Government Surveillance Reform Act of 2023
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2023
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![Official portrait of Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/t000464_200.jpg)
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3,396 records where Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT] is listed as a sponsor, author, or other actor. Search with topics and years
United States · United States Congress · 7 November 2023
United States · United States Congress · 6 November 2023
This resolution authorizes a Senator, Senate officer, or Senate employee to (1) collect nonmonetary donations of clothing, toys, food, and housewares for certain charitable purposes during the holiday season from another Senator, Senate officer, or Senate employee within a Senate building or office; and (2) work with a nonprofit organization to deliver such donations.
United States · United States Congress · 2 November 2023
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2023
Mark Our Place Act This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to furnish a headstone, marker, or medallion signifying the status of a deceased member of the Armed Forces as a Medal of Honor recipient regardless of when the member served. Under current law, only Medal of Honor recipients who served after 1917 are eligible for such markers.
United States · United States Congress · 24 October 2023
This resolution designates November 4, 2023, as National Bison Day.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 2023
This resolution designates Betty K. Koed as Historian Emerita of the Senate in appreciation of her long and faithful service.
United States · United States Congress · 19 October 2023
This resolution states that the Senate stands with Israel as it defends itself, reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, and calls on all countries to unequivocally condemn Hamas' war on 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 calls on the United States to lead an international effort to deprive Hamas of Iranian and other sources of funding and lethal assistance. Furthermore, the resolution states that it may not be construed as a declaration of war or an authorization for the use of military force.
United States · United States Congress · 18 October 2023
Protect Our Bases Act of 2023 This bill revises the authority of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to review the national security implications of foreign real estate transactions. Specifically, the bill allows CFIUS to prescribe regulations for treating facilities and properties of the intelligence community and national laboratories as sensitive sites for national security purposes. Additionally, CFIUS must annually submit a classified report to Congress on the activities of CFIUS relating to federal facilities and property that are determined to be sensitive for national security purposes. The bill also requires each member of CFIUS (i.e., each federal agency that is a member of CFIUS, such as the Department of Defense and the Department of Energy) to annually review the list of military installations and other U.S. government sites that are sensitive for national security purposes. (This list in the Code of Federal Regulations identifies the military installations around which certain real estate transactions are covered under the jurisdiction of CFIUS.) CFIUS must then submit an annual report to Congress certifying the completion of such review and information related to the list's accuracy.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2023
This resolution condemns Hamas in the harshest terms for its attacks on Israel. It also decries Hamas's abductions and threats against hostages and calls on the United States to lead a global campaign to demand the release of those hostages.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2023
United States · United States Congress · 16 October 2023
This resolution expresses the sorrow of the Senate regarding the death of Richard C. Clark, former Senator for the state of Iowa.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2023
This resolution expresses the sorrow of the Senate regarding the death of Dianne Feinstein, a Senator for the state of California.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2023
This resolution designates October 26, 2023, as the Day of the Deployed in honor of the deployed members of the Armed Forces and their families.
United States · United States Congress · 4 October 2023
This resolution supports the designation of September 30, 2023, as National Veterans Suicide Prevention Day.
United States · United States Congress · 3 October 2023
This resolution honors the life of James L. Buckley, former Senator for New York.
United States · United States Congress · 28 September 2023
United States · United States Congress · 26 September 2023
This resolution recognizes the National Cemetery Administration on its 50th anniversary and commends the individuals who work for the administration.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2023
Indian Buffalo Management Act This bill establishes a permanent program within the Department of the Interior to develop and promote tribal ownership and management of buffalo and buffalo habitat on Indian lands. Specifically, the bill requires Interior to (1) enter into contracts, award grants, and provide technical assistance to Indian tribes and tribal organizations for activities related to buffalo restoration or management; (2) consult with tribes and tribal organizations on initiatives that affect buffalo or buffalo habitat, including efforts to contain or eradicate diseased buffalo; and (3) develop a policy relating to buffalo and buffalo habitat management activities on Indian land. Additionally, Interior may enter into agreements with tribes or tribal organizations to transport surplus buffalo from federal land onto Indian land.
