Sen. Christopher A. Coons

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates October 8, 2022, as "National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day" through a symbolic Senate gesture. It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes the importance of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The resolution highlights their role in clean energy, transportation, space exploration, and grid reliability, citing their use in vehicles, power generation, and environmental applications. It affects no specific group or entity, serving solely as a ceremonial acknowledgment by the Senate.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 794) officially designates the week of September 26-30, 2022, as "National Clean Energy Week." It does not create new laws or affect specific people or groups; instead, it symbolically recognizes the importance of clean energy. The resolution encourages Americans, businesses, and governments to support clean energy solutions and invest in affordable, low-emission technologies. It highlights clean energy’s role in job creation and economic growth but contains no binding requirements or policy changes.

Non-Recognition of Russian Annexation of Ukrainian Territory Act This bill prohibits any federal agency from taking any action or extending any assistance that recognizes or implies recognition of Russia's sovereignty over any internationally recognized territory of Ukraine, including its airspace and territorial waters.

Democracy Is Strengthened by Casting Light On Spending in Elections Act of 2022 or the DISCLOSE Act of 2022 This bill addresses campaign finance, including by expanding the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals, requiring additional disclosures of campaign expenditures, and requiring additional disclosures regarding certain political advertisements. Specifically, the bill expands existing foreign money prohibitions to include disbursements for paid web-based or digital communications and federal judicial nomination communications. It also prohibits foreign nationals from contributing to campaigns related to ballot initiatives and referenda. The Government Accountability Office must, for each four-year election cycle, study and report on the incidence of illicit foreign money in federal elections. Next, the bill makes it unlawful to establish or use a corporation, company, or other entity with the intent to conceal an election contribution or donation by a foreign national. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both. Covered organizations (e.g., corporations, labor organizations, and political organizations) must, within 24 hours, file reports with the Federal Election Commission to disclose campaign expenditures of more than $10,000 during an election cycle. The bill also requires organizations to provide additional disclosures regarding political advertisements, including the donors who contributed the most money to that organization in the last year.

National Discovery Trails Act This bill amends the National Trails System Act to include national discovery trails as part of the national trails system. Such trails (1) shall be extended, continuous, interstate trails located to provide for outstanding outdoor recreation and travel and to connect representative examples of America's trails and communities; (2) shall provide for the conservation and enjoyment of significant natural, cultural, and historic resources and be so located as to represent metropolitan, urban, rural, and back country regions of the Nation; and (3) may be designated on federal lands and, with the owner's consent, on nonfederal lands. The 6,000-mile American Discovery Trail extending from Cape Henlopen State Park in Delaware, to Point Reyes National Seashore in California, splitting into northern and southern routes near Cincinnati, Ohio, and rejoining at Denver, Colorado, is designated as a national discovery trail. The bill sets forth requirements for designation of a trail as a national discovery trail. The appropriate federal department for each national discovery trail shall (1) administer the trail in cooperation with at least one competent trailwide volunteer-based organization; and (2) submit a comprehensive plan for the trail's protection, management, development, and use.

This bill authorizes the Embassy of France in the District of Columbia to establish a commemorative work on federal land in the District to honor the contributions of Jean Monnet in restoring peace between European nations and establishing the European Union. The embassy shall be responsible for the acceptance of contributions for, and the payment of the expenses of, the establishment of the commemorative work. Federal funds may not be used to pay any expense for the establishment of the commemorative work. The commemorative work shall be established in accordance with the Commemorative Works Act.

This resolution recognizes (1) the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15-October 15, 2022; and (2) the integral role of Latinos and their manifold heritage in the economy, culture, and identity of the United States.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates September 2022 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month to highlight prostate cancer's impact, which affects millions of men in the U.S. as the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer and second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men. It calls on the public, health organizations, and communities to promote awareness, support research for better screening and treatment, and improve access to care. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws, change funding, or mandate actions, but aims to encourage education and community engagement around prostate cancer prevention and early detection.

Maddy summarySRES 780 is a Senate resolution designating September 2022 as "National Workforce Development Month." It does not create new laws or funding but formally acknowledges the importance of workforce development programs. The resolution supports existing federal initiatives like the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which helps workers gain skills through training, career pathways, and job placement services. It recognizes that these programs assist millions of people, including those with low incomes, veterans, and individuals with disabilities, by connecting them to employment opportunities.

Maddy summaryS. Res. 775, introduced by Senators Durbin, Coons, and Blumenthal on September 20, 2022, is a Senate resolution condemning violence and threats against Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) employees. It specifically addresses threats following an August 8, 2022, FBI search of a former president’s residence, including calls to defund the FBI and comparisons of the FBI to the Nazi Gestapo. The resolution urges all public officials to reject political violence and honors FBI employees for their service in executing lawful warrants. It emphasizes that the U.S. resolves disputes through political processes, not violence.