Sen. Chris Van Hollen

End Tuberculosis Now Act of 2022 This bill authorizes actions, including the provision of international assistance, to combat tuberculosis. The President may provide international assistance for the prevention, treatment, control, and elimination of tuberculosis. The President must also establish goals for U.S. efforts to detect, cure, and prevent all forms of tuberculosis globally by updating the National Action Plan for Combating Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis. The Government Accountability Office must periodically report to Congress on the impact of efforts to combat tuberculosis that are supported by U.S. bilateral assistance.

Registration for Index-Linked Annuities Act This bill requires the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to create a new form for the registration of index-linked annuities to ensure that a purchaser can make a knowledgeable decision. The bill defines a registered index-linked annuity as an annuity that is deemed a security, that is registered with the SEC, and that is issued by an insurance company subject to state supervision. Furthermore, the returns of these annuities (1) are based on the performance of a specified benchmark index or rate, and (2) may be subject to a market value adjustment if amounts are withdrawn early.

Close the Shadow Banking Loophole Act This bill (1) provides for the federal regulation and supervision of industrial banks, also known as industrial loan companies (ILCs), and their parent companies; and (2) sets forth a deadline for the consideration of pending ILC Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) deposit insurance applications. ILCs are state chartered institutions owned by nonfinancial businesses (parent companies) that provide several services similar to banks, such as originating loans and processing payments. The parent companies are not subject to supervision by the Federal Reserve Board. Under current law, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) may grant deposit insurance to these institutions.

Maddy summarySRES 858 is a symbolic Senate resolution expressing support for National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month. It does not create new laws or allocate funds but publicly endorses efforts to promote adoption awareness, celebrate adoptive families, and encourage Americans to consider adoption. The resolution specifically recognizes that every child deserves a permanent family and urges people to support adoption opportunities during November and year-round. It highlights existing statistics about children in foster care (e.g., 114,000 waiting for adoption) but focuses solely on raising awareness, not changing policies. This resolution was introduced by 35 Senators and adopted without legislative effect.

This joint resolution approves of a location of a commemorative work to honor the commitment of the United States to a free press by honoring journalists who sacrificed their lives in service to that cause. Specifically, the approved location is within Area I, as depicted on the map titled Commemorative Areas Washington, DC and Environs , and dated June 24, 2003.

Protecting Communities from Plastics Act This bill sets forth a variety of requirements and incentives to reduce the production and use of plastics and other petrochemicals, including by directing the Environmental Protection Agency to place a temporary pause on certain new permits for petrochemical facilities under the Clean Air Act and the Clean Water Act.

National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center Authorization Act of 2022 or the NBACC Authorization Act of 2022 This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security to designate a specified laboratory as the National Biodefense Analysis and Countermeasures Center (NBACC). It shall be the lead federal facility dedicated to defending the United States against biological threats. The NBACC may include the National Bioforensic Analysis Center and the National Biological Threat Characterization Center. The NBACC shall engage in specified activities, including conducting studies and experiments to better understand current and future biological threats and hazards and pandemics; providing the scientific data required to assess vulnerabilities, conduct risk assessments, and determine potential impacts to guide the development of countermeasures; conducting and facilitating the technical forensic analysis and interpretation of materials recovered following a biological attack, or in other law enforcement investigations requiring evaluation of biological materials, in support of the appropriate lead federal agency; and coordinating with other national laboratories to enhance research capabilities, share lessons learned, and provide training more efficiently. The NBACC must engage in a continuously operating Work for Others program to make the unique biocontainment and bioforensic capabilities of the NBACC available to other federal agencies; and perform regularly scheduled and required maintenance of laboratory infrastructure, and procure mission-critical equipment and capability upgrades. The Office of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology shall conduct a mission needs assessment of the NBACC.

Fair Access to Financial Services Act of 2022 This bill prohibits financial institutions from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, or sex, including sexual orientation and gender identity. The bill also provides an aggrieved person with a private right of action for preventive relief.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 853) recognizes November 2022 as "National Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month." It does not create new laws or allocate funding but formally acknowledges the issue of homelessness affecting children and youth in the U.S. The resolution encourages businesses, state/local governments, organizations, educators, and volunteers to intensify efforts during November 2022 to raise awareness about child and youth homelessness and support prevention programs. It highlights statistics on homelessness impacts but focuses solely on symbolic recognition and awareness-raising, not policy changes.

Strengthening the African Continental Free Trade Area Act of 2022 or the Strengthening the AfCFTA Act of 2022 This bill requires the President to direct the U.S. Trade Representative to develop a 10-year federal strategy to promote the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). Additionally, the U.S. Agency for International Development must establish an AfCFTA Trade Capacity Building Program to support the implementation of the strategy.