 232.9 acres of National Forest System land located in the Tonto National Forest in Arizona. The conveyance shall be made without consideration. The Forest Service shall not be required to provide any covenant or warranty for the land and improvements conveyed to the county under such conveyance. If any land conveyed under this bill ceases to be used for purposes of serving veterans, all right, title, and interest in and to the land shall revert to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2023
Livestock Regulatory Protection Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the Environmental Protection Agency from issuing permits under the Clean Air Act for any carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, water vapor, or methane emissions resulting from biological processes associated with livestock production.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2023
This resolution designates March 2023 as National Women's History Month. The resolution also recognizes the celebration of such month as a time to reflect on the contributions that women have made to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 28 March 2023
Student Loan Tax Elimination Act This bill eliminates the origination fee on federal student loans. Origination fees are the fees lenders charge for processing new loan applications.
United States · United States Congress · 27 March 2023
Affordable College Textbook Act This bill directs the Department of Education to make grants to institutions of higher education or states to support projects that expand the use of open textbooks in order to achieve savings for students while maintaining or improving instruction and student learning outcomes. An open textbook is an educational resource that either resides in the public domain or has been released under an intellectual license that permits its free use, reuse, modification, and sharing with others.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2023
This resolution designates March 23, 2023, as National Women in Agriculture Day. It also recognizes the important role of women in agriculture as producers, educators, leaders, mentors, and more.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2023
National Senior Investor Initiative Act of 2023 or the Senior Security Act of 2023 This bill establishes the Senior Investor Taskforce within the Securities and Exchange Commission. The taskforce must report on topics relating to investors over the age of 65, including industry trends and serious issues impacting such investors, and make recommendations for legislative or regulatory actions to address problems encountered by senior investors. The Government Accountability Office must report on the financial exploitation of senior citizens.
United States · United States Congress · 23 March 2023
This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies provide critical benefits to the people and communities of the United States and their work should continue to be promoted.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023
Technology Grants to Strengthen Domestic Mining Education Act of 2023 or the Mining Schools Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a grant program to support domestic mining education. Under the program, DOE must award up to 10 grants each year to mining schools for recruiting and educating mining engineers and other qualified professionals to meet future energy and mineral needs. In addition, the bill repeals the Mining and Mineral Resources Research Institute Act of 1984.
United States · United States Congress · 22 March 2023
Not Just a Number Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to take specified actions related to its suicide prevention services. Specifically, the bill requires the VA to annually submit a National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report and publish it on a VA website. The VA must also analyze and report on which benefits and services from the VA have the greatest impact on suicide prevention among veterans. The VA must collaborate with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to develop a toolkit for state and local coroners and medical examiners that contains best practices for accurately identifying and reporting suicide deaths of veterans. The toolkit must be available on a publicly available website, and the VA and CDC must conduct outreach to state and local agencies to promote the availability and use of the toolkit. The VA must review the findings and recommendations of the Government Accountability Office's management review of the VA's mental health and suicide prevention services and study the feasibility and advisability of creating a suicide prevention office within the VA.
