Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act This bill establishes the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans. The commission must (1) compile documentary evidence of slavery in the United States; (2) study the role of the federal and state governments in supporting the institution of slavery; (3) analyze discriminatory laws and policies against freed African slaves and their descendants; and (4) recommend ways the United States may recognize and remedy the effects of slavery and discrimination on African Americans, including through a formal apology and compensation (i.e., reparations). The commission consists of individuals from civil society and reparations organizations and individuals appointed by the President and congressional leadership; Members of Congress and governmental employees may not serve on the commission. The commission may hold hearings, subpoena witnesses and records, and contract with other entities to conduct its work. The commission must submit its final report within 18 months of its first meeting.
FairTax Act of 2023 This bill imposes a national sales tax on the use or consumption in the United States of taxable property or services in lieu of the current income taxes, payroll taxes, and estate and gift taxes. The rate of the sales tax will be 23% in 2025, with adjustments to the rate in subsequent years. There are exemptions from the tax for used and intangible property; for property or services purchased for business, export, or investment purposes; and for state government functions. Under the bill, family members who are lawful U.S. residents receive a monthly sales tax rebate (Family Consumption Allowance) based upon criteria related to family size and poverty guidelines. The states have the responsibility for administering, collecting, and remitting the sales tax to the Treasury. Tax revenues are to be allocated among (1) the general revenue, (2) the old-age and survivors insurance trust fund, (3) the disability insurance trust fund, (4) the hospital insurance trust fund, and (5) the federal supplementary medical insurance trust fund. No funding is authorized for the operations of the Internal Revenue Service after FY2027. Finally, the bill terminates the national sales tax if the Sixteenth Amendment to the Constitution (authorizing an income tax) is not repealed within seven years after the enactment of this bill.
This bill establishes nationwide recognition for valid concealed carry permits. It allows permit holders from any state to carry concealed handguns in states that either issue such permits or don't ban concealed carry, provided they carry a photo ID and their valid permit. Key provisions include making presentation of a valid permit and ID prima facie evidence of compliance, shifting the burden of proof to prosecutors if challenged, and requiring courts to award attorney fees to successful defendants. It does not override state laws prohibiting concealed carry on private property or government lands, nor does it affect restrictions on federal lands like national parks.
Close Biden's Open Border Act This bill provides $15 billion for the Department of Homeland Security to construct a border wall along the southern border of the United States. It also imposes a two-year moratorium on funding for U.S. contributions to the United Nations (U.N.). During the two-year period, funds may not be authorized or otherwise made available for contributions to the U.N.
Jurists United to Stop Trafficking Imitation Child Exploitation Act of 2023 or the JUSTICE Act of 2023 This bill broadens the federal criminal prohibition on importation or transportation of obscene materials. Specifically, the bill makes it a crime to import, or knowingly use a common carrier or interactive computer service to transport, a child sex doll.
HR 146, the "Old Glory Only Act," prohibits U.S. diplomatic and consular posts from flying any flag other than the U.S. flag above the buildings. This law directly affects all U.S. embassies, consulates, and other official diplomatic facilities abroad. The Secretary of State is required to ensure compliance with this rule, mandating that only the U.S. flag be displayed at these locations. The bill makes no exceptions for foreign flags or other symbols at these specific government properties.
HR 130, the Thin Blue Line Act, amends federal death penalty law to add a new consideration for sentencing. It specifies that killing or targeting a law enforcement officer (including firefighters and other first responders) while they are performing official duties, because of their duties, or due to their status as a public official qualifies as an aggravating factor. This change directly affects defendants convicted of such killings, making the death penalty a potential sentence in these specific cases. The bill does not alter sentencing ranges but adds this circumstance as a factor judges must weigh during sentencing.
HR 53 (FIND Act) requires federal contractors to certify they do not refuse to work with firearm manufacturers, dealers, ammunition sellers, or related safety device companies based on bias. It prohibits main contractors from awarding subcontracts exceeding 10% of a contract’s value to entities that fail to make this certification, and bans efforts to circumvent the rule through complex subcontract tiers. The law applies to all federal procurement contracts, directly affecting businesses bidding on government work. Violations risk contract termination and suspension from future government contracts.
This bill requires large district attorney offices (serving jurisdictions of 380,000+ people) that receive federal Byrne grant funds to submit annual reports to the Attorney General. The reports must detail prosecution decisions for 10 specific violent crimes and gun offenses (including murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, and firearm violations), such as cases declined, plea agreements, and defendant histories. The Attorney General must establish uniform reporting standards and share all collected data publicly with Congress and on a government website. This policy change directly affects major prosecutors' offices receiving federal crime-fighting funds, aiming to increase transparency in how they handle serious offenses.
Solving the Unnecessary Contracting Cliff for Enterprises to Scale Successfully Act or the SUCCESS Act This bill establishes a pilot program that permits certain commercial construction and engineering services enterprises to maintain eligibility for certain small business contracts during a transitional period after they otherwise exceed the applicable small business size standards for such contracts.
Expanding the Voluntary Opportunities for Translations in Elections Act or the Expanding the VOTE Act This bill expands access to voting materials for individuals with limited proficiency in the English language, including by establishing incentive grants for states and political subdivisions to provide translated voting materials. Additionally, the bill directs the Government Accountability Office to study the impact of (1) reducing the threshold requirement under Section 203 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, and (2) expanding the definition of language minorities to include native speakers of additional languages.
Health Marketplace for All Act of 2022 This bill permits entities such as self-employed companies and membership organizations to form health marketplace pools to offer large group health insurance plans as a single employer. (In general, large group health plans cover employees of an employer that has 51 or more employees; in some states, large groups are defined as 101 employees or more.) Subject to specified nondiscrimination rules related to preexisting conditions and health status, health marketplace pools must offer plans to all members or employees of the pool on an equal basis. Health marketplace pools are not considered joint employers for the purpose of other federal labor or employment laws.