United States · United States Congress · 21 September 2023
This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that access to reliable and clean drinking water is critically important to the health and welfare of American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians. Further, the resolution calls upon the federal government to ensure water access for tribal members and communities.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2023
Billie Jean King Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Billie Jean King in recognition of her courageous and groundbreaking leadership in advancing equal rights for women in athletics, education, and society.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2023
Secure And Fair Enforcement Regulation Banking Act or the SAFER Banking Act This bill provides protections for federally regulated financial institutions that serve state-sanctioned marijuana businesses. Currently, many financial institutions do not provide services to state-sanctioned marijuana businesses due to the federal classification of marijuana as a Schedule I controlled substance. Under the bill, a federal banking regulator may not penalize a depository institution for providing banking services to a state-sanctioned marijuana business. For example, regulators may not terminate or limit the deposit or share insurance of a depository institution solely because the institution provides financial services to a state-sanctioned marijuana business. The bill also prohibits a federal banking regulator from requesting or requiring a depository institution to terminate a deposit account unless (1) there is a valid reason, such as the regulator has cause to believe that the depository institution is engaging in an unsafe or unsound practice; and (2) reputational risk is not the dispositive factor. Additionally, proceeds from a transaction involving activities of a state-sanctioned marijuana business are no longer considered proceeds from unlawful activity. (Financial institutions that handle proceeds from unlawful activity are subject to anti-money laundering laws. Violators of these laws are subject to fines and imprisonment.) Furthermore, a financial institution, insurer, or federal agency may not be held liable or subject to asset forfeiture under federal law for providing a loan, mortgage, or other financial service to a state-sanctioned marijuana business.
United States · United States Congress · 20 September 2023
American Farmers Feed the World Act of 2023 This bill imposes limits and requirements on international food assistance provided under Title II of the Food for Peace Act and makes other changes to the assistance program. First, the bill eliminates the use of food procured outside of the United States, food vouchers, or cash transfers as food as assistance under the program. Second, the bill restricts the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) from using more than 50% of its annual appropriations for program expenses other than the procurement of agricultural commodities and ocean transportation. Additionally, the bill limits the amount that USAID may provide to qualified organizations to be used for purposes such as administration, personnel, and program evaluation. Under current law, USAID must spend a minimum of 7.5% and a maximum of 20% of its annual appropriations for these purposes. The bill reduces the minimum to 5% and the maximum to 10%. The bill also cancels the Local and Regional Procurement assistance program, which funds field-based (i.e., outside the United States) agricultural projects. The bill also modifies some of the respective powers of USAID and the Department of Agriculture (USDA). For example, the bill transfers from USAID to USDA the authority to approve drawing emergency food aid from the Bill Emerson Humanitarian Trust. The bill also renames the assistance program as the Peter O'Brien Food for Peace Program.
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2023
Rural Veterinary Workforce Act This bill excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, student loan repayment or forgiveness assistance provided to veterinarians practicing in rural areas of a state.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2023
Dustoff Crews of the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to Dustoff crews (helicopter air ambulance crews) of the Vietnam War in recognition of their heroic military service.
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2023
United States · United States Congress · 14 September 2023
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment authorizing Congress and the states to set reasonable limits on the raising and spending of money by candidates and others to influence elections. The amendment grants Congress and the states the power to implement and enforce this amendment by legislation. They are allowed to distinguish between natural persons and corporations or other artificial entities created by law, including by prohibiting such entities from spending money to influence elections.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2023
Good Samaritan Remediation of Abandoned Hardrock Mines Act of 2023 This bill promotes the remediation of abandoned hardrock mine sites by Good Samaritans. A Good Samaritan means a person that is (1) not a past or current owner or operator of the abandoned site; (2) had no role in the creation of the historic mine residue; and (3) is not potentially liable under any law for the remediation, treatment, or control of the historic mine residue. The bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to establish a Good Samaritan pilot program. Under the program, the EPA may issue permits to allow Good Samaritans to remediate historic mine residue at abandoned hardrock mine sites without being subject to enforcement or liability under specified environmental laws for past, present, or future releases, threats of releases, or discharges of hazardous substances or other contaminants at or from the abandoned mine site. In addition, the bill establishes a Good Samaritan Mine Remediation Fund for land management agencies that authorize Good Samaritans to conduct remediation projects on federal land.
