United States · United States Congress · 30 January 2024
This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the Federal Communications Commission titled The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Prevention and Elimination of Digital Discrimination and published on January 22, 2024. The rule prohibits broadband providers from adopting policies or practices that differentially impact consumers' access to broadband service based on their income, race, ethnicity, religion, or national origin, provided such policies or practices are not justified by issues of technical or economic feasibility.
United States · United States Congress · 18 January 2024
Death Tax Repeal Act This bill repeals the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes. It also sets forth conforming amendments related to the gift tax.
United States · United States Congress · 16 January 2024
This resolution condemns acts of rape and sexual violence as weapons of war, including those acts committed by Hamas on and since October 7, 2023. The resolution also calls on all nations to criminalize rape and sexual assault and hold accountable all perpetrators of sexual violence, including state and non-state armed groups.
United States · United States Congress · 9 January 2024
Debt Commission Act of 2024 This bill establishes a debt commission within Congress, comprised of Members of Congress. The debt commission shall identify policies to (1) achieve a sustainable ratio of federal debt to gross domestic product, (2) improve the long-term solvency of federal programs funded through trust funds, and (3) enhance the fiscal oversight function of Congress. The debt commission must submit a report and legislative language to carry out its recommendations. The Congressional Budget Office must provide specified economic and budgetary estimates of the commission's legislative language. Congress shall consider bills submitted by the debt commission in an expedited manner.
United States · United States Congress · 15 November 2023
Ending Importation of Laundered Russian Oil Act This bill prohibits the importation of energy products that were produced at any refinery that uses crude oil originating in Russia. Current law prohibits the importation of Russian products that are classified under chapter 27 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (which includes mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation, bituminous substances, and mineral waxes). The bill extends this prohibition to products that were produced at any refinery that uses crude oil originating in Russia.
United States · United States Congress · 26 October 2023
Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 This bill provides statutory authority for the requirement that the Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights take into consideration the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's (IHRA's) working definition of antisemitism when reviewing or investigating complaints of discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in programs or activities that receive federal financial assistance. According to the IHRA's working definition, antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews.
United States · United States Congress · 25 October 2023
Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act This bill requires the Department of State to designate Ansarallah as a foreign terrorist organization and the President to impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions with respect to Ansarallah and any foreign person who is a member, agent, or affiliate of, or owned or controlled by Ansarallah.
United States · United States Congress · 17 October 2023
This resolution calls on Hamas to immediately release hostages taken during its October 2023 attack on Israel. The resolution (1) condemns Hamas for attacking Israel, taking hostages, and for threats made against hostages; (2) demands that Hamas immediately release hostages; (3) recognizes that hostage-taking is a violation of international humanitarian law; and (4) expresses sympathy to the hostages, wounded, deceased, and their families.
United States · United States Congress · 11 October 2023
This resolution states that the House of Representatives stands with Israel as it defends itself against the barbaric war launched by Hamas and other terrorists, reaffirms Israel's right to self-defense, and condemns Hamas' brutal war against 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 urges full enforcement of sanctions against Iran to prevent Iran's funding of terrorist groups.
United States · United States Congress · 10 October 2023
This resolution expresses unwavering support for Israel and a readiness to consider urgent requests for additional assistance to Israel to defend its people and sovereignty. The resolution also states that (1) Israel is entitled to act in self-defense against Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and associated forces, as well as their state sponsors; and (2) the cross-border attacks and kidnappings against Israel constitute acts of international terrorism and aggression.
