SRES 45 is a non-binding Senate resolution introduced on February 9, 2023, by a group of senators expressing the Senate's view that the current migration levels at the U.S. southern border constitute a crisis. This resolution does not create new laws or policies, nor does it directly affect any individuals or groups - it serves solely as a symbolic statement of the Senate's position. It contains no concrete policy mechanisms or implementation plans, as resolutions of "sense" are typically used for expressing opinions rather than enacting change. The resolution was referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee but has no legal effect.
This bill allows U.S. citizens injured by fentanyl trafficking to sue foreign governments or entities in U.S. courts for knowingly providing material support to fentanyl traffickers. It targets foreign actors - such as governments or companies - that supply precursors or resources used to produce illicit fentanyl, directly affecting those who enable trafficking networks. The law creates a new civil liability pathway, requiring plaintiffs to prove the foreign entity acted "knowingly or recklessly," not merely negligently. It applies to cases involving fentanyl-related harm since 2013, with limited court jurisdiction for such claims.
This bill provides targeted support for smaller and very small poultry and meat processing facilities to comply with federal food safety regulations. It requires the USDA to create a free database of validation studies and publish model HACCP plans tailored to different facility types (slaughter-only, processing-only, and both), while increasing federal funding for state inspection programs from 50% to 65%. The bill also establishes a $20 million annual grant program to help small processors improve safety, capacity, and resilience, with priority given to facilities serving farmers within 200 miles. Additionally, it creates training programs for meat processing workers at community colleges and through simplified grant applications for small facilities. These provisions aim to make compliance with food safety standards more accessible for small local processors.
This bill changes asylum procedures for people entering the U.S. from Mexico or Canada after traveling through other countries. It requires such individuals to first get an interview at a U.S. embassy in Mexico or Canada to prove they face credible fear of persecution or torture before being allowed to apply for asylum in the U.S. The bill also blocks asylum eligibility for those who transited through other nations without seeking protection there, unless they meet specific exceptions like being trafficked or traveling through countries without refugee treaties. Additionally, it creates criminal warrants for immigration violations and removes limits on detaining asylum seekers under the Flores agreement. These changes primarily affect asylum seekers crossing the southern border after traveling through other countries.
WALL Act of 2023 This bill appropriates $25 billion for the construction of a wall on the U.S.-Mexico border and addresses other issues related to immigration. As offsets to this spending, the bill restricts the child tax credit, earned income credits, and lifetime learning credits to those with Social Security numbers and not prohibited from employment in the United States. Also, individuals who file taxes using an individual taxpayer identification number (ITIN) instead of a Social Security number must pay a fee ($300 for each individual on the tax return using an ITIN). The bill restricts eligibility for certain federally-funded benefits, including unemployment compensation, supplemental nutrition assistance, and housing benefits, to those eligible to work in the United States. Agencies administering such benefits must use the E-Verify program to confirm the eligibility of applicants for such benefits. This bill also sets fines for non-U.S. nationals ( aliens under federal law) who improperly enter the United States or overstay their visas.
This bill allows veterans with combat-related disabilities and less than 20 years of service to receive both military retired pay and VA disability compensation simultaneously. Previously, such veterans had their retired pay reduced to avoid "concurrent receipt" of both benefits. The bill removes the 20-year service requirement for this group, applying specifically to those retired under Chapter 61 of Title 10 with a combat-related disability as defined in existing law. It does not change eligibility for veterans with non-combat disabilities or those with 20+ years of service.
The Keep Our Communities Safe Act of 2023 amends immigration detention procedures to extend the length of detention for certain aliens without time limits, except as specified in the bill. It changes terminology from "parole" to "recognizance" throughout the process and establishes new criteria that make it more difficult for certain aliens to be released on bond during removal proceedings. The bill adds specific circumstances under which detention can continue beyond the standard removal period, including for aliens convicted of certain crimes, those deemed a threat to national security, or those who fail to cooperate with removal efforts. These changes primarily affect immigrants facing removal proceedings who may be held in detention for extended periods without bond eligibility.
S 338, the IRS Funding Accountability Act, requires the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Commissioner to submit detailed annual spending plans to Congress for IRS funding. These plans must cover five years of spending, include specific metrics for taxpayer services (like call wait times), audit rates, and technology investments, and be reviewed by oversight bodies. The bill imposes strict deadlines: missing the annual plan submission triggers a 60-day funding moratorium on certain IRS resources, while late quarterly reports result in daily funding reductions ($1 million per day for IRS reports). This directly affects the IRS's budget execution and its reporting obligations to Congress, with penalties for noncompliance.
The TAILOR Act of 2023 requires federal banking regulators (like the FDIC and Federal Reserve) to adjust rules based on each financial institution’s specific risk level and business model, particularly reducing regulatory burdens for smaller community banks. It mandates that regulators document how they tailor rules in rulemaking notices and submit annual reports to Congress on implementation. The bill also directs a review of existing regulations issued over the past seven years to apply these tailoring principles retroactively. A key provision simplifies reporting requirements for community banks eligible under the Community Bank Leverage Ratio framework. This aims to make oversight more practical for smaller institutions while maintaining regulatory oversight.
HR 936, the Tanning Tax Repeal Act of 2023, repeals a 10% federal excise tax on indoor tanning services that was originally enacted under the Affordable Care Act. This bill directly affects tanning salons and businesses providing indoor tanning services by eliminating their obligation to pay this tax on customer services. The repeal applies to services performed after the bill's enactment date, removing the tax provision from the Internal Revenue Code. The bill does not create new requirements or alter other tax policies, solely removing this specific tax.
HRES 107 is a symbolic resolution recognizing Tribal colleges and universities (TCUs) and proposing the week beginning February 5, 2023, as "National Tribal Colleges and Universities Week." It highlights that TCUs - 35 accredited institutions serving over 230 federally recognized tribes - provide culturally grounded education, access to higher learning in underserved communities, and workforce preparation for American Indian, Alaska Native, and other students. The resolution calls on the House to support the designation and urges the public to observe the week with activities demonstrating support for TCUs. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws but aims to raise awareness of TCUs' national importance.
This joint resolution seeks congressional disapproval of a Department of Labor rule published in the Federal Register on December 1, 2022 (87 Fed. Reg. 73822), which addressed "Prudence and Loyalty in Selecting Plan Investments and Exercising Shareholder Rights." If enacted, it would block the rule from taking effect, directly affecting retirement plan fiduciaries (such as those managing 401(k) plans) who must follow these standards. The resolution uses a specific disapproval process under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code, to nullify the rule without altering its content. This is a procedural action targeting the rule's implementation, not a new policy.
