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 · 12 July 2023
Grant Transparency Act of 2023 This bill establishes transparency requirements for notices of funding opportunity in applications for competitive grants awarded by federal agencies, excluding the Government Accountability Office. Specifically, each notice of funding opportunity issued by an agency for a competitive grant must include a description of any rating system and evaluation and selection criteria the agency uses to assess applications for the grant; a statement of whether the agency uses a weighted scoring method and a description of any such method that it uses for the grant, including the amount by which the agency weighs each criterion; and any other qualitative or quantitative merit-based approach the agency uses to evaluate an application for the grant.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2023
Promoting New and Diverse Depository Institutions Act This bill requires federal banking agencies to study and report on the challenges faced by entities attempting to become chartered depository institutions and to develop a strategic plan to assist in the application process. The strategic plan must (1) promote the chartering of minority depository institutions and entities that could be certified as community development financial institutions, and (2) describe actions to increase the number of depository institutions located in underserved areas.
United States · United States Congress · 12 July 2023
Federal Reserve Racial and Economic Equity Act This bill requires the Federal Reserve Board to carry out its duties in a manner that supports the elimination of racial and ethnic disparities in employment, income, wealth, and access to affordable credit. The board must report on disparities in labor force trends as well as on plans and activities of the board to minimize and eliminate these disparities.
United States · United States Congress · 11 July 2023
Kira Johnson Act This bill establishes various grants for establishing or expanding programs to advance maternal health equity. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must award grants for community-based programs to improve maternal health outcomes for demographic groups with elevated rates of maternal mortality and morbidity, maternal health disparities, and other adverse outcomes; training for health care providers and others who work in maternity care settings on reducing and preventing racism, bias, and discrimination; and programs in hospitals, health systems, and other maternity care settings to establish processes to identify and address instances of racism or evidence of bias in maternity care (i.e., respectful maternity care compliance programs). HHS must contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to study issues related to the training programs, and the Government Accountability Office must study issues related to the respectful maternity care compliance programs.
United States · United States Congress · 10 July 2023
IDEA Full Funding Act This bill provides permanent, mandatory funding for the grant program that assists states and outlying areas in providing special education and related services to children with disabilities.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023
This resolution recognizes the 125th anniversary of the American Association of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine and the work of osteopathic medical students and doctors.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023
This resolution expresses support for the rights, freedoms, and equal treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) individuals. The resolution r ecognizes that LGBTQ rights are human rights and protected by the laws of the United States and international treaties. Additionally, the resolution encourages the celebration of LGBTQ Pride Month in June.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023
Expanding Access to Family Planning Act This bill provides, subject to specified conditions, funding through FY2033 for federally funded family planning services and clinics. In particular, the funds must be used for (1) grants and contracts that support the provision of family planning services, and (2) clinic infrastructure (e.g., construction and renovation of clinics). Clinics that receive funding to provide family planning services must offer each patient with a positive pregnancy test the opportunity for nondirective counseling on (1) prenatal care and delivery; (2) infant care, foster care, and adoption; and (3) pregnancy termination. This counseling must include referrals if requested by a patient. Additionally, if a funding recipient makes subawards for the provision of family planning services, the recipient may not prohibit an entity from participating in a subaward program for reasons other than the entity's inability to provide family planning services.
United States · United States Congress · 22 June 2023
Refund Equality Act of 2023 This bill permits legally married same sex couples to amend their tax returns to file as married filing jointly for returns outside of the statute of limitations.
