Sen. Angus S. King, Jr.

Historic Lighthouse Resiliency Act This bill authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out projects to (1) improve the resilience of historic light stations against the adverse effects of climate change, (2) ensure continued public access to historical light stations, and (3) improve public safety on the grounds of historical light stations. The Corps must conduct a study of national historic light stations to determine the long-term protection needs of such stations and establish a national database of the stations based on the results of the study.

This bill prohibits certain former employees of any intelligence community element from providing services related to intelligence, military, or internal security to the government of China, Russia, or a country that is a state sponsor of terrorism. Generally, this restriction shall apply to any employee, including any contractor or detailee, who had a level of access to sensitive information such that the relevant intelligence community element determines that such restrictions are necessary.

Protecting the Right to Organize Act of 20 21 This bill expands various labor protections related to employees' rights to organize and collectively bargain in the workplace. Among other things, it revises the definitions of employee , supervisor , and employer to broaden the scope of individuals covered by the fair labor standards; permits labor organizations to encourage participation of union members in strikes initiated by employees represented by a different labor organization (i.e., secondary strikes); and prohibits employers from bringing claims against unions that conduct such secondary strikes. The bill also allows collective bargaining agreements to require all employees represented by the bargaining unit to contribute fees to the labor organization for the cost of such representation, notwithstanding a state law to the contrary; and expands unfair labor practices to include prohibitions against replacement of, or discrimination against, workers who participate in strikes. The bill makes it an unfair labor practice to require or coerce employees to attend employer meetings designed to discourage union membership and prohibits employers from entering into agreements with employees under which employees waive the right to pursue or a join collective or class-action litigation. Finally, the bill addresses the procedures for union representation elections, modifies the protections against unfair labor practices that result in serious economic harm, and establishes penalties and permits injunctive relief against entities that fail to comply with National Labor Relations Board orders.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 679) formally commemorates June 19, 2022, as "Juneteenth National Independence Day" to honor the historical event of June 19, 1865, when Union troops announced the end of slavery in Texas. It references the significance of this date in U.S. history, specifically the moment news of emancipation reached enslaved people in the Southwestern States. The resolution does not create new legal obligations or affect any specific group; it is a symbolic recognition of this historical milestone. It aligns with Juneteenth’s established status as a federal holiday, which was officially designated in 2021.

This resolution encourages the Department of the Air Force to designate the Maine Air National Guard 101st Air Refueling Wing at Bangor Air National Guard Base as a center of excellence for additive manufacturing technology.

This resolution welcomes Finland and Sweden's decision to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The resolution acknowledges that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has dramatically changed the security situation in Europe, and that the reform and expansion of NATO is key to ensuring a safe and prosperous future for the United States and its critical allies and partners. The resolution also calls on the President to move expeditiously to complete all documents and reports needed to support the Senate's approval of the accession protocols. Finally, the resolution calls on all NATO members to move rapidly to complete their ratification processes.

Homeland Acceleration of Recovering Deposits and Renewing Onshore Critical Keystones Act of 2022 or the HARD ROCK Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the National Defense Stockpile Manager (the Department of Defense) to take certain actions to address industrial base shortfalls.

Military Vehicle Fleet Electrification Act This bill requires that not less than 75% of the total number of contracted non-tactical vehicles purchased, leased by, or for use of the Department of Defense (DOD) must be electric or zero emission vehicles (or a federally authorized alternative) and use a charging connector type that meets applicable industry accepted standards for interoperability and safety. The bill also authorizes DOD to furnish electric vehicle charging stations at a commissary store or MWR retail facility (i.e., exchange stores and other revenue-generating facilities operated by nonappropriated fund activities of DOD) for commercial use by individuals authorized to access such facilities.

Civics Secures Democracy Act This bill provides resources to expand educational programs in American civics and history, including by establishing grant and fellowship programs, reauthorizing various programs, and creating the Civics Secures Democracy Fund. First, the bill authorizes the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to states, qualified nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education (IHEs), and qualified researchers to support and expand access to civics and history education. Next, the bill establishes a fellowship program to diversify the civics and history education workforce. In addition, the bill reauthorizes through FY2027 and revises the American History for Freedom grant program. The bill renames the program as the American Civics and History Education Program. The bill revises the grant program to authorize ED to award grants to IHEs at least once every three years to establish or strengthen academic programs to promote American political thought and history and the history, achievements, and impact of American representative democracy and constitutional democracies globally. IHEs may use grants to support additional activities, such as collaborating with federal or state humanities programs and using open educational resources. Further, the bill revises the Harry S. Truman Memorial Scholarship Trust Fund and the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Trust Fund. The bill requires the National Assessment of Educational Progress in civics and history to be administered every two years to certain grade levels. The bill also establishes the Civics Secures Democracy Fund, through which funds shall be made available to carry out provisions of the bill. The bill transfers certain unobligated COVID relief funds to the fund.

United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to the U.S. Army Rangers Veterans of World War II in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II.