National Discovery Trails Act This bill amends the National Trails System Act to include national discovery trails as part of the national trails system. Such trails (1) shall be extended, continuous, interstate trails located to provide for outstanding outdoor recreation and travel and to connect representative examples of America's trails and communities; (2) shall provide for the conservation and enjoyment of significant natural, cultural, and historic resources and be so located as to represent metropolitan, urban, rural, and back country regions of the Nation; and (3) may be designated on federal lands and, with the owner's consent, on nonfederal lands. The 6,000-mile American Discovery Trail extending from Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware, to Point Reyes National Seashore in California, splitting into northern and southern routes near Cincinnati, Ohio, and rejoining at Denver, Colorado, is designated as a national discovery trail. The bill sets forth requirements for designation of a trail as a national discovery trail. The appropriate federal department for each national discovery trail shall (1) administer the trail in cooperation with at least one competent trailwide volunteer-based organization; and (2) submit a comprehensive plan for the trail's protection, management, development, and use.
This bill authorizes the Embassy of France in the District of Columbia to establish a commemorative work on federal land in the District to honor the contributions of Jean Monnet in restoring peace between European nations and establishing the European Union. The embassy shall be responsible for the acceptance of contributions for, and the payment of the expenses of, the establishment of the commemorative work. Federal funds may not be used to pay any expense for the establishment of the commemorative work. The commemorative work shall be established in accordance with the Commemorative Works Act.
Fresh Start Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the Department of Justice to award grants for states to implement automatic expungement laws (i.e., laws that provide for the automatic expungement or sealing of an individual's criminal records).
Clean Slate Act of 2021 This bill establishes a framework for sealing records related to certain federal criminal offenses. Courts must automatically seal records related to (1) a conviction for simple possession of a controlled substance or for any nonviolent offense involving marijuana, or (2) an arrest for an offense that does not result in a conviction. Additionally, an individual who meets certain criteria may petition to seal records related to a conviction for other nonviolent offenses.
Social Security Fairness Act of 2021 This bill repeals provisions that reduce Social Security benefits for individuals who receive other benefits, such as a pension from a state or local government. The bill eliminates the government pension offset , which in various instances reduces Social Security benefits for spouses, widows, and widowers who also receive government pensions of their own. The bill also eliminates the windfall elimination provision , which in some instances reduces Social Security benefits for individuals who also receive a pension or disability benefit from an employer that did not withhold Social Security taxes. These changes are effective for benefits payable after December 2021.
This resolution recognizes (1) the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15-October 15, 2022; and (2) the integral role of Latinos and their manifold heritage in the economy, culture, and identity of the United States.
This Senate resolution designates September 2022 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month to highlight prostate cancer's impact, which affects millions of men in the U.S. as the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer and second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men. It calls on the public, health organizations, and communities to promote awareness, support research for better screening and treatment, and improve access to care. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws, change funding, or mandate actions, but aims to encourage education and community engagement around prostate cancer prevention and early detection.
SRES 780 is a Senate resolution designating September 2022 as "National Workforce Development Month." It does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges the importance of workforce development programs. The resolution supports existing federal initiatives like the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which helps workers gain skills through training, career pathways, and job placement services. It recognizes that these programs assist millions of people, including those with low incomes, veterans, and individuals with disabilities, by connecting them to employment opportunities.
S. Res. 775, introduced by Senators Durbin, Coons, and Blumenthal on September 20, 2022, is a Senate resolution condemning violence and threats against Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) employees. It specifically addresses threats following an August 8, 2022, FBI search of a former president’s residence, including calls to defund the FBI and comparisons of the FBI to the Nazi Gestapo. The resolution urges all public officials to reject political violence and honors FBI employees for their service in executing lawful warrants. It emphasizes that the U.S. resolves disputes through political processes, not violence.
SRES 779 is a Senate resolution designating September 17-24, 2022, as "National Estuaries Week." It aims to raise public awareness about the ecological and economic importance of estuaries, which support jobs, fisheries, and coastal protection. The resolution highlights estuaries' role in sustaining 3.5 million jobs and $351 billion in economic output while recognizing threats like pollution and habitat loss. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but encourages public recognition of estuary conservation.
Same Day Registration Act This bill requires states with a voter registration requirement to make same-day voter registration available at the polling place on any day voting is permitted.
Access to Reproductive Care for Servicemembers Act This bill establishes leave policies for the military departments regarding abortion care for members of the Armed Forces, including policy elements related to privacy. Additionally, the bill requires the military departments to reimburse members for travel costs incurred if a member must travel to a different jurisdiction for an abortion. Under the bill, no member may be subject to any adverse action for requesting or taking leave in relation to abortion care.
