SRES 501 designates the week of January 23-29, 2022, as "National School Choice Week" through a symbolic Senate resolution. The resolution encourages parents to learn about K-12 education options - including public schools, charters, private schools, and homeschooling - and urges the public to host events raising awareness of educational choice. It does not create new policies or affect any individuals or institutions, as it is a ceremonial designation focused solely on promoting public awareness. The resolution was adopted unanimously by the Senate on February 1, 2022.
This resolution honors and commends the women who served in the Navy Women Accepted for Voluntary Emergency Service (WAVES) during World War II. Additionally, the resolution recognizes that the WAVES opened opportunities for women and contributed vitally to the victory of the United States and Allies in World War II.
This resolution states that the Senate continues to refuse to recognize Alyaksandr Lukashenka as the legitimately elected leader of Belarus. It also condemns Lukashenka's ongoing crackdown on peaceful protesters and calls for new presidential and parliamentary elections.
This resolution condemns the repression of Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia and all brave Cuban activists, and demands their immediate and unconditional release from prison. The resolution also condemns the brutal torture and inhumane treatment of Jose Daniel Ferrer Garcia by the Cuban regime and calls for an immediate humanitarian medical visit by an independent human rights organization to him and to all political prisoners who have been unjustly and illegally detained by the Cuban regime since July 11, 2021. Further, the resolution calls for the international community to stand with the Cuban people and against Cuba's totalitarian Communist regime for infringing on the freedom of thought, will, expression, assembly, and prosperity of the Cuban people. Finally, the resolution commends the courage of the pro-democracy movement and all freedom activists in Cuba for risking everything to bring freedom to the Cuban people.
This resolution supports the annual recognition of Interscholastic Athletic Administrators' Day on December 14, 2021. In addition, the resolution commends (1) athletic administrators for their commitment to secondary school student athletes, and (2) the National Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association for providing continuous learning and preparation to athletic administrators.
SRES 485 is a Senate resolution honoring the late Senator Harry Mason Reid, Jr., of Nevada, who died in 2021. The resolution expresses the Senate's sorrow at his passing, extends condolences to his family, and directs the Secretary of the Senate to communicate the resolution to the House of Representatives and provide a copy to Reid's family. The Senate also adjourned in his memory as a mark of respect. This is a ceremonial tribute with no policy changes or legal effect.
SRES 484 is a ceremonial Senate resolution honoring the late Senator John "Johnny" Isakson of Georgia. It formally recognizes his 40+ years of public service, including his roles in the Georgia legislature, U.S. House, and U.S. Senate, and his reputation for bipartisan cooperation. The resolution requests the Senate Secretary communicate it to the House and send a copy to Isakson's family. As a commemorative resolution, it has no policy impact or direct effect on any individuals or programs.
This resolution condemns the December 6, 2019, terrorist attack at Naval Air Station Pensacola and commemorates the service members and civilians who lost their lives or were injured in the attack. Additionally, the resolution remembers Ensign Joshua Kaleb Watson, Petty Officer Third Class Mohammed Sameh Haitham, and Petty Officer Third Class Cameron Scott Walters, who were killed in the attack. Finally, the resolution commends (1) the decision to give medals and awards to the law enforcement officers, uniformed service members, and civilians who responded to the attack; and (2) the efforts undertaken by the Department of Defense to enhance security at military installations.
This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month. Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder than can lead to pain, anemia, infections, and stroke.
Protecting Our Democracy Act This bill addresses issues involving (1) abuses of presidential power; (2) checks and balances, accountability, and transparency; and (3) election integrity and security. Specifically, regarding abuses of presidential power, the bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the President to submit to Congress specified materials relating to certain pardons, prohibits presidential self-pardons, suspends the statute of limitations for federal offenses committed by a sitting President or Vice President, prohibits the acceptance of foreign or domestic emoluments, and sets forth provisions regarding Office of Government Ethics and Office of Special Counsel jurisdiction and enforcement authority. To address checks and balances, accountability, and transparency, the bill authorizes specified actions to enforce congressional subpoenas, imposes limits on presidential declarations of emergencies, requires DOJ to maintain a log of specified communications between it and the White House, requires cause for removal of inspectors general, increases whistleblower protections, and requires a candidate for President or Vice President to provide copies of tax returns for the 10 most recent taxable years to the Federal Election Commission. To address election integrity and security, the bill requires federal campaign reporting of foreign contacts, makes various changes to requirements concerning foreign donations to political campaigns and candidates and foreign contributions to online electioneering communications, prohibits distribution of materially deceptive audio or visual media prior to an election (i.e., deepfakes), and establishes a program to support states and localities transition to ranked choice voting systems.
This joint resolution nullifies a Department of Labor emergency temporary standard for preventing the transmission of COVID-19 in employment settings. Under the standard issued on November 5, 2021, employers with 100 or more employees must require their onsite employees to either be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or undergo weekly COVID-19 testing.
This resolution expresses support for the people of South Sudan in their efforts to establish an independent, stable, democratic, and prosperous country.
