This act directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to commemorate Glen Doherty, Tyrone Woods, J. Christopher Stevens, and Sean Smith, four Americans killed in the September 11, 2012, attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya. (Stevens was the U.S. Ambassador to Libya at the time, Smith was an officer in the Foreign Service, and Doherty and Woods were both government contractors and former Navy SEALs.) After the medal has been awarded, it shall be given to the Central Intelligence Agency Museum.
Saving Money and Accelerating Repairs Through Leasing Act or the SMART Leasing Act This bill authorizes the General Services Administration (GSA) to establish a pilot program that allows federal agencies to lease underutilized properties with GSA approval and to use the rent payments to help fund capital projects and facilities maintenance. The GSA may not enter into a lease under the pilot program unless it certifies that the lease will not have a negative impact on its mission or that of the applicable federal agency. The bill provides for a maximum of six leases under the program during each fiscal year, with a term of up to 15 years.
Fair and Open Skies Act This bill prohibits the Department of Transportation (DOT) from issuing a foreign air carrier permit or an exemption from certain air carrier certificate requirements under the United States-European Union Air Transport Agreement of April 2007, unless DOT finds that issuing the permit or exemption would be consistent with Article 17 bis of the agreement, which provides that opportunities created by the agreement do not undermine labor standards or the labor-related rights and principles contained in the laws of the respective parties to the agreement; and imposes conditions on the permit or exemption necessary to ensure compliance with Article 17 bis . The bill modifies policy considerations relating to air carrier certificates to require DOT to consider preventing entry into U.S. markets by flag of convenience carriers (i.e., foreign air carriers established in a country other the home country of their majority owner in order to avoid regulations of the home country) and preventing the undermining of labor standards. In carrying out such air carrier certificate requirements, DOT must consider preventing entry of flag of convenience carriers into U.S. markets as being in the public interest and consistent with public convenience and necessity for safety in air transportation and air commerce. In formulating U.S. international air transportation policy relating to the elimination of discrimination and unfair competition, the Department of State and DOT must include in their considerations the undermining of labor standards.
Cardiovascular Advances in Research and Opportunities Legacy Act This act addresses research, education, and awareness concerning valvular heart disease and its treatment. This disease is caused by damage to or disease affecting any valve that controls blood flow in the heart. The National Institutes of Health may conduct or support research on the disease in consultation with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). The NHLBI must also conduct a workshop on mitral valve prolapse, which occurs when the valve between the chambers of the left side of the heart seals improperly. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must develop best practices to treat valvular heart disease. HHS may also carry out other projects to increase education and awareness of the disease.
Protecting the Border from Unmanned Aircraft Systems Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to work with the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Department of Defense to develop a strategy for a unified posture on counter-unmanned aircraft systems capabilities and protections at certain facilities at or near a U.S. international border (generally, facilities or assets considered high-risk or a potential target and that are related to certain DHS or DOJ missions).
Setting Manageable Analysis Requirements in Text Act of 2022 or the SMART Act of 202 2 This bill requires agencies, when publishing a proposed or final major rule, to include a framework for assessing whether the rule achieves its regulatory objective. An agency must assess a rule in the time frame included in the framework. The assessment must compare the rule's anticipated and actual benefits and costs. The bill defines a major rule as a rule likely to cause (1) an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; (2) a major increase in costs or prices; or (3) significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, health, safety, the environment, or the ability of U.S.-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises.
Safeguarding American Innovation Act This bill addresses the security of federally funded research and development grants and export-controlled goods, technologies, or sensitive information. The bill establishes in the Office of Management and Budget a Federal Research Security Council to develop federally funded research and development grant making policy and management guidance to protect the national and economic security interests of the United States. Each executive agency on the council shall be responsible for assessing federal research security risks posed by persons participating in federally funded research and development. The bill prohibits any individual from knowingly (1) preparing or submitting a federal grant application that fails to disclose the receipt of any outside compensation, including foreign compensation, by the individual; or (2) forging, counterfeiting, or otherwise falsifying a document to obtain a federal grant. An alien shall be inadmissible to the United States if a consulate or the Department of Justice knows the alien seeks to enter the United States to acquire export-controlled goods, technologies, or sensitive information if the Department of State has determined that such acquisition would be contrary to U.S. national security (including economic security). The bill revises provisions relating to the disclosure of foreign gifts.
