Pennsylvania Congressional Bills

passed · Pennsylvania · House Dec 12, 2023

HR 3226: PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2023

This bill reauthorizes and extends federal funding for research and support services related to preterm birth through 2028, replacing the previous 2019-2023 funding period. Key provisions include adding chronic condition screening and treatment to maternal health education services, mandating an interagency working group on prematurity within 18 months, and requiring a National Academies study on preterm birth costs, risk factors, and program gaps. The study must assess neonatal care expenses, societal impacts, and effective prevention strategies, with a final report due within 24 months. These changes directly affect preterm infants, their families, healthcare providers, and federal agencies managing maternal health programs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Anna G. Eshoo (D) · 28 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Dec 11, 2023

HJRES 88: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Improving Income Driven Repayment for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program".

HJRES 88 is a resolution seeking to block a Department of Education rule that would have improved income-driven repayment options for federal student loan borrowers. The rule, published in the Federal Register on July 10, 2023, targeted the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program. This resolution uses the Congressional Review Act process to disapprove the rule, preventing it from taking effect and preserving the current repayment structure. If enacted, it would stop the proposed changes to repayment terms without altering existing loan policies.

Topics ✗ Education

Lisa C. McClain (R) · 52 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · Senate Dec 7, 2023

SRES 492: A resolution honoring the life of the First Lady Rosalynn Carter.

This is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 492) honoring the late First Lady Rosalynn Carter. It expresses the Senate's condolences for her passing and recognizes her lifetime of humanitarian work, including her advocacy for mental health care, founding of caregiver support programs, and service with The Carter Center. The resolution does not create new laws or policies; it is purely a commemorative statement. It was introduced by a bipartisan group of senators and adopted by the Senate on December 7, 2023.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Dec 7, 2023

HR 5933: DETERRENT Act

The DETERRENT Act requires institutions of higher education to disclose foreign gifts and contracts meeting specific value thresholds ($50,000 or more) to the Department of Education, with special rules for contracts involving "foreign countries of concern" or "foreign entities of concern." It creates a public database of these disclosures, mandates faculty and staff to report foreign gifts related to research, and establishes a waiver process for institutions seeking to contract with prohibited foreign entities. Institutions that fail to comply face fines ranging from 1% to 100% of their federal funding, depending on the violation and whether it's a first or repeat offense. The bill applies primarily to institutions receiving significant federal funding, particularly those with substantial research programs. It aims to increase transparency around foreign influence in higher education while maintaining academic freedom.

Michelle Steel (R) · 26 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Dec 7, 2023

HR 4468: Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2023

HR 4468, the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2023, blocks the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from finalizing or enforcing a specific proposed rule setting emissions standards for 2027+ light-duty vehicles. It amends the Clean Air Act to prevent future EPA regulations from mandating specific vehicle technologies or limiting the availability of new vehicles based on engine type (e.g., gasoline vs. electric). The bill directly affects EPA rulemaking authority and automakers' compliance with emissions standards, ensuring new vehicle options remain diverse without technology mandates. This is a procedural change to federal emissions regulations, not a direct consumer or industry mandate.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment ✗ Transportation

Tim Walberg (R) · 34 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Dec 6, 2023

HR 542: Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act of 2023

The Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act of 2023 increases the expenditure cap for home- and community-based care for veterans from 65% to 100% of costs, with exceptions for certain cases based on clinical need and geographic factors. It establishes new programs including Veteran-Directed Care, which allows veterans to select and manage their own in-home care services, and Home-Based Primary Care, which provides in-home health care overseen by VA providers. The bill requires improved coordination with existing programs like the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and mandates a centralized website with information about available services. It specifically targets veterans who would otherwise require nursing home care or face increased risk of hospitalization, and includes provisions to address home health aide shortages through pilot programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Julia Brownley (D) · 76 co-sponsors

