Defence

TASK Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2023

Transaction and Sourcing Knowledge Act or the TASK Act This bill requires the Securities and Exchange Commission to mandate the reporting of certain information by publicly traded companies. Specifically, companies must report on the sourcing and due diligence involving products imported into the United States utilizing forced labor from Xinjiang, China; transactions with companies on the Department of Commerce's trade restriction list or designated as Chinese military-industrial complex companies; and for U.S. companies with facilities in China, whether there is a Chinese Communist Party committee in the operations of the company, and a summary of that committee's activity.

STOP CCP Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2023

Sanction Transactions Originating from Pernicious Chinese Companies and Policies Act of 2023 or the STOP CCP Act of 202 3 This bill prohibits U.S. persons (generally individuals and entities subject to U.S. jurisdiction) from trading in publicly traded securities with certain ties to China and expands the list of Chinese entities subject to sanctions. The bill prohibits the purchase or sale, or related transaction, of securities issued by any person that operates or has operated in the defense sector or the surveillance technology sector of the economy of China. Further, the Department of the Treasury must expand the Non-Specially Designated Nationals Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List maintained by the Office of Foreign Assets Control to include any entity that supports the Chinese military-industrial complex. (This list identifies individuals and entities subject to U.S. sanctions.)

A bill to amend section 7014 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to advance toward full Federal funding for impact aid, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2023

This bill reauthorizes through FY2029 certain activities under the Impact Aid Program. The program provides funding to local educational agencies that have lost property tax revenue due to the presence of tax-exempt federal property or to those that have experienced increased expenditures due to enrollment of federally connected children (e.g., children living on Indian lands or military bases).

Quality Defense Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2023

Providing a Quality Defense Act of 2023 or the Quality Defense Act of 2023 This bill establishes grant programs and other resources to support the delivery of public defense services. Specifically, the bill authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to award grants to state and local governments, tribal organizations, public defender's offices, and assigned counsel programs for public defense. In particular, DOJ may award a grant for (1) developing, implementing, and updating a process for collecting certain data regarding public defense attorneys and panel attorneys; or (2) hiring additional public defense attorneys and for other activities (e.g., increasing compensation or establishing a loan assistance program for public defenders). Additionally, DOJ must award grants to eligible entities (e.g., certain tax-exempt organizations and states) to provide a comprehensive educational program to public defenders and panel attorneys that offers ongoing training, support, and programming. The bill directs the Bureau of Justice Assistance and the Office for Access to Justice to conduct certain studies related to public defender and panel attorney caseloads and compensation. The bill also authorizes DOJ to provide a state with an increase in Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant program funds in order to collect and submit certain data related to the legal representation of defendants in criminal cases.

Restoring America’s Health Care Workforce and Readiness Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2023

Restoring America's Health Care Workforce and Readiness Act This bill extends and increases enhanced funding for the National Health Services Corps (NHSC) through FY2026 and establishes an emergency services demonstration program within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide supplemental student loan repayment to current and former NHSC participants. The NHSC provides scholarships and student loan repayment awards to health care providers who agree to work in areas with health care provider shortages. To receive supplemental payments, individuals must agree to participate in the National Disaster Medical System. This system is a partnership between HHS, the Department of Defense, and other federal departments that responds to public health and other emergencies, including by deploying medical response teams.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST FOR APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 AND THE FUTURE YEARS DEFENSE PROGRAM

United States · United States Senate · 15 March 2023

THE NOMINATIONS OF: MR. RONALD T. KEOHANE TO BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR MANPOWER AND RESERVE AFFAIRS; AND HONORABLE NICKOLAS H. GUERTIN TO BE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY FOR RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ACQUISITION

United States · United States Senate · 15 March 2023

Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2024

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2023

Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023 This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal in honor of the female telephone operators of the Army Signal Corps, commonly known as the Hello Girls , in recognition of their military service, devotion to duty, and 60-year struggle for veterans' benefits and recognition as soldiers.

