This resolution addresses the need for improvements to broadband infrastructure, particularly in rural areas, and the role of specified federal agencies in making such improvements.
John White Ensuring Timely Black Lung Benefits Act This bill requires payment of black lung benefits to eligible individuals within 60 days of their eligibility determination. Black lung disease (or pneumoconiosis) is a lung disease caused by the inhalation of coal dust. Coal miners and certain other workers (and their survivors) are eligible for benefits for disability or death caused by black lung disease arising out of coal mine employment. Generally, operators of underground coal mines are responsible for the payment of black lung benefits for their workers. Under this bill, if operator liability has not been determined within 60 days of a worker's eligibility determination, the Department of Labor must pay the worker's benefits from the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund. (Typically, that fund pays benefits in cases where the responsible operator either no longer exists and has no successor operator or is unable to pay benefits.) Operators that are subsequently found liable for the benefits must reimburse the fund.
National Institute of Standards and Technology for the Future Act of 2021 This bill reauthorizes the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) through FY2026 and establishes programs and activities. The bill sets forth requirements for supporting basic measurement science, technology research for engineering biology, biomanufacturing, and biometrology; developing standards to measure greenhouse gas emissions; carrying out research on identity management, cybersecurity, biometric identification, and communications measurement; assessing identified vulnerabilities with open-source software; operating the National Advanced Spectrum and Communications Test Network; a strategic plan concerning the Center for Neutron Research; establishing in NIST an organization to facilitate the development of forensic science standards; activities in support of green and sustainable chemistry (i.e., clean, safe, and economic alternatives, technologies, and methodologies to traditional chemical products and processes); information exchange and coordination among federal agencies and with the private sector to ensure federal engagement in the development and use of international technical standards; and establishing a five-year pilot program to award grants to support increased participation by small business and academic interests in international standards organizations. The Government Accountability Office must conduct a study of NIST's policies and protocols to protect its research and combat undue foreign influence. NIST shall establish, as a part of the Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership, a pilot program of expansion awards among manufacturing extension centers or a consortium of centers to develop and support training and job placement services. NIST shall establish a National Supply Chain Database to assist the federal government and industry sectors in minimizing disruptions to the United States' supply chain.
National Science and Technology Strategy Act of 2021 This bill requires the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) to develop a national science and technology strategy and publish a science and technology review. The bill revises OSTP reporting requirements to direct the OSTP to submit to Congress a comprehensive national science and technology strategy of the United States to meet national research and development objectives for the following four-year period. No later than December 31, 2022, and every four years afterwards, the OSTP shall complete a review of the science and technology enterprise of the United States.
This resolution supports the designation of February 19-February 26, 2022, as National FFA Week. It also (1) recognizes the important role of the National FFA Organization (Future Farmers of America) in developing the next generation of leaders who will change the world, and (2) celebrates 70 years of the National FFA Organization's membership magazine.
This Senate resolution (SRES 526) formally condemns the antisemitic terrorist attack at Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, on January 15, 2022, where hostages were held at gunpoint. It expresses gratitude that no lives were lost, applauds law enforcement and emergency responders for their actions, and condemns antisemitism in the United States. The resolution does not create new policies or allocate funds; it is a symbolic expression of support for the Jewish community and law enforcement. It directly affects the congregation and local community by affirming their safety and the importance of religious freedom.
This resolution supports the designation of February 2022 as Career and Technical Education Month to celebrate career and technical education across the United States.
Never Yielding Europe's Territory (NYET) Act of 2022 This bill addresses Russia's actions against Ukraine and other countries in the region. The bill authorizes and expedites the provision of security assistance, including by (1) prioritizing delivering excess defense articles to Ukraine, (2) authorizing the Department of State to waive certain costs for defense articles leased to Ukraine, and (3) authorizing additional Foreign Military Financing for programs in Europe. The bill also provides funding for (1) Foreign Military Financing assistance to Ukraine, (2) the Global Engagement Center to counter foreign-sponsored propaganda and disinformation, (3) the Countering Russian Influence Fund to support Ukraine and other countries in response to Russia's aggression, and (4) International Military Education and Training assistance for Ukraine. Furthermore, the bill imposes sanctions, including on (1) senior Russian military officials responsible for planning or executing military operations that violated Ukraine's sovereignty or territorial integrity, and (2) foreign individuals or entities that acted on behalf of Russia's government to destabilize Ukraine or disrupt Ukraine's critical infrastructure. The bill also addresses additional matters, including (1) authorizing Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty to explore opening new bureaus to reach audiences on Russia's periphery; and (2) providing for expedited approval of natural gas exports to qualifying nations, including NATO members, whereas currently expedited approval is only available for exports to countries that are in a free trade agreement relating to natural gas with the United States.
This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to report to Congress on barriers to the domestic manufacturing of imported active pharmaceutical ingredients, finished drug products, and devices that are critical to public health. The report must recommend strategies to overcome such barriers. The FDA may, to the extent appropriate, implement the strategies.
Stop Funding Our Adversaries Act of 2022 This bill prohibits federal agencies from conducting or supporting, either directly or indirectly, research that will be conducted by China's government, the Chinese Communist Party, or any agent, instrumentality, or entity belonging to or controlled by either entity.
Belarus Aggression Accountability Act of 2022 This bill imposes sanctions on individuals and entities in Belarus that provide support to acts of military aggression by Russia's government that violate Ukraine's sovereignty or territorial integrity. The Department of State must periodically report to Congress an assessment of activities of the armed forces of Belarus that aid or assist such military aggression by Russia's government, as well as the identities of individuals and entities in Belarus that provide such aid. The President must impose property-blocking sanctions on at least five of the identified individuals and entities (and visa-blocking sanctions in the case of an individual). The State Department report must also identify individuals and entities in Belarus that knowingly engage in a significant transaction with an individual or entity that is a part of the defense or intelligence sectors of Russia's government. The President may impose sanctions on such identified individuals and entities.
Cutting Rampant Access to Crack Kits Act of 2022 or the CRACK Act of 2022 This bill prohibits community-based overdose prevention programs, syringe services programs, and other harm reduction programs from using funds made available through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 to procure or distribute pipes or other paraphernalia that can be used to smoke, inhale, or ingest narcotics.
