Sen. Richard Blumenthal

Asset Seizure for Ukraine Reconstruction Act This bill authorizes the President to confiscate the property of certain foreign persons (i.e., individuals or entities) that derive wealth through political support for or corruption linked to Russian President Vladimir Putin. The President may also liquidate the confiscated property and use the resulting funds to provide assistance to Ukraine. Specifically, upon a declaration of a national emergency relating to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the President may confiscate the property of such a person if (1) the property is valued at more than $2 million; and (2) the person is subject to U.S. sanctions relating to corruption, human rights violations, Russia's malign influence, or conflicts in Ukraine.

Disaster and Emergency Pricing Abuse Prevention Act This bill makes it unlawful to sell, or offer for sale, an essential good or service at an unconscionably excessive price during, or in anticipation of, a natural disaster, pandemic, or state of emergency.

Open Courts Act of 2021 This bill requires the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts to establish a single electronic system for all public federal court records that is publicly accessible, free of charge, and does not require registration.

Suicide Training and Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention Act of 20 21 or the STANDUP Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), when awarding certain grants for priority mental-health needs, to give preference to state, tribal, and local educational agencies that plan to implement evidence-based suicide awareness and prevention training policies. HHS may also consider suicide rates in the applicable jurisdiction and other factors when awarding the grants. In addition, HHS must coordinate with the Department of Education and the Department of the Interior to provide educational agencies with best practices for these training policies.

"Six Triple Eight" Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021 This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to the women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion (commonly known as the Six Triple Eight) in recognition of their pioneering military service, devotion to duty, and contributions to increase the morale of personnel stationed in the European theater of operations during World War II.

This bill provides FY2022 appropriations to the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Community Development Fund, which primarily funds the Community Development Block Grant program. The bill provides the funding for activities related to disaster relief and recovery.

Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse and Physician Assistant Retention and Income Security Enhancement Act or the VA Nurse and Physician Assistant RAISE Act This bill increases the maximum rate of basic pay for advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, and registered nurses of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Big Oil Windfall Profits Tax Act This bill imposes an excise tax on the windfall profits of crude oil on taxpayers who extracted and imported more than 300,000 barrels (a barrel equals 42 U.S. gallons) of taxable crude oil (i.e., crude oil, crude oil condensates, and natural gasoline) in 2019, or who extracted and imported that amount in the current calendar quarter. The bill requires rebates of the tax collected to be paid to individual taxpayers. The bill establishes the Protect Consumers from Gas Hikes Fund to finance such rebates.

Stopping the Fraudulent Sales of Firearms Act This bill makes it unlawful to import, manufacture, or sell a firearm or ammunition by fraudulent means (e.g., false representations). Further, it makes it unlawful to transmit a wire, radio, or television communication in interstate or foreign commerce related to such a fraudulent importation, manufacture, or sale. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both.

Maddy summaryThis bill would change SNAP (supplemental nutrition assistance program) eligibility rules by excluding basic allowance for housing payments from income calculations. It specifically targets housing allowances paid to active-duty members of the uniformed services under federal law (Section 403 of Title 37). The amendment adds a new exclusion to the Food and Nutrition Act, meaning these housing payments no longer count toward income limits for SNAP benefits. This directly affects military service members receiving this housing allowance when applying for or maintaining SNAP eligibility.