Modification to Department of Defense Travel Authorities for Abortion-Related Expenses Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2023

Modification to Department of Defense Travel Authorities for Abortion-Related Expenses Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from providing certain funding related to abortion services. First, the bill terminates the DOD memorandum titled Ensuring Access to Reproductive Health Care (October 20, 2022). Such memo sets forth DOD policies and procedures in response to the Supreme Court's ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization . Under the bill, DOD may not obligate or expend funds to carry out the objectives of the memo or any successor memo. Next, the bill prohibits DOD from providing any actual or necessary expenses of travel or transportation related to official travel for a member of the Armed Forces or a dependent of such a member who is seeking an abortion or any abortion-related service (except in the case of rape or incest, or when the mother's life is in danger). The bill provides that limited access of a member of the Armed Forces or a dependent to an abortion or abortion-related services due to the member's duty location does not constitute an unusual, extraordinary, hardship, or emergency circumstance for which travel and transportation allowances may be provided (except in the case of rape or incest, or when the mother's life is in danger). The bill also prohibits a member of the Armed Forces from taking convalescent leave or using an administrative absence for travel related to receiving an abortion or abortion-related service (except in the case of rape or incest, or when the mother's life is in danger).

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST FOR APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 AND THE FUTURE YEARS DEFENSE PROGRAM

United States · United States Senate · 14 March 2023

Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2023

Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Act of 2023 This bill provides statutory authority for the Boots to Business Program, which provides entrepreneurship training to individuals including veterans and active members of the Armed Forces, to be administered by the Small Business Administration.

Veterans' COLA Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2023

Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2023 or the Veterans' COLA Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase the amounts payable for wartime disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Specifically, the VA must increase the amounts by the same percentage as the cost-of-living increase in benefits for Social Security recipients that is effective on December 1, 2023. The bill requires the VA to publish the amounts payable, as increased, in the Federal Register. The VA is authorized to make a similar adjustment to the rates of disability compensation payable to persons who have not received compensation for service-connected disability or death.

To designate the clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Gallup, New Mexico, as the Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura VA Clinic.

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2023

This bill designates the clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Gallup, New Mexico, as the Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic or the Hiroshi "Hershey" Miyamura VA Clinic.

Survivor Benefits Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2023

Survivor Benefits Fairness Act This bill adjusts the effective date of a reduction or discontinuance of compensation, dependency and indemnity compensation, or pension payments by the Department of Veterans Affairs to the last day of the month during which a marriage, remarriage, or death of a payee occurs.

To require the Secretary of Education to accept certain documentation from the Department of Defense as proof of employment for purposes of the public service loan forgiveness program.

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2023

This bill requires the Department of Education to accept a military discharge certificate or certificate of release (the Department of Defense's Form DD-214) in determining a borrower's eligibility for loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

Recognizing the sovereignty of Ukraine and the unbreakable spirit of the people of Ukraine.

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2023

This resolution demands that Russia respect Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as immediately withdraw its military forces from inside Ukraine. Affirming strong support for continued U.S. support to Ukraine, the resolution also calls on allies and partners in Europe to increase national defense spending, supports robust transparency and accountability mechanisms for U.S. assistance to Ukraine, and condemns Russian war crimes. 

To amend section 7014 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to advance toward full Federal funding for impact aid, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2023

This bill reauthorizes through FY2029 certain activities under the Impact Aid Program. The program provides funding to local educational agencies that have lost property tax revenue due to the presence of tax-exempt federal property or to those that have experienced increased expenditures due to enrollment of federally connected children (e.g., children living on Indian lands or military bases).

Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 14 March 2023

Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023 This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal in honor of the female telephone operators of the Army Signal Corps, commonly known as the Hello Girls , in recognition of their military service, devotion to duty, and 60-year struggle for veterans' benefits and recognition as soldiers.