United States · United States Congress · 21 March 2023
Improving Digital Identity Act of 2023 This bill establishes a temporary task force to recommend secure methods and coordinate efforts for digital identity verification (a process for verifying the identity of an individual who accesses a service online or electronically). Specifically, the bill establishes a task force within the Executive Office of the President to coordinate a government-wide effort for promoting digital identity credentials (e.g., electronic driver's licenses and birth certificates) for use in the public and private sectors. This includes identifying the governmental agencies that issue identity credentials or hold information used to identify an individual; recommending a strategy for digital identity verification that addresses issues such as privacy, equity, and interoperability; and identifying funding or resources needed to support governmental agencies with adopting digital identity verification. Members of the task force include representatives from federal agencies; representatives from state, tribal, territorial, and local governments; and nongovernmental experts. The task force must periodically report its findings and terminates three years after the enactment of the bill. Further, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) must issue guidance for federal agencies to implement task force recommendations, and federal agencies must annually report on their implementation activities. Additionally, the OMB must report on the implementation and effectiveness of federal digital identity capabilities in coordination with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency. The Government Accountability Office must report on the potential savings from averting benefit fraud and identity theft by increasing adoption of digital identity verification.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2023
Fire Grants and Safety Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2030 the U.S. Fire Administration, the Assistance to Firefighters Grants Program, and the Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response Grant Program. The Government Accountability Office must conduct an audit of and issue a publicly available report on barriers that prevent fire departments from accessing federal funds, and the U.S. Fire Administration. The bill makes the government of China, and any entity or organization operating or incorporated in China, ineligible to be a recipient or subrecipient of federal assistance under such programs.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2023
Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act This bill requires registered lobbyists to disclose any foreign countries or political parties that are involved in the direction, planning, supervision, or control of the lobbyist's activities.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2023
American Innovation and Jobs Act This bill revises and expands the deductibility of research and experimental expenditures to allow immediate expensing of such expenditures. It also allows the amortization over a period of at least 60 months of certain other types of research and experimental expenditures not treated as expenses. The bill increases the maximum amount eligible for the tax credit for new and small businesses and increases to 20% the rate of the credit for business startups.
United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2023
Improving Access to Mental Health Act of 2023 This bill increases the Medicare reimbursement rate for clinical social worker services. The bill excludes clinical social worker services from the prospective payment system in which predetermined amounts form the basis for payment under Medicare. Additionally, the bill alters the definition of clinical social worker services as it relates to Medicare. Under current law, such services (1) include services performed for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses, and (2) exclude services furnished to an inpatient of a skilled nursing facility as a condition of the facility's participation in the Medicare program. The bill repeals these provisions and instead specifies that such services include certain types of health behavior assessment and intervention.
United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2023
Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023 This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal in honor of the female telephone operators of the Army Signal Corps, commonly known as the Hello Girls , in recognition of their military service, devotion to duty, and 60-year struggle for veterans' benefits and recognition as soldiers.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2023
Deliver Executive Profits On Seized Institutions to Taxpayers Act or the DEPOSIT Act This bill imposes an increased tax rate on bonuses paid after March 1, 2023, and profits from sales of bank stock received by highly-paid bank executives employed by failing banks that were closed and for which the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation has been appointed conservator or receiver. The bill expresses the sense of the Senate that revenues from such increased taxes be returned to the Deposit Insurance Fund of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2023
United States Foreign Service Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins in recognition of the 100th anniversary of the United States Foreign Service. All surcharges received by Treasury from the sale of such coins must be paid to the Association for Diplomatic Studies and Training to support the collection, curation, and sharing of diplomatic history in the United States via oral history, books, social media, and other means.
United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2023
Personal Health Investment Today Act of 2023 or the PHIT Act of 2023 This bill allows a medical care tax deduction for up to $1,000 ($2,000 for a joint return or a head of household) of qualified sports and fitness expenses per year. The bill defines qualified sports and fitness expenses as amounts paid exclusively for participating in a physical activity, including (1) fitness facility memberships, (2) physical exercise or activity programs, or (3) equipment for a physical exercise or activity program.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2023
This bill transfers National Forest System land near the Salt River in Arizona to the Bureau of Reclamation to expand the area used for generating electric power for the Salt River Federal Reclamation Project. Any facilities on the covered land constructed by the Salt River Project are owned by Reclamation, but the Salt River Project is responsible for the facilities' operation and maintenance.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2023
Paycheck Fairness Act This bill addresses wage discrimination on the basis of sex. Specifically, it (1) limits an employer's defense that a pay differential is based on a factor other than sex to only bona fide job-related factors in wage discrimination claims, (2) enhances nonretaliation prohibitions, (3) makes it unlawful to require an employee to sign a contract or waiver prohibiting the employee from disclosing information about the employee's wages, and (4) increases civil penalties for violations of equal pay provisions. Additionally, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs must train EEOC employees and other affected parties on wage discrimination. The bill directs the Department of Labor to (1) establish and carry out a grant program for negotiation skills training for girls and women, (2) conduct studies to eliminate pay disparities between men and women, and (3) make available information on wage discrimination to assist the public in understanding and addressing such discrimination. The bill also establishes the Secretary of Labor's National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace for an employer who has made a substantial effort to eliminate pay disparities between men and women. Finally, the bill requires the EEOC to issue regulations for collecting from employers compensation and other employment data according to the sex, race, and national origin of employees for use in enforcing laws prohibiting pay discrimination.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2023
Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benefits Act of 2023 or the GUARD VA Benefits Act of 2023 This bill imposes criminal penalties on individuals for directly or indirectly soliciting, contracting for, charging, or receiving any unauthorized fee or compensation with respect to the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. The commission or attempted commission of such offenses is punishable by a fine, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2023
This resolution celebrates the successes and contributions of Latinas in the United States and recognizes the changes still to be made to ensure that Latinas can realize their full potential as equal members of society.
