This resolution designates May 10, 2022, as National Fentanyl Awareness Day to bring attention to the impact of fake or counterfeit fentanyl pills. (Fentanyl is a potent prescription opioid for treating severe pain that is also made and used illegally.)
This resolution expresses that the Senate has heard of the death of the Honorable Orrin G. Hatch, former U.S. Senator for the state of Utah. The resolution also expresses that the Senate honors the life and legacy of the late Senator Hatch for his unwavering dedication to Utah as a Senator and a public servant and accomplishments in legislating with principle and dedication for the good of the people of the United States. The resolution states when the Senate adjourns today, it stands adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Hatch.
This resolution thanks the teachers of the United States and promotes the teaching profession by encouraging students, parents, school administrators, and public officials to recognize National Teacher Appreciation Week.
This resolution designates May 5, 2022, as the "National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Native Women and Girls." It directly honors Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian women and girls who are victims of violence or disappearance, referencing documented statistics showing they face disproportionately high rates of violent crime and homicide. The resolution calls on the public and organizations to commemorate these victims and show solidarity with affected families. As a symbolic measure with no binding policy changes, it aims to raise awareness about this issue without creating new legal requirements.
United States Innovation and Competition Act of 2021 This bill addresses U.S. technology and communications, foreign relations and national security, domestic manufacturing, education, trade, and other matters. Among other provisions, the bill provides funding for FY2022-FY2026 to support U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, research and development, and supply chain security; provides funding for wireless supply chain innovation; establishes a Directorate for Technology and Innovation in the National Science Foundation; extends through 2025 the authority of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) to lease its non-excess real property and related personal property; authorizes various programs and policies related to space exploration; authorizes various international affairs programs and activities, including foreign assistance for the Indo-Pacific region; requires federal infrastructure programs to provide for the use of materials produced in the United States; imposes sanctions on China for cybersecurity and human rights abuses; requires the Department of Health and Human Services to consider national security risks associated with sensitive genetic information; includes initiatives related to elementary and secondary education, including those to increase computer science education; contains provisions related to higher education, including those reauthorizing through FY2027 international education programs and addressing China's influence on institutions of higher education; modifies and expands the schedule for graduated merger filing fees; prohibits federal funding for the Wuhan Institute of Virology; requires the U.S. Trade Representative to take certain actions related to digital trade and censorship practices; and extends through 2027 the Generalized System of Preferences.
SRES 604 is a Senate resolution designating the week of April 25-29, 2022, as "National Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Appreciation Week." The resolution recognizes over 1 million specialized instructional support personnel, including school counselors, psychologists, nurses, and therapists, who provide critical academic, social, emotional, and physical support to students. It emphasizes their role in reducing learning barriers, fostering safe school environments, and promoting student well-being, without creating new laws or funding. The resolution serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of their contributions to education.
This resolution (SRES 603) recognizes April 2022 as National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. It expresses the Senate's support for efforts to educate the public about sexual violence, improve treatment for survivors, and prosecute perpetrators. The resolution acknowledges the work of organizations like RAINN and the Department of Defense's Safe Helpline, but does not create new laws or funding. As a symbolic gesture, it has no direct policy impact on affected individuals or services.
Asset Seizure for Ukraine Reconstruction Act This bill establishes a working group to determine the legal mechanisms that may be used to seize assets belonging to certain foreign persons (i.e., individuals and entities) affiliated with Russia's political leadership and addresses related issues. The interagency working group must determine the constitutional mechanisms by which the President may take steps to seize and confiscate assets belonging to any sanctioned foreign person whose wealth is derived through support for or corruption related to the regime of Russian president Vladimir Putin. The working group must report to Congress on certain issues including (1) recommendations to impose additional energy-related sanctions on Russia's government, and (2) any additional authorities the President needs to take steps to seize and confiscate the assets. The President must report to Congress a determination as to whether to expand existing sanctions related to certain Russian government activities to cover additional persons.
SRES 599 is a Senate resolution (not a law) introduced in April 2022 that honors military children during the National Month of the Military Child (observed each April). It recognizes the sacrifices of approximately 2 million military children who have experienced parental deployment since 9/11, live with disabled veterans, or have lost a military parent. The resolution urges all Americans to support military children through ceremonies and activities during April, aligning with existing Department of Defense and Veterans Affairs programs. It does not create new policies or funding but symbolically acknowledges military children's contributions and challenges.
SRES 588 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating April 2022 as "Financial Literacy Month." It does not create new laws or policies but calls for public awareness about the importance of personal financial education. The resolution urges federal, state, local, school, nonprofit, and business entities to observe the month with activities highlighting financial education's role in helping individuals manage debt, build wealth, and make informed money decisions. It references statistics on financial challenges (like high credit card debt and low high school financial literacy requirements) but does not mandate any specific actions or funding. This is a procedural designation with no direct effect on individuals or new legislative requirements.
Small Business Development Centers Improvement Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes the Small Business Development Center Program through FY2025 and otherwise revises the program. Specifically, the bill (1) generally prohibits entities other than institutions of higher education from receiving new grants under the program; (2) allows centers to collect fees related to private partnerships or cosponsorships; (3) authorizes centers to market their services directly to small businesses; and (4) modifies or establishes provisions related to program funding, operations, data collection, and reporting.
SCORE for Small Business Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes through FY2023 the Service Corps of Retired Executives (SCORE) program, outlines the duties of the SCORE Association, and requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to cooperate with the association to carry out the program. Specifically, the bill requires the association to manage nationwide chapters of the program to enable volunteers participating in the program to provide personal, cost-free business expertise and facilitate education workshops to small businesses. The association must also offer online counseling through web-based platforms to small businesses. In consultation with the association, the SBA must ensure that the program (1) recruits diverse volunteers for each chapter of the program, and (2) provides services to rural and underserved communities.