Safe Storage Lockers for House Office Buildings Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2023

Safe Storage Lockers for House Office Buildings Act This bill permits employees of the House of Representatives to bring certain weapons into House office buildings provided that the employees store the weapons in storage lockers operated by the U.S. Capitol Police. An employee who is authorized by the District of Columbia (DC) to carry self-defense spray, a stun gun, or a firearm may bring the weapon into a House office building if the employee (1) carries the weapon in a manner that complies with DC laws prior to entering the building, (2) enters the building through an external pedestrian entrance, (3) leaves the weapon in a storage locker while in the building, and (4) immediately exits the building after retrieving the weapon. The U.S. Capitol Police must install and operate storage lockers at the external pedestrian entrances of each House office building.

Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2023

Veterans Benefits Improvement Act This bill addresses certain requirements related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical disability examinations for purposes of benefit claims. First, 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 bill also requires the VA to report on its efforts to provide reimbursement for a veteran's travel to a facility, regardless of whether the facility is inside or outside of the United States, when such travel is incident to a scheduled compensation and pension examination. Additionally, 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. 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 claimant 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 report on improving its support of governmental veterans service officers.

Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2023

Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase the amounts payable for wartime disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Specifically, the VA must increase the amounts by the same percentage as the cost-of-living increase in benefits for Social Security recipients that is effective on December 1, 2023. The bill requires the VA to publish the amounts payable, as increased, in the Federal Register. The VA is authorized to make a similar adjustment to the rates of disability compensation payable to persons who have not received compensation for service-connected disability or death.

To provide for the renewed availability of funds to construct the border wall upon the deployment of the National Guard to the southern land border of the United States, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2023

This bill addresses the construction of a border barrier system along the southern border, such as requiring construction activities to resume if certain conditions are met. Specifically, during any period in which the Armed Forces or the National Guard are performing active service at the U.S. southern land border, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must resume all activities related to constructing physical barriers and accompanying infrastructure that were underway or planned prior to January 20, 2021. DHS must also (1) expend all funds appropriated or explicitly authorized for constructing such a border barrier system on or after October 1, 2016; and (2) honor all agreements related to the construction of the border barrier system that were entered into before January 20, 2021, with the consent of all applicable parties to revive such agreements. DHS may not cancel any contracts for the construction of the border barrier system entered into on or before January 20, 2021. The bill also extends the availability of certain funds made available from FY2018 through FY2021 for construction of the border barrier system.

INVEST Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2023

Incentives for our Nation's Veterans in Energy Sustainability Technologies or the INVEST Act This bill allows the work opportunity tax credit to be used for the hiring of a specified veteran who works in a field of renewable energy. A specified veteran means any veteran who is certified as (1) having received a credential or certification from the Department of Defense of a military occupational specialty or skill in a field of renewable energy or with respect to advanced manufacturing, machinist or welding, or engineering; (2) having completed a vocational degree in a field of renewable energy; or (3) having completed a LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification with the United States Green Building Council. The Department of the Treasury shall compensate specified U.S. possessions for their losses resulting from this bill.

Paycheck Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2023

Paycheck Fairness Act This bill addresses wage discrimination on the basis of sex, which is defined to include pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. Specifically, it limits an employer's defense that a pay differential is based on a factor other than sex to only bona fide job-related factors in wage discrimination claims, enhances nonretaliation prohibitions, and makes it unlawful to require an employee to sign a contract or waiver prohibiting the employee from disclosing information about the employee's wages. The bill also increases civil penalties for violations of equal pay provisions. Additionally, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs must train EEOC employees and other affected parties on wage discrimination. The bill directs the Department of Labor to (1) establish and carry out a grant program to provide training in negotiation skills related to compensation and equitable working conditions, (2) conduct studies to eliminate pay disparities between men and women, and (3) make available information on wage discrimination to assist the public in understanding and addressing such discrimination. The bill establishes the National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace for an employer who has made a substantial effort to eliminate pay disparities between men and women. It also establishes the National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force to address compliance, public education, and enforcement of equal pay laws. Finally, the bill requires the EEOC to issue regulations for collecting from employers compensation and other employment data according to the sex, race, and national origin of employees for use in enforcing laws prohibiting pay discrimination.

