United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2023
Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act This bill establishes the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans. The commission must (1) compile documentary evidence of slavery in the United States; (2) study the role of the federal and state governments in supporting the institution of slavery; (3) analyze discriminatory laws and policies against freed African slaves and their descendants; and (4) recommend ways the United States may recognize and remedy the effects of slavery and discrimination on African Americans, including through a formal apology and compensation (i.e., reparations). The commission consists of individuals from civil society and reparations organizations and individuals appointed by the President and congressional leadership; Members of Congress and governmental employees may not serve on the commission. The commission may hold hearings, subpoena witnesses and records, and contract with other entities to conduct its work. The commission must submit its final report within 18 months of its first meeting.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2023
Pet Safety and Protection Act of 2023 This bill revises requirements concerning the sources of dogs and cats used by research facilities. Specifically, the bill revises the list of permissible sources of dogs and cats used by research facilities to include dogs and cats obtained (1) from a licensed dealer, (2) from a publicly owned and operated pound or shelter that meets specified requirements, (3) by donation from a person who bred and raised the dog or cat or owned it for not less than one year, or (4) from a research facility licensed by the Department of Agriculture. The requirements pertaining to sources apply to dogs and cats obtained through sales, donations, or offers. Monetary penalties are established for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 15 December 2022
This resolution states that the House of Representatives holds the Russian government responsible for the illegal kidnapping of children from Ukraine and condemns these actions. The resolution also (1) declares that illegal adoptions are contrary to the Genocide Convention (the 1948 Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide); (2) claims that Russia is attempting to wipe out a generation of Ukrainian children; and (3) asserts that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has increased the risks of children being exposed to human trafficking, exploitation, child labor, gender-based violence, hunger, injury, trauma, deprivation of education and shelter, and death.
United States · United States Congress · 14 December 2022
Taking Action to Prevent Suicide Act or the TAPS Act This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of Health and Human Services to jointly establish a task force to develop recommendations for a comprehensive policy to prevent suicide by CBP personnel. The Department of Homeland Security must develop a plan based on the task force's assessments and recommendations.
United States · United States Congress · 22 November 2022
This bill establishes a program within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to provide outreach and training to HSI employees and partners who have been exposed to various forms of trauma in working with victims of human trafficking. The bill also provides statutory authority for the HSI Victim Assistance Program.
United States · United States Congress · 14 October 2022
Relief for Farmers Hit with PFAS Act This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a grant program to help states address contamination by perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS, on agricultural land and commercial farms. The bill also requires USDA to establish a task force to provide (1) advice regarding whether addressing PFAS contamination should be added as an eligible activity for each USDA program, and (2) technical assistance to states in addressing PFAS contamination.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2022
Stop Helping Adversaries Manipulate Everything Act or the SHAME Act This bill prohibits registered agents or lobbyists of foreign adversaries from receiving compensation for their services. Violations are subject to civil penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2022
Enhancing DHS Drug Seizures Act This bill addresses various issues related to border security. For example, the bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to waive reimbursement for the salaries of DHS employees providing training to foreign-vetted law enforcement or national security units under an agreement with the Department of Defense; authorizes U.S. Customs and Border Protection to provide air and marine support to foreign governments for certain operations, such as an operation to stop illegal drugs from entering the United States; and makes it a crime to destroy or significantly damage physical or electronic devices (e.g., fences or cameras) used by the federal government to control a U.S. international border with the intent to achieve certain goals relating to securing financial gain and breaking federal laws.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2022
Canine Members of the Armed Forces Act This bill requires the Department of Defense to classify military working dogs as canine members of the Armed Forces (not as equipment) and provides for certain requirements and authorities related to the retirement, transfer, transportation, and recognition of such canine members.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2022
Permit Reform In Mining for Energy and Defense Act or the PRIMED Act This bill makes certain mineral production projects and certain actions taken by the Department of Defense eligible for an expedited environmental review by including those projects within the scope of covered projects under the Fixing America's Surface Transportation (FAST) Act.
