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1,201 records in US in 2023
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2023
Stop Funding JROTC at CCP-Owned Schools Act This bill prohibits the U.S. military departments from establishing or maintaining a Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) unit at an educational institution that is owned, operated, or controlled by China, a member of the Chinese Community Party or the Chinese military, or a Chinese military company.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2023
Expediting Israeli Aerial Refueling Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD), particularly the Department of the Air Force, to provide certain training and support to the air force of Israel. Specifically, the bill requires the U.S. Air Force to train members of the air force of Israel on (1) the operation of the KC-46 aircraft, and (2) maintenance and sustainment requirements of the KC-46 aircraft. Before completing the training required by this bill, DOD must authorize members of the air force of Israel who are associated with the operation of KC-46 aircraft to participate in the U.S. Air Force Military Personnel Exchange Program. DOD must make the program available to such members of the air force of Israel and ensure that they may participate immediately after completing training. DOD must rotationally deploy one or more KC-46 aircraft to Israel until the earlier of five years after the enactment of this bill or the date on which a KC-46 aircraft procured by the military forces of Israel is commissioned into such military forces and achieves full combat capability.
United States · United States Congress · 27 February 2023
Fighting Oppression until the Reign of Castro Ends Act or the FORCE Act This bill imposes various prohibitions and requirements related to Cuba. Specifically, the bill prohibits removing Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism until the President determines that a transition government in Cuba is in power. Furthermore, persons (individuals or entities) subject to U.S. jurisdiction may not engage in certain direct financial transactions with an entity under the control of or acting on behalf of the Cuban military, intelligence, or security services or personnel. Specifically, such a transaction is prohibited if it would disproportionately benefit the Cuban military, intelligence, or security services or personnel at the expense of the Cuban people or private enterprise in Cuba. The Department of State must publish and annually update a list of the Cuban entities that are subject to these transaction restrictions. The prohibition on financial transactions shall terminate 90 days after the President certifies that Cuba's government has (1) taken the steps necessary to begin transparent, free, and fair elections; and (2) met the requirements to allow for the termination of U.S. economic embargo on Cuba. The bill also requires the State Department to notify Congress of any U.S. engagement with Cuba no later than 14 days after such engagement.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2023
Public Health Emergency Medical Supplies Enhancement Act of 2023 This bill expands certain authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950 (DPA) to respond to public health emergencies. Specifically, during a public health emergency, any medical equipment or supplies determined by the Department of Health and Human Services or the Department of Homeland Security to be scarce and critical materials essential to the national defense may be deemed as such by the President, and funds available to implement the DPA may be used for the purchase, production, or distribution of such medical equipment or supplies. Further, during a public health emergency, the President and federal agencies may take specific actions to support the production of such materials or supplies, including with respect to supply chains, private-sector coordination, needs assessments, and overall strategies. The bill provides for enhanced reporting under the DPA during a public health emergency. Additionally, a report required under the DPA for FY2023 and FY2024 shall include the percentage of contracts awarded to small businesses.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2023
Veterans Serving Veterans Act of 2023 This bill updates the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) current recruiting database by requiring the VA to maintain a single searchable database to be known as the Departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs Recruitment Database . With respect to vacant positions for critical jobs or mental health professionals, the database must list (1) the military occupational specialty or skill that corresponds to the position, and (2) each qualified member of the Armed Forces who may be recruited to fill the position before such qualified member has been discharged and released from active duty. Qualified members of the Armed Forces are those service members who (1) are being separated or recently separated from active duty, (2) elect to be listed in the database, and (3) have been determined by the VA to have a military occupational specialty. The database must list the following for each qualified member of the Armed Forces: name, contact information, expected discharge date, and military occupational specialty. The VA must implement direct hiring and appointment procedures for vacant database positions and may authorize relocation bonuses. The bill also requires the VA to train and certify veterans who served as basic health care technicians in the Armed Forces to work as VA intermediate care technicians.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2023