[H.A.S.C. No. 118-11] DEFENSE IN A DIGITAL ERA: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY, AND SECURING THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

United States · United States House of Representatives · 9 March 2023

Traveler’s Gun Rights Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2023

Traveler's Gun Rights Act This bill broadens the scope of allowable firearms transactions involving active duty service members and their spouses and individuals who do not have a residence in any state. Currently, federal firearms laws generally prohibit a federal firearms licensee (e.g., a gun dealer) from sell or delivering a firearm to an individual whose state of residence is different than the state where the licensee's place of business is located. This bill defines the term state of residence as the state in which an individual is present with an intention of making a home. In the case of an individual who does not have a physical residence in any state, then the term state of residence means the address of the individual's private mailbox or post office box. In the case of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty, or his or her spouse, the term state of residence means (1) the state in which the member's permanent duty station is located, and (2) the state where the member maintains a place of abode from which he or she commutes to the permanent duty station.

Paycheck Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2023

Paycheck Fairness Act This bill addresses wage discrimination on the basis of sex. Specifically, it (1) limits an employer's defense that a pay differential is based on a factor other than sex to only bona fide job-related factors in wage discrimination claims, (2) enhances nonretaliation prohibitions, (3) makes it unlawful to require an employee to sign a contract or waiver prohibiting the employee from disclosing information about the employee's wages, and (4) increases civil penalties for violations of equal pay provisions. Additionally, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs must train EEOC employees and other affected parties on wage discrimination. The bill directs the Department of Labor to (1) establish and carry out a grant program for negotiation skills training for girls and women, (2) conduct studies to eliminate pay disparities between men and women, and (3) make available information on wage discrimination to assist the public in understanding and addressing such discrimination. The bill also establishes the Secretary of Labor's National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace for an employer who has made a substantial effort to eliminate pay disparities between men and women. Finally, the bill requires the EEOC to issue regulations for collecting from employers compensation and other employment data according to the sex, race, and national origin of employees for use in enforcing laws prohibiting pay discrimination.

GUARD VA Benefits Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2023

Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benefits Act of 2023 or the GUARD VA Benefits Act of 2023 This bill imposes criminal penalties on individuals for directly or indirectly soliciting, contracting for, charging, or receiving any unauthorized fee or compensation with respect to the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. The commission or attempted commission of such offenses is punishable by a fine, imprisonment for up to one year, or both.

Veterans Border Patrol Training Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2023

Veterans Border Patrol Training Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to collaborate with the Department of Defense (DOD) and Department of Veterans Affairs to establish an interdepartmental pilot program for five years. Under the program, DHS must use the DOD SkillBridge Program to train and hire transitioning servicemembers as border patrol agents for U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

CRUDE Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2023

Continuing Robust and Uninhibited Drilling and Exporting Act or the CRUDE Act This bill limits the President's authority to restrict the export of crude oil from the United States. Currently, the President may restrict the export of oil for up to a year if the President declares a national emergency; the restrictions apply to countries, persons, or organizations for reasons of national security; or the Department of Commerce finds and reports to the President that the export of crude oil has caused sustained material oil supply shortages or sustained oil prices significantly above world market levels and those shortages or price increases have caused or are likely to cause sustained material adverse employment effects. However, this bill only allows the President to make such restrictions if the restrictions apply to countries, persons, or organizations for reasons of national security; or the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and Commerce jointly make those findings and report them to the President and Congress.

Medal of Honor Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2023

Medal of Honor Act This bill increases the monthly special pension for living Medal of Honor recipients from $1,619.34 to $8,333.33 and establishes a rate of $1,489.73 for the monthly special pension for surviving spouses of Medal of Honor recipients. Both amounts must be adjusted annually for inflation.

Taiwan Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2023

Taiwan Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2023 This bill authorizes the President to lend or lease defense articles to Taiwan for protection against potential Chinese military aggression and requires the President to establish expedited procedures for delivering loaned or leased defense articles to Taiwan. The bill also authorizes the President to finance Taiwan's procurement of certain services in connection with the loan or lease of a defense article, provided Taiwan repays the United States within 12 years.

