Congress at Work (Page 2)

A joint resolution providing for Congressional disapproval under Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to Small Business Lending Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (SJ Res 32) – This resolution was introduced on June 13 by Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA). It nullifies a rule issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) that requires financial institutions to collect and report credit application data for small businesses to the CFPB. The bill passed in the House and the Senate on Dec. 1, but President Biden has threatened to veto the resolution becauseRead More →

Protecting Hunting Heritage and Education Act (HR 5110) – This bill was introduced in the House on Aug. 1 by Rep. Mark E. Green (R-TN). The purpose of this bill is to ban federal funds from being used for weapons training in public schools, except in the case of training students in archery, hunting, and other school sports that involve shooting guns. The bill passed in the House on Sept. 26, the Senate on Sept. 27, and was signed into law by the president on Oct. 6. Continuing Appropriations Act, 2024 and Other Extensions Act (HR 5860) – This last-minute continuing resolution (CR) authorizes fiscalRead More →

MAHSA Act (HR 589) – The Mahsa Amini Human Rights and Security Accountability (MAHSA) Act is a bipartisan bill that was introduced on Jan. 27 by Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN). The purpose of this bill is to impose sanctions on the leaders of Iran for supporting human rights abuses and terrorism. The sanctions block both property and visas owned by certain foreign individuals and entities affiliated with Iran. The bill passed in the House on Sept. 12 and currently resides in the Senate. Fight CRIME Act (HR 3152) – This bipartisan bill was introduced by Rep. Michael McCaul (R-TX) on May 9. It imposes visa-Read More →

United States-Taiwan Initiative on 21st-Century Trade First Agreement Implementation Act (HR 4004) – This bipartisan bill was introduced on June 12 by Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO). The purpose of this bill is to convey approval by Congress of the June 1 trade agreement between the United States and Taiwan. The bill addresses customs administration and regulatory practice issues, as well as dictates conditions for negotiations of subsequent trade agreements. Among its provisions, the bill requires that the U.S. Trade Representative share all negotiating texts with Congress prior to being sent to Taiwan or any parties outside of the executive branch. The bill passed in theRead More →

CADETS Act (S 467) – This bipartisan bill was introduced on Feb. 16 by Sen. Gary Peters (D-MI). The purpose of this bipartisan bill is to change the age requirements (previously limited to age 25 and younger) for the Student Incentive Payment Program. This program provides financial support to cadets of state maritime academies who enlist or commission in the Navy Reserve at the time of their graduation. The bill passed in the Senate on March 29 and in the House on June 14. It was enacted on June 30. Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2023 (S 777) – This bipartisan bill, which wasRead More →

Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 (HR 3746) – This Act represents a compromise reached by House Republicans and President Biden. Republicans negotiated concessions in exchange for voting to raise the debt ceiling to maintain solvency of the federal government. These concessions included universal cuts to federal spending, the suspension of student loan repayments that began during the pandemic, additional work requirements for some Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) recipients, and suspending the current $31.4 trillion debt ceiling until 2025.The bill was introduced by Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-NC) on May 29. The legislation was passed in the House onRead More →

Limit, Save, Grow Act of 2023 (HR 2811) – This bill was introduced in the House by Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-TX) on April 26. It would authorize and increase the federal debt limit as well as specific cuts in spending, such as repealed energy tax credits, expanded work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other programs, and nullifies regulations for the cancellation of federal student loan debt. This bill passed in the House on April 26 but was not expected to pass in the Senate. Pharmacy Benefit Manager Reform Act (S 1339) – Co-sponsored by three Republicans, this bipartisan bill would provideRead More →

Relating to a national emergency declared by the President on March 13, 2020 (HJ Res 7) – On March 13, 2020, then-President Trump declared a national emergency relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, emergency status has continued until the passage of this resolution. The national emergency status relaxed many healthcare rules, such as training mandates for nursing home aides, easier access to certain prescribed medications (e.g., Adderall, Ritalin, oxycodone, buprenorphine), and utilization of uncredentialed nurse practitioners and physician assistants for hospitalized Medicare patients. The resolution to end emergency status passed in the House on Feb. 1 and Senate on March 29. The resolution wasRead More →

COVID-19 Origin Act of 2023 (S 619) – This bill would authorize the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) to declassify all information relating to the origin of COVID-19 and any correlation with the Wuhan Institute of Virology. The ODNI would be required to redact the report as necessary to protect sources and methods, and then submit it to Congress. The bill was introduced on March 1 by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO). It passed the Senate on the same day and the House on March 10. It is currently awaiting signature by the president. Disapproving the action of the District of Columbia CouncilRead More →

Investing in Main Street Act of 2023 (HR 400) – Introduced by Rep. Judy Chu (D-CA) on Jan.20, this bill would permit certain financial institutions to increase investments in small business investment companies (SBICs). The current cap is 5 percent; if passed, the amount would rise to up to 15 percent of their capital and surplus. The bill passed in the House on Jan.25 and is now under consideration in the Senate. To terminate the requirement imposed by the Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for proof of COVID-19 vaccination for foreign travelers and for other purposes (HR 185) – This billRead More →