Copyright Clause Restoration Act of 2022 This bill shortens the copyright protection term to 28 years starting from the date the work was originally secured, to be renewable for an additional 28-year term. (Under current law, for works created after 1977, the general rule is that the copyright term lasts for the life of the author plus 70 years.) The bill shall apply to all works fixed on or after the bill's enactment, except that it shall have retroactive effect for copyrights belonging to an entity that (1) is involved in the motion picture or arts and entertainment industries, and (2) has a market capitalization of more than $150 billion.
Allowing Military Exemptions, Recognizing Individual Concerns About New Shots Act of 2022 or the AMERICANS Act This bill modifies the classification of discharge and remedies available to specified individuals who were discharged for failing to obey an order to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. Such individuals include members of the Armed Forces, individuals enrolled at a military service academy, or individuals enrolled in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) or Senior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (SROTC) program.
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.
Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022 This bill temporarily waives certain requirements related to the President's authority to lend or lease defense articles if the defense articles are intended for Ukraine's government or the governments of other Eastern European countries affected by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. For FY2022 and FY2023, an agreement to lend or lease defense articles under this bill shall not be subject to certain requirements and provisions that typically apply to such lend-lease agreements, including a requirement that generally prohibits a loan or lease period from exceeding five years. The President must establish expedited procedures to ensure the timely delivery of defense articles loaned or leased to Ukraine under this bill.
HRES 1091 is a non-binding House resolution calling for Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas to resign immediately. It criticizes the Biden administration's border management policies, citing unapprehended migrants, opioid-related deaths, and opposition to border enforcement measures like Title 42. The resolution lists specific grievances, including halting border wall construction and rescinding the "Remain in Mexico" program, but does not create new laws or policies. As a symbolic resolution, it has no legal effect and does not directly affect any individuals or communities beyond expressing the House's disapproval.
HRES 1093 is a symbolic House resolution designating May 2022 as "Mental Health Awareness Month." It expresses support for raising public awareness about mental health, emphasizes that mental well-being is as important as physical health, and encourages efforts to reduce stigma and improve access to services. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funding but calls for recognizing mental health as a national priority and applauds existing efforts by organizations. It was introduced by multiple representatives and passed in the House on May 6, 2022, as a non-binding gesture.
No Timber From Tyrants Act This bill prohibits the importation of wood and related articles from Russia and Belarus. It also directs the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to replace these prohibited imports with timber production on certain lands. Specifically, the bill directs the President to prohibit the importation of all wood and related articles from Russia and Belarus. The President may terminate this prohibition upon certification to Congress that certain conditions have been met, including that Russia or Belarus (or both, as applicable) reached an agreement to withdraw forces in Ukraine. Additionally, the bill directs Interior and USDA to authorize timber harvest in an amount sufficient to equal the volume, with respect to calendar year 2021, of imports of wood and related articles from Russia and Belarus. Interior may authorize timber harvest only on public lands and USDA may authorize timber harvest only on National Forest System lands. The bill generally prohibits Interior and USDA from approving a plan that reduces the allowable sale quantity of timber.
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.
Dissolving the Disinformation Governance Board Act This bill dissolves the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Disinformation Governance Board and directs DHS to immediately remove its Executive Director. The bill also prohibits the use of federal funds for the board's operation. Further, DHS (1) may not establish any entity equivalent to the board or authorize activities at DHS that are substantially similar to the board's activities, and (2) must submit to Congress a report describing the board's formation and all of the records in DHS's possession related to the board.
This bill prohibits using federal funds to establish a Disinformation Governance Board under the Department of Homeland Security. It directly affects the DHS by blocking any allocation of taxpayer money for creating this board. The key provision is a funding restriction that prevents the board's formation, requiring Congress to specifically authorize such spending if desired. The bill does not address disinformation policies or content, only the funding mechanism for the proposed board.
This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to establish or operate a Disinformation Governance Board under the Department of Homeland Security. It directly affects the Department of Homeland Security by blocking funding for this specific board, preventing its creation or activities. The measure restricts how existing federal appropriations can be applied, without altering other funding mechanisms.
My Child, My Choice Act of 2022 This bill prohibits an elementary school from receiving federal education funds unless a teacher requests written parental consent prior to teaching a lesson specifically related to gender identity, sexual orientation, or transgender studies. In particular, the bill requires a teacher to request written consent from the parent of each student enrolled in the class prior to teaching the lesson. If a parent does not submit written consent to the lesson, then the school must provide the student with an alternative period of learning or study hall. Further, the teacher may not teach the lesson if the principal does not receive written consent from the parents of at least 50% of the students enrolled in the class.