Deterring America’s Technological Adversaries Act or DATA Act This bill requires federal actions to protect the sensitive personal data of U.S. persons, with a particular focus on prohibiting the transfer of such data to foreign persons influenced by China. The International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) authorizes the President to regulate various commercial transactions and to block foreign-owned property and assets subject to U.S. jurisdiction. An exemption to IEEPA (i.e., the Berman Amendment) blocks the President from regulating information and informational materials. This bill specifies that sensitive personal data is not information or informational materials exempt from regulation under IEEPA. The bill requires the Department of the Treasury to issue a directive prohibiting U.S. persons from engaging in any transaction with any person who knowingly provides or may transfer sensitive personal data subject to U.S. jurisdiction to any foreign person subject to Chinese influence. The bill also establishes new sanctions on certain transactions related to connected software applications. For example, the President must impose a sanction on any foreign person that knowingly operates, directs, or deals in a connected software application that is subject to the jurisdiction of China and is reasonably believed to have been or may be used to facilitate or contribute to China's military, intelligence, censorship, surveillance, cyber, or information campaigns. The President must determine whether reasonable grounds exist for concluding that specified entities (e.g., TikTok) meet the criteria under the bill for purposes of applying a directive by Treasury or for imposing sanctions.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2023
VA E-Notification Enhancement Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide eligibility and award documents related to specified VA educational assistance programs (e.g., the Post-9/11 GI Bill) in an electronic format. Specifically, the VA must electronically provide (1) a certificate of eligibility for an individual's entitlement to assistance, and (2) an award letter regarding the authorization to receive assistance. An individual may elect to receive documents by mail and may revoke such an election at any time.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2023
Military Consumer Protection Task Force Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Defense to establish an Interagency Task Force on Financial Fraud targeting members of the Armed Forces and veterans to identify and examine current and developing methods of financial fraud targeting members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and military families and issue recommendations to prevent and combat such fraud.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2023
Correcting Guam's History in the PACT Act This bill expands eligibility for a presumption of service-connection for specified diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific conditions diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded. Under the bill, service performed in Guam or its territorial waters between August 15, 1958, and July 31, 1980, provides a veteran who has a specified disease that is associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents with eligibility for a presumption of service-connection. (Under current law, the eligible time frame for service in Guam is between January 9, 1962, and July 31, 1980.)
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2023
Upholding Sovereignty of Airspace Act or the USA Act This bill requires and authorizes actions in response to the Chinese government's global surveillance program, including the Chinese government's use of surveillance balloons. The President may impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions on foreign individuals that directly manage or oversee the Chinese government's global surveillance balloon program. In addition, the Department of Commerce must report to Congress an evaluation of what export controls are appropriate for aerospace-related items and technologies that are used for intelligence and reconnaissance by China's military. The bill also requires the Department of State to report to Congress a diplomatic strategy to (1) inform U.S. allies and partners of the scope of the Chinese government's surveillance program, and (2) build a global consensus to address the Chinese government's global surveillance balloon program.
United States · United States Congress · 24 February 2023
This resolution asks the President to provide to the House of Representatives copies of all documents and other communications detailing expenditures of appropriated funds directed to Ukraine between January 20, 2021, and February 24, 2023. The resolution also directs the Department of Defense and the Department of State to provide such documents.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2023
Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benefits Act or the GUARD VA Benefits Act This bill imposes fines on individuals for 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 attempted commission of such offenses is also punishable by fine.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2023
Department of Veterans Affairs Telehealth Strategy Ac t This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit a strategy to Congress for the telehealth services furnished by the Veterans Health Administration. Additionally, the VA must report on the utilization of end-user devices provided to veterans by the VA to facilitate telehealth during FY2023 and FY2024.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2023