United States · United States Congress · 5 September 2023
Crucial Communism Teaching Act This bill directs the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation to develop a civic education curriculum and oral history resources for high school students to promote understanding of certain political ideologies (e.g., communism and totalitarianism) that conflict with principles of U.S. democracy.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2023
Personalized Care Act of 2023 This bill revises provisions relating to health savings accounts (HSAs), including to redefine eligible individual for HSA purposes to allow increased participation in HSAs, increase the limit on contributions to HSAs, permit the payment of health insurance premiums from HSAs, include within the definition of qualified medical expenses periodic fees paid for medical services and amounts paid by a member of a health care sharing ministry, treat periodic provider fees as deductible medical expenses, and lower the 20% penalty for nonqualified distributions from HSAs to 10%.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2023
Accelerating Kids' Access to Care Act This bill requires state Medicaid programs to establish a process through which qualifying out-of-state providers may enroll as participating providers for five years without undergoing additional screening requirements, unless the state has an agreement with other states that governs coverage of children with medically complex conditions that is in accordance with specified guidance from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Among other requirements, a qualifying provider must (1) serve individuals under the age of 21; (2) have previously been screened for Medicare participation or for participation in the Medicaid program of the state in which the provider is located; and (3) have been determined by the CMS or state Medicaid program to pose a limited risk of fraud, waste, or abuse.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2023
This bill nullifies requirements for a non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) to receive a COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of receiving certain immigration benefits (e.g., receiving a visa or obtaining lawful permanent resident status). Specifically, this bill nullifies such requirements imposed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the Department of Homeland Security.
United States · United States Congress · 9 June 2023
This resolution calls on the United States to immediately provide Army Tactical Missile Systems to Ukraine in sufficient quantity to hasten Ukraine's victory against Russia while still maintaining U.S. military readiness. The resolution also calls on U.S. allies and partners to transfer similar systems to Ukraine.
United States · United States Congress · 25 May 2023
Digital Dollar Pilot Prevention Act This bill prohibits the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and the Federal Reserve banks from establishing, carrying out, or approving a program to test the feasibility of issuing a central bank digital currency.
United States · United States Congress · 24 May 2023
Undertaking Negotiations on Investment and Trade for Economic Dynamism Act or the UNITED Act This bill grants certain authorities to the President for entering into a comprehensive trade agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom (UK). Specifically, the bill directs the President to seek to initiate negotiations with the UK regarding tariff and nontariff barriers affecting any industry, product, or service sector. The bill authorizes the President to enter into a comprehensive trade agreement with the UK, with such authority expiring on March 1, 2025. Further, the President may proclaim a modification or continuance of any existing duty or continuance of existing excise or duty-free treatment to carry out an agreement, with certain limitations. The bill also requires the President to consult with and notify Congress regarding the intention of the President to enter into an agreement or make a proclamation.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2023
Promoting Access to Treatments and Increasing Extremely Needed Transparency Act of 2023 or the PATIENT Act of 2023 This bill expands hospital price transparency requirements and establishes additional reporting requirements with respect to prescription drugs and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). The bill also extends funding for various programs such as the Teaching Health Center Graduate Medical Education program, Community Health Center program, and National Health Service Corps. Specifically, the bill provides statutory authority for the requirement that hospitals publish an annual list of shoppable services they provide, including specified pricing information. Beginning in 2025, a hospital may not use an internet-based price estimator tool to meet the publication requirement for shoppable services. The bill also modifies the health insurance plan disclosure requirements to include the rates for certain in-network services and prescription drug payment information. The bill further requires providers of diagnostic laboratory tests under Medicare to publish online certain price information. Medicare Advantage (MA) organizations must report information about payments made to providers in which the MA organization has an ownership interest. Medicare prescription drug plan sponsors must report certain price information for covered drugs. Additionally, the bill requires health insurance plan issuers (or the PBM providing services on behalf of the plan) to report to the plan sponsor specified information about prescription drugs dispensed under the plan. This includes rebates, fees, alternative discounts, or other remuneration the plan receives from drug manufacturers. Finally, the bill requires pass-through pricing models, and prohibits spread-pricing, for payment arrangements with PBMs under Medicaid.
United States · United States Congress · 22 May 2023
Asylum Accountability Act This bill permanently bars a non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) from receiving certain immigration-related relief if that individual is ordered removed from the United States after failing to appear at a removal proceeding, unless that failure to appear is due to exceptional circumstances. (Currently, this bar from relief is for 10 years.) Under this bill, such an individual shall be permanently barred from receiving discretionary relief under specified immigration provisions, such as (1) cancellation of removal and adjustment to lawful permanent resident status, (2) being allowed to voluntarily depart from the United States, or (3) being allowed to change from one nonimmigrant classification to another.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Fiscal State of the Nation Resolution This concurrent resolution requires the congressional budget committees to conduct an annual joint hearing to receive a presentation from the Comptroller General regarding (1) the Government Accountability Office's audit of the financial statement of the executive branch, and (2) the financial position and condition of the federal government.