United States · United States Congress · 21 June 2023
Equality Act This bill prohibits discrimination based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity with respect to businesses, employment, housing, federally funded programs, and other settings. Specifically, the bill expands Title II and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 to prohibit public accommodations and federally funded programs, respectively, from discriminating based on sex, sexual orientation, or gender identity. It also includes stores, transit services, recreational facilities, and establishments that provide health care, accounting, or legal services as public accommodations under Title II. The bill also expands Title IV (desegregation of public schools) and Title VII (employment discrimination) to specifically include sexual orientation and gender identity. (The Supreme Court held in Bostock v. Clayton County that Title VII's prohibition of employment discrimination based on sex also prohibits employment discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.) The bill similarly expands the Fair Housing Act (discrimination in public and private housing) to include sexual orientation and gender identity. It also prohibits discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity by creditors and with respect to jury selection. The bill defines sex for purposes of the aforementioned provisions to include sex stereotypes, pregnancy, childbirth, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2023
1890s Advancing and Building Leadership and Excellence Opportunity Act of 2023 This bill expands the allowable areas of focus for Centers of Excellence at 1890 Institutions (1890 COEs) and reauthorizes the 1890 COEs program through FY2028. (The 1890 Institutions are historically Black colleges and universities that belong to the U.S. land-grant university system and receive federal funds through programs administered by the Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture.) The current areas of focus for 1890 COEs may also include climate change adaptation and mitigation; fostering forestry resilience and conservation; food safety, bioprocessing, and value-added agriculture; and the integration of the social sciences into the food and agricultural sciences. The bill also specifies that no more than 10 1890 COEs may be in the program. Currently, there is no maximum limit.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2023
This resolution reaffirms the U.S. commitment to protect the safety, health, and well-being of refugees and asylum seekers. The resolution calls upon the Department of State, the Department of Homeland Security, and the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations to partner with the international community to solve existing conflicts, prevent new conflicts from emerging, and tackle the root causes of involuntary migration.
United States · United States Congress · 20 June 2023
Freedom to Travel for Health Care Act of 2023 This bill prohibits anyone from interfering with a person's ability to access out-of-state reproductive health care. ( Reproductive health care is defined as medical, surgical, counseling, or referral services and care related to pregnancy, including the prevention or termination of a pregnancy, and other reproductive care.) Specifically, the bill prohibits anyone from restricting, discriminating against, or otherwise disadvantaging anyone who receives, provides, or assists with out-of-state reproductive health care that is legal in the state in which it is provided. The bill allows the Department of Justice to bring a civil action and establishes a private right of action for violations. The bill specifically waives any applicable governmental immunity and preempts any contravening state laws.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023
Improving Corporate Governance Through Diversity Act of 2023 This bill requires certain issuers of securities to disclose the racial, ethnic, and gender composition of their boards of directors and executive officers, as well as the status of any of those directors and officers as a veteran. It also requires the disclosure of any plan to promote racial, ethnic, and gender diversity among these groups. The Securities and Exchange Commission must establish a Diversity Advisory Group to report on strategies to increase gender, racial, and ethnic diversity among board members.
United States · United States Congress · 15 June 2023
Creating Opportunities Now for Necessary and Effective Care Technologies (CONNECT) for Health Act of 2023 or the CONNECT for Health Act of 2023 This bill expands coverage of telehealth services under Medicare. Among other provisions, the bill permanently removes geographic restrictions on originating sites (i.e., the location of the beneficiary) and allows the home of the beneficiary to serve as the originating site for all services; permanently allows federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to serve as the distant site (i.e., the location of the health care practitioner); and allows the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to generally waive coverage restrictions during any public health emergency. Additionally, the CMS must post certain information about the effects of Medicare telehealth services on its website, including information about utilization, costs, and the outcome of services. The CMS must also (1) provide resources to health care professionals about the requirements for furnishing telehealth services under Medicare, including with respect to payment, patient privacy, and support for underserved populations; and (2) ensure certain quality measures are applied to telehealth services.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2023
Working Families Tax Relief Act of 2023 This bill expands the earned income tax credit and makes the child tax credit fully refundable. The bill increases and makes permanent the earned income tax credit for taxpayers with no qualifying children and expands age limits for credit eligibility (currently, taxpayers must be at least 25 years of age and not older than 65). It lowers the age baseline of 25 years to 19 years and eliminates the 65 age limit). The bill increases the child tax credit amount and provides for monthly advance payments of such credit.
