This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to clarify the regulation of hemp-derived products. It removes hemp, hemp-derived cannabidiol (CBD), and related substances from the definition of "dietary supplements," excluding them from current supplement regulations. The bill also defines "hemp" per the Agricultural Marketing Act and grants the Secretary of Health and Human Services authority to establish labeling requirements and enforce rules for products containing these substances. This directly affects businesses selling hemp-based supplements and food products, as well as consumers purchasing them, by changing how these items are regulated under federal food safety laws.
This bill, the Free Speech Protection Act, prohibits federal employees from directing or pressuring social media platforms to censor protected speech or label content as misinformation. It bans government requests for user data related to specific topics and requires agencies to report all communications with platforms about content moderation. Violations would result in penalties including fines, job loss, and bans from government contracts. The bill also terminates the Disinformation Governance Board and prohibits government grants related to labeling content as misinformation. Affected individuals can sue government agencies and employees for violations.
The SHADE Act creates a federal grant program to plant trees in historically disadvantaged neighborhoods, primarily targeting redlined areas (former HOLC "hazardous" zones) and overburdened areas (where at least 35% of households are low-income, or 40% identify as minority/tribal, or 40% are limited English proficiency). Eligible entities - like cities, tribes, or nonprofits - must submit applications with 5-year plans, community input strategies, and evidence of housing policies preventing displacement. Grants cover tree planting, maintenance for 5 years, and training, with $50 million annually authorized through 2034. The bill directly affects communities facing environmental inequities by linking tree planting to neighborhood revitalization efforts.
Stop China’s Continuous Purchase of Land Act or the Stop CCP Land Act This bill requires states that receive certain federal program funds to restrict the purchase of agricultural land by a covered foreign country. Covered foreign country means a country included in Department of State regulations as subject to certain prohibitions (i.e., Belarus, Burma, China, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Syria, and Venezuela), as well as Russia. Specifically, a state may not receive funds for certain programs funded by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (e.g., certain energy efficiency and conservation programs) unless that state has a law prohibiting a covered foreign country (or persons acting on behalf of the country) from purchasing agricultural land in the state. Further, a state must require that a person from a covered foreign country that holds agricultural land in the state prior to the state law's enactment submit an annual report to the state on the agricultural holdings. The Department of Agriculture must submit a report to Congress on how the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978 should be updated to ensure accurate documentation and monitoring of foreign investment in agricultural land. The Government Accountability Office must submit a report to Congress that includes (1) an assessment of this bill's impact on national security, and (2) any measures that can be taken to better secure U.S. real estate from foreign manipulation.
Advancing Maternal Health Equity Under Medicaid Act This bill provides a 90% federal matching rate for Medicaid maternal health care expenditures that exceed 2019 levels. Qualifying services must be provided by maternity care providers or perinatal health workers (e.g., doulas) and include prenatal and postpartum telehealth services, home visits, and behavioral health care.
The WATCH Act requires foreign laboratories receiving U.S. federal funds for animal research to undergo quarterly inspections to ensure compliance with U.S. animal welfare standards. It directly affects overseas labs conducting NIH-funded studies involving animals, mandating regular checks of their animal care committees, treatment reviews, and record-keeping. Labs must maintain certification of compliance, with public access to these certificates, and face potential suspension of funding if they fail to correct violations after a warning. The bill establishes a process for U.S. authorities to coordinate inspections with foreign governments while upholding U.S. research standards.
The Medicare Audiology Access Improvement Act of 2023 would expand Medicare coverage to include audiology services provided directly by qualified audiologists without requiring a physician referral, supervision, or that the patient be under a physician's care. Starting January 1, 2025, Medicare would cover hearing and balance assessments and treatments that audiologists are legally permitted to perform under state law, with payment set at 80% of the cost. This change would improve access to hearing care for Medicare beneficiaries and allow audiologists to practice more independently under Medicare. The bill does not alter the existing scope of covered services beyond what was available as of December 31, 2024.
The Taiwan Tax Agreement Act of 2023 authorizes the President to negotiate a tax agreement with Taiwan through the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), aiming to reduce double taxation and prevent tax evasion for U.S. and Taiwanese businesses and investors engaged in cross-border trade and investment. The agreement must follow standard U.S. tax treaty practices (like the 2016 Model Convention), exclude entities based in China or without a U.S. tax treaty, and include anti-evasion measures. Before taking effect, Congress must approve the agreement via a specific concurrent resolution that simply states approval without debate or amendments.
This bill amends the Child Nutrition Act to extend liability protections for food and pet supply donations. It adds definitions for "pet," "emotional support animal," and "pet supply" to the Act, clarifying that donations of pet food or supplies for pets, service animals, or emotional support animals are covered. The key provision (Section 22(c)(4)) shields donors and nonprofits from civil/criminal liability when donating such items in good faith for direct distribution to animals. It directly affects pet food donors, animal welfare nonprofits, and local governments distributing pet supplies. The bill does not create new programs but modifies existing donation rules to include pet-related items.
No Taxpayer Funding For Climate Zealots Advancing Radical Schemes Act or the No Taxpayer Funding For CZARS Act This bill prohibits the use of federal funds for any activity of the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate.
HR 4381, the PHE Congressional Review Act, amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services to notify Congress within 48 hours of declaring any nationwide public health emergency - including renewals. It mandates that each House of Congress must vote on terminating such emergencies within six months of the declaration and every six months thereafter until termination. The emergency automatically ends after 90 days unless renewed by the Secretary or terminated by a joint resolution passed by Congress. This bill directly affects the Secretary of Health and Human Services (who makes emergency determinations) and Congress (which must review and vote on termination). The key provisions establish a structured timeline for congressional oversight of public health emergencies, replacing the previous automatic renewal process with mandatory review cycles.
HR 3813, the CDC Leadership Accountability Act of 2023, requires the Senate to confirm any new Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention appointed on or after June 1, 2023. It also designates as "acting" any individual appointed between June 1, 2023, and the bill's enactment date until Senate confirmation occurs. The bill directly affects future CDC Directors and the appointment process, ensuring Senate confirmation for all new appointments after the specified date. This is a procedural change modifying the timeline for an existing requirement in the Public Health Service Act.
