Idaho Congressional Bills

passed · Idaho · Senate Nov 6, 2023

SCONRES 7: A concurrent resolution condemning Russia's unjust and arbitrary detention of Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza who has stood up in defense of democracy, the rule of law, and free and fair elections in Russia.

SCONRES 7 is a Senate concurrent resolution condemning Russia’s detention of Vladimir Kara-Murza, a Russian opposition leader jailed for criticizing Vladimir Putin’s regime, the invasion of Ukraine, and advocating for democracy. It calls for his immediate release, urges Russia to free all political prisoners, and expresses solidarity with advocates for democratic values in Russia. The resolution specifically references Kara-Murza’s history of poisoning attempts, his arrest for "spreading false information" after speaking out, and his recent high treason charges. It does not create new laws or impose sanctions but formally expresses congressional opposition to his unjust detention.

passed · Idaho · Senate Nov 6, 2023

S 499: Debbie Smith Act of 2023

This bill reauthorizes funding for the DNA Analysis Backlog Elimination Act program, extending the funding period from fiscal years 2019-2024 to 2024-2029. It directly affects law enforcement agencies and crime laboratories that process forensic DNA evidence to reduce backlogs. The key provision updates the timeframe for federal grants that help these agencies conduct DNA testing on unsolved cases. This ensures continued support for analyzing biological evidence in criminal investigations without creating new requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Idaho · Senate Nov 2, 2023

SJRES 48: Compact of Free Association Amendments Act of 2023

This joint resolution approves the 2023 agreements that amend the U.S. compacts with the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Palau, which govern their political and economic relationship. It authorizes continued U.S. assistance including funding for health care services, education programs, and economic development initiatives in these nations. The bill establishes new oversight mechanisms requiring regular reporting to Congress on the implementation of these agreements. It also updates procedures for managing funds and ensures that U.S. assistance remains separate from the nations' foreign debt obligations.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Healthcare

passed · Idaho · House Nov 2, 2023

HRES 798: Condemning the support of Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at institutions of higher education, which may lead to the creation of a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff.

HRES 798 is a House resolution condemning support for Hamas, Hezbollah, and other terrorist organizations at colleges and universities. It states such support may create a hostile environment for Jewish students, faculty, and staff, citing incidents like blaming Israel for the October 7 Hamas attack. The resolution urges the Secretary of Education to direct the Office for Civil Rights to investigate and take action where appropriate. This non-binding resolution expresses the House's position but does not create new law or policy changes.

Burgess Owens (R) · 100 co-sponsors

in committee · Idaho · Senate Nov 2, 2023

S 3225: CEASE Act

The CEASE Act imposes U.S. sanctions on foreign entities or individuals that provide significant material support to military or intelligence facilities operated by China in Cuba. Sanctions include blocking assets and denying U.S. entry, with exceptions for goods imports and UN-related activities. It requires the Secretary of State to submit annual reports detailing China’s military and intelligence cooperation with Cuba, including facility usage and progress toward ending China’s access. Sanctions would terminate 30 days after the President certifies that China has closed all such facilities in Cuba. The law targets foreign actors enabling China’s intelligence operations in Cuba, without directly affecting Cuban civilians.

in committee · Idaho · House Nov 2, 2023

HR 6201: Iranian Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2023

HR 6201, the Iranian Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2023, creates the Iran Sanctions Enforcement Fund to cover costs related to seizing and forfeiting property from Iran or its designated proxies (like Hezbollah or the Revolutionary Guard Corps) that violate U.S. sanctions. The fund, initially $150 million, pays for investigative costs, property management, informant rewards, and equipment for federal, state, and local agencies involved in enforcement. It also establishes an Export Enforcement Coordination Center within Homeland Security to improve interagency cooperation on enforcing export controls targeting Iran. The bill requires annual reports on fund usage and mandates repayment of the initial $150 million by 2034, unless waived for national security reasons.

