Pennsylvania Congressional Bills

passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 15, 2024

HR 6011: ROWATA Act

The ROWATA Act requires federal agencies to notify applicants within 60 days whether a right-of-way application for federal lands is complete or needs additional information. This directly affects companies or individuals seeking to build infrastructure (like pipelines or roads) on public lands or National Forest System lands. The key provision mandates that the Secretary of the Interior (for public lands) or Secretary of Agriculture (for National Forests) must provide this notification within 60 days of receiving an application. The bill focuses on streamlining the application process with a clear timeline, without changing land use policies.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 12, 2024

HRES 1117: Opposing efforts to place one-sided pressure on Israel with respect to Gaza.

This resolution (HRES 1117) is a formal statement by the U.S. House of Representatives opposing efforts to pressure Israel regarding Gaza. It specifically criticizes calls for an immediate ceasefire, including President Biden's April 4, 2024, statement and UN Security Council Resolution 2728, which the resolution claims was adopted due to the U.S. not vetoing it. The resolution affirms Israel’s right to self-defense following the October 7 Hamas attacks and emphasizes the U.S.-Israel relationship as a major strategic partnership. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change laws or policies but expresses the House’s position on diplomatic pressure related to Gaza.

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 10, 2024

SRES 636: A resolution designating February 29, 2024, as "Rare Disease Day".

SRES 636 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating February 29, 2024, as "Rare Disease Day." It recognizes the importance of raising awareness about rare diseases, improving early diagnosis, and supporting research for treatments - without creating new policies or affecting any specific group. The resolution highlights that rare diseases affect over 30 million people in the U.S. but does not include funding or regulatory changes. It aligns with the annual global observance of Rare Disease Day, observed on the last day of February.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Apr 10, 2024

HR 6655: A Stronger Workforce for America Act

# Summary of Proposed WIOA Amendment This document proposes significant amendments to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), with key changes including: 1. **YouthBuild Program Enhancement**: - Increased annual funding authorization to $108,150,000 - New performance reporting requirements - Added focus on opioid-related training and services 2. **New Reentry Employment Opportunities Program** (Section 172): - Creates a competitive grant program for justice-involved individuals - Requires evidence-based practices and performance metrics - Includes specific requirements for recidivism reduction - Defines "eligible adult" (age 25+) and "eligible youth" (age 14-24) 3. **Strengthening Community Colleges Program** (Section 173): - Creates new grant program with $65,000,000 annual funding - Requires industry partnerships for workforce development - Mandates evidence-based program design - Focuses on recognized postsecondary credentials and career pathways 4. **Performance Accountability System**: - Enhanced data collection and reporting requirements - New requirement for making data available in "linked, open, and interoperable data formats" - More detailed performance metrics for all programs 5. **Funding Increases**: - Increased authorizations for multiple programs: - Native American programs: $61,800,000 annually - Migrant and seasonal farmworker programs: $100,317,900 annually - Technical assistance: $5,000,000 annually - Evaluations and research: $12,720,000 annually 6. **Administrative Changes**: - New consultation requirement with labor organizations for on-the-job training - Revised definitions (e.g., "English language learners" changed to "English learners") - New requirements for public reporting of matching funds 7. **Data Infrastructure**: - New "Workforce Data Infrastructure" provisions (Section 174) - Requirements for interoperable data systems - Focus on credential registries and data sharing The proposed amendment emphasizes data-driven decision making, industry-aligned training, performance accountability, and expanded opportunities for underserved populations including justice-involved individuals, opioid treatment participants, and individuals with barriers to employment.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Virginia Foxx (R) · 29 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 23, 2024

SRES 333: A resolution designating 2024 as the Year of Democracy as a time to reflect on the contributions of the system of Government of the United States to a more free and stable world.

SRES 333 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating 2024 as the "Year of Democracy" to highlight the U.S. government system's global contributions to freedom. It does not create new laws or directly affect citizens, but encourages states, local governments, and the public to observe the year through activities that honor democratic principles. The resolution urges reflection on the U.S. system's role in promoting global freedom, appreciation for historical sacrifices, and respectful civic engagement. It has no binding effect and serves solely as a commemorative gesture.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Mar 22, 2024

HCONRES 86: Expressing the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to the United States economy.

HCONRES 86 is a non-binding congressional resolution expressing that a carbon tax would harm the U.S. economy. It states that such a tax would raise energy prices for essentials like gasoline, electricity, and home heating, disproportionately affecting low-income families, the elderly, and fixed-income individuals. The resolution argues a carbon tax would reduce economic growth, encourage businesses to move overseas, and weaken U.S. global competitiveness, urging focus on pro-growth energy policies instead.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Ryan K. Zinke (R) · 21 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Mar 21, 2024

HRES 987: Denouncing the harmful, anti-American energy policies of the Biden administration, and for other purposes.

