Veteran Service Recognition Act of 2022 This bill addresses immigration-related issues pertaining to noncitizen (or non-U.S. national) military veterans, including by authorizing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide lawful permanent resident status to a veteran subject to removal. If a noncitizen veteran appears to be eligible for lawful permanent resident status under this bill, that veteran must receive a reasonable opportunity to apply for such status and may not be removed until there is a final administrative decision on the veteran's eligibility. For the purposes of providing such status under this bill, DHS may waive any applicable grounds of inadmissibility, except for certain crime- or security-related grounds. The bill also extends certain deadlines relating to obtaining citizenship after serving in the Armed Forces. DHS must create a system for identifying noncitizens who are or may be veterans. Before initiating removal proceedings against a noncitizen, DHS must attempt to determine whether the noncitizen is a veteran. DHS must ensure that veteran status is considered in immigration proceedings. The bill also requires U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department of Defense to take certain actions to facilitate opportunities for military recruits and veterans to obtain U.S. citizenship, such as by training Judge Advocate General Corps members to act as liaisons between the Armed Forces and USCIS on servicemember citizenship applications. The bill also establishes the Military Family Immigration Advisory Committee to provide recommendations on cases involving the removal of a servicemember, veteran, or certain family members of a servicemember or veteran. Such an individual may not be removed until the committee has provided a recommendation to DHS about the individual's case, unless the individual is inadmissible due to a conviction for an aggravated felony. The bill also waives certain grounds of inadmissibility (e.g., being unlawfully present in the United States) for certain noncitizens applying for lawful permanent resident status as an immediate relative of a U.S. citizen who has served at least two years in the Armed Forces.
SRES 858 is a symbolic Senate resolution expressing support for National Adoption Day and National Adoption Month. It does not create new laws or allocate funds but publicly endorses efforts to promote adoption awareness, celebrate adoptive families, and encourage Americans to consider adoption. The resolution specifically recognizes that every child deserves a permanent family and urges people to support adoption opportunities during November and year-round. It highlights existing statistics about children in foster care (e.g., 114,000 waiting for adoption) but focuses solely on raising awareness, not changing policies. This resolution was introduced by 35 Senators and adopted without legislative effect.
The Jackie Walorski Maternal and Child Home Visiting Reauthorization Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes through FY2027, increases funding for, and modifies the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program. This program supports home visits for expectant and new parents who live in communities that are at-risk for poor maternal and child health outcomes. Changes to the program include setting out requirements for allocating program funds; increasing the percentage of funds reserved for tribal entities; establishing a publicly available dashboard that reports program outcomes; requiring activities to reduce unnecessary data collection, reporting, and other administrative requirements of the program; and allowing for virtual home visits (provided certain conditions are met). The bill also reduces funding for the Medicare Improvement Fund.
Pregnant Women in Custody Act This bill establishes requirements to address the health needs of incarcerated women related to pregnancy and childbirth. The bill requires the Bureau of Justice Statistics to collect data on the health needs of incarcerated pregnant women at the federal, state, tribal, and local levels. With respect to incarcerated women at the federal level, the bill requires the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) to provide appropriate services and programs to address the health and safety needs related to pregnancy and childbirth, as well as appropriate health care to a woman with a high-risk pregnancy; limits the use of restrictive housing for prisoners who are pregnant or in postpartum recovery; and requires the BOP to report annually on the number of administrative claims and appeals filed by pregnant inmates. With respect to incarcerated women at the state and local levels, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to study the services and protections for pregnant incarcerated women in state and local correctional settings.
One Stop Shop Community Reentry Program Act of 2022 This bill authorizes grants to support community-based reentry resources for previously incarcerated individuals who return to their communities. First, the bill authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ) to make grants for community-based nonprofit organizations to create community reentry centers. Second, the bill authorizes DOJ to make grants for states, Indian tribes, and local governments to operate reentry services assistance hotlines.
Inspector General Independence and Empowerment Act of 2021 This bill addresses issues regarding inspectors general (IGs). For example, if the President fails to make a formal nomination for a vacant IG position within a certain timeline, the bill requires the President to communicate to Congress the reasons for such a failure and a target date for the nomination.
This bill directs the House of Representatives to print a revised edition of its official Rules and Manual for the 118th Congress. It specifies printing 3,000 copies total, including 980 leather-bound copies with thumb indexes for internal House use. The bill is purely procedural, affecting only House operations and not the public or policy outcomes. It ensures updated internal reference materials are available for members and staff at the start of the new Congress.
This resolution condemns the use of starvation of civilians as a weapon of warfare. It also calls on the U.S. government to prioritize diplomatic efforts to call out and address instances where hunger and intentional deprivation of food is being utilized as a weapon of war, including efforts to ensure that security operations do not undermine livelihoods of local populations to minimize civilian harm.
This resolution condemns Iran's state-sponsored persecution of its Baha'i minority and its continued violation of the international covenants on human rights. Further, it calls on Iran to immediately release all imprisoned or detained Baha'is, and it urges the President and the Department of State to impose sanctions on Iranian officials and others who are responsible for serious human rights abuses, including abuses against Iran's Baha'i community.
International Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes certain initiatives to combat human trafficking (e.g., the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000) and specifically incorporates anti-human trafficking initiatives into other federal programs and activities (e.g., the U.S. Agency for International Development).
This Senate resolution (SRES 853) recognizes November 2022 as "National Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month." It does not create new laws or allocate funding but formally acknowledges the issue of homelessness affecting children and youth in the U.S. The resolution encourages businesses, state/local governments, organizations, educators, and volunteers to intensify efforts during November 2022 to raise awareness about child and youth homelessness and support prevention programs. It highlights statistics on homelessness impacts but focuses solely on symbolic recognition and awareness-raising, not policy changes.
SRES 846 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating November 2022 as "National College Application Month." It encourages all Americans to evaluate college options, submit financial aid applications (like the FAFSA), and support students in navigating the college application process. The resolution urges communities, educators, and officials to host activities promoting college applications and financial aid awareness, with a specific focus on helping low-income and first-generation students. It does not create new programs or funding but aims to raise awareness about higher education opportunities.
