Sen. Joni Ernst

Maddy summarySRES 870 is a symbolic Senate resolution honoring former Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter, who died on October 24, 2022. The resolution expresses the Senate's sympathy to his family, commends his public service career, and recognizes his work as Defense Secretary (2015-2017), including advancing gender equity in the military, supporting defense innovation, and leading efforts against the Islamic State. It does not create new laws or policies - it is purely a commemorative gesture. The Senate also adjourned in his memory as a mark of respect.

Tornado Observations Research and Notification Assessment for Development of Operations Act or the TORNADO Act This bill establishes programs and activities to improve the forecasting of hazardous weather and water events, including tornadoes. The bill directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to maintain and improve the system by which the risks of hazardous weather and water events are communicated to the general public, with the goal of informing action and encouraging response to prevent loss of life and property. NOAA shall also maintain a hazard risk communication office; establish or maintain a research program to modernize the creation and communication of risk-based, statistically reliable, probabilistic hazard information to inform effective responses to hazardous weather and water events; establish a pilot program for tornado hazard communication to test the effectiveness of the implementation of the research conducted pursuant to this bill; submit to Congress a strategic plan for developing and prioritizing the implementation of high-resolution probabilistic forecast guidance for hazardous weather and water events using a next-generation weather forecast and warning framework; perform one or more post-storm surveys and assessments following each hazardous weather or water event that is of sufficient societal importance; update, if necessary, the system for rating tornado severity; and maintain the Vortex USA tornado research program. The Government Accountability Office shall submit a report that examines the information technology infrastructure of the National Weather Service.

This resolution designates November 13, 2022, as National Warrior Call Day to encourage individuals to talk with members of the Armed Forces and veterans to connect them with support.

Combating Obstructive National Security Underreporting of Legitimate Threats (CONSULT) Act of 2022 This bill directs the Office of Federal Procurement Policy to develop governmentwide procurement policy and guidance to mitigate and eliminate organizational conflicts of interest relating to contracts involving national security or foreign policy. Specifically, contracts with China and Russia, and for consulting services relating to crimes against humanity, are highlighted as being of particular concern.

No Emergency Crude Oil for Foreign Adversaries Act This bill prohibits exports of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to China, Russia, North Korea, and Iran. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to require as a condition of any sale of crude oil from the SPR that the oil not be exported to such countries. However, DOE may issue a waiver of the prohibition if the sale of crude oil is in the national security interests of the United States. In addition, DOE must report on (1) the route to destination and place of refinement of all crude oil sold at auction from the SPR since November 23, 2021, and (2) the ownership of the refinement facilities at which such crude oil was refined.

Ending Unemployment Payments to Jobless Millionaires Act of 2022 This bill prohibits the use of federal funds for making unemployment compensation payments to an individual with an adjusted gross income equal to or greater than $1 million.

Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act This bill amends the Clean Air Act to address the limitations on Reid Vapor Pressure (a measure of gasoline's volatility) that are placed on gasoline during the summer ozone season, including by applying the Reid Vapor Pressure requirements that are applicable to gasoline blended with 10% ethanol (E10) to gasoline blended with more than 10% ethanol.

Maddy summarySRES 846 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating November 2022 as "National College Application Month." It encourages all Americans to evaluate college options, submit financial aid applications (like the FAFSA), and support students in navigating the college application process. The resolution urges communities, educators, and officials to host activities promoting college applications and financial aid awareness, with a specific focus on helping low-income and first-generation students. It does not create new programs or funding but aims to raise awareness about higher education opportunities.

Protect Camp Lejeune Victims Ensnared by Trial-lawyer's Scams Act or the Protect Camp Lejeune VETS Act This bill limits attorney's fees for claims involving individuals who were exposed to contaminated water at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, between August 1, 1953, and December 31, 1987.

Advancing Government Innovation with Leading-Edge Procurement Act of 2022 or the AGILE Procurement Act of 2022 This bill addresses federal procurement policy and barriers to entry in federal contracting. Specifically, the bill requires the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP) to pilot a program for entry of junior and mid-career professionals to the General Schedule Contracting series workforce, including by (1) considering the inclusion of program participants from other job series and fields, and (2) providing alternatives to education and training requirements for entry into the General Schedule Contracting series workforce. The Federal Acquisition Institute must (1) incorporate experiential learning into the training framework for the General Schedule Contracting series, and (2) provide a cross-functional information and communications technology acquisition training program to acquisition workforce members involved in acquiring information and communications technology. The OFPP shall issue guidance (1) to inform executive agencies on the availability of streamlined and alternative procurement methods for procurement of information and communications technology; and (2) on when a wider range of projects, as well as government projects, should be accepted as relevant past performance. The OFPP must (1) convene a working group or an appropriate existing body to make recommendations to reduce barriers to entry for entities seeking to do business with the federal government, and (2) expand a pilot program to use noncompetitive procedures for certain follow-on contracts to qualified businesses wholly owned through an Employee Stock Ownership Plan.