Traveler's Gun Rights Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2023

Traveler's Gun Rights Act This bill broadens the scope of allowable firearms transactions involving active duty service members and their spouses and individuals who do not have a residence in any state. Currently, federal firearms laws generally prohibit a federal firearms licensee (e.g., a gun dealer) from sell or delivering a firearm to an individual whose state of residence is different than the state where the licensee's place of business is located. This bill defines the term state of residence as the state in which an individual is present with an intention of making a home. In the case of an individual who does not have a physical residence in any state, then the term state of residence means the address of the individual's private mailbox or post office box. In the case of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty, or his or her spouse, the term state of residence means (1) the state in which the member's permanent duty station is located, and (2) the state where the member maintains a place of abode from which he or she commutes to the permanent duty station.

Protecting Critical Ecosystems and Military Readiness in Florida Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2023

Protecting Critical Ecosystems and Military Readiness in Florida Act of 2023 This bill prohibits the Department of the Air Force from entering into an agreement that would provide for or permit the joint use of Homestead Air Reserve Base in Homestead, Florida, by the Air Force and civil aircraft.

American Aviator Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2023

American Aviator Act This bill requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to provide grants to certain pilot schools (or provisional pilot schools) to provide pilot training activities and related education to support a pathway for veterans to become commercial aviators.

Stop Arming Human Rights Abusers Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2023

Stop Arming Human Rights Abusers Act This bill requires the President to impose certain sanctions on foreign governments that have engaged in genocide, crimes against humanity, or war crimes. Upon determining that the government of a foreign country has committed such crimes, the President must sanction the country by prohibiting (1) any U.S. security assistance; and (2) arms sales, including the sale, transfer, delivery, and export licensing of defense articles and defense services. Additionally, the bill prohibits federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies from participating in any exchange with the police, military, or security forces of the sanctioned country. The bill establishes the U.S. Commission on Atrocity Accountability and Human Rights to review violations of international human rights law or international humanitarian law and to make policy recommendations with respect to the imposition and termination of sanctions specified in the bill.

Fight for the American Dream Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2023

Fight for the American Dream Act This bill authorizes an individual to enlist in the Armed Forces if that individual has employment authorization under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. (The program, often referred to as DACA, allows certain individuals without lawful immigration status and who arrived in the United States as children to temporarily remain in the United States, subject to various requirements and limitations.) An individual who has enlisted in the Armed Forces under this bill shall receive lawful permanent resident status, if the individual is otherwise eligible for such status. The bill waives certain grounds of inadmissibility related to unlawful entry for such individuals. If such an individual receives a discharge from the Armed Forces that is not an honorable discharge before completing a period of obligated service, the Department of Homeland Security must rescind that individual's lawful permanent resident status.

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives regarding the importance of taking a feminist approach to all aspects of foreign policy, including foreign assistance and humanitarian response, trade, diplomacy, defense, immigration, funding, and accountability mechanisms.

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2023

This resolution supports the goals of a feminist foreign policy (i.e., a foreign policy that requires analysis of and challenges to power structures and inequalities that are based on systems of discrimination). The resolution also supports the adoption of policies that promote gender equity and the participation of women and girls in public life.

Stop Our Sexual Assault in the Military Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2023

Stop Our Sexual Assault in the Military Act This bill requires servicemembers on active duty to receive self-defense training to combat sexual assault. Such training must occur once a month.

To prohibit a mask mandate to prevent the spread of COVID-19 on a military installation in the United States.

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2023

This bill prohibits the Department of Defense from requiring individuals to wear masks on military installations inside the United States for the purpose of preventing the spread of COVID-19.

Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2023

Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue 50,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the service that working dogs provide to society. The designs of the coins minted under this bill shall be emblematic of the contributions of working dogs to society, including in detection, military service, therapy, and assistance. Treasury may issue coins only during the one-year period beginning on January 1, 2025. All sales of coins shall include a surcharge, which shall be paid to America's VetDogs for general expenses associated with the fulfillment of its mission.

