Ferry Service Expansion Act This bill revises and increases funding for grant programs related to ferry boats and ferry terminal facilities, including by making certain passenger ferries eligible and qualified vessels for capital construction funds.
Securing Global Telecommunications Act This bill requires the Department of State develop and submit to Congress a strategy to promote the use of secure telecommunication infrastructure in countries other than the United States. The State Department must also report to Congress on (1) efforts by China and Russia to advance authoritarian interests or oppose fair, industry-led processes at the International Telecommunication Union, the U.N. agency involved with setting telecommunications standards and related regulatory activities; and (2) opportunities for greater collaboration with allies and partners to promote secure information and communications technology infrastructure in countries other than the United States.
Upholding the Dayton Peace Agreement Through Sanctions Act This bill imposes visa- and property-blocking sanctions on foreign persons (i.e., individuals or entities) that are involved in certain actions that threaten the peace, stability, or democracy of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The President must impose such sanctions on certain foreign persons, including those that are responsible for or engaged in corruption or certain acts or policies that seek to (1) threaten the peace, security, stability, or territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina; (2) undermine democratic processes or institutions in Bosnia and Herzegovina; or (3) undermine the Dayton Peace Agreement or certain authorities related to the agreement. (The agreement brought an end to the Bosnian War, and Bosnia and Herzegovina's constitution stems in part from the agreement.) The Department of the Treasury may impose certain prohibitions and restrictions on a foreign financial institution that knowingly conducts or facilitates a significant transaction for a foreign person subject to sanctions under this bill.
Corruption, Overthrowing Rule of Law, and Ruining Ukraine: Putin's Trifecta Act or CORRUPT Act This bill requires the President to report to Congress, within 30 days of this bill's enactment, a determination as to whether specified Russian persons meet the criteria to be subject to sanctions under laws that authorize sanctions relating to corruption or human rights violations. Russian persons specified in this bill include businessperson Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich, Minister of Health Mikhail Albertovich Murashko, and First Deputy Premier Andrey Removich Belousov.
Veterans Infertility Treatment Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish infertility treatments, standard fertility preservation services, or both to a covered veteran or partner of a covered veteran if the individuals jointly apply for such treatments or services. A covered veteran is a veteran who has infertility and is enrolled in the VA health care system. Under the bill, in vitro fertilization treatment may only be furnished for up to three completed cycles resulting in live birth or six attempted cycles, whichever occurs first. The VA may furnish in vitro fertilization treatment using donated gametes or embryos. During the interim period before infertility treatment regulations are in effect, the VA must ensure that (1) fertility counseling and treatment for veterans may also be furnished to the partner of a veteran regardless of whether the veteran and the partner are married, and (2) such counseling and treatment may be furnished using donated gametes or embryos.
Social Security Fairness Act of 2021 This bill repeals provisions that reduce Social Security benefits for individuals who receive other benefits, such as a pension from a state or local government. The bill eliminates the government pension offset , which in various instances reduces Social Security benefits for spouses, widows, and widowers who also receive government pensions of their own. The bill also eliminates the windfall elimination provision , which in some instances reduces Social Security benefits for individuals who also receive a pension or disability benefit from an employer that did not withhold Social Security taxes. These changes are effective for benefits payable after December 2021.
This resolution recognizes (1) the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15-October 15, 2022; and (2) the integral role of Latinos and their manifold heritage in the economy, culture, and identity of the United States.
SRES 779 is a Senate resolution designating September 17-24, 2022, as "National Estuaries Week." It aims to raise public awareness about the ecological and economic importance of estuaries, which support jobs, fisheries, and coastal protection. The resolution highlights estuaries' role in sustaining 3.5 million jobs and $351 billion in economic output while recognizing threats like pollution and habitat loss. As a procedural resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but encourages public recognition of estuary conservation.
SRES 784 is a Senate resolution designating the week beginning September 12, 2022, as "National Hispanic-Serving Institutions Week." It recognizes Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) - colleges and universities with at least 25% Hispanic undergraduate enrollment - as vital to higher education access, economic mobility, and community development. The resolution calls for public ceremonies and activities during this week to honor HSIs' contributions, particularly during Hispanic Heritage Month. This is a symbolic recognition with no policy changes or funding impacts.
This resolution recognizes (1) the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month; and (2) the integral role of Latinos and their manifold heritage in the economy, culture, and identity of the United States.
This resolution applauds and expresses support for the continued cooperation between the United States and the European Union in thwarting Hezbollah's terrorist activities. It also urges the European Union to designate Hezbollah in its entirety as a terrorist organization.
Preventing Adversary Influence, Disinformation, and Obscured Foreign Financing Act of 2022 or the PAID OFF Act of 2022 This bill requires certain persons to register as agents of a foreign principal if the foreign principal in question is a foreign adversary. For the purposes of this bill, a foreign adversary is a foreign government or person (individual or entity) that has engaged in a long-term pattern of conduct significantly adverse to U.S. national security or the security and safety of U.S. persons. Currently, the Foreign Agents Registration Act exempts certain agents from the act's registration requirements, including agents (1) engaged only in private and nonpolitical activities to advance a foreign principal's bona fide trade or commerce interests, or (2) engaged in certain lobbying activities and where the agent has registered as a lobbyist. Under this bill, these exemptions shall not apply if the foreign principal is a foreign adversary.