passed · Pennsylvania · House Dec 5, 2023

HR 3581: COPE Act

The COPE Act (HR 3581) creates a new grant program for the VA to fund mental health support services specifically for family caregivers of veterans enrolled in the VA's family caregiver program. It requires grantees to develop equitable plans addressing rural, American Indian/Alaska Native, elderly, women, and other underserved veteran communities, with priority given to areas with high veteran suicide rates or Veterans Crisis Line referrals. Grants must expand or create new mental health services while tracking outcomes like increased service utilization and reduced barriers, with annual reports to Congress. The bill authorizes $50 million annually (2023-2025) to supplement existing VA funding for this purpose.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

passed · Pennsylvania · House Dec 5, 2023

HR 2980: DOE and NSF Interagency Research Act

This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) and National Science Foundation (NSF) to formally coordinate research through a joint memorandum of understanding. It directs them to collaborate on specific scientific areas like quantum computing, energy materials, climate modeling, and advanced manufacturing, with funding and projects open to universities, labs, and nonprofits. The agencies must submit a two-year report to Congress detailing their coordination, research outcomes, and future opportunities. This primarily affects DOE, NSF, and their research partners, aiming to streamline joint efforts without creating new funding.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

passed · Pennsylvania · House Dec 5, 2023

HR 1713: DOE and USDA Interagency Research Act

This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) and Department of Agriculture (USDA) to coordinate joint research projects on shared priorities like biofuels, AI for farming, energy-water systems, and carbon storage. It mandates a formal agreement between the departments to fund collaborative projects through competitive grants open to universities, labs, and industry. The departments must report to Congress within two years on their coordination efforts, research achievements, and future opportunities. This affects how DOE and USDA manage their research partnerships, not direct public policy or regulations.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

passed · Pennsylvania · House Dec 4, 2023

HR 5961: No Funds for Iranian Terrorism Act

This bill requires the President to block transactions involving "covered Iranian funds" processed by foreign or international financial institutions. These funds refer specifically to money transferred from South Korea to Qatar under certain Iran sanctions waivers. The law imposes sanctions under existing U.S. authorities to block all U.S.-related transactions with institutions handling these funds. Sanctions can be lifted if Iran stops supporting terrorism and dismantles its weapons programs, as certified by the President. The bill directly affects global financial institutions processing these specific Iranian-linked transfers.

passed · Pennsylvania · House Dec 4, 2023

HR 5283: Protecting our Communities from Failure to Secure the Border Act of 2023

This bill prohibits federal funding for housing undocumented immigrants on public lands managed by specific federal agencies. It blocks the use of federal money to provide temporary or permanent shelter (including encampments) for "specified aliens" - defined as individuals not legally admitted to the U.S. - on lands under the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, or Forest Service. The restriction applies to all housing arrangements, including leases or contracts, and directly affects how these agencies manage public lands. The policy change prevents federal agencies from using taxpayer funds to support shelter for non-admitted immigrants on federally managed properties.

Topics ✗ Immigration

passed · Pennsylvania · House Nov 29, 2023

HRES 891: Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5283) to prohibit the use of Federal funds to provide housing to specified aliens on any land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Federal land management agencies; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5961) to freeze certain Iranian funds involved in the 2023 hostage deal between the United States and Iran, and for other purposes; and providing for consideration of the joint resolution (S. J. Res. 32) providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection relating to "Small Business Lending Under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (Regulation B)".

HRES 891 is a procedural resolution that sets rules for the House of Representatives to consider three separate legislative items. It authorizes structured debate and voting on: (1) H.R. 5283 (which would ban federal housing funds for certain non-citizens on federal lands), (2) H.R. 5961 (which would freeze Iranian funds tied to a 2023 hostage deal), and (3) S.J.Res. 32 (which seeks congressional disapproval of a consumer finance rule). The resolution specifies time limits for debate (one hour per bill), waives procedural objections, and outlines amendment rules for each item. It does not change policy but streamlines the process for the House to vote on these three measures.

Pennsylvania Congressional Bills

Bill results