United States · United States Congress · 29 September 2022
Reinvesting In Shoreline Economies and Ecosystems Act of 2022 or the RISEE Act of 2022 This bill expands the amount of revenue generated from leases for energy development on federal land or submerged lands in the Outer Continental Shelf that is shared with certain states and coastal communities. For example, the bill dedicates a percentage of the revenue generated from offshore wind leases for coastal states. Currently, this revenue is deposited in the U.S. Treasury. In addition, the bill increases the amount of revenue generated from offshore oil and gas leases that is shared with states under the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act. States must use the funding from the revenue for specified purposes, such as coastal restoration, conservation, or infrastructure.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2022
This bill requires that the service of specified U.S. merchant marines be considered as active duty for purposes of determining the individual's eligibility for veterans benefits. Specifically, the bill applies to merchant marines who served as crewmembers of vessels in oceangoing service during the Vietnam Era in the Southeast Asia theater of operations and receive a certificate of honorable discharge.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2022
This bill requires the Department of Defense to submit a report outlining its plan to provide alternative water sources to affected communities surrounding military installations with levels of perfluoroalkyl substances that have been determined to be above the lifetime health advisory for contamination (as issued by the Environmental Protection Agency on June 21, 2022).
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2022
This bill authorizes the Department of Defense to award cash and other prizes to recognize outstanding achievements in the development of personal protective firefighting equipment (e.g., turnout gear pants) that does not contain an intentionally added perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance, commonly known as PFAS. These substances are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2022
United States-Israel Cooperation to Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems Reauthorization and Reform Act This bill reauthorizes the program for U.S.-Israeli defense cooperation in countering unmanned aerial systems until December 31, 2026.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2022
This bill requires the Defense Logistics Agency within the Department of Defense to give preference for the acquisition of food for military working dogs that is manufactured or produced in the United States by an entity that is based in the United States using only ingredients and materials that are grown, mined, manufactured, or produced in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2022
This bill requires the Department of Defense to notify the congressional defense committees, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the majority leader of the Senate, the minority leader of the House of Representatives, and the minority leader of the Senate (in such order) upon the receipt of an order (and prior to implementation) by the President to use nuclear weapons without a declaration of war by Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2022
This bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on the efforts of the Department of Defense with respect to the National Defense Stockpile. The GAO must also provide a briefing on the findings and recommendations of the report.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2022
This bill requires the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment of the Department of Defense (DOD) to brief Congress on the feasibility of expanding the cooperation between DOD and allies and partners of the United States regarding critical minerals. Additionally, DOD must submit a strategy for expanding the collaboration between DOD and allies and partners of the United States to strengthen the supply chains for critical minerals and address the risks to such supply chains.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2022
This bill authorizes the Department of Defense (DOD), in addressing specified elements of the national defense strategy (i.e., priority missions and the assumed strategic environment), to seek the advice and views of the congressional defense committees, through the chair and ranking members of the committees. Any advice and views may be submitted to DOD in writing and must be published as an annex to the national defense strategy.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2022
This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to submit, at the same time the President submits the budget to Congress, a report containing specified elements on the programs and activities of DOD that received funding through the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2023 or the Defense Appropriations Act, FY2023, in an amount that exceeded the amount requested for the activity or program in the budget submitted by the President for FY2023.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2022
This bill updates the planning and reporting requirements related to reducing reliance on services, supplies, or materials obtained from covered countries (i.e., North Korea, China, Russia, and Iran). Specifically, the Department of Defense must submit a report describing the plan to reduce such reliance that includes specified elements and must review and update the plan every two years.
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2022
This bill requires that the Department of Defense's national security strategy for the national technology and industrial base includes objectives to provide for the research and development of sustainable and secure food sources (e.g., alternative protein development).
United States · United States Congress · 19 September 2022
This bill requires the Department of the Navy to implement a three-year pilot program to offer plant-based protein options at not fewer than two naval facilities, prioritizing facilities where livestock-based protein options may be costly to obtain or store.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2022
DHS Joint Task Force Reauthorization Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 the authority of the Department of Homeland Security to establish joint task forces. The bill also modifies various reporting and oversight requirements related to such joint task forces.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2022
Supporting Medicare Providers Act of 2022 This bill extends a payment increase under Medicare's physician fee schedule through the end of 2023 (currently set to expire at the end of 2022).