August Pfluger (R) · 112 co-sponsors

in committee · Idaho · Senate Nov 1, 2023

S 3197: Iranian Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2023

The Iranian Sanctions Enforcement Act of 2023 establishes the Iran Sanctions Enforcement Fund, initially funded with $150 million, to cover expenses related to seizures and forfeitures of property connected to sanctions violations by Iran or its designated proxies like Hezbollah and the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. The fund will pay for law enforcement costs including investigations, detention, equipment, and rewards for informants, with priority given to seizing oil and petroleum products that fund terrorist activities. The bill also creates an Export Enforcement Coordination Center within Homeland Security to better coordinate federal agencies' efforts on sanctions enforcement. Annual reports to Congress will detail fund usage, seizures, and financial status, with the fund required to repay the Treasury $150 million by 2034 unless waived for national security reasons.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

Joni Ernst (R) · 28 co-sponsors

in committee · Idaho · Senate Nov 1, 2023

S 3192: Standing Against Houthi Aggression Act

This bill requires the U.S. Secretary of State to designate Ansarallah (the Houthi group in Yemen) as a Foreign Terrorist Organization within 90 days of enactment, reversing a 2021 Biden administration decision that removed the designation. It mandates the President to impose existing sanctions under two executive orders: blocking assets of designated terrorists (E.O. 13224) and restricting travel for Yemeni nationals linked to terrorism (E.O. 13780). The sanctions directly target Ansarallah, its members, agents, affiliates, and any foreign entities owned or controlled by the group. This would restrict U.S. financial transactions with the Houthis and their networks, while also affecting Yemeni nationals subject to travel bans under the applicable sanctions.

Steve Daines (R) · 29 co-sponsors

in committee · Idaho · Senate Oct 31, 2023

S 3170: REPAIR Act of 2023

The REPAIR Act of 2023 streamlines federal project authorization reviews by establishing a 30-day deadline for judicial challenges, limiting review to cases with "direct and tangible harm" (physical injury or uncompensated economic loss), and requiring a mediation process overseen by the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council to resolve court decisions that vacate or remand authorizations. It mandates agencies to reauthorize projects within 15 days after mediation concludes, creates a public database tracking cases exceeding 90 days of judicial review, and amends the National Environmental Policy Act to limit standing for environmental review challenges. This legislation primarily affects project sponsors seeking federal project approvals, agencies issuing authorizations, and those challenging authorizations in court. The bill aims to reduce delays in project development by streamlining the legal review process for federal authorizations. It does not create new rights of action but establishes clearer timelines and procedures for existing judicial review processes.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Transportation

in committee · Idaho · Senate Oct 30, 2023

SJRES 47: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Justice relating to "Office of the Attorney General; Home Confinement Under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act".

SJRES 47 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a Department of Justice rule about home confinement for federal prisoners under the CARES Act. The rule, published in April 2023, would have established guidelines allowing the Justice Department to use home confinement as an alternative to prison for certain inmates during the pandemic. If passed, this resolution would cancel the rule, preventing it from taking effect. It follows the standard process under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code, for Congress to reject agency regulations.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice

Marsha Blackburn (R) · 28 co-sponsors

in committee · Idaho · Senate Oct 26, 2023

SCONRES 23: A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to the economy of the United States.

This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to families and businesses and would severely harm the economic and national security of the country.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

failed · Idaho · Senate Oct 26, 2023

SJRES 42: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Food and Nutrition Service relating to "Application of Bostock v. Clayton County to Program Discrimination Complaint Processing-Policy Update".

SJRES 42 is a resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) rule that updated how discrimination complaints are processed in federal food assistance programs (like SNAP). The rule applied the Supreme Court's Bostock v. Clayton County decision - which prohibits workplace discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity - to the handling of program discrimination complaints. If passed, this resolution would block the FNS rule from taking effect, preventing it from changing existing complaint procedures. The measure uses the Congressional Review Act process to overturn the rule without altering program benefits or eligibility.

Roger Marshall (R) · 19 co-sponsors

Idaho Congressional Bills

Bill results