Rep. Joaquin Castro

This bill creates a safe harbor for certain perpetual trust funds. It excludes from the definition of investment property under arbitrage provisions any fund created and controlled by a state and established pursuant to its constitution or state law if on a specified date, substantially all of the assets of the fund consist of nonfinancial assets and the assets are used only to support specifically designated essential governmental functions.

This resolution condemns the Iranian regime's torture and murder of Mahsa Amini. The resolution condemns the Iranian regime's laws that discriminate against women. The resolution also condemns the Iranian regime's use of violence against those peacefully protesting the government and seeking freedom. Finally, the resolution recognizes the right to self-determination for the Iranian people struggling to establish a democratic, secular, and nonnuclear Iran.

Transparency for Transfer Students Act This bill revises the requirements placed on institutions of higher education (IHEs) regarding the disclosure of their policies on transferring academic credits. In particular, the bill specifies that an IHE must (1) include its credit transfer policies on its website and in at least one other relevant publication (e.g., a course catalogue); (2) include a link to the website of each IHE with which it has an articulation agreement; and (3) provide a list of transfer-related resources, including information regarding financial aid and relevant staff contact information.

Maddy summaryHR 4380 designates the Healing Garden at 6900 Delta Drive in El Paso, Texas, as the "El Paso Community Healing Garden National Memorial." This designation does not make the site part of the National Park System and explicitly states that no federal funds will be required or authorized for the memorial's upkeep or operations. The bill is purely procedural, focusing on naming the site.

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; and (2) the integral role of Latinos and their manifold heritage in the economy, culture, and identity of the United States.

Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes through FY2024 and modifies operations of the Peace Corps. Changes include increasing the readjustment allowance paid to volunteers when their service terminates and providing statutory authority for an executive order that grants returned volunteers noncompetitive eligibility for federal civil-service positions. Additionally, the bill entitles returned volunteers to sixty days of health care benefits. The Peace Corps must also provide volunteers with information about enrolling in U.S. health plans before service termination and mental health care during and after service. The bill also includes provisions to address involuntary termination of Peace Corps service in emergencies, including by expediting re-enrollment of involuntarily terminated volunteers. The Peace Corps must also adequately insure volunteers' safety and must coordinate with the Department of State to periodically update agreements concerning the security of Peace Corps volunteers and staff abroad. The bill also authorizes Peace Corps to recruit domestically based volunteers to serve in the United States at the request of another agency or to provide services in a host country virtually, modifies the Peace Corps National Advisory Council's membership and functions, expands whistleblower protections for volunteers, increases the rate of pay that applies to a volunteer's workers compensation claim, requires Peace Corps to implement a zero tolerance drug use policy regarding volunteer involvement with illegal drugs, and emphasizes the use of the internet in Peace Corps programs. Furthermore, the bill requires reporting, including on the provision of mental health services to volunteers.

Lowering Obstacles to Achievement Now Act or the LOAN Act This bill makes various changes to federal student aid programs, including by providing funding to increase the maximum Pell Grant award for each eligible student and reducing the number of monthly loan payments required for loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program.

Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative Act or the YSEALI Act This bill provides statutory authority for the Department of State's Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative. The initiative shall include an academic fellows program and a professional fellows program to bring eligible students and professionals to the United States for building practical expertise, leadership skills, and professional networks. The fellows programs shall be open to qualified individuals who are citizens and residents of a member country of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations or a country that the State Department determines to be appropriate for the programs. The State Department shall oversee all U.S.-based activities carried out under the initiative.

This resolution affirms the use of diplomacy with the African Union and its member countries and expresses support for implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.