This concurrent resolution directs the President to remove the U.S. Armed Forces from Syria within 15 days of the adoption of this concurrent resolution.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2023
Ensuring Military Readiness Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to prescribe regulations regarding military service by individuals who identify as transgender. Under the regulations, individuals who identify as transgender with a history or diagnosis of gender dysphoria must be disqualified from military service, with some exceptions. (The bill defines gender dysphoria as a marked incongruence between one's experienced or expressed gender and biological sex.) The regulations must provide exceptions for such individuals if they have been stable for 36 consecutive months in their biological sex prior to accession, or diagnosed with gender dysphoria after entering into service if they do not undergo transition procedures and remain deployable within applicable retention standards for their biological sex. Under the regulations, members of the Armed Forces who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria may continue to serve in their biological sex (regardless of any changes previously made to their gender marker in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, or DEERS) and receive medically necessary treatment for gender dysphoria. However, such treatment may not include gender transition procedures. Individuals who identify as transgender and who seek or have undergone gender transition are disqualified from military service. Additionally, individuals who identify as transgender, do not have a history or diagnosis of gender dysphoria, and are otherwise qualified for service may serve in the Armed Forces in their biological sex. DOD must prescribe regulations updating DEERS to require the gender markers for members of the Armed Forces to match their biological sex, regardless of any previous changes.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2023
This resolution reaffirms the U.S. commitment to Moldova in the face of Russia's malign influence and military aggression. The resolution also (1) lauds the strengthening of civil society, democracy, and democratic institutions in Moldova; (2) welcomes the strong mandate given to pro-reform forces in recent elections; and (3) urges the European Union to continue to promote Moldova's accession processes.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2023
Denying Earnings to the Military Oligarchy in Cuba and Restricting Activities of the Cuban Intelligence Apparatus Act or the DEMOCRACIA Act This bill provides for asset- and visa-blocking sanctions for conduct relating to Cuba. It also establishes an interagency task force to facilitate access to uncensored internet in Cuba. The President must sanction foreign persons that provide financial support to specified Cuban government sectors (e.g., the defense sector) or any other government sector that the President certifies is involved in human rights abuses or terrorism. This includes foreign persons that (1) are military contractors or mercenaries operating on behalf of the Cuban government, or (2) violate laws restricting trade with Cuba. Specified transactions, including remittances to immediate family members (subject to some limitations) and payments related to U.S. military and diplomatic sites, are not subject to these sanctions. The President must also sanction (1) foreign persons complicit or engaged in human rights abuses or corruption, (2) foreign persons supporting such conduct, and (3) specified Cuban government officials and their affiliates. The bill provides humanitarian exceptions to these sanctions, for example, donating food or agricultural commodities to organizations or individuals unaffiliated with the Cuban government. The President may not license sanctionable conduct, and U.S. persons seeking to engage in a permitted transaction must submit a written request to the Office of Foreign Asset Control of the Department of the Treasury. The President may waive the sanctions in the interest of U.S. national security. To terminate the sanctions, the President must certify that the Cuban government has legalized all political activities and taken other steps to promote political rights and freedoms. Congress must then enact a joint resolution approving the termination.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2023
People Over Pentagon Act of 2023 This bill requires the amount authorized to be appropriated for the Department of Defense (DOD) for FY2024 to be $100 billion below the FY2023 funding level. In implementing the funding reductions, DOD must consider the recommendations in the Congressional Budget Office report titled Illustrative Options for National Defense Under a Smaller Defense Budget (October 2021). The bill also excludes the following DOD accounts from the reductions: (1) the Defense Health Program, (2) military personnel accounts, and (3) civil service pay and benefit accounts.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2023
This resolution states that the House of Representatives opposes South Africa's hosting of military exercises with China and Russia in February 2023. The resolution calls on the government of South Africa to (1) cancel all future military exercises with China and Russia and (2) rejoin U.S.-led exercises. Additionally, the resolution calls on the Biden administration to conduct a review of the status of the United States-South Africa bilateral relationship.