United States · United States Congress · 18 May 2023
Reinstate Our Troops Act This bill addresses the reinstatement of members of the Armed Forces who requested an exemption from an order to receive a COVID-19 vaccination and were involuntarily separated solely on the basis of the refusal to receive such vaccination. Specifically, at the election of the separated individual, the bill requires the military department concerned to reinstate the individual, in the same rank and grade the individual held at the time of separation. An individual must elect to be reinstated within the one-year period following the enactment of this bill. Additionally, such individuals (enlisted members and officers) are not required to repay a bonus for failure to complete a period of service solely because such service was incomplete due to the exemption request and involuntary separation. The military department concerned must return a bonus repaid by an individual if the individual elects to be reinstated. If an individual does not elect reinstatement, the military department concerned must ensure the discharge of the individual is characterized as honorable. The military department concerned must also expunge from an individual's military service record any reference to adverse action related to the refusal to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
United States · United States Congress · 5 May 2023
Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords Act This bill establishes the position of Special Envoy for the Abraham Accords within the Department of State. (The Abraham Accords are agreements to normalize or improve relations between Israel and four members of the Arab League: the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan.) The Special Envoy shall serve as the primary advisor to the U.S. government for expanding and strengthening the Abraham Accords. The duties of the Special Envoy include (1) encouraging counties without diplomatic relations with Israel to establish formal diplomatic, economic, security, and people-to-people ties; (2) expanding and strengthening existing relationships between Israel and Muslim-majority countries; and (3) coordinating efforts across the US government and engaging diplomatically with foreign governments, nongovernmental organizations, and other stakeholders to expand and strengthen the Abraham Accords. The Special Envoy shall have the rank and status of ambassador.
United States · United States Congress · 27 April 2023
Failed Bank Executives Clawback Act This bill requires the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to claw back compensation paid to certain responsible parties when an insured depository institution or financial company is placed into FDIC receivership. Specifically, all or part of the compensation paid the previous five years to an institution-affiliated party substantially responsible for the condition of the institution must be paid to FDIC to prevent unjust enrichment and to assure that the party bears losses consistent with their responsibility. Compensation includes salary, bonuses, awards, and profits from buying or selling securities. Finally, the bill establishes that an insured depository institution's holding company is liable to the FDIC for payments to insured depositors, the FDIC's receiver costs, and interest when the institution is under FDIC receivership.
United States · United States Congress · 26 April 2023
Stop Anticompetitive Healthcare Act of 2023 This bill provides the Federal Trade Commission with enforcement authority over certain tax-exempt, hospital or cooperative hospital service organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2023
Preventing Hospital Overbilling of Medicare Act This bill repeals certain exceptions to site-neutral payments with respect to Medicare payments to an off-campus outpatient department of a health care provider. It also requires providers to use separate, unique health identifiers when submitting a claim to a health insurance issuer for services provided at an off-campus outpatient department.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2023
Empowering Patient Choice of Medical Care Act This bill prohibits the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services from refusing to designate a service as a covered hospital outpatient service under Medicare based solely on its determination that the service can only be furnished in an inpatient setting.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2023
Restoring Rights of Physicians to Own Hospitals Act This bill repeals provisions under the Stark law (i.e., the Physician Self-Referral Law) that require rural providers and physician-owned hospitals to meet certain additional criteria in order to be excepted under the Stark law. Specifically, the bill repeals provisions that require hospitals to meet the following criteria: the hospital had physician ownership or investment and a Medicare provider agreement as of December 31, 2010; the hospital does not expand the number of operating rooms, procedure rooms, or beds beyond the number in existence as of March 23, 2010, with limited exceptions; the hospital discloses certain information regarding physician ownership and investments to patients, the public, and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services; the hospital does not offer certain financial opportunities, and the percentage of ownership or investments does not exceed that in effect as of March 23, 2010; the hospital discloses certain information to patients relating to the availability of physicians and makes alternative arrangements when necessary; and the hospital was not converted from an ambulatory surgical center on or after March 23, 2010.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2023
