This bill would change how Social Security benefits are calculated for public servants who worked in jobs not covered by Social Security (such as many state and local government positions). It replaces the current Windfall Elimination Provision with a new formula that accounts for both covered and noncovered earnings when calculating benefits, rather than reducing benefits based on noncovered employment. The bill would provide additional monthly payments of $100 for some affected individuals and $50 for others, starting 270 days after enactment. It also requires Social Security account statements to show noncovered earnings and directs the Social Security Administration to study ways to improve information sharing with state pension systems about noncovered pensions. The changes would apply to benefits payable starting January 1, 2025.
HR 8314, the No Foreign Election Interference Act, imposes penalties on tax-exempt organizations (like nonprofits under Section 501(c)) that receive contributions from foreign nationals and then donate to political committees. Specifically, such organizations face a penalty equal to twice the donation amount for the first violation, and lose their tax-exempt status after making three such "disqualified" contributions. The law applies to donations made on or after January 1, 2025, and defines a "testing period" of eight years to determine if foreign contributions were received before a political donation. This targets financial flows between foreign donors and political activities, not general election interference.
This bill creates new federal criminal penalties for actions that hinder border enforcement. It prohibits sharing locations or movements of border law enforcement (called "illicit spotting") to aid immigration-related crimes, and bans damaging or circumventing border infrastructure like fences or sensors. Violations carry up to 10 years in prison, increasing to 20 years if a firearm is involved. The bill also clarifies that alien smuggling crimes trigger enhanced penalties under existing firearm laws, defining key terms like "alien smuggling crime" and "brandish" for enforcement.
This bill appropriates over $15 billion in supplemental funding for U.S. security assistance to Israel following attacks in Israel. It includes specific allocations such as $5.2 billion for Israel's Iron Dome, David's Sling, and Iron Beam defense systems, as well as funds for military personnel, operations, and equipment across all branches of the military. The bill requires the Secretary of Defense and Secretary of State to submit regular reports to Congress detailing security assistance provided to Israel and designates all funding as "emergency requirements" under federal law. This funding directly supports U.S. security assistance programs with Israel to respond to regional security threats.
HRES 684 is a symbolic congressional resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on September 14, 2023, condemning New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham's emergency order that temporarily suspended open and concealed carry firearm rights for 30 days. The resolution asserts the order violated the Second Amendment, citing Supreme Court precedents (Heller, McDonald, Bruen) and noting a federal judge had already blocked the order's firearm restrictions. It does not change any laws or impose legal consequences - it is solely a formal expression of disapproval from Congress. The resolution directly addresses the Governor's actions but has no effect on New Mexico's laws or citizens' rights.
HJRES 79 is a joint resolution introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on July 6, 2023, by Representatives Gaetz and Gosar. It seeks to formally terminate the national emergency declared by President George W. Bush on May 11, 2004, under Executive Order 13338. The resolution invokes Section 202 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622) to end this specific emergency status. This is a procedural action that would remove the legal authority associated with that 2004 declaration, without creating new policies or affecting specific groups.
H.J. Res. 74 would terminate a national emergency declared by the President on May 16, 2012, under Executive Order 13611. The resolution invokes the National Emergencies Act to end the emergency status, removing the special legal authorities activated during that period. This procedural bill does not create new policies or directly affect specific groups but would formally end the emergency designation that has been in place since 2012.
H.J. Res. 71 would terminate a national emergency declared by the President on May 22, 2003. The resolution ends this emergency under Section 202 of the National Emergencies Act, removing the legal basis for special authorities granted during the emergency. This change would directly affect the executive branch by ending the use of emergency powers activated under that declaration. The bill does not alter substantive policy but formally concludes a decades-old emergency status.
HJRES 70 is a joint resolution introduced by Rep. Gosar to terminate a national emergency declared by President Obama on February 25, 2011, under Executive Order 13566. The resolution invokes Section 202 of the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1622), which requires congressional action to end such emergencies. This procedural bill directly affects the legal status of the 2011 emergency declaration, ending its automatic application of emergency powers without altering other laws or policies. It does not create new requirements or impact specific groups, as it solely addresses the termination of a historical emergency finding.
This joint resolution (HJRES 68) terminates a national emergency declared by President George W. Bush on October 27, 2006, under Executive Order 13413. It ends the legal authority granted by that emergency declaration, which had allowed the federal government to maintain certain emergency powers (such as sanctions or military actions) under the National Emergencies Act. The resolution directly affects federal agencies and officials who previously operated under the emergency framework. It does not create new policy but formally ends a decades-old executive declaration. The bill was introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on June 12, 2023.
HJRES 44 is a congressional resolution seeking to block a 2021 rule by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF). The rule classified firearms with stabilizing braces as "short-barreled rifles," which would have required additional licensing and regulation. This resolution uses a specific legal process (under Title 5, U.S. Code) to formally disapprove the ATF rule, meaning the rule would no longer be in effect. It directly affects firearm owners, manufacturers, and dealers who would have been subject to the rule’s requirements.
HCONRES 30 is a congressional resolution directing the President to withdraw all U.S. military personnel from Somalia within one year, except for forces protecting the U.S. Embassy. It applies directly to U.S. Armed Forces stationed in Somalia under current operations. The bill requires the President to complete the withdrawal by the date 365 days after the resolution passes, as mandated by the War Powers Resolution. This is a procedural directive focused on ending military presence, not creating new laws or funding.