United States · United States Congress · 21 February 2023
Department of Peacebuilding Act of 2023 This bill establishes a Department of Peacebuilding in the executive branch, dedicated to peacebuilding, peacemaking, and the study and promotion of conditions conducive to both domestic and international peace and a culture of peace. The mission of the department includes the cultivation of peace and peacebuilding as a strategic national policy objective and development of policies that promote national and international conflict prevention, nonviolent intervention, mediation, peaceful conflict resolution, and structured conflict mediation. The department shall collaborate with others to promote personal and community security and peace by supporting policies to address personal and family violence, including suicide; reduce drug and alcohol abuse; and create, through local community initiatives, peace projects that facilitate conflict resolution and healing of societal wounds. A Federal Interagency Committee on Peace is established to coordinate the actions of the department with other federal agencies. The Department of Defense and the Department of State must consult with the department concerning nonviolent means of conflict resolution when a conflict between the United States and any other government or entity is foreseeable, imminent, or occurring. The department shall encourage citizens to observe and celebrate the blessings of peace and endeavor to create peace on Peace Days.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2023
VA Medical Center Facility Transparency Act This bill requires the directors of medical facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit to the VA and Congress an annual fact sheet containing specified information about their facility of jurisdiction (e.g., the number of veterans treated at the facility) and a quarterly fact sheet containing the average wait time for veterans to receive treatment at the facility. The required fact sheets must be made publicly available in physical form at each medical facility and in an electronic form on the facility's website.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2023
Everett Alvarez, Jr., Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2023 This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Everett Alvarez, Jr. in recognition of his service to the nation.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2023
Caring for Survivors Act of 2023 This bill increases the monthly rate of dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving spouses through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Dependency and indemnity compensation is a monthly payment made to eligible survivors (i.e., spouses, parents, or children) of (1) certain veterans who died as a result of a service-connected condition; (2) service members killed while on active military duty or active or inactive duty for training; or (3) veterans who did not die from a service-connected condition, but were totally disabled by a service-connected disability for a certain period of time. The bill also (1) reduces, from 10 years to 5 years, the period of time that certain veterans must have been rated totally disabled due to a service-connected disability in order for a survivor to qualify for benefits; and (2) specifies the amount that is payable to survivors of veterans who were rated totally disabled for a period of less than 10 years before their death.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2023
This bill requires the Department of State to report to Congress on State Department efforts to implement the advanced capabilities pillar of the trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom (UK), and the United States. (One of the goals of the partnership is to develop and provide joint advanced military capabilities, such as artificial intelligence, hypersonics, and electronic warfare.) The report must include (1) the average and median times for the U.S. government to review applications for export licenses for defense articles or services to the governments and persons (entities and individuals) of Australia or the UK, (2) information about certain violations of the International Traffic in Arms Regulations by the governments or persons of Australia or the UK, and (3) recommended changes to the export control laws and regulations of the three partnership countries to implement the partnership.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2023
Safe and Quiet Skies Act of 2023 This bill sets forth requirements for commercial air tour flights. Among other requirements, the bill prohibits tour flights within a half mile of military installations, national cemeteries, national wilderness areas, national parks, and national wildlife refuges; prohibits tour flights from operating at an altitude of less than 1,500 feet; requires tour flights over occupied areas (e.g., residential, commercial, and recreational areas) to be no louder than 55dbA; and allows states and localities to impose additional requirements that are stricter than the minimum federal requirements.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2023
Ensuring Military Readiness Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to prescribe regulations regarding military service by transgender individuals. The regulations must disqualify transgender individuals with a history or diagnosis of gender dysphoria from military service, with some exceptions. (DOD has defined gender dysphoria as a marked incongruence between one's own experienced gender and assigned gender.) The regulations must provide exceptions for such individuals if they have been stable for 36 consecutive months in their biological sex prior to accession; or diagnosed with gender dysphoria after entering into service and do not require a change of gender and remain deployable. Under the regulations, members of the Armed Forces who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria may continue to serve in their current gender and receive medically necessary treatment for gender dysphoria. However, such treatment may not include gender reassignment surgery or the commencement of hormone therapy. Transgender individuals who require or have undergone gender transition are disqualified from military service. Additionally, transgender individuals who do not have a history or diagnosis of gender dysphoria and are otherwise qualified for service may serve in the Armed Forces in their biological sex.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2023
Military Sexual Trauma Retirement Equity Act This bill expands eligibility for certain special compensation to disabled uniformed services retirees who are survivors of military sexual trauma. Specifically, the bill renames combat-related special compensation as trauma-related special compensation and makes eligible for such compensation trauma-related disabled uniformed services retirees (i.e., members of the uniformed services who have a trauma-related disability and are entitled to retired pay). The bill expands the former definition of a combat-related disability (now a trauma-related disability under this bill) to include a disability that is compensable under laws administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and is determined by the VA to be the result of military sexual trauma.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2023
This joint resolution recognizes the sacrifice of veterans of the Vietnam War and commends them for their sacrifice to the United States. The joint resolution also urges the President to formally acknowledge the widespread mistreatment of such veterans as part of the ongoing Vietnam War Commemoration and issue a formal apology to the veterans and their families. Additionally, the joint resolution expresses urgent support for increased education to better reflect the sacrifice and treatment of Vietnam veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2023
This concurrent resolution recognizes the service and sacrifice of those who served and perished in California at Port Chicago Naval Magazine during World War II. The concurrent resolution also exonerates the 50 Port Chicago sailors convicted of the charge of mutiny against the United States and all other charges brought against them after the July 17, 1944, explosion that killed 320. It upgrades the general and summary discharges of the Port Chicago sailors to honorable discharges.