United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2023
This concurrent resolution declares that Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station for broadcasting sound recordings over the air or on any business for such public performance of sound recordings.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2023
Women's Health Protection Act of 2023 This bill prohibits governmental restrictions on the provision of, and access to, abortion services. Before fetal viability, governments may not restrict providers from using particular abortion procedures or drugs, offering abortion services via telemedicine, or immediately providing abortion services if delaying risks the patient's health. Furthermore, governments may not require providers to perform unnecessary medical procedures, provide medically inaccurate information, or comply with credentialing or other conditions that do not apply to providers who offer medically comparable services to abortions. Additionally, governments may not require patients to make medically unnecessary in-person visits before receiving abortion services or disclose their reasons for obtaining services. After fetal viability, governments may not restrict providers from performing abortions when necessary to protect a patient's life and health. The same provisions that apply to abortions before viability also apply to necessary abortions after viability. Additionally, states may authorize post-viability abortions in circumstances beyond those that the bill considers necessary. Further, the bill recognizes an individual's right to interstate travel, including for abortion services. The bill also prohibits governments from implementing measures that are similar to those restricted by the bill or that otherwise single out and impede access to abortion services, unless the measure significantly advances the safety of abortion services or health of patients and cannot be achieved through less restrictive means. The Department of Justice, individuals, or providers may sue states or government officials to enforce this bill, regardless of certain immunity that would otherwise apply.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2023
Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue 50,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the service that working dogs provide to society. The designs of the coins minted under this bill shall be emblematic of the contributions of working dogs to society, including in detection, military service, therapy, and assistance. Treasury may issue coins only during the one-year period beginning on January 1, 2025. All sales of coins shall include a surcharge, which shall be paid to America's VetDogs for general expenses associated with the fulfillment of its mission.
United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2023
Urban Waters Federal Partnership Act of 2023 This bill provides statutory authority for the Urban Waters Federal Partnership Program. Under the program, the Environmental Protection Agency and other specified agencies must reconnect urban communities, particularly urban communities that are overburdened or economically distressed, with their waterways by improving coordination among federal agencies.
United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2023
This bill provides for the classification of drugs or other substances that are part of approved breakthrough therapies as schedule II controlled substances under the Controlled Substances Act. (Schedule II controlled substances are substances that have a high potential for abuse but have a currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States or a currently accepted medical use with severe restrictions.)