United States · United States Congress · 14 June 2023
Right to Contraception Act This bill sets out statutory protections for an individual's right to access and a health care provider's right to provide contraception and related information. Contraception refers to an action taken to prevent pregnancy, including the use of contraceptives (i.e., a device or medication used to prevent pregnancy), fertility-awareness based methods, and sterilization procedures. Generally, the bill prohibits measures that single out and impede access to contraception and related information. However, a party may defend against a claim that a measure violates the bill's prohibitions by demonstrating, through clear and convincing evidence, that the measure significantly advances the safety of contraception and cannot be achieved through less restrictive means. The bill also specifies that the prohibition preempts inconsistent state and local laws and applies in spite of other federal laws, including the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993. The Department of Justice, individuals, or health care providers may bring a lawsuit to enforce this bill, and states are not immune from suits for violations.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2023
Direct Capital Access Act or the DCA Act This bill increases the number of daily round-trip flights allowed at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Specifically, this bill adds 56 new slots at DCA to allow for 28 additional daily round-trip flights. (Airlines flying to and from DCA are subject to slot and perimeter rules set by federal law and regulation. The slot rules determine the total number of flight slots that can be handled in a given time period. In addition, a statutory perimeter rule limits nonstop flights to a 1,250-mile radius unless they are granted an exemption in law.) Current law limits DCA to a maximum of 67 hourly slots for flights both within- and beyond-perimeter; a round-trip flight serving DCA requires two slots (or a slot pair). Of those slots, 40 daily slots are exempt from the perimeter rule. Under the bill's slot increase, operations at DCA may not increase by more than eight flights per hour.
United States · United States Congress · 13 June 2023
Advancing Inclusion and Representation in the Workforce of Aviation and Transportation Systems Act or the AIRWAYS Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a program to provide grants to support the education and recruitment of an aviation workforce (i.e., aircraft pilots, aviation maintenance technical workers, and aviation manufacturing technical workers). Eligible applicants include certain educational institutions (e.g., an institution of higher education, a postsecondary vocational institution, and a local educational agency), state or local governments, and nonprofit organizations. In addition, air carriers in a partnership with certain educational institutions are eligible for aircraft pilot workforce grants. Among other things, DOT must give priority to applicants that assure that grant funds will be used to encourage the participation of populations that are underrepresented in the aviation industry, including women, minorities, and individuals in economically disadvantaged geographic areas and rural communities.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2023
Community Facilities Program for Rural Clean School Bus Infrastructure Act This bill expands the essential community facilities direct loan and grant program of the Department of Agriculture to allow loans or grants to be used for deploying clean school buses and related infrastructure. Specifically, loans or grants may be used for (1) acquisition and labor costs for charging or other infrastructure needed to charge or maintain clean school buses, or (2) planning and technical activities to support the adoption and deployment of clean school buses.
United States · United States Congress · 12 June 2023
PFAS-Free Firefighting Foam Transition Reporting Act This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to submit regular progress reports to Congress on the development and implementation of a national transition plan related to fluorine-free firefighting foam. (Fluorine-free foams do not contain any perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS.) Specifically, the FAA report must include information on the development and implementation of a national transition plan to a fluorine-free firefighting foam that (1) meets certain performance standards for use at Part 139 airports, and (2) includes the issuance of guidance related to the use of fluorine-free firefighting foam at airports that are not Part 139 airports. (Part 139 airports include airports that serve scheduled and unscheduled air carrier operations for aircraft with more than 30 seats or serve scheduled air carrier operations for aircraft with 10-30 seats.) The report must also include a comprehensive list of the amount of rolling stock of firefighting foam at each Part 139 airport and the number of gallons regularly kept in reserve at each airport. The FAA must submit a progress report to Congress every 180 days until the FAA completes the development and implementation of the national transition plan.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2023
Hydrogen Aviation Development Act This bill expands certain Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) grants and programs to include research and projects to increase the use of hydrogen in the aviation sector. Specifically, the bill expands eligible airport development activities under the FAA's Airport Improvement Program (AIP) to include acquiring land for, or work necessary for, constructing or improving an airport, airport facilities, or property in the vicinity of an airport to store and distribute hydrogen, sustainable aviation fuel, or electrification to power aircraft. The bill also expands the Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions and Noise (CLEEN) Program (a public-private partnership program between the FAA and the aviation industry to develop and test certifiable aircraft, engine technologies, and jet fuels with less noise, fewer emissions, and improved fuel efficiency) to include the development and testing of hydrogen and batteries for aircraft. In addition, the Center of Excellence for Alternative Jet Fuels and Environment (ASCENT) must conduct research on hydrogen to increase aviation decarbonization. Such research must be in addition to any other research authorized to be carried out by the center, including other hydrogen-related research. (ASCENT is a cooperative aviation research organization co-led by Washington State University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, in collaboration with the FAA, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration [NASA], the Department of Defense, the Environmental Protection Agency, and Transport Canada.)