Holding Nonprofit Hospitals Accountable Act The bill imposes additional community benefit standards for tax-exempt hospital organizations. A hospital organization must have a board of directors drawn from the community in which it is located and must provide medical care for patients who pay their bills through public programs, including Medicare and Medicaid. The organization may not limit the number of patients served at any clinical site it owns or controls and must spend specified amounts on (1) training, education, or research designed to improve patient care; (2) improvements to facilities and equipment; and (3) free or discounted care. The Inspector General for Tax Administration of the Department of the Treasury must conduct a review of the financial assistance policies of tax-exempt hospital organizations. The Government Accountability Office must review and report on the effectiveness of the Internal Revenue Service in enforcing compliance of tax-exempt hospitals with the new community benefit standards.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2023
Addressing Anti-Competitive Health Care Contract Clauses Act This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to study and report on the effect of certain anticompetitive contract clauses in contracts between health insurers and health care providers.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2023
Combatting Hospital Monopolies Act This bill provides the Federal Trade Commission with enforcement authority over certain tax-exempt, hospital or cooperative hospital service organizations.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2023
Measuring State Healthcare Freedom Act This bill temporarily requires studies on licensing of health care professionals, mergers and acquisitions of health care entities (e.g., hospitals and health insurance companies), and other matters affecting health care competition and consolidation at the state level. For 10 years following the bill's enactment, the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation within the Department of Health and Human Services must annually carry out the studies. The office must consult with the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission on the studies.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2023
Restoring Rights of Medical Residents Act This bill repeals the antitrust exemption for graduate medical resident matching programs. Currently, the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP), a private, nonprofit organization, generally matches graduate medical students with residency positions. In 2002, a lawsuit alleged that the NRMP violated federal antitrust laws. The Pension Funding Equity Act of 2004 established the antitrust exemption for such programs and the lawsuit was subsequently dismissed.
United States · United States Congress · 25 April 2023
Processing Revival and Intrastate Meat Exemption Act or the PRIME Act This bill exempts from federal inspection requirements animals and meats that are slaughtered and prepared at custom animal slaughter facilities for distribution within the state. Under current law, a custom slaughter exemption applies if the meat is slaughtered exclusively for personal, household, guest, or employee uses. Specifically, the bill expands the federal inspection exemption to include the slaughter of animals or the preparation of carcasses, meat, and meat food products that are slaughtered and prepared at a custom slaughter facility in accordance with the laws of the state where the facility is located; and prepared exclusively for distribution to household consumers in the state or restaurants, hotels, boarding houses, grocery stores, or other establishments in the state that either prepare meals served directly to consumers or offer meat and food products for sale directly to consumers in the state. The bill does not preempt any state law concerning (1) the slaughter of animals or the preparation of carcasses, meat, and meat food products at a custom slaughter facility; or (2) the sale of meat or meat food products.
United States · United States Congress · 20 April 2023
Fair Access to Banking Act This bill places restrictions on certain banks, credit unions, and payment card networks if they refuse to do business with a person who complies with the law. Restrictions include prohibiting the use of electronic funds transfer systems and lending programs, termination of an institution's depository insurance, and specified civil penalties. Banks and other specified financial institutions are allowed to deny financial services to a person only if the denial is justified by a documented failure of that person to meet quantitative, impartial, risk-based standards established in advance by the institution. This justification may not be based upon reputational risks to the institution. Banks may also deny services to a person who engaged in rude or harassing conduct toward an employee of the bank. The bill establishes the right for a person to bring a civil action for a violation of this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 13 April 2023
Encouraging the European Union to Determine that the European Union Should Sanction the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps Now As a Terrorist Entity Resolution or Encouraging the EU to DESIGNATE Resolution This resolution urges the European Union (EU) to expeditiously designate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization under the EU Common Position 931 on terrorism. It also encourages the Biden Administration to make the EU designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization a diplomatic priority in engagements with the EU.