The EACH Act of 2023 would require federal health programs - including Medicaid, Medicare, the Indian Health Service, and TRICARE - to cover abortion services without restrictions. It repeals a provision in the Affordable Care Act that allowed states to limit abortion coverage in health insurance plans sold through state marketplaces. The bill also prohibits the federal government from restricting abortion coverage in private health insurance plans. This would directly affect millions of people, particularly low-income individuals and people of color, who are disproportionately enrolled in Medicaid and currently face barriers to abortion care due to coverage restrictions.
HR 33 would expand Medicare to cover dental, vision, and hearing services for beneficiaries, which are currently not covered under Medicare. The bill provides 100% coverage for preventive dental services in 2024, with basic dental services gradually increasing to 80% coverage by 2027. Vision coverage would include routine eye exams and corrective lenses at 80% coverage, while hearing services would cover hearing exams and hearing aids at 80% coverage. The bill includes specific limitations, such as two dental cleanings per year and one pair of glasses every 24 months, with the Secretary of Health and Human Services having authority to apply additional limitations or modify coverage based on medical recommendations. The changes would take effect on January 1, 2024.
This bill reauthorizes U.S. anti-trafficking efforts through 2027, requiring U.S. representatives at international development banks to integrate counter-trafficking measures into projects in high-risk countries. It expands USAID's prevention efforts by mandating anti-trafficking components in development programs across health, education, economic development, and humanitarian assistance. The bill also clarifies which foreign assistance can be withheld from countries not meeting anti-trafficking standards, expands protections for domestic workers of diplomatic visa holders, and modifies the Program to End Modern Slavery. These changes affect U.S. agencies (State Department, USAID), foreign governments receiving aid, and vulnerable populations affected by trafficking.
This bill authorizes the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman elected to Congress (1968-1982) and the first African American to seek a major party's presidential nomination (1972). The bill directs the Secretary of the Treasury to design and strike a gold medal featuring Chisholm's image and name, which will be presented to her family by congressional leaders. After presentation, the medal will be displayed at the Smithsonian Institution for public viewing and research. The bill also authorizes the production and sale of bronze duplicates to cover costs. This is a commemorative measure honoring Chisholm's historic contributions to American politics and civil rights.
The STEP Act requires federal agencies to identify programs at risk of significant improper payments, particularly new programs exceeding $100 million in annual spending during their first four years. Agencies must annually estimate improper payments using approved methods, report these estimates with CFO certification, and include detailed fraud risk management plans in their financial statements. Key provisions mandate agencies to document fraud risk profiles, antifraud strategies, and progress on internal controls for high-risk areas like payroll and grants. This law directly affects all executive agencies managing federal payments by imposing new transparency and accountability standards for financial reporting.
The Forgotten Heroes of the Holocaust Congressional Gold Medal Act (S. 91) authorizes the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to 60 diplomats who risked their careers and safety to save Jewish lives during the Holocaust. These diplomats, representing countries including Sweden, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, and others, issued visas and provided safe passage to Jews fleeing Nazi persecution despite strict orders from their home governments. The medal will be presented collectively to the next of kin of each diplomat, along with representatives from their home countries, and then permanently displayed at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The act recognizes these individuals' bravery without implying they represent all who performed similar humanitarian acts during the Holocaust. The medal serves as a permanent tribute to their sacrifice and will be available for public display and research.
This concurrent resolution expresses congressional support for designating September 29, 2024, as "Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Day." It recognizes the VFW's 125th anniversary (founded September 29, 1899) and honors the nearly 1 million veterans who belong to the organization. The resolution encourages the public to observe the date with ceremonies and activities to honor veterans' service. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or affect any policies or individuals.
SRES 74 is a Senate resolution condemning Iran's state-sponsored persecution of the Baha'i minority, which directly affects Baha'is in Iran facing systemic discrimination. The resolution calls on Iran to immediately release imprisoned Baha'is, end hate propaganda against them, and reverse policies denying equal access to education, jobs, and religious practice. It also urges the U.S. President and Secretary of State to demand Iran's compliance with international human rights treaties and use existing sanctions authority against Iranian officials responsible for abuses. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws but formally expresses congressional condemnation of Iran's violations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.
S 5488 directs the Joint Committee of Congress on the Library to obtain a statue of Benjamin Franklin within two years of enactment and place it in a public-accessible location within the U.S. Capitol by December 31, 2026. The bill requires the statue to be displayed during guided Capitol tours provided by the Capitol Visitor Center. This is a purely procedural measure with no substantive policy changes, solely focused on commemorating Benjamin Franklin through a public statue placement.
The Housing Supply and Innovation Frameworks Act directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to create guidelines within three years to help states and local governments reform zoning rules that limit housing supply. These guidelines would promote specific changes like eliminating parking minimums, allowing more housing types (such as duplexes and accessory dwelling units), and streamlining approval processes for projects meeting affordability targets. States and localities adopting these guidelines would receive federal support, including $5 million annually for fiscal years 2025-2029, and HUD must report to Congress on which jurisdictions implement these reforms. The bill focuses on state/local zoning changes to address the national housing shortage, not on direct housing construction or tenant protections.
HR 7438 directs the U.S. Treasury to mint commemorative coins for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, including 100,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar coins. The coins will be sold to the public at face value plus surcharges ($35, $10, and $5 per coin, respectively), with all surcharge revenue paid to FWC2026 US, Inc. for U.S. soccer programs. These funds must support soccer initiatives, particularly in underserved communities and youth development, as specified in the bill. The coins are legal tender but will only be issued during 2026, with no net cost to the U.S. government.
SRES 923 is a Senate resolution commemorating Human Rights Day on December 10, 2024. It condemns the use of political imprisonment as a tool of repression and calls on governments worldwide to immediately release political prisoners. The resolution specifically urges the U.S. Department of State to advocate for these releases through diplomatic channels and coordinate with international partners on human rights issues. This procedural resolution does not create new laws but expresses U.S. Senate support for global civil society and human rights advocacy.