Further Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2023 This act provides continuing FY2023 appropriations for federal agencies through December 23, 2022, and extends several expiring programs and authorities. (Unless otherwise specified, the extensions referred to in this summary are also effective through December 23, 2022.) The act also requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop guidance and take other actions to update precipitation estimates. (Sec. 3) This section provides that references to this Act included in any division of this act refer only to the provisions of the division unless the act expressly provides otherwise. (Sec. 4) This section provides appropriations for a payment to Colette Wallace McEachin, the beneficiary of the late Representative Aston Donald McEachin. (A gratuity equal to one year's salary has long been given to the heirs or beneficiaries of Members of Congress who die in office.) DIVISION A--FURTHER CONTINUING APPROPRIATIONS ACT, 2023 Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2023 This division provides continuing FY2023 appropriations to federal agencies through the earlier of December 23, 2022, or the enactment of the applicable appropriations act. It is known as a continuing resolution (CR) and prevents a government shutdown that would otherwise occur if the FY2023 appropriations bills have not been enacted when the existing CR expires on December 16, 2022. The CR funds most programs and activities at the FY2022 levels. It also extends several exceptions that provide funding flexibility or additional appropriations for various programs. The division also extends the Department of Homeland Security's federal intrusion detection and prevention system and a related reporting requirement. DIVISION B--OTHER MATTERS TITLE I--EXTENSIONS (Sec. 101) This section extends the authority of the Federal Communications Commission to conduct auctions for electromagnetic spectrum licenses. (Sec. 102) This section extends a special assessment on nonindigent persons or entities convicted of certain offenses involving sexual abuse or human trafficking. The assessment funds programs for human-trafficking survivors. United States Parole Commission Further Extension Act of 2022 (Sec. 103) This section extends the U.S. Parole Commission. (Sec. 104) This section extends the Commodity Futures Trading Commission Customer Protection Fund expenses account. TITLE II--BUDGETARY EFFECTS This title exempts the budgetary effects of this division and each succeeding division from (1) the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO), (2) the Senate PAYGO rule, and (3) certain budget scorekeeping rules. DIVISION C--HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TITLE I--MEDICARE AND MEDICAID (Sec. 101) This section extends certain increased payment adjustments for low-volume hospitals under Medicare's inpatient prospective payment system. (Sec. 102) This section extends the Medicare-Dependent Hospital Program, which provides additional payments to certain small rural hospitals that have a high proportion of Medicare patients. (Sec. 103) This section extends the increased Medicaid federal matching rate (also known as the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage) for U.S. territories. (Sec. 104) This section decreases funding for the Medicare Improvement Fund. TITLE II--HUMAN SERVICES (Sec. 201) This section extends and provides additional funding for the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program, which supports pregnant individuals and parents of young children in certain communities through home visits and partnerships with health, social service, and child development professionals. (Sec. 202) This section extends and provides additional funding for the Stephanie Tubbs Jones Child Welfare Services Program and the MaryLee Allen Promoting Safe and Stable Families Program (i.e., Title IV-B child and family services programs). TITLE III--EXTENSION OF FDA AUTHORIZATIONS (Sec. 301) This section reauthorizes the Critical Path Public-Private Partnerships, through which the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may enter into collaborative agreements with eligible entities to develop projects designed to achieve certain goals, such as fostering medical product innovation and accelerating medical product development. (Sec. 302) This section reauthorizes a National Institutes of Health program to (1) develop and publish a priority list of needs in pediatric therapeutics, and (2) award funds to entities with expertise in conducting research regarding such needs. (Sec. 303) This section reauthorizes through December 24, 2022, the humanitarian device exemption program, which authorizes the FDA to, for the purposes of an application for approval