United States · United States Congress · 17 February 2023
Veteran Education Empowerment Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2031 and otherwise revises a Department of Education (ED) grant program for student veteran centers. Specifically, ED must make grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) or consortia of IHEs to establish, maintain, improve, or operate a student veteran center. A student veteran center is a dedicated space on a campus that provides students who are veterans or members of the Armed Forces with (1) a lounge or meeting space for themselves, their spouses or partners, their children, and veterans in the community; and (2) a centralized office for student veteran services that serves as a single point of contact to coordinate comprehensive support services for student veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 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.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2023
American Security Drone Act of 2023 This bill bans the procurement or use by the federal government of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) that are manufactured or assembled by certain foreign entities, including entities subject to influence or control by China, with exceptions. The ban includes associated elements that enable the operator to operate the aircraft in the national airspace system. The Department of Homeland Security, the Department of Defense, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, and the Department of Justice are exempt from the restriction under specified circumstances. The bill sets forth further exemptions regarding the Department of Transportation, the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Transportation Safety Board, and the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration. All executive agencies must account for existing inventories of UAS manufactured or assembled by a covered foreign entity in their personal property accounting systems. The Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council shall prescribe regulations or guidance to implement this bill's requirements pertaining to federal contracts. Government-issued purchase cards may not be used to procure any UAS from a covered foreign entity. The Office of Management and Budget shall establish a government-wide policy for the procurement of UAS, taking into account information security. The Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment must report to Congress on the supply chain for certain UAS. The bill terminates five years after enactment.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2023
This resolution states that the Senate unequivocally recognizes the state of Arunachal Pradesh as an integral part of India and supports India's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The resolution also condemns China's use of military force along the Line of Actual Control (the contested border that separates Indian-controlled and Chinese-controlled territory) as well as other provocations.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2023
Expanding Veterans' Options for Long Term Care Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a three-year pilot program to assess the effectiveness of providing assisted living services to eligible veterans, including by assessing the satisfaction of veterans participating in the pilot program. Eligible veterans are those who (1) are eligible for assisted living services as determined by the VA; and (2) are already receiving nursing home level care paid for by the VA, are eligible for such care from the VA, or exceed the requirements for domiciliary care paid for by the VA but do not meet the requirements for nursing home level care paid for by the VA. The Inspector General of the VA must report to Congress on the pilot program, and the VA must submit a follow-up plan to address any deficiencies that are identified in the report.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2023
Veteran Education Empowerment Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2031 and otherwise revises a Department of Education (ED) grant program for student veteran centers. Specifically, ED must make grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) or consortia of IHEs to establish, maintain, improve, or operate a student veteran center. A student veteran center is a dedicated space on a campus that provides students who are veterans or members of the Armed Forces with (1) a lounge or meeting space for themselves, their spouses or partners, their children, and veterans in the community; and (2) a centralized office for student veteran services that serves as a single point of contact to coordinate comprehensive support services for student veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2023
Taiwan Invasion Prevention Act This bill authorizes the President to use the Armed Forces to defend Taiwan against a direct attack by China's military, a taking of Taiwan's territory by China, or a threat that endangers the lives of civilians in Taiwan or members of Taiwan's military. The bill also directs the Department of Defense to convene an annual regional security dialogue with Taiwan and other partners to improve U.S. security relationships with countries in the Western Pacific. (China considers Taiwan a part of China.)