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2023
Helping Heroes Act of 2023 This bill implements programs and procedures related to the provision of support services for veterans and their families. First, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must place at least one Family Coordinator at each of its medical centers and ensure adequate staffing and resources at each such medical center so the coordinators are able to carry out their duties. Family Coordinators must, among other duties, assess the needs of the families of veterans using evidence-based strategies and refer veterans to support resources. The VA must also establish the Family Support Program to provide and coordinate the provision of supportive services to veterans who have a service-connected disability rated at 70% or more and eligible children (i.e., individuals who are under 18 years of age and are wards, children, stepchildren, grandchildren, or siblings of the eligible veteran). Next, the VA must conduct an outreach program to ensure eligible veterans who enrolled in the VA health care system, employees of the VA, and other entities are informed of the Family Support Program and the availability of Family Coordinators. The VA must include information regarding supportive services available in the transition assistance curriculum for members of the Armed Forces who are being separated from active duty (and their families). Finally, the VA must conduct an annual survey of disabled veterans and their families to identify and better understand the needs of such persons.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2023
Everett Alvarez, Jr., Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023 This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Everett Alvarez, Jr. in recognition of his service to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2023
Safe Step Act This bill requires a group health plan to establish an exception to medication step-therapy protocol in specified cases. A medication step-therapy protocol establishes a specific sequence in which prescription drugs are covered by a group health plan or a health insurance issuer. A request for such an exception to the protocol must be granted if (1) an otherwise required treatment has been ineffective, (2) such treatment is expected to be ineffective and delaying effective treatment would lead to irreversible consequences, (3) such treatment will cause or is likely to cause an adverse reaction to the individual, (4) such treatment is expected to prevent the individual from performing daily activities or occupational responsibilities, (5) the individual is stable based on the prescription drugs already selected, or (6) there are other circumstances as determined by the Employee Benefits Security Administration. The bill requires a group health plan to implement and make readily available a clear process for an individual to request an exception to the protocol, including required information and criteria for granting an exception. The bill further specifies timelines under which plans must respond to such requests.
United States · United States Congress · 2 March 2023
Comprehensive Care for Alzheimer's Act This bill allows the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) to test a Dementia Care Management Model that provides comprehensive care to Medicare beneficiaries with Alzheimer's disease or a related dementia. Under the model, participating health care providers receive payment under Medicare for comprehensive care management services that are provided to individuals with diagnosed dementia, excluding Medicare Advantage enrollees, hospice care recipients, and nursing home residents. Required services include medication management, care coordination, and health, financial, and environmental monitoring, as well as trainings and other support services for unpaid caregivers. Providers must furnish services through interdisciplinary teams and must ensure access to a team member or primary care provider 24-7. The CMMI must set payments and determine quality measures for the model in accordance with specified requirements. The bill also allows the CMMI to design a similar model under Medicaid.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2023
Military Spouse Hiring Act This bill expands the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include the hiring of a qualified military spouse. (The WOTC permits employers who hire individuals who are members of a targeted group such as qualified veterans, ex-felons, or long-term unemployment recipients to claim a tax credit equal to a portion of the wages paid to those individuals.) A qualified military spouse is any individual who is certified by the designated local agency as being (as of the hiring date) a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2023
Social Security Fairness Act This bill repeals provisions that reduce Social Security benefits for individuals who receive other benefits, such as a pension from a state or local government. The bill eliminates the government pension offset , which in various instances reduces Social Security benefits for spouses, widows, and widowers who also receive government pensions of their own. The bill also eliminates the windfall elimination provision , which in some instances reduces Social Security benefits for individuals who also receive a pension or disability benefit from an employer that did not withhold Social Security taxes. These changes are effective for benefits payable after December 2023.
United States · United States Congress · 1 March 2023
Credit Union Board Modernization Act This bill revises the required frequency of meetings held by a credit union's board of directors. Specifically, new credit unions and credit unions with a low soundness rating must meet monthly. All other credit unions must hold at least six meetings annually, with at least one meeting held during each fiscal quarter. Currently, all credit union boards must meet at least once a month.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2023
First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to the First Rhode Island Regiment, collectively, in recognition of their dedicated service during the Revolutionary War.
United States · United States Congress · 28 February 2023
Independent and Objective Oversight of Ukrainian Assistance Act The bill establishes the Office of the Special Inspector General for Ukrainian Military, Economic, and Humanitarian Aid. The office's duties shall include (1) conducting and coordinating audits and investigations of the handing of funds made available for aid to Ukraine, and (2) monitoring and reviewing contracts and activities involving those funds. The Special Inspector General shall report directly to, and be under the general supervision of, the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense. Federal agencies may not prevent the office from carrying out any audit or investigation related to aid to Ukraine. However, the office is not authorized to audit or investigate the intelligence community. The office shall terminate 180 days after the date on which there is less than $250 million in unexpended amounts that were made available for the reconstruction of Ukraine.