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2023
United States · United States Congress · 13 September 2023
This bill extends the eligibility or applicability of various Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and benefits. First, the bill extends from three to five years the authority for additional licensed health care professionals (i.e., physician assistants, nurse practitioners, audiologists, and psychologists) to perform medical disability examinations as part of the existing VA pilot program related to the use of contract physicians for disability examinations. Currently, when an individual transfers fewer than 12 credits from a program of education that is closed or disapproved, the individual is deemed to have not received those credits, and no charge from the individual's entitlement to education assistance may be made for that period of enrollment. Under the bill, this period of relief for those affected by a closure or disapproval is extended by two years to apply to programs that close or discontinue before September 30, 2025. The bill extends through FY2028 the authorization for VA emergency preparedness for public health emergencies. The bill also extends the applicability of certain loan fee rates through November 15, 2031, under the VA's home loan program.
United States · United States Congress · 11 September 2023
United States · United States Congress · 7 September 2023
This resolution designates 2024 as the Year of Democracy.
United States · United States Congress · 6 September 2023
Defending Hunters' Education Act of 2023 This bill authorizes the use of federal elementary and secondary education funds to purchase or use dangerous weapons for purposes of providing students with educational enrichment activities and instruction, such as archery, hunter safety education, or culinary arts. Current law prohibits the use of these funds to provide any person with a dangerous weapon or training in the use of a dangerous weapon. The bill specifies that this prohibition shall not apply to the use of these funds for permissible program activities that provide students with educational enrichment activities and instruction, such as archery, hunter safety education, or culinary arts.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 2023
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2024 This bill provides FY2024 appropriations to the Department of Defense (DOD) for military activities. (The bill excludes military construction, military family housing, civil works projects of the Army Corps of Engineers, and nuclear warheads, which are all included in other appropriations bills.) Within the DOD budget, the bill provides appropriations for Military Personnel; Operation and Maintenance; Procurement; Research, Development, Test and Evaluation; and Revolving and Management Funds. The bill provides appropriations for Other Department of Defense Programs, including the Defense Health Program, Chemical Agents and Munitions Destruction, Drug Interdiction and Counter-Drug Activities, and the Office of the Inspector General. In addition, the bill provides appropriations for Related Agencies, including (1) the Central Intelligence Agency Retirement and Disability System Fund, and (2) the Intelligence Community Management Account. The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
This bill requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to ensure that the operating hours of all ports of entry located on the United States-Canada border are equal to or greater than the operating hours that were in place immediately before the declaration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
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
Parity for Tribal Law Enforcement Act This bill treats certain tribal law enforcement officers as federal law enforcement officers under specified circumstances. Specifically, the bill authorizes the law enforcement officers of any Indian tribe that has contracted or compacted any or all federal law enforcement functions through a contract or compact entered into pursuant to the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act to enforce federal law within the tribe's jurisdiction if those officers meet certain qualifications. These qualifications include completing training and passing an adjudicated background investigation. Further, the bill deems a tribal law enforcement officer who is acting under an authorized contract or compact as a federal law enforcement officer for the purposes of certain federal laws, including for injury and death, retirement, and pension benefits. The Department of the Interior must (1) develop procedures for credentialing tribal officers to confirm these officers meet minimum certification standards and training requirements for Indian country peace officers, and (2) issue guidance to implement this bill. The bill also requires the Department of Justice to coordinate and provide oversight for its functions and programs to ensure a coordinated approach for public safety in Indian communities.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
Close the Revolving Door Act of 2023 This bill increases restrictions on lobbying and penalties for violations of such restrictions. Specifically, the bill imposes a lifetime ban on any former Senator, Member of the House of Representatives, or elected officer of the Senate or House of Representatives from lobbying any current Member, officer, or employee of Congress, or any employee of any other legislative office. (Currently, the ban applies for two years after a Senator leaves office and for one year after a Member of the House of Representatives leaves office.) The ban is extended from one to six years for officers and employees of the Senate, personal staff of Members, committee staff, leadership staff, and other legislative offices. A registered lobbyist or agent of a foreign principal may not be hired for a six-year period by a Member of Congress or a congressional committee with whom they have had a substantial lobbying contact. This bill also (1) requires a substantial lobbying entity (an incorporated entity that employs more than three registered lobbyists during a filing period) to file annual lists with Congress of former Members of Congress and certain highly paid legislative branch officials who provide paid consulting services to the lobbying entity, and (2) increases the civil penalty for violations of disclosure or reporting requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