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2023
Promising Pathway Act This bill provides for expedited, provisional approval of drugs for serious or life-threatening diseases or conditions. Specifically, the bill allows for provisional approval of drugs that are used to treat, prevent, or diagnose a serious or life-threatening disease or condition for which premature death is likely without early medical intervention. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must evaluate applications within 90 days of receipt. The FDA may approve applications if there is early evidence, including real-world and real-time evidence, of the drug's efficacy, as well as substantial evidence of the drug's safety. Provisional approval is valid for two years and may be renewed for up to eight years. The FDA may withdraw provisional approval in the event of serious adverse health effects. Drug sponsors that receive provisional approval must require all patients receiving the drug to participate in an observational registry, through which the drug sponsor may collect and submit data relating to the drug until it is fully approved. Registries may be operated by the drug sponsor or another entity. The FDA must annually review these registries; sponsors of registries that fail to meet the bill's requirements are subject to civil penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2023
Hydrogen Aviation Strategy Act This bill directs the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the Department of Energy (DOE) to exercise leadership in the creation of federal and international policies relating to the safe and efficient use of hydrogen to increase aviation decarbonization and reduce air and noise pollution. For example, the FAA and DOE must establish positions and goals for the use of hydrogen to increase aviation decarbonization; study (through grants, contracts, or interagency agreements) how the use of hydrogen would contribute to aviation decarbonization and air and noise pollution; study ways of accelerating the introduction of hydrogen-powered aircraft; and establish an advisory committee composed of representatives of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the aerospace industry, aviation suppliers, hydrogen producers, airlines, airport sponsors, fixed base operators, and other stakeholders to advise the Department of Transportation, the FAA, and DOE on related activities. The FAA must also exercise leadership in the creation of federal regulations, standards, and guidance relating to the safe and efficient use of hydrogen to increase aviation decarbonization and reduce air and noise pollution.
United States · United States Congress · 8 June 2023
This resolution recognizes June 2023 as Immigrant Heritage Month in honor of the contributions immigrants and their children have made to the United States. It also welcomes immigrants presently in the United States and individuals seeking to immigrate to the United States to contribute to the health, safety, diversity, and prosperity of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2023
Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act of 2023 This bill reauthorizes through FY2028 the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Demonstration Program, which supports efforts to improve treatment and prevention of sickle cell disease and complications from that disease. (Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder that can lead to pain, anemia, infections, and stroke.)
United States · United States Congress · 7 June 2023
This resolution commends the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), a federally owned electric utility corporation, on the 90th anniversary of the signing of the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933. It also honors the accomplishments of the TVA in improving navigation, controlling floods, promoting environmental stewardship, and providing electricity. Further, it recognizes the TVA, its employees, and its retirees for their service in the areas of energy, the environment, and economic development in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Kentucky, North Carolina, and Virginia.
United States · United States Congress · 6 June 2023
BAH Restoration Act This bill increases the monthly amount of the basic housing allowance for members of the uniformed services inside the United States. Specifically, the monthly amount of allowance for a member must be the amount of the monthly cost of adequate housing in the area, as determined by the Department of Defense, for members of the uniformed services serving in the same pay grade and same dependency status as the member.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2023
Advancing FASD Research, Services and Prevention Act or the FASD Respect Act This bill reauthorizes and modifies programs that are administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to address fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), including educational and research programs. The bill also establishes FASD Centers of Excellence to support FASD prevention, such as through screenings, public awareness campaigns, and trainings, particularly at the state and local levels.