Coast Guard Combat-Injured Tax Fairness Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2023

Coast Guard Combat-Injured Tax Fairness Act This bill extends a tax benefit related to combat-related severance pay to veterans of the Coast Guard. Specifically, severance pay amounts that were withheld for tax purposes from veterans with combat-related injuries must be restored to veterans of the Coast Guard.

Reduce Exacerbated Inflation Negatively Impacting the Nation Act

United States · United States Congress · 8 March 2023

Reduce Exacerbated Inflation Negatively Impacting the Nation Act This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget and the Council of Economic Advisers to provide an inflation estimate for each executive order that is projected to cause an annual gross budgetary or economic effect of at least $1 million. The estimate must determine whether the executive order will have no significant impact on inflation, a quantifiable inflationary impact on the Consumer Price Index or the Producer Price Index, or a significant impact on inflation that cannot be quantified at the time the estimate is prepared. The estimate must also (1) incorporate the inflationary impact of the debt servicing costs associated with the executive order; and (2) take into account the spending patterns of military personnel and of residents of non-metropolitan areas, including rural areas and farm households. The requirements do not apply to executive orders that (1) provide for emergency assistance or relief at the request of any state or local government or an official of the government, or (2) are necessary for national security or the ratification or implementation of international treaty obligations.

A REVIEW OF THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE HEALTH PROGRAM

United States · United States Senate · 7 March 2023

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST FOR APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2024 AND THE FUTURE YEARS DEFENSE PROGRAM

United States · United States Senate · 7 March 2023

Philippine Human Rights Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2023

Philippine Human Rights Act This bill imposes limitations on providing assistance to the police or military of the Philippines. No federal funds may be used to provide such assistance until the Philippines government has taken certain actions, including (1) investigating and successfully prosecuting members of its military and police forces who have violated human rights; (2) withdrawing the military from domestic policing activities; and (3) establishing that it effectively protects the rights of journalists, civil society activists, and certain other groups. The President shall also direct U.S. representatives at multilateral development banks to vote against providing loans to the police or military of the Philippines.

VETT Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2023

VSO Equal Tax Treatment Act or the VETT Act This bill expands the deductibility of charitable contributions to all federally-chartered tax-exempt organizations serving current and former members of the Armed Forces.

Boxing Therapy for Parkinson’s Access Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2023

Boxing Therapy for Parkinson's Access Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish boxing-based exercise classes to veterans who (1) are enrolled in the VA health care system, (2) have been diagnosed with Parkinson's disease (or a similar movement disorder), and (3) elect to participate in such classes to treat the disease or disorder.

Veterans’ Appeals Backlog Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2023

Veterans' Appeals Backlog Improvement Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish programs that provide employment opportunities within the VA and the Board of Veterans' Appeals (BVA). Specifically, the bill requires the VA to establish a competitive internship program to provide high-achieving law students with an opportunity to gain experience with the BVA. The VA must also establish a nine-year competitive honors pilot program to recruit high-achieving law students, recent law school graduates, and entry-level attorneys for employment. Under the pilot, the VA must (1) provide student loan repayment benefits to participants, (2) enter into participant agreements that outline terms of the program, (3) assign mentors who are outside of the participant's chain of command, and (4) provide participants with at least one assignment within the VA's Office of General Counsel. The bill also requires the VA to report on improving access to tele-hearings before the BVA (held by picture and voice transmission).

Expanding America’s National Cemetery Act of 2023

United States · United States Congress · 7 March 2023

Expanding America's National Cemetery Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs, before Arlington National Cemetery reaches capacity, to expand or otherwise modify an existing national cemetery to ensure that full military honors are provided in a specified manner. Specifically, the VA must expand or modify such a cemetery to ensure that full military honors are provided (1) in a manner consistent with the full military honors provided for interment in Arlington National Cemetery as of March 31, 2023; and (2) using the eligibility criteria in effect on March 31, 2023, for providing full military honors for interment in Arlington National Cemetery.