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2022
Healthcare Cybersecurity Act of 2022 This bill requires the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) to undertake activities to improve the cybersecurity of the health care and public health sector. Specifically, CISA must collaborate with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to improve cybersecurity in that sector. This includes making resources, including cyber-threat indicators and appropriate defense measures, available to federal and nonfederal entities that receive information through HHS programs. In addition, CISA must provide training on cybersecurity risks and mitigation strategies to owners of assets in the health care and public health sector. CISA must also conduct a study on cybersecurity risks in the health care and public health sector. The study must address, among other topics, the impact of the risks on rural entities and small- and medium-sized entities, cybersecurity workforce shortages in the sector, and challenges related to the COVID-19 emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 26 August 2022
Expanding Veterans' Options for Long Term Care Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a three-year pilot program to assess the effectiveness of providing assisted living services to eligible veterans, including by assessing the satisfaction of veterans participating in the pilot program. Eligible veterans are those who (1) are eligible for assisted living services as determined by the VA; and (2) are already receiving nursing home level care paid for by the VA, are eligible for such care from the VA, or exceed the requirements for domiciliary care paid for by the VA but do not meet the requirements for nursing home level care paid for by the VA. The Inspector General of the VA must report to Congress on the pilot program, and the VA must submit a follow-up plan to address any deficiencies that are identified in the report.
United States · United States Congress · 12 August 2022
Madeleine K. Albright Democracy in the 21st Century Act This bill establishes programs to promote democracy abroad, authorizes Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) democracy programs from FY2023 through FY2027, and addresses related issues. The State Department must establish programs (1) to defend democracy globally, including by enhancing the ability of the State Department and USAID to respond quickly and flexibly to democratic openings and backsliding; (2) to support efforts to enhance government transparency and other activities related to reducing corruption; and (3) for democracy research and development, such as activities to drive innovation in State Department, USAID, and National Endowment for Democracy (NED) responses to complex challenges to democracy. The bill establishes the Democracy in the 21st Century Fund, to be administered by the State Department, to support the programs established by this bill and other related activities. U.S. government assistance for democracy programs shall not be subject to the prior approval of any foreign government. The bill also protects the identities of implementing partners of certain State Department, USAID, and NED assistance programs in countries that are undemocratic or have engaged in gross violations of civil and political rights, including by exempting the names of partners for democracy programs in such countries from Freedom of Information Act requests. The President must report to Congress a comprehensive strategy to promote democracy abroad.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 2022
Afghan Adjustment Act This bill expands eligibility for special immigrant visas to certain Afghan nationals (and accompanying spouse and children) and addresses related issues. The Department of Homeland Security may provide such visas to Afghan nationals who provided qualifying service as a member of the Afghan Air Force or other specified entities and meet eligibility requirements, such as passing a background check. Currently, special immigrant visas for Afghan nationals are generally only available to those who were employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government in Afghanistan. Such visas shall also be available to an Afghan national who is a qualifying relative of a veteran or member of the U.S. Armed Forces. The bill also modifies procedures for providing lawful permanent resident status to certain classes of Afghan nationals, such as by (1) providing a streamlined process with specified vetting requirements for certain individuals, including those who provided support to the U.S. government in Afghanistan; and (2) preserving the eligibility of certain battered spouses whose eligibility for such status stemmed from a marriage that has terminated. Furthermore, the Department of State (1) must respond to inquiries from Members of Congress about specific applications from Afghan nationals seeking special immigrant or refugee status; and (2) establish an office in Afghanistan to perform certain tasks, such as issuing visas, if no U.S. embassies are operational in Afghanistan. The President must establish a task force to develop and implement a strategy to assist Afghan nationals who qualify for admission to the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 9 August 2022
Protecting Dogs Subjected to Experiments Act This bill prohibits the National Institutes of Health from funding biological, medical, or behavioral research that involves testing dogs.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2022
Protect Afghan Students Act of 2022 This bill removes the residency requirements to be eligible for a student visa (F visa) for certain individuals who last habitually resided in Afghanistan.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2022
Support Our Afghan Partners Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of State to increase consular personnel to support the processing of visa applications for Afghan nationals.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2022
DOD Cyber Training Modernization Act This bill requires that the annual cyber awareness training provided to members in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force include a digital literacy module regarding digital citizenship, media literacy, and protection against cyber threats.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2022
Banning Oil Exports to Foreign Adversaries Act This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to prohibit the export or sale of petroleum products (e.g., crude oil) from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to (1) China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran; (2) any other country the government of which is subject to sanctions imposed by the United States; and (3) any entity owned, controlled, or influenced by such countries or the Chinese Communist Party. However, DOE may issue a waiver of the prohibition if the export or sale of petroleum products is in the national security interests of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2022
Crime Doesn't Pay Act of 2022 This bill requires that pre-separation counseling for members of the Armed Forces include training regarding the consequences to members who are convicted of a crime, specifically regarding the loss of benefits.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2022
Beagle Brigade Act of 2022 This bill provides statutory authority for the National Detector Dog Training Center that is operated by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture. The center trains dogs to inspect passenger baggage, cargo, mailed packages, and vehicles to detect foreign pests and diseases that threaten domestic agriculture and natural resources.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2022
No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act This bill denies employers a tax deduction for any expenditures incurred for attempting to influence their employees with respect to labor organizations or labor organization activities, such as elections, labor disputes, and collective actions. The bill requires employers to report on their attempts to influence their employees with respect to labor organizations and their activities.
