This resolution designates May 5, 2023, as the "National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls" to honor victims and support families. It asks the public to commemorate affected individuals and demonstrates solidarity with impacted communities. The bill also recommends the Justice Department commission a new study to update statistics on violence against Indigenous women, referencing the 2016 DOJ study that found 84.3% experienced violence in their lifetime. This symbolic measure aims to raise awareness and encourage federal action, without changing laws or allocating new funding.
This joint resolution (SJRES 31) seeks to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule implementing the "Federal Good Neighbor Plan" for ozone air quality standards established under the 2015 National Ambient Air Quality Standards. If approved, it would nullify the EPA rule (published June 5, 2023) that would have required certain states to address ozone pollution crossing state borders. The resolution uses a specific congressional disapproval process under Title 5 of the U.S. Code to prevent the rule from taking effect. This would directly affect states and industries subject to the ozone pollution regulations outlined in the EPA's submitted rule.
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to place the VetSuccess on Campus program in every U.S. state, ensuring at least one counselor per state. It directly affects veterans using education benefits under VA programs and the colleges/universities they attend. Key provisions mandate the VA to expand the program to all states (regardless of veteran population size) and prioritize schools with the largest numbers of veterans enrolled. The goal is to provide consistent on-campus support for veterans navigating education benefits.
China Trade Cheating Restitution Act of 2023 This bill requires the deposit into special accounts of certain interest earned on antidumping and countervailing duties collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection on or after October 1, 2000. Currently, the applicable date is October 1, 2014. Amounts in special accounts are distributed to affected domestic producers.
S 1883 increases funding for existing FAA workforce development grants and creates a new program specifically for aviation manufacturing technical workers. It authorizes $10 million annually (2024-2029) for three grant types: workforce training programs, educational partnerships, and recruitment initiatives. The bill directly affects aviation manufacturers, vocational schools, community colleges, and workers seeking careers as pilots, engineers, or maintenance technicians. Key provisions include funding for classroom training, equipment upgrades, scholarships, outreach to underrepresented groups, and a national strategic plan to address aviation workforce shortages.
This bill expands the use of assets seized from individuals or entities subject to U.S. sanctions related to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. It broadens the definition of eligible assets to include property owned by sanctioned parties, involved in violations of export restrictions (e.g., illegal exports to Russia/Belarus), or tied to schemes supporting Russian aggression in Ukraine (including Crimea and the Donbas regions). The bill requires the Attorney General, Treasury, and State Department to submit semiannual reports on asset transfers and their impact on remedying harms to Ukraine, plus a 30-day implementation plan. It directly affects U.S. federal agencies managing asset forfeitures and aims to redirect existing seized assets to support Ukraine.
This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from sending veterans' personal information to the national background check system solely because a fiduciary (a person managing a veteran's benefits) has been appointed. It directly affects veterans who have a fiduciary appointed under VA law, preventing the VA from automatically sharing this detail with the Justice Department for background checks. The key provision requires a court order finding the veteran a danger to themselves or others before such information can be transmitted. This change only impacts the sharing of fiduciary appointment details, not the background check process itself or other veteran information.
This bill redefines "equity" within the Department of Defense as the opportunity for qualified individuals to participate in programs, prohibits mandatory adoption of beliefs about racial or ethnic superiority, and bans race-based distinctions in military personnel decisions. It directly affects active-duty service members, military dependents, and DoD civilian employees by requiring all promotions, assignments, and training to be based solely on individual merit and performance. Key provisions ban DoD directives compelling adherence to certain beliefs, prohibit training suggesting racial superiority, and mandate that demographic data collection for reporting remains the only exception to race-based distinctions. The bill focuses on ensuring military decisions prioritize merit over identity, aligning with the bill's stated findings about military readiness and equal opportunity.
This resolution recognizes the need for improved access to rural and agricultural media programming, such as agricultural weather reports, market news, and western lifestyle content, which directly affects farmers, ranchers, and rural communities. It highlights that media consolidation has reduced availability of this programming, which informs the public about food supply chains, agricultural research, and rural life. The resolution urges media companies to prioritize delivering such content but does not create new laws, funding, or mandates. As a non-binding recognition, it has no direct policy impact on legislative or regulatory changes.
HR 3036, the Increased TSP Access Act of 2023, amends conservation program rules to expand access to third-party providers (TSPs) who offer technical assistance to farmers on conservation practices. It creates new pathways for non-Federal entities like agricultural cooperatives or professional associations to certify TSPs, streamlines certification processes (requiring Secretary review within 10 business days), and sets payment rates for TSPs equivalent to government-provided technical assistance. The bill mandates public reporting on certification numbers, payment details, and a target utilization rate for TSPs to improve conservation program delivery. It directly affects farmers participating in USDA conservation programs by increasing options for technical support and requiring transparency in how TSPs are certified and compensated.
S 1768, the Taliban Sanctions Act of 2023, imposes U.S. sanctions on individuals and entities (including Taliban members) who support terrorism, commit serious human rights abuses, or facilitate narcotics trafficking in Afghanistan. It requires the President to block assets and deny visas to those meeting these criteria, effective 90 days after enactment. The bill also directs U.S. diplomacy to maintain UN sanctions against the Taliban and mandates regular congressional briefings on sanctions implementation and humanitarian impacts. It includes limited waivers for national security interests and specific exceptions for intelligence activities or humanitarian access.
The Main Street Tax Certainty Act permanently extends the 20% tax deduction for qualified business income (QBI), which currently applies to owners of pass-through businesses like sole proprietorships, partnerships, and S corporations. The bill achieves this by amending the tax code to remove an expiration date (via striking subsection (i) of Section 199A of the Internal Revenue Code). This change directly affects small business owners who rely on the QBI deduction to reduce their taxable income. The key provision eliminates uncertainty about the deduction’s future, ensuring continued eligibility without requiring future legislative action.
