This joint resolution (SJRES 92) seeks to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that established new greenhouse gas emission standards for fossil fuel power plants and repealed an earlier rule. It targets the EPA's specific rule (published May 9, 2024), which set performance standards for new/modified plants, emission guidelines for existing plants, and removed the Affordable Clean Energy Rule. The resolution uses a procedural mechanism under the Congressional Review Act to disapprove the rule, meaning it would prevent the EPA rule from taking effect. If passed, the rule would have no legal force, directly affecting how power plants regulate emissions under federal law.
This joint resolution (SJRES 93) seeks to block a specific rule proposed by the Department of Commerce. It targets the rule titled "Revision of Firearms License Requirements" (published April 30, 2024, in the Federal Register), which would have changed requirements for firearms licenses. If passed, the resolution would prevent this rule from taking effect by invoking a congressional disapproval process under Title 5, U.S. Code. The resolution directly affects the implementation of the Commerce Department's proposed firearms licensing changes, not the licensing requirements themselves.
This bill (SJRES 94) seeks to block a proposed rule from the Department of Health and Human Services that would have changed regulations for the Unaccompanied Children Program. The rule, published in the Federal Register on April 30, 2024, aimed to update how unaccompanied alien children are placed, cared for, and provided services. If approved, this resolution would prevent the rule from taking effect, keeping existing regulations in place. It directly affects the federal program that handles minors entering the U.S. without parents or guardians. The bill does not change the program's operations but stops the proposed regulatory changes.
This resolution states that the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision (which overturned Roe v. Wade) does not affect women's legal right to access contraception. It clarifies that the Court explicitly limited Dobbs to abortion rights and affirmed that its ruling "should be understood to cast doubt on precedents that do not concern abortion." The resolution aims to prevent confusion by affirming that federal agencies must not change policies regarding contraceptive access based on Dobbs. It is a non-binding statement from the Senate, not a law, intended to reassure the public about existing contraceptive rights.
S 4447, the "Allowing Greater Access to Safe and Effective Contraception Act," would require the FDA to prioritize review of applications for oral contraceptives intended for routine use (excluding emergency contraception or abortion-related drugs), potentially enabling over-the-counter access for adults 18 and older. It includes a fee waiver for these applications and maintains prescription requirements for individuals under 18. The bill also mandates a GAO study on federal funding for contraception across programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and Title X over the past 15 years. These provisions aim to streamline approval for accessible birth control while clarifying funding patterns.
S 4381, the Right to Contraception Act, establishes a federal statutory right for individuals to access contraceptives and contraception services without government interference, directly affecting people seeking care, healthcare providers (like doctors, nurses, and pharmacists), and state governments. It prohibits states or the federal government from implementing laws that restrict access to contraceptives, hinder providers from offering services, or single out contraceptive care for special restrictions. The bill preempts conflicting state laws and creates legal avenues for individuals or providers to sue to block violations, with courts required to invalidate such restrictive laws. It explicitly does not alter existing requirements for health insurance coverage of contraceptives under federal law.
S 930, the Honoring Our Fallen Heroes Act of 2023, creates a presumption that public safety officers (such as firefighters and police) who develop specific cancers after exposure during duty have work-related injuries. It defines "exposure-related cancer" to include 22 types (like lung, leukemia, and WTC-related cancers) and presumes these cancers are work-related if officers were exposed during service, diagnosed within 15 years of retirement, and the cancer caused death or permanent disability. The bill requires the Bureau to review scientific evidence to add new cancer types to the list within 180 days of a petition. This directly affects families seeking benefits for fallen officers by shifting the burden of proof to the Bureau, not the claimants.
This bill (SJRES 91) seeks to block a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rule that set minimum staffing requirements for long-term care facilities (like nursing homes) and required transparency in Medicaid payments. If passed, it would cancel the rule (89 Fed. Reg. 40876), preventing it from taking effect under a specific congressional review process. The rule directly affects long-term care providers and Medicaid programs by imposing new staffing and reporting requirements. This resolution is procedural - it does not create new law but halts the implementation of the CMS rule.
SRES 722 is a Senate resolution expressing gratitude for the heroism of U.S. Armed Forces members who participated in the D-Day invasion at Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944. It commemorates the 80th anniversary of this pivotal World War II operation, which helped end the war, and commends the leadership and bravery of those who fought. The resolution requests the President issue a proclamation encouraging public ceremonies to honor veterans' sacrifices and recognizes France's efforts to preserve Normandy's historical sites as a UNESCO World Heritage site. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no legal effect but serves to publicly honor historical service and legacy.
SRES 724 designates May 2024 as "National Brain Tumor Awareness Month" through a symbolic Senate resolution. The resolution highlights statistics on brain tumor diagnoses, survival rates, and the disease's impact on children, teens, and young adults, while encouraging public awareness. It does not create new laws or allocate funding but urges support for research, better treatments, and honors those affected by brain tumors. The resolution directly affects public discourse and advocacy efforts, not specific individuals or programs.
HR 5403, the CBDC Anti-Surveillance State Act, prohibits the Federal Reserve from issuing or facilitating central bank digital currency (CBDC) directly or indirectly to individuals through financial institutions. It specifically bans Federal Reserve banks from offering digital products to individuals, maintaining individual accounts, or using CBDC for monetary policy implementation. The bill also clarifies that its restrictions do not apply to existing physical cash or private, permissionless digital payment systems. This bill directly affects the Federal Reserve's ability to develop or deploy a government-run digital dollar. The law aims to prevent the Federal Reserve from creating a digital currency that could enable transaction tracking or government oversight of personal financial activity.
HJRES 150 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that established updated national emission standards for hazardous air pollutants from coal and oil-fired power plants. The resolution targets the EPA's specific rule published on May 7, 2024, which required these facilities to review residual risks and technologies to reduce emissions. If enacted, the resolution would nullify the rule, preventing the new standards from taking effect and keeping current regulations in place for power plants. This procedural bill uses the Congressional Review Act (Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code) to block the EPA rule without altering existing environmental laws.
