Sen. Jeff Merkley

Expedited Disability Insurance Payments for Terminally Ill Individuals Act of 2022 This bill temporarily allows an individual diagnosed with a terminal illness with a life expectancy of six months or less to receive Social Security disability benefits during the waiting period for such benefits (which typically lasts five months). It also establishes a phased-in payment schedule for the benefits.

Heating Efficiency and Affordability through Tax Relief Act or the HEATR Act This bill allows a new tax credit through 2031 for energy efficient consumer and commercial heat pumps and heat pump water heaters.

This resolution recognizes the centrality of a free press to free societies and democratic governance and expresses concerns about threats to the exercise of freedom of expression globally.

This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that Congress and the President must stop price gouging and excessive price increases by oil and gas companies and help consumers and small businesses harmed by rising energy prices. The resolution also calls for the United States to transition to a clean energy economy.

Protection of Civilians in Military Operations Act This bill implements policies and procedures within the Department of Defense (DOD) related to the harm of civilians during U.S. military operations.

Department of Defense Civilian Harm Transparency Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to designate a senior official to serve as the civilian harm investigation coordinator to conduct a review of each investigation of civilian harm and assess whether applicable laws, policies, guidelines, and processes were followed during the investigations. DOD must also appoint a general counsel to assist the coordinator with such duties. The coordinator must annually submit to Congress a report on civilian harm resulting from U.S. military operations during the preceding year. DOD must make publicly available in an electronic format a detailed list of all ex gratia payments (i.e., payments that are not legally required) and other payments in response to civilian harm paid by the United States. Some information may be excluded to ensure safety or privacy of payment recipients. DOD must provide specified information to Congress to certify the need for confidentiality. DOD must provide an easily accessible electronic method by which individuals may request ex gratia or other condolence payments.

This bill revises the land claims of the Confederated Tribes of the Grand Ronde Community of Oregon. In particular, the bill specifies that only the tribe's claims to the 84 acres of land known as the Thompson Strip, rather than the tribe's claims to any lands within Oregon, are extinguished. Additionally, the bill prohibits gaming on any real property obtained by the tribe as part of a land claim settlement approved by the United States.

This resolution honors the life, achievements, and legacy of the Honorable Madeleine K. Albright, who was the first woman to serve as Secretary of State of the United States. The resolution also commends to future generations Albright's example as a patriot and public servant in the pursuit of a more peaceful, prosperous, and cooperative world order. Finally, the resolution extends its condolences and sympathy to the family and friends of Madeleine Albright.

Clean Energy Minerals Reform Act of 2022 This bill modifies requirements related to the mining of hardrock minerals on federal land. For example, the bill prohibits the United States from issuing a patent for any mining claim, millsite, or tunnel site unless a patent application was filed with the Department of the Interior by September 30, 1994; subjects production of all locatable minerals from any mining claim to a reasonable royalty established by Interior; requires an exploration permit and mining operations permit for non-casual mining operations; establishes the Hardrock Minerals Reclamation Fund for responding to hazardous substance releases on abandoned hardrock mine land; requires consultation with Indian tribes prior to the undertaking or issuing of a permit for mineral activity that has tribal implications; and establishes civil penalties for violation of surface management or operation requirements and related regulations.

PFAS Firefighter Protection Act This bill prohibits, under the Toxic Substances Control Act, the manufacture, import, processing, or distribution in commerce of any aqueous film forming foam for use in training and firefighting that contains a perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substance, commonly referred to as PFAS. These substances are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. No later than October 5, 2024, the bill also requires the prohibition of the use of fluorinated chemicals in firefighting foam at airports.