Simplifying Management, Reallocation, and Transfer of Spectrum Act or the SMART Act This bill requires the National Telecommunications and Information Administration to implement a standardized framework that facilitates the sharing of electromagnetic spectrum between nonfederal users and federal entities. This framework must enable the secure management of harmful interference between nonfederal users and federal entities that share a spectrum band in order to ensure access by such nonfederal users to the spectrum band.
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.
This bill modifies requirements regarding the development and improvement of cost estimates for federal direct loan and loan guarantee programs. Under current law, federal agencies are required to provide the Congressional Budget Office and the Office of Management and Budget with access to all agency data that may facilitate the development and improvement of the cost estimates. This bill specifies that this data must include the percent guaranteed on loan guarantee commitments.
HR 8066 amends the definition of "direct loan" under the Federal Credit Reform Act of 1990 to clarify which loans count for federal budgeting purposes. It adds that "direct loans" include short-term deferred payment loans (90 days or fewer) made by non-government lenders, beyond just Commodity Credit Corporation price support loans. This technical change ensures consistent application of the Act when agencies report loans for budgetary calculations. It directly affects federal agencies managing loan programs under the Act but does not create new policy or alter existing benefits.
The National Flood Insurance Program Extension Act of 2022 extends the federal flood insurance program until December 31, 2023, instead of ending on September 30, 2022. This directly affects homeowners, renters, and businesses in communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), ensuring continued access to flood coverage. The bill amends two key sections of the 1968 law to update the program's expiration dates and includes a retroactive provision covering the period from September 30, 2022, through the new end date.
Military Spouse Hiring Act This bill expands the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include the hiring of a qualified military spouse. (The WOTC permits employers who hire individuals who are members of a targeted group such as qualified veterans, ex-felons, or long-term unemployment recipients to claim a tax credit equal to a portion of the wages paid to those individuals.) A qualified military spouse is any individual who is certified by the designated local agency as being (as of the hiring date) a spouse of a member of the Armed Forces.
More Options for Infants and Parents Act of 2022 This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to (1) act upon any pending applications from domestic manufacturers for new infant formula within 14 days of the bill's enactment, and (2) maintain a list on its website of infant formula products that may be substituted for certain specialized infant formula products that are in shortage. It also authorizes the FDA to waive certain labeling and nutritional requirements in furtherance of other necessary infant formula product substitutions.
Chase COVID Unemployment Fraud Act of 2022 This bill addresses fraud and overpayments of pandemic unemployment assistance, including by allowing states to retain a specified percentage of recovered funds and prohibiting the Department of Labor from allowing blanket waivers of overpayments.
Appalachian Communities Health Emergency Act or the ACHE Act This bill places restrictions and requirements on certain mining projects until the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) determines whether such projects pose risks to human health. The bill applies to mountaintop-removal coal mining projects that use blasting with explosives in the steep slope regions of Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. Specifically, the bill requires the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences to conduct or support studies on the health impacts of mountaintop-removal coal mining projects on individuals in the surrounding communities. HHS must use these studies when making its determination on whether such mining presents any health risks to those individuals. Until HHS makes its determination, entities carrying out such mining must monitor levels of soil, water, air, and noise pollution. HHS must make the results of this monitoring publicly available. In addition, specified agencies may not issue permits for any mountaintop-removal coal mining project or expansion unless HHS determines that such mining does not present any health risk to individuals in the surrounding communities. The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement of the Department of the Interior must assess a one-time fee upon existing mining projects. The fee must cover the federal cost of the studies and pollution monitoring required by the bill.
This joint resolution blocks a proposed U.S. military sale to Egypt, specifically prohibiting the transfer of 23 CH-47F Chinook helicopters, engines, missile warning systems, and other defense equipment listed in a congressional transmittal. It directly prevents the U.S. government from authorizing this sale under the Arms Export Control Act, affecting both the U.S. defense export process and Egypt's access to these specific military assets. The resolution targets concrete items detailed in the proposal, including helicopters, spare parts, radar systems, and training support, without altering broader arms export policies. This disapproval measure halts the transaction without requiring additional legislative action on the sale itself.
This resolution supports the designation of National CASA/GAL Volunteers Day to commend the work of court-appointed special advocate (CASA) and guardian ad litem (GAL) volunteers.
SJRES 49 would prohibit the U.S. government from proceeding with a proposed $1.1 billion military sale to Australia. The bill specifically blocks the transfer of 20 HIMARS rocket systems, artillery munitions (including GMLRS pods), and supporting equipment like communication systems and spare parts. This resolution targets the specific sale detailed in Transmittal No. 22-28 under the Arms Export Control Act. If enacted, it would prevent the U.S. from delivering these defense articles and services to Australia.