to market a medical device, waive certain effectiveness requirements for an eligible device designed to treat or diagnose a disease or condition that affects no more than 8,000 individuals in the United States. Specifically, a request for such an exemption must be submitted on or before December 24, 2022. (Sec. 304) This section reauthorizes a program that provides grants or contracts to nonprofit consortia for demonstration projects to promote pediatric device development. (Sec. 305) This section reauthorizes until December 24, 2022, a provision that allows an applicant for market approval for an eligible single-enantiomer drug to make an election that may qualify the drug for a five-year market exclusivity period. (Sec. 306) This section extends through December 24, 2022, a provision requiring the FDA to accredit persons to inspect facilities that manufacture certain classes of medical devices. (Sec. 307) This section reauthorizes an FDA program that provides grants to defray the costs of developing drugs, medical devices, and medical foods for rare diseases or conditions. (Sec. 308) This section reauthorizes a provision requiring the FDA to post on its website quarterly reports with information on received generic drug applications and priority review applications. (Sec. 309) This section reauthorizes through December 24, 2022, a program that allows accredited persons to review reports and make recommendations to the FDA pertaining to the initial classification of medical devices. TITLE IV--INDIAN HEALTH This title extends until December 24, 2022, provisions that prohibit the Indian Health Service from disbursing funds to Alaska Native villages or corporations that are located in areas served by Alaska Native regional health entities. DIVISION D--PRECIP ACT Providing Research and Estimates of Changes In Precipitation Act or the PRECIP Act This division directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to take actions regarding precipitation estimation. NOAA must seek to enter an agreement with the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine to conduct a study on the state of practice and research needs for precipitation estimation, including probable maximum precipitation estimation. NOAA, in consideration of the study's recommendations, shall consult with relevant partners on the development of a plan to update probable maximum precipitation estimates. NOAA shall develop guidance regarding probable maximum precipitation estimates that (1) provides best practices for federal and state regulatory agencies, private meteorological consultants, and other users that perform probable maximum precipitation studies; (2) considers the recommendations provided in the National Academies study; (3) facilitates review of probable maximum precipitation studies by regulatory agencies; and (4) provides confidence in regional and site-specific probable maximum precipitation estimates.
This joint resolution nullifies a Department of Labor rule concerning the fiduciary duties with respect to employee benefit plans. Under the rule issued on December 1, 2022, plan fiduciaries may consider climate change and other environmental, social, and governance factors when they make investment decisions and when they exercise shareholder rights, including voting on shareholder resolutions and board nominations.
Focus on the Mission Act of 2022 This bill prohibits the Department of Defense from requiring the recipient of a federal contract to provide a greenhouse gas inventory or to provide any other report on greenhouse gas emissions.
Eliminate Useless Reports Act of 2022 This bill requires federal agencies to include a list of outdated or duplicative reporting requirements in their annual budget justifications. The agencies must also include recommendations for ending, modifying, consolidating, or reducing the frequency of each of the outdated or duplicative reports.
Continuity for Operators with Necessary Training Required for ATC Contract Towers Act of 2021 or the CONTRACT Act of 2021 This bill exempts certain air traffic controllers from a required reduction in their retirement annuity payment on account of earnings from certain work performed while entitled to such annuity. Under current law, retired Federal Aviation Administration air traffic controllers receive an annuity payment during the period between the mandatory retirement age of 56 and the Social Security minimum age of 62. Such annuity payment is required to be reduced by a certain percentage of any excess earnings during this period. The bill exempts from such reduction in annuity payments an air traffic controller who participates in the Air Traffic Control Contract Program (a public-private partnership for air traffic control services) following mandatory retirement.
