This bill directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to study the effects of two specific European Union sustainability directives on U.S. businesses, consumers, and the U.S. economy. The study will examine how these EU rules - requiring corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence - impact U.S. companies, align with global human rights/environmental standards, and justify the EU’s legal authority over foreign entities. The SEC must submit a report within one year, including findings and recommendations for policymakers. The bill does not change laws but mandates this analysis to inform U.S. policy responses.
Rural Weather Monitoring Systems Act This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report on rural weather monitoring systems, including with respect to availability, capacity, and necessary updates.
This bill requires the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to review real estate transactions involving foreign adversaries (including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea) near sensitive sites like military installations, ports, or critical infrastructure. It defines "elevated risk real estate transactions" as purchases or leases by foreign adversaries near such sites, creating a presumption that these deals pose unresolvable national security risks unless CFIUS explicitly approves them with evidence. The bill also adds food security considerations to CFIUS reviews and mandates declarations for these high-risk transactions. These changes aim to prevent foreign adversaries from gaining access to strategic U.S. land or infrastructure through real estate deals.
SRES 298 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating July 30, 2023, as "National Whistleblower Appreciation Day." It commemorates the historical date of July 30, 1778, when the Continental Congress passed early whistleblower protections. The resolution asks all federal agencies to recognize the day by informing employees, contractors, and the public about their legal right to report misconduct, fraud, or crimes through proper channels. It does not create new legal protections or funding but encourages agencies to acknowledge whistleblowers' role in saving taxpayer dollars and promoting ethical government. This is a procedural resolution focused on awareness, not policy change.
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that research and promotion boards support efforts to develop new markets and strengthen existing markets via research, education, and promotion.
This bill establishes a pathway to conditional permanent resident status for Afghan nationals who supported U.S. missions in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021, including those who served in Afghan security forces or provided direct support to U.S. operations. It creates an Interagency Task Force to develop a resettlement strategy for Afghan allies, including processing applications for those still in Afghanistan. The bill also creates special visa categories for certain relatives of military members and streamlines the process for Afghans already in the U.S. who were paroled or admitted after July 2021. It includes provisions to ensure Afghans can access benefits equivalent to refugees and establishes requirements for security assessments and periodic meetings. The bill authorizes $20 million annually for implementation and requires regular reporting to Congress on the resettlement strategy.
This bill authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative coins for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games. It specifies four coin types ($5 gold, $1 silver, half-dollar clad, and proof silver $1) with set mintage limits, design requirements (including "2028" and "Liberty" inscriptions), and a 1-year issuance window starting January 1, 2028. All coins include surcharges ($5-$50 per coin) that fund the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee for the Games and legacy programs like youth sports promotion. The coins are legal tender but sold at face value plus surcharge and production costs, with no net cost to the federal government.
This bill requires the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) to immediately revert to the previous mortgage pricing structure (effective April 30, 2023) by eliminating the "recalibrated" fee system for single-family mortgages. It directly affects lenders and borrowers by banning fees based on debt-to-income ratios and mandating that future fee adjustments must align with risk-based pricing principles. The bill also mandates a 14-month GAO study to analyze the previous pricing changes' methodology, economic impacts on borrowers and lenders, and effects on affordable housing. This reverses recent FHFA policy changes without altering the underlying regulatory framework for mortgage enterprises.
The Driving for Opportunity Act of 2023 (S 2313) provides federal grants to states that repeal laws allowing driver’s license suspensions for unpaid civil or criminal fines and fees (e.g., traffic tickets, child support). It directly affects millions of people - particularly in rural areas without public transit - who face license suspensions for non-driving-related debt, trapping them in poverty by blocking access to jobs and essential services. The bill’s key mechanism is funding states to reinstate licenses and vehicle registrations suspended for these reasons, with requirements to maximize eligibility, assist those in transportation-limited areas, and report on program outcomes. States must first repeal such suspension laws to qualify for grants, which cover costs of reinstatement and must be reported on annually. The law aims to reduce a widespread "poverty trap" while redirecting law enforcement resources from non-safety-related suspensions.
SRES 293 is a commemorative Senate resolution designating June 12, 2023, as "Women Veterans Appreciation Day." It recognizes the service and sacrifices of women veterans who have served in the U.S. military throughout history, including over 2 million women veterans as of 2023. The resolution highlights women's growing presence in the military (17% of active duty personnel in 2021) and their contributions to conflicts and emergencies like the pandemic and Ukraine response. This symbolic gesture does not create new policies or funding but aims to honor women veterans' unique service through a designated day of recognition.
The Ensuring Sound Guidance Act requires investment advisors and retirement plan fiduciaries to prioritize financial factors (like risk and return) in investment decisions, unless clients or participants provide written consent to consider non-financial goals such as environmental or social objectives. If non-financial factors are used, advisors must disclose expected and actual financial impacts over a three-year period. The bill also mandates three studies: one on state/local pension plans potentially subordinating financial interests to non-financial goals, one on climate change disclosures in municipal bonds, and one on rules preventing payments to officials for municipal securities business. These studies aim to assess financial risks and regulatory effectiveness without advocating for specific outcomes.
The SAVES Act creates a new Department of Veterans Affairs program to provide grants to nonprofit organizations that train and provide service dogs to eligible veterans. These grants, capped at $2 million per organization, require nonprofits to be accredited by groups like Assistance Dogs International, offer specific training and aftercare for veterans and dogs, and ensure equal access for women veterans. Eligible veterans must be enrolled in VA healthcare and have disabilities including blindness, mobility issues, PTSD, or military sexual trauma. The program requires annual evaluations of grant effectiveness and is funded with $10 million yearly from 2024 through 2028. It specifically defines "service dogs" as those trained for disability-related tasks, excluding emotional support animals.