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2023
Expediting Israeli Aerial Refueling Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD), particularly the Department of the Air Force, to provide certain training and support to the air force of Israel. Specifically, the bill requires the U.S. Air Force to train members of the air force of Israel on (1) the operation of the KC-46 aircraft, and (2) maintenance and sustainment requirements of the KC-46 aircraft. Before completing the training required by this bill, DOD must authorize members of the air force of Israel who are associated with the operation of KC-46 aircraft to participate in the U.S. Air Force Military Personnel Exchange Program. DOD must make the program available to such members of the air force of Israel and ensure that they may participate immediately after completing training. DOD must rotationally deploy one or more KC-46 aircraft to Israel until the earlier of five years after the enactment of this bill or the date on which a KC-46 aircraft procured by the military forces of Israel is commissioned into such military forces and achieves full combat capability.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2023
This joint resolution recognizes the sacrifice of veterans of the Vietnam War and commends them for their sacrifice to the United States. The joint resolution also urges the President to formally acknowledge the widespread mistreatment of such veterans as part of the ongoing Vietnam War Commemoration and issue a formal apology to the veterans and their families. Additionally, the joint resolution expresses urgent support for increased education to better reflect the sacrifice and treatment of Vietnam veterans.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2023
Military Family Nutrition Access Act of 2023 This bill excludes military housing allowances from income when determining eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2023
Stop Reckless Student Loan Actions Act of 2023 This bill limits executive authority to (1) suspend or defer federal student loan payments or interest accrual on such loans, and (2) cancel federal student loans. Specifically, the bill prohibits the President or the Department of Education (ED) from suspending or deferring federal student loan payments or the accrual of interest on such loans for borrowers with annual household incomes over 400% of the federal poverty line. Further, ED may only suspend or defer federal student loan payments or the accrual of interest for such loans for a total of 90 days after the declaration of a national emergency by the President. ED must submit recommendations to Congress on relief necessary for recipients of student financial-aid assistance. Additionally, the bill prohibits the President or ED from cancelling the outstanding balances or portions of balances on student loans due to the COVID-19 national emergency or any other national emergency. Executive or regulatory action to suspend or defer federal student loan payments or to cancel federal student loans shall be subject to congressional review. The bill also revises the definition of affected individual for purposes of the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students (HEROES) Act of 2003 to exclude from relief under the act (1) an individual who resides or is employed in an area that is declared a disaster area in connection with a national emergency; or (2) an individual who suffered direct economic hardship as a direct result of a war, military operation, or national emergency.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2023
Immigration Parole Reform Act of 202 3 This bill limits the authority of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to grant immigration parole (i.e., give official permission for an individual to enter and temporarily remain in the United States). Specifically, the bill (1) limits what qualifies as an urgent humanitarian reason or a significant public benefit that would justify granting parole, and (2) prohibits granting parole based on an individual's membership in a defined class of individuals. An urgent humanitarian reason is limited to specified medical emergencies and a significant public benefit is limited to assisting the U.S. government in a law enforcement matter. Individuals granted parole on the basis of an urgent humanitarian reason or a significant public benefit are not permitted to work while in the United States. Additionally, the bill provides statutory authority for DHS to grant parole to certain Cuban nationals and to certain family members of active-duty Armed Forces members.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2023
Space National Guard Establishment Act This bill establishes a Space National Guard as the reserve component of the U.S. Space Force.
United States · United States Congress · 16 February 2023
Denying Earnings to the Military Oligarchy in Cuba and Restricting Activities of the Cuban Intelligence Apparatus Act or the DEMOCRACIA Act This bill provides for asset- and visa-blocking sanctions for conduct relating to Cuba. It also establishes an interagency task force to facilitate access to uncensored internet in Cuba. The President must sanction foreign persons that provide financial support to specified Cuban government sectors (e.g., the defense sector) or any other government sector that the President certifies is involved in human rights abuses or terrorism. This includes foreign persons that (1) are military contractors or mercenaries operating on behalf of the Cuban government, or (2) violate laws restricting trade with Cuba. Specified transactions, including remittances to immediate family members (subject to some limitations) and payments related to U.S. military and diplomatic sites, are not subject to these sanctions. The President must also sanction (1) foreign persons complicit or engaged in human rights abuses or corruption, (2) foreign persons supporting such conduct, and (3) specified Cuban government officials and their affiliates. The bill provides humanitarian exceptions to these sanctions, for example, donating food or agricultural commodities to organizations or individuals unaffiliated with the Cuban government. The President may not license sanctionable conduct, and U.S. persons seeking to engage in a permitted transaction must submit a written request to the Office of Foreign Asset Control of the Department of the Treasury. The President may waive the sanctions in the interest of U.S. national security. To terminate the sanctions, the President must certify that the Cuban government has legalized all political activities and taken other steps to promote political rights and freedoms. Congress must then enact a joint resolution approving the termination.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2023