United States · United States Congress · 1 June 2023
Failed Bank Executives Clawback Act This bill requires the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to claw back compensation from specific responsible parties in case of a large insured depository institution's insolvency, resolution, or receivership. This clawback requirement applies to an entity (including a director, shareholder, or other person who participates in the conduct of the institution's affairs) that caused more than a minimal financial loss to, or a significant adverse effect on, the insured depository institution. The compensation subject to the clawback requirement includes salary, bonuses, awards, and any profits realized from the buying or selling of securities during the preceding three years. The bill also expands the authority of the FDIC to claw back compensation of parties responsible for financial losses incurred by a financial company regardless of the process by which it is appointed receiver.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 2023
Advancing Student Services In Schools Today Act or the ASSIST Act This bill establishes programs and requirements to support the provision of mental health and substance use disorder services at schools. Specifically, the bill provides for a 90% Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (i.e., federal matching rate) under Medicaid for services that are furnished by mental health and substance use disorder providers at schools or school-based health centers. Qualifying services include those provided by school counselors, social workers, and psychologists. The bill also establishes a grant program to increase the number of mental health and substance use disorder providers at schools, colleges, and other educational institutions.
United States · United States Congress · 31 May 2023
This resolution recognizes the 102nd anniversary of the Tulsa Race Massacre of 1921. (The Tulsa Race Massacre occurred in the neighborhood of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The neighborhood was referred to as America's Black Wall Street. In 1921, racial violence resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Black residents and the displacement of thousands, in what came to be known as one of the worst racial attacks in U.S. history.)
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Yes In My Backyard Act This bill requires certain Community Development Block Grant program recipients to submit to the Department of Housing and Urban Development information regarding their implementation of certain land-use policies, such as policies for expanding high-density single-family and multifamily zoning.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Re-Entry Support Through Opportunities for Resources and Essentials Act of 2023 or the RESTORE Act of 2023 This bill repeals a prohibition barring an individual with certain felony drug convictions from participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Under current law, a state may opt out of enforcing the ban on participation. The bill also allows an individual who is incarcerated to apply for SNAP benefits before their release date. Specifically, the bill amends the definition of household to include incarcerated individuals who are scheduled to be released from an institution within 30 days. Currently, a state agency may apply to the Food and Nutrition Service for an administrative waiver in order to allow individuals to apply for SNAP benefits up to 30 days prior to release.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Forest Data Modernization Act of 2023 This bill modifies the Forest Inventory and Analysis (FIA) program of the Forest Service. Specifically, FIA must include forest carbon in its inventory. Further, FIA must carry out, as a data collection method, a timber products output study and a national woodland owner survey. FIA must include a clear definition of forest when reporting data. FIA's strategic plan must describe in detail the organization and procedures necessary to understand and report on changes in land cover and use, and evaluate carbon-related data variables. FIA must update the strategic plan not later than 180 days after this bill's enactment to include, among other things a plan to implement nationally consistent data collection protocols and procedures to improve the statistical precision of base program estimates; pathways to integrate and report on changes in forest carbon, including below-ground carbon; plans to collaborate with other federal agencies, nonfederal partners, and the private sector to integrate existing nationally available data sets and best available commercial technologies; and a plan to increase transparency and clarity in reporting. FIA (1) must establish an office, a data platform, or both to process and respond to complex data requests submitted by external organizations; and (2) may impose fees on the organizations submitting the requests.
United States · United States Congress · 17 May 2023
This resolution designates the week of May 14-May 20, 2023, as National Police Week. The resolution further recognizes law enforcement officers across the United States in the pursuit of preserving safe and secure communities; the need to ensure that such officers have the equipment, training, and resources necessary to protect their health and safety while they are protecting the public; and the law enforcement community for acts of sacrifice and heroism. The resolution expresses condolences and appreciation to the loved ones of each law enforcement officer who has made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.
![Official portrait of Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/w000790_200.jpg)