United States · United States Congress · 18 July 2022
Respect for Marriage Act This bill provides statutory authority for same-sex and interracial marriages. Specifically, the bill replaces provisions that define, for purposes of federal law, marriage as between a man and a woman and spouse as a person of the opposite sex with provisions that recognize any marriage that is valid under state law. (The Supreme Court held that the current provisions were unconstitutional in United States v. Windsor in 2013.) The bill also replaces provisions that do not require states to recognize same-sex marriages from other states with provisions that prohibit the denial of full faith and credit or any right or claim relating to out-of-state marriages on the basis of sex, race, ethnicity, or national origin. (The Supreme Court held that state laws barring same-sex marriages were unconstitutional in Obergefell v. Hodges in 2015; the Court held that state laws barring interracial marriages were unconstitutional in Loving v. Virginia in 1967.) The bill allows the Department of Justice to bring a civil action and establishes a private right of action for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 2022
Homeland Acceleration of Recovering Deposits and Renewing Onshore Critical Keystones Act of 2022 or the HARD ROCK Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the National Defense Stockpile Manager (the Department of Defense) to take certain actions to address industrial base shortfalls.
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 2022
This resolution expresses support for the designation of Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day. (A journeyman lineworker is a person who builds and maintains electrical power systems.)
United States · United States Congress · 1 July 2022
Restoring Essential Energy and Security Holdings Onshore for Rare Earths Act of 2022 or the REEShore Act of 2022 This bill requires the inclusion of rare earth elements and certain other critical minerals in the National Defense Stockpile and sets out other requirements related to those elements and minerals. Specifically, the bill requires defense contractors to disclose the provenance of permanent magnets that contain those elements or minerals and expands prohibitions that restrict the Department of Defense from procuring goods or services, including those elements and minerals, from companies affiliated with China. The bill also expands the President's authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950 to support domestic sources for those elements and minerals. (The Defense Production Act of 1950 confers on the President a broad set of authorities to influence domestic industry in order to provide essential materials and goods needed for the national defense.)
United States · United States Congress · 28 June 2022
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 · 28 June 2022
This resolution affirms the leadership and commitment of the U.S. government in efforts to prevent conflict-related sexual violence and to support and protect survivors of such violence. The resolution calls on the United States to ensure mechanisms to hold perpetrators of sexual violence accountable are included in peacebuilding resolutions, and that women participate fully in such peace processes in accordance with the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2022
Fair Housing Improvement Act of 2022 This bill prohibits discrimination against individuals based on their source of income, veteran status, or military status in the sale or rental of housing and other related real estate transactions and services.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2022
Veterans Online Information and Cybersecurity Empowerment Act of 2022 or the VOICE Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to establish a program to promote digital citizenship and media literacy among veterans by awarding grants to eligible entities, which include civil society organizations and congressionally chartered veterans service organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2022
Digital Citizenship and Media Literacy Act This bill directs the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to award grants to state and local educational agencies, public libraries, and qualified nonprofit organizations to develop and promote media literacy and digital citizenship education for elementary and secondary school students. Media literacy includes the ability to access relevant information, analyze media content, evaluate the accuracy of information, and make educated decisions based on information obtained from media and digital sources. Digital citizenship includes the ability to safely, responsibly, and ethically use communication technologies and to participate in the political, economic, social, and cultural aspects of life related to technology and the digital world.
United States · United States Congress · 23 June 2022
This resolution (1) recognizes the increase in educational opportunities, including in sports, for women and girls since the passage of title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and (2) encourages the Department of Education and the Department of Justice to ensure that students have a safe learning environment by working to ensure schools prevent and respond to discrimination and harassment on the basis of sex.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2022
This resolution celebrates the 50th anniversary of the Federal Pell Grant program and expresses support for the designation of National Federal Pell Grant Day.
![Official portrait of Sen. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/s001208_200.jpg)