HRES 987 is a symbolic resolution introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on January 31, 2024, by multiple Republican members. It formally denounces the Biden administration’s energy policies as "harmful" and "anti-American," citing specific actions like canceling the Keystone XL pipeline, restricting federal land leasing for oil and gas, blocking LNG exports, and implementing mineral extraction rules. The resolution does not create new laws or affect any group directly; it serves only as a formal expression of disapproval by the House. It has no legal effect and is intended to convey political opposition to the administration’s approach to energy development.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Dan Newhouse (R) · 22 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 21, 2024

S 1332: Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act

This bill creates a new job category for direct support professionals (DSPs) in the federal Standard Occupational Classification system. DSPs are workers who provide personalized care to people with intellectual or developmental disabilities, helping them with daily tasks, community participation, and achieving independence goals. The bill requires the Office of Management and Budget to add a specific code (31-1123) under healthcare support occupations within 30 days of enactment. This change aims to improve data collection on DSP workforce shortages and high turnover rates, which currently affect service stability for people with disabilities. It does not change funding, services, or regulations - only how these workers are classified for statistical purposes.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

passed · Pennsylvania · House Mar 21, 2024

HR 1121: Protecting American Energy Production Act

The Protecting American Energy Production Act (HR 1121) states that Congress believes states should have primary authority to regulate hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas production on state and private lands. It prohibits the President from declaring a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing without specific authorization from Congress. This bill directly affects federal and state governments by limiting the executive branch’s power to halt hydraulic fracturing operations and reinforcing state regulatory control. The key provision ensures any federal restriction on hydraulic fracturing would require a new law passed by Congress, not a presidential order.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

Jeff Duncan (R) · 29 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Mar 20, 2024

SRES 604: A resolution designating March 21, 2024, as "National Women in Agriculture Day".

This Senate resolution designates March 21, 2024, as "National Women in Agriculture Day." It recognizes the contributions of women in agriculture as producers, educators, leaders, and mentors, highlighting their role in farming operations, agricultural sales (accounting for 36% of U.S. farm sales in 2022), and workforce development. The resolution encourages all citizens to acknowledge women's impact on the agricultural industry and support their participation in the field through initiatives like mentorship and education. As a symbolic gesture with no legal effect, it does not create new policies or obligations but aims to raise awareness of women's roles in agriculture.

Joni Ernst (R) · 64 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Mar 20, 2024

HRES 1085: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1023) to repeal section 134 of the Clean Air Act, relating to the greenhouse gas reduction fund; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1121) to prohibit a moratorium on the use of hydraulic fracturing; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 6009) to require the Director of the Bureau of Land Management to withdraw the proposed rule relating to fluid mineral leases and leasing process, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the concurrent resolution (H. Con. Res. 86) expressing the sense of Congress that a carbon tax would be detrimental to the United States economy; providing for consideration of the resolution (H. Res. 987) denouncing the harmful, anti-American energy policies of the Biden administration, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the bill (H.R 7023) to amend section 404 of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act to codify certain regulatory provisions relating to nationwide permits for dredged or fill material, and for other purposes.

This House resolution establishes special rules for considering six separate bills and resolutions related to energy, environmental regulation, and economic policy. The measure allows expedited debate and passage of legislation that would repeal greenhouse gas reduction funding under the Clean Air Act, lift restrictions on hydraulic fracturing, require withdrawal of a Bureau of Land Management rule on fluid mineral leases, express opposition to a carbon tax, and codify nationwide permits for dredged or fill material under water pollution laws. By waiving points of order and limiting debate time, the resolution streamlines the legislative process for these specific items without changing their substantive content.

Topics ✗ Budget & Taxes ✗ Energy ✗ Environment

passed · Pennsylvania · House Mar 20, 2024

HR 6610: Passport System Reform and Backlog Prevention Act

HR 6610, the Passport System Reform and Backlog Prevention Act, aims to reduce delays in U.S. passport processing for citizens applying for routine new or renewal passports. It mandates a 30-day processing standard from document submission to mailing, requires technology upgrades like digital tracking dashboards and mobile apps for applicant updates, and authorizes hiring up to 100 temporary staff annually for passport offices. The bill also sets cybersecurity standards, maintains affordable fees, and requires regular progress reports to Congress on implementation. These changes directly affect U.S. citizens seeking passports, particularly those in remote areas with limited access to processing centers.

Topics ✓ Technology

Darrell Issa (R) · 34 co-sponsors

Pennsylvania Congressional Bills

Bill results