Veterans Patient Advocacy Act This bill requires the Office of Patient Advocacy within the Veterans Health Administration to ensure (1) there is not fewer than one patient advocate for every 13,500 veterans enrolled in the Department of Veterans Affairs health care system, and (2) highly rural veterans may access the services of patient advocates. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to report on the implementation of such policies.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2023
Deterring Iranian Support for Russia in Ukraine and Pre-empting Terrorism Act of 2023 or the DISRUPT Act of 2023 This bill imposes new sanctions and new conditions on the termination of existing sanctions applicable to Iranian persons and institutions that support Russian military activities, including activities against Ukraine. Specifically, the bill requires the President to impose sanctions under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act upon (1) Iranian persons who provide material, tactical, or operational support for Russian activities against Ukraine, and (2) Iranian financial institutions that facilitate transactions with Russian persons who provide material, tactical, or operational support for Russian activities against Ukraine. The bill also requires the President to certify to Congress, before removing an Iranian person from the Department of the Treasury's Specially Designated Nationals (SDN) list, that the person did not sell defense articles to Russia for one year prior to certification. The President must also certify that Iran is no longer providing material or financial support to Russia before revoking Iran's designation as a jurisdiction of primary money laundering concern.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2023
Sanctioning Transfers and Outbound Products to Iran Act of 2023 or the STOP Iran Act of 2023 This bill mandates that the Department of Commerce require a license for the export, reexport, or in-country transfer of emerging and foundational technologies to certain Iranian persons. (Generally, such technologies are those identified by a federal interagency process to be essential to U.S. national security.) The Iranian persons subject to this bill are Iranian individuals or entities that are subject to U.S. sanctions and provide support to certain organizations, including (1) the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and the Armed Forces of Iran, (2) any organization designated as a foreign terrorist organization, and (3) any entity engaged in hostilities with a partner or ally of the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2023
Cutting Off Communist Profiteers Act This bill establishes postemployment lobbying restrictions on former presidential appointees who knowingly represent, aid, or advise certain Chinese entities, including Chinese government entities, the Chinese Communist Party, and Chinese military companies.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2023
Comforting Our Military Families through On-base or Remote Treatment Act or the COMFORT Act This bill authorizes mental health professionals to provide nonmedical counseling services to military families regardless of where the provider or recipient is located, so long as the provision of services is (1) in the United States or a U.S. territory or possession, and (2) within the scope of the authorized duties of the provider. For purposes of the bill, mental health professionals include individuals who are licensed or certified mental health providers and are members of the uniformed services, civilian Department of Defense (DOD) employees, or DOD contractors.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2023
Ensuring Military Readiness Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to prescribe regulations regarding military service by individuals who identify as transgender. Under the regulations, individuals who identify as transgender with a history or diagnosis of gender dysphoria must be disqualified from military service, with some exceptions. (The bill defines gender dysphoria as a marked incongruence between one's experienced or expressed gender and biological sex.) The regulations must provide exceptions for such individuals if they have been stable for 36 consecutive months in their biological sex prior to accession, or diagnosed with gender dysphoria after entering into service if they do not undergo transition procedures and remain deployable within applicable retention standards for their biological sex. Under the regulations, members of the Armed Forces who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria may continue to serve in their biological sex (regardless of any changes previously made to their gender marker in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, or DEERS) and receive medically necessary treatment for gender dysphoria. However, such treatment may not include gender transition procedures. Individuals who identify as transgender and who seek or have undergone gender transition are disqualified from military service. Additionally, individuals who identify as transgender, do not have a history or diagnosis of gender dysphoria, and are otherwise qualified for service may serve in the Armed Forces in their biological sex. DOD must prescribe regulations updating DEERS to require the gender markers for members of the Armed Forces to match their biological sex, regardless of any previous changes.
United States · United States Congress · 15 February 2023
This bill authorizes the President to enter into a cooperative project agreement with Iraq and countries on the Arabian Peninsula to develop and produce defense articles and defense services for detecting and destroying armed unmanned aerial systems. (Under the Arms Export Control Act, such cooperative project agreements are currently authorized for NATO nations and friendly foreign countries outside of NATO).