Stillbirth Health Improvement and Education for Autumn Act of 2023 or the SHINE for Autumn Act of 2023 This bill authorizes grants and establishes other programs to improve data collection on stillbirths. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) may award grants for surveillance and data collection on stillbirths, and HHS must issue guidelines for health departments and vital statistics units concerning the collection of stillbirth data. HHS must also develop educational awareness materials about stillbirths and make them publicly available. Furthermore, HHS must implement a fellowship program to provide training in perinatal autopsy pathology and otherwise support research on stillbirths and fetal autopsies. The bill also requires HHS to issue a report with educational guidelines on stillbirths and stillbirth risk factors.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2023
Portal for Appraisal Licensing Act of 2023 This bill establishes a central portal for real estate appraisers and real estate appraisal management companies to apply for and to renew certain licenses, certifications, and registrations. The portal must provide connectivity with state agencies and include the ability to pay fees. The Department of Justice must provide access to criminal history information to state officials for required background checks.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023
Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023 This bill addresses various aspects of the veterans benefits claim process. First, the bill requires the VA to establish a competitive internship program to provide an opportunity for high-achieving law students to gain experience with the Board of Veterans’ Appeals (BVA). The VA must also establish a nine-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of establishing a competitive honors program within the VA to recruit high-achieving law school students, recent law school graduates, and entry-level attorneys for employment with the BVA. Next, the bill updates procedures related to the publishing of VA disability benefit questionnaire forms. Specifically, the VA does not have to publish certain forms if it determines the form could not reasonably be completed to a clinically acceptable standard by someone who is not an employee or contractor of the VA. The VA must also include certain elements in contracts it enters with contractors to provide medical disability examinations. Specifically, every communication from a contractor to a veteran regarding the scheduling of such an examination must be contemporaneously transmitted to the appropriate representative for the preparation, presentation, and prosecution of claims. Finally, the VA must partner with veterans service organizations and other stakeholders (as determined by the VA) to implement an outreach program for veterans regarding (1) contact information for contractors providing medical disability examinations, and (2) the requirement for veterans to provide personally identifiable information when contacted by such contractors to verify their identity.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2023
This concurrent resolution calls on Russia to immediately release American citizen Marc Fogel and expresses that he has served more time in prison than his crimes can justify. It also urges Russia to respect Mr. Fogel's human rights and to provide full consular access to him while he remains in detention.
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
Transparency in Congress Resolution of 2023 This concurrent resolution requires each Member of Congress to publish a monthly schedule of official meetings and floor activity of the Member during the preceding month. These public schedules need not include personal or campaign meetings or events, meetings with congressional staff, or meetings or events at which the Member is not appearing in an official capacity.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023
This resolution recognizes the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Department of Defense State Partnership Program and its outsized influence in developing and supporting enduring relationships around the world. The resolution also expresses deep gratitude for the service of members of the National Guard to the program.
United States · United States Congress · 25 July 2023
Freedom to Vote Act This bill addresses voter registration and voting access, election integrity and security, redistricting, and campaign finance. Specifically, the bill expands voter registration (e.g., automatic and same-day registration) and voting access (e.g., vote-by-mail and early voting). It also limits removing voters from voter rolls. Next, the bill establishes Election Day as a federal holiday. The bill declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any election for federal office shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless, at the time of the election, such individual is serving a felony sentence. The bill establishes certain federal criminal offenses related to voting. In particular, the bill establishes a new criminal offense for conduct (or attempted conduct) to corruptly hinder, interfere with, or prevent another person from registering to vote or helping someone register to vote. Additionally, the bill sets forth provisions related to election security, including by requiring states to conduct post-election audits for federal elections. The bill outlines criteria for congressional redistricting and generally prohibits mid-decade redistricting. The bill addresses campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals, requiring additional disclosure of campaign-related fundraising and spending, requiring additional disclaimers regarding certain political advertising, and establishing an alternative campaign funding system for certain federal offices.