This bill requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop a comprehensive plan for the purpose of restoring, preserving, and protecting Lake Okeechobee and the northern estuaries in Florida.
Public Health and Border Security Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to meet conditions related to notification and planning before terminating certain restrictions on imports and individuals entering the United States. Current law authorizes HHS to restrict entries and imports from foreign countries to prevent the introduction of communicable diseases. HHS exercised this authority as part of its COVID-19 response, including to allow for the expulsion of undocumented migrants at the border without any asylum processing. Under this bill, HHS may not terminate the restrictions for (1) at least 60 days after it notifies Congress of the end of the COVID-19 emergency, and (2) at least 30 days after it submits to Congress a plan for addressing the possible influx of migrants or imports resulting from lifting the restrictions.
America Reopens Act This bill restricts the implementation and enforcement of various COVID-19 response measures in transportation, education, and other areas. Specifically, the bill prohibits any federal agency or federally funded entity from requiring that U.S. citizens or permanent residents wear face coverings or show proof of COVID-19 vaccination or testing when using public conveyances (e.g., planes or trains) or transportation hubs when traveling domestically or returning from foreign countries. Further, Canadian and Mexican nationals may enter the United States for business through land ports of entry without regard to their COVID-19 vaccination status. The bill also restricts federal funding of public institutions of higher education unless the institution (1) makes in-person instruction available to all students; and (2) allows students to opt out of COVID-19 requirements concerning vaccination, testing, and face covering. This restriction does not apply to distance education programs offered for reasons unrelated to COVID-19 or certain health-related educational programs. Additionally, the Department of Education must provide grants to parents for certain educational expenses, such as tuition at a private school, if their child lacks access to in-person instruction at a public elementary or secondary school due to COVID-19. The bill also prohibits the use of federal funds to implement or enforce a system or plan for verifying an individual's COVID-19 vaccination status, such as vaccine passports.
Improving VA Workforce Diversity Through Minority-serving Institutions Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop plans for hiring and recruiting diverse candidates. Specifically, the VA must develop and carry out an employee recruitment strategy that includes partnering with minority-serving institutions. The VA must also develop and carry out a plan to ensure that (1) vacant positions may be filled from a candidate pool that includes diverse leaders and diverse candidates identified for promotion; and (2) such positions must be filled using promotion panels comprised of diverse evaluators, reviewers, or assessors. Additionally, the VA may establish a program, in coordination with minority-serving professional organizations, to foster and encourage individuals from underserved communities to serve in the Senior Executive Service of the VA.
National Opportunity to Restore Uranium Supply Services In America Act of 2022 or the NO RUSSIA Act of 2022 This bill provides statutory authority (and reallocates funding) for the Office of Nuclear Energy to establish a strategic reserve of uranium to ensure the availability of domestic supplies of uranium. The bill also requires the office to establish another program to support domestic production, conversion, and enrichment of uranium for nuclear reactors and eliminate reliance on Russian uranium. The office may not source uranium for the reserve or the program from companies that are controlled by, owned by, or otherwise affiliated with China or Russia.
This resolution calls on the Biden administration and its officials to maintain the sanctions on the repressive regimes in Venezuela and Iran. The resolution also expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that American energy independence should be achieved again for the sake of U.S. national security and the security of U.S. allies; and President Biden should immediately rescind his Executive Orders that prohibit the approval of new leases on federal lands and waters, and should immediately take actions to reestablish American energy independence.
Stop Fentanyl Border Crossings Act This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to restrict migration and imports from foreign countries to prevent the introduction of illicit drugs into the United States. Current law authorizes HHS to restrict migration and imports from foreign countries to prevent the introduction of communicable diseases. Under this bill, HHS may also restrict migration and imports from a country if HHS determines that the existence of substantial illicit drug smuggling from that country poses a risk to public health.
Fission for the Future Act of 2022 This bill supports the commercial deployment of advanced nuclear reactors. Specifically, the Department of Energy (DOE) must establish a program that provides financial assistance for the commercial planning, licensing, development, and construction of (1) advanced nuclear reactors, or (2) supply chain infrastructure associated with such reactors or related technologies. In addition, the bill reauthorizes through FY2027 and revises a DOE program designed to strengthen university research and training in nuclear science and engineering.
Flexibility for Workers Education Act This bill excludes from hours worked certain voluntary training that occurs outside an employee's regular working hours. Such training does not count as hours worked even if it is offered by the employer, provided that an employee's working conditions are not adversely affected by choosing not to participate and the employee does not perform any productive work for the employer during the training.
Small Business Regulatory Reduction Act This bill requires the Small Business Administration to ensure that for each fiscal year the cost to small businesses of the administration's rulemaking (including the modification or repeal of a rule) is not greater than zero. The administration also must report on any regulations issued by other federal agencies that have an impact on small businesses.
