Sen. Marsha Blackburn

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 855) commemorates the 50th anniversary of the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), established by the 1972 Consumer Product Safety Act. It formally recognizes the Commission's role in protecting consumers through safety standards, product recalls, and enforcement of laws like the Federal Hazardous Substances Act. The Senate expresses appreciation for the CPSC's work in reducing injuries and deaths from products such as refrigerators, pools, and bicycles, while acknowledging ongoing safety challenges. This is a symbolic gesture with no new policy requirements or funding.

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.

This concurrent resolution affirms the commitments in the Geneva Consensus Declaration on Promoting Women's Health and Strengthening the Family and applauds the signatory countries for their dedication to advancing women's health, protecting life at every stage while affirming that there is no international right to abortion, and upholding the importance of the family as foundational to society. The resolution calls on President Biden to once again add the United States as a signatory to the Geneva Consensus Declaration.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates the week beginning October 16, 2022, as "National Character Counts Week" in the U.S. Senate. It encourages schools, families, youth organizations, and community groups to observe the week by focusing on character education and core values like trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. The resolution is symbolic and non-binding, calling for voluntary activities but not creating new laws or requirements. It directly addresses educational institutions and community organizations that promote character development among youth.

Restoring Military Focus Act This bill eliminates the position of Chief Diversity Officer within the Department of Defense (DOD), as well as the position of Senior Advisor for Diversity and Inclusion within the military departments. Additionally, the bill prohibits the use of federal funds to establish similar positions to that of Chief Diversity Officer or Senior Advisor for Diversity and Inclusion within DOD.

Land Between the Lakes Recreation and Heritage Act This bill addresses the administration of the Land Between the Lakes National Recreation Area in Kentucky and Tennessee. The bill decreases from 17 to 13 the number of members who compose the Land Between the Lakes Advisory Board. The bill permits members of the advisory board to serve multiple terms, but not serve consecutive terms. In addition to carrying out its current activities, the advisory board shall advise on an annual work plan for recreation and environment education areas in the Recreation Area, including the heritage program, with the nonappropriated amounts in the Land Between the Lakes Management Fund; an annual forest management and harvest plan for the Recreation Area; and the fund. The bill requires the advisory board to meet at least twice each year. The Department of Agriculture (USDA) shall charge (currently may charge) reasonable fees, as determined by the advisory board, for admission to and the use of the designated sites, or for activities, within the recreation area. The bill states that amounts in the fund shall be available to USDA to perform new work or deferred maintenance in the recreation area and shall not be available for management of the area, including the payment of salaries or other expenses. USDA, on request from a qualified resident or relative or a cemetery association, shall grant additional land for the minor expansion of existing cemeteries within the recreation area to allow for the burial of qualified residents or relatives.

IRS Funding Accountability Act This bill delays for a 60-day period funding for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) enforcement activities enacted by the Inflation Reduction Act (except for eliminating return processing backlogs and reducing call wait times) until an annual spending plan for such activities is submitted to the congressional tax and appropriation committees. Congress may enact a joint resolution of disapproval of the spending plan before the end of the 60-day period requiring the IRS to submit a new spending plan. The IRS and the Department of the Treasury must make quarterly reports to the committees on expenditures for enforcement activities. The bill requires reductions in appropriations to the IRS for any failure to submit required reports.

Arrest Murderers not Ministers Act This bill specifies that in order for the federal government to prosecute individuals for violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (which prohibits forceful or threats of forceful interference with an individual's access to reproductive health services or exercise of religious freedom), the violation must involve intentional physical injuries or damage. Any funds that would have been used for prosecutions that are prohibited under the bill must be used to prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes or other specified offenses.

Artistic Recognition for Talented Students Act or the ARTS Act This act directs the Copyright Office to waive various copyright registration-related fees for works that win certain competitions sponsored by the Congressional Institute or established by Congress. To qualify for the fee waiver, the copyright registration application must be filed within a specified time frame, but the Copyright Office may waive fees for a qualifying work even if the application is filed outside the time frame.

Maddy summarySRES 811 is a ceremonial Senate resolution designating October 2-8, 2022, as "Religious Education Week" to celebrate the role of religious education in the U.S. It does not create new laws or policies but affirms the importance of religious education for moral and civic development. The resolution references historical figures, Supreme Court cases supporting religious instruction options, and studies linking religious education to youth well-being. It urges states to accommodate religious education programs, such as school release time for religious classes, but this is a non-binding recommendation. As a resolution, it has no legal effect and solely serves to recognize religious education's contributions.