This resolution amends House rules to prohibit members, officers, and employees from serving on the board of directors of any organization connected to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or designated foreign adversaries. It specifically bans board service on entities receiving funding from or affiliated with the CCP’s United Front Work Department, other CCP elements, or entities labeled "foreign adversaries" by the State Department under a specific 2023 regulation. The rule change applies to all House staff and members in their official capacities, targeting potential conflicts of interest with foreign entities. It does not affect private board roles outside of official House duties.
S 722, the Freedom To Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act, allows individuals to use funds from 529 college savings accounts to cover career training and credentialing expenses. It expands the definition of "qualified higher education expenses" to include tuition, fees, and exam costs for recognized postsecondary credential programs (like industry certifications) that meet specific standards under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. This directly affects workers seeking job-focused training or certifications instead of traditional college degrees, enabling them to use existing 529 savings for these expenses. The bill takes effect for expenses paid after its enactment date.
This bill expands the use of 529 college savings accounts to cover career training and credentialing costs. It allows funds to pay for tuition, fees, books, and testing expenses related to recognized postsecondary credential programs (like vocational certifications) that meet specific standards under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The change directly affects workers seeking industry-recognized credentials - such as nursing certifications or IT certifications - instead of traditional degrees. It treats these expenses the same as traditional college costs for 529 account withdrawals, making it easier to save for career-focused training. The provision applies to expenses paid after the bill's enactment date.
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment that prohibits an individual who is not a U.S. citizen from voting in federal, state, or local elections for public office or voting on any ballot initiative or referendum held in the United States.
Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2023 This bill provides for an additional payment for clinical psychologists under Medicare who provide services in designated health professional shortage areas. It also allows clinical psychologists to provide behavioral health services (in accordance with state law) for purposes of hospitalization services, home health services, and other services under Medicare.
S 675, the REVIEW Act of 2023, requires federal agencies to delay implementing major regulations until after judicial review is complete. It defines "high-impact rules" as those potentially costing the economy $1 billion or more annually, mandating agencies submit such rules to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for review before publication. Agencies must postpone a high-impact rule's effective date until all judicial review actions are resolved, unless no challenge is filed within 60 days of publication. This bill directly affects federal agencies creating significant economic regulations, adding a pre-implementation review step for major rules.
This bill redefines "guidance" issued by entities with presidential authority (like task forces) to require Congressional review, similar to formal agency rules. It directly affects non-agency entities (e.g., presidential task forces) that issue operational guidance on policy or regulations. Key provisions expand the definition of "guidance" to include memoranda, letters, and directives, and mandate that these entities follow the same Congressional review process as federal agencies. The change ensures such guidance must undergo the same scrutiny as agency rules before taking effect.
This bill amends U.S. Treasury regulations to require the Secretary of the Treasury to consider terrorism facilitation when designating foreign financial institutions as "of primary money laundering concern." It specifically directs the Treasury to evaluate whether institutions knowingly provide banking services to entities designated under federal anti-terrorism regulations or facilitate payments for acts of terrorism defined in the Taylor Force Act (22 U.S.C. 2378c-1). The measure targets foreign banks that maintain correspondent accounts with U.S. banks while allegedly enabling terrorist financing through dollar transactions. It directly affects foreign financial institutions operating with U.S. correspondent banking relationships. The policy change focuses on strengthening anti-terrorism financial oversight by expanding the criteria used in Treasury designations.
American Safety And Fairness through Expedited Removal Act of 2023 or the American SAFER Act of 202 3 This bill expands the classes of non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who are subject to expedited removal (i.e., removal from the United States without further hearing or review). Specifically, the bill nullifies a 2004 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule that generally limits expedited removal to certain situations, such as for non-U.S. nationals encountered within 14 days of entry into the United States without inspection and within 100 miles of a U.S. international land border. The bill also (1) prohibits DHS from implementing a rule that limits expedited removal based on how far a non-U.S. national was from the border when encountered or apprehended, and (2) modifies the relevant statute to state that expedited removal authority applies regardless of where the non-U.S. national was encountered or apprehended.
HR 1388 authorizes the minting of commemorative coins to honor the 1865 Sultana steamboat disaster, the deadliest maritime tragedy in U.S. history. It specifies three coin types ($5 gold, $1 silver, and half-dollar) with defined weights and compositions, to be sold at face value plus surcharges ($35, $10, and $5 per coin, respectively). All surcharges collected will fund the Sultana Historical Preservation Society for museum development, including exhibits, artifact preservation, and facility construction. The coins are legal tender but intended for collectors, with sales limited to a one-year period starting January 2023.
This bill requires the President to assess the inflation impact of major executive orders before issuing them. For any executive order projected to cost at least $1 billion annually in budget effects (excluding emergency relief, national security actions, or treaty implementation), the President must prepare a statement estimating its effect on inflation - whether it has no impact, quantifiable impact, or significant but undeterminable impact. Federal agencies must provide necessary data to support this assessment, and the President must submit an annual report to Congress detailing all such assessments. The bill does not change inflation policy but mandates a new procedural review for major executive actions.
SRES 57 is a Senate resolution honoring David Ferdinand Durenberger, a former U.S. Senator from Minnesota (served 1978-1989). It commemorates his life and career, highlighting his role as the lead Republican sponsor of the Americans with Disabilities Act and his work protecting Minnesota's natural resources like the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The resolution directs the Senate to formally recognize his passing and transmit a copy to his family. This is a ceremonial resolution with no policy changes or direct impact on constituents.
