HR 7837, the National Guard Promotion Improvement Act of 2022, addresses delays in Federal recognition of promotions for Army and Air National Guard reserve officers. It requires an independent study to review the promotion process and identify ways to reduce delays, mandates backdating promotions for officers affected by delays exceeding 60 days (unless caused by the officer), and establishes annual reporting requirements on processing times. The bill directly affects reserve commissioned officers in the Army and Air National Guard who face extended waits for Federal promotion approval. Key provisions include the study on best practices and IT solutions, automatic promotion date adjustments for eligible officers, and detailed annual reports tracking delay metrics to Congress.
SRES 643 is a Senate resolution designating the week of May 15-21, 2022, as "National Police Week" to honor law enforcement officers who serve and sacrifice in their communities. The resolution recognizes the service of law enforcement officers, particularly those killed or injured in the line of duty, and acknowledges their sacrifices during the COVID-19 pandemic. It expresses support for officers' needs for proper equipment, training, and resources, and encourages the public to observe the week by honoring law enforcement personnel. This designation serves as a formal recognition of law enforcement service without creating new legal requirements or policy changes.
Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take certain actions to address emergencies, disasters, and supply chain disruptions (particularly the shortage of infant formula in the United States) affecting participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). For example, the bill directs USDA to require each infant formula cost containment contract to include remedies in the event of an infant formula recall, including how an infant formula manufacturer would protect against disruption to WIC participants in the state.
HOPE for HOMES Act of 2021 This bill provides support for energy efficiency upgrades in homes. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a grant program that supports training on how to efficiently retrofit homes. In addition, DOE must establish a Home Energy Savings Retrofit Rebate Program to provide rebates for homeowners to invest in energy efficiency improvements.
Health Care Providers Safety Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to award grants to health care providers for security services and other expenses related to physical security and cybersecurity.
Veteran Affairs Home Loan Guaranty Resiliency And Concurrency Enhancement Act of 2021 or the VA Home Loan GRACE Act of 2021 This bill modifies provisions related to the Department of Veterans Affairs home loan program, including by establishing a penalty for knowingly making a false certification for a loan under the program.
This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that the President use existing authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950 to ensure the supply and equitable distribution of infant formula. That act confers upon the President a broad set of authorities to influence domestic industry in order to provide essential materials and goods needed for the national defense.
Greatest Generation Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 50,000 $5 coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the National World War II Memorial in the District of Columbia. The design of the coins shall be emblematic of the memorial and the service and sacrifice of American soldiers and civilians during World War II. All surcharges received from the sale of such coins shall be paid to the Friends of the National World War II Memorial to support the National Park Service in maintaining and repairing the memorial, and for educational and commemorative programs.
Transportation Fuel Market Transparency Act This bill expands prohibitions against manipulating fuel markets, establishes a body within the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to monitor fuel markets to ensure competitiveness, and addresses related issues. Prohibitions against the manipulation of wholesale fuel markets or reporting false (or misleading) information shall apply to actions related to crude oil and transportation fuel, defined in this bill to include gasoline, distillate fuels, jet fuel, aviation gasoline, and biofuel. Currently, such prohibitions only apply to crude oil, gasoline, and petroleum distillates. The bill further expands the prohibition on reporting false information to include such information that (1) concerns the supply of, operational actions related to, or output related to wholesale fuel markets; (2) is not required to be reported by law; or (3) affects the analyses or data compiled by a private sector price-reporting agency. The bill also increases the maximum civil penalty for violating these prohibitions from $1 million to $2 million for each day of the violation. Furthermore, the bill establishes within the FTC the Transportation Fuel Monitoring and Enforcement Unit. The unit must continuously and comprehensively collect and analyze fuel market data to support competitive market practices, identify market manipulation and other unfair methods of competition, and facilitate enforcement of competition-related statutes. The Energy Information Administration within the Department of Energy must collect data to facilitate transparent and competitive transportation fuel markets, determine adherence to sanctions, and protect consumers.
Helping Employees Navigate Rabies Regulations from over Yonder or the HENRY Act This bill directs certain actions to allow federal officers and employees to bring dogs into the United States from countries that are considered high-risk for rabies. Among other provisions, the bill directs the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to allow federal officers and employees who are stationed abroad, including members of the military, to bring up to three dogs into the United States per entry; the CDC may allow for more dogs through specialized waivers.
SRES 634 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating May 2022 as National Foster Care Month. It recognizes the challenges faced by the approximately 407,000 children in foster care in the U.S., highlights issues like prolonged stays and educational instability, and acknowledges foster parents and youth resilience. The resolution encourages Congress to implement policies improving foster care outcomes but does not create new laws or funding. It specifically supports May 31, 2022, as National Foster Parent Appreciation Day and reaffirms existing federal efforts like the Family First Prevention Services Act. This resolution serves solely to raise awareness, not to enact policy changes.
Canterbury Shaker Village National Heritage Area Study Authorization Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating the boundaries of the Canterbury Shaker Village National Historic Landmark located in Merrimack County, New Hampshire, as a National Heritage Area, to be known as the Canterbury Shaker Village National Heritage Area.
