This joint resolution (SJRES 31) seeks to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule implementing the "Federal Good Neighbor Plan" for ozone air quality standards established under the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards. If approved, it would nullify the EPA rule (published June 5, 2023) that would have required certain states to address ozone pollution crossing state borders. The resolution uses a specific congressional disapproval process under Title 5 of the U.S. Code to prevent the rule from taking effect. This would directly affect states and industries subject to the ozone pollution regulations outlined in the EPA's submitted rule.
S 1907, the Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2023, increases penalties for crimes committed against licensed firearm businesses. It amends federal law to impose a maximum 20-year prison term for knowingly violating firearm licensing rules or attempting to do so. If a burglary or robbery occurs on a licensed dealer’s, manufacturer’s, or importer’s business premises, the law mandates minimum sentences of 3 years for burglary and 5 years for robbery. This bill directly affects federal firearms licensees by strengthening criminal penalties for attacks on their business locations.
The ONSHORE Act of 2023 establishes a $100 million annual grant program to fund site development for manufacturing and advanced manufacturing projects in strategically important industries. It directly supports rural, Tribal, and economically disadvantaged communities by prioritizing projects that improve infrastructure (like roads, power, and broadband), streamline permitting, and create local jobs. Grants cover 100% of costs for site readiness, including utility connections, environmental reviews, and workforce training programs. The bill prohibits funding for foreign entities of concern and limits any single industry to 20% of annual funds, aiming to strengthen domestic supply chains and attract foreign investment.
This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from sending veterans' personal information to the national background check system solely because a fiduciary (a person managing a veteran's benefits) has been appointed. It directly affects veterans who have a fiduciary appointed under VA law, preventing the VA from automatically sharing this detail with the Justice Department for background checks. The key provision requires a court order finding the veteran a danger to themselves or others before such information can be transmitted. This change only impacts the sharing of fiduciary appointment details, not the background check process itself or other veteran information.
The Care for COFA Veterans Act expands health care access for veterans living in the Freely Associated States (Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Micronesia) by allowing the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide both service-connected and non-service-connected medical care in those regions. It authorizes VA to cover travel costs for veterans seeking treatment for service-connected conditions within these nations and requires the VA to collaborate with local governments to address legal barriers like health care provider licensing and medical supply delivery. The bill also mandates the VA to conduct outreach with these nations and submit a detailed report within one year on implementation, including options for using local clinics, telehealth, and facility construction.
This resolution designates May 2023 as ALS Awareness Month. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
Leveling the Playing Field 2.0 Act makes significant changes to U.S. antidumping and countervailing duty investigations. It establishes special rules for successive investigations (follow-up investigations on the same merchandise), addresses cross-border subsidies and foreign market distortions that affect pricing, and requires importers to provide certifications to prevent duty evasion. The bill also includes provisions for investigating currency undervaluation as a countervailable subsidy. These changes primarily affect U.S. manufacturers competing with foreign imports and importers of goods from countries with potentially distorted markets. The bill aims to improve the accuracy and effectiveness of trade remedy investigations to better protect U.S. industries.
The APEX Act (S 1850) gives the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) authority to oversee how reference prices for aluminum premiums are set and reported in markets. It requires the CFTC to ensure these pricing mechanisms are fair and transparent, but explicitly states the CFTC cannot set or control actual aluminum prices. The bill mandates the CFTC to consult with the Attorney General on antitrust concerns related to these reference prices and allows the Attorney General to review CFTC regulations to confirm they align with antitrust laws. This directly affects markets and companies involved in setting or reporting aluminum premium reference prices.
This bill requires public secondary schools to grant military recruiters access to career fairs upon request, with schools needing to respond within 60 days. It also mandates colleges to provide military recruiters with lists of students (17+) who didn't return after the previous semester, including their contact details and reasons for not returning. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Defense to study expanding the Army's Future Soldier Preparatory Course to other military branches and assess its effectiveness in meeting fitness and academic standards. The changes directly affect schools and colleges that must adjust their recruitment policies, while the study aims to inform future recruitment strategies.
This bill redefines "equity" within the Department of Defense as the opportunity for qualified individuals to participate in programs, prohibits mandatory adoption of beliefs about racial or ethnic superiority, and bans race-based distinctions in military personnel decisions. It directly affects active-duty service members, military dependents, and DoD civilian employees by requiring all promotions, assignments, and training to be based solely on individual merit and performance. Key provisions ban DoD directives compelling adherence to certain beliefs, prohibit training suggesting racial superiority, and mandate that demographic data collection for reporting remains the only exception to race-based distinctions. The bill focuses on ensuring military decisions prioritize merit over identity, aligning with the bill's stated findings about military readiness and equal opportunity.
This bill delays any changes to the North Atlantic Right Whale vessel strike reduction rule (currently in 50 CFR §224.105) until two conditions are met: (1) new safety measures from the 2022 Coast Guard Act are fully developed and deployed, and (2) the Secretary submits a report to specific congressional committees detailing how these measures will shape future rule changes. It directly affects the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which manages the rule, and vessel operators in whale habitat areas. The bill does not alter the existing rule but requires NOAA to wait for specific protocols and congressional review before modifying it. This is a procedural delay focused on ensuring safety protocols are in place before rule changes occur.
This bill creates two federal grant programs to fund drone technology for infrastructure inspection and workforce training. It provides grants to state, local, tribal, or territorial governments to purchase or operate drones for inspecting critical infrastructure like bridges, power grids, and water systems, prioritizing projects in historically disadvantaged communities or addressing safety risks. Grants cover 80% of project costs, with $50 million authorized for each of fiscal years 2024 and 2025. Additionally, it funds drone workforce training grants for educational institutions to support certified drone operators under existing FAA programs.
