HRES 1065 (March 7, 2024) is a non-binding House resolution denouncing the Biden administration's immigration policies. It specifically criticizes the administration for not using available legal tools - including mandatory detention of inadmissible border arrivals, reinstating the Migrant Protection Protocols, and negotiating asylum cooperative agreements - to address border conditions. The resolution urges the administration to end catch-and-release policies and expand expedited removal procedures. As a symbolic resolution, it has no legal effect but formally expresses the House's position on these policy choices.
The Action for Dental Health Act of 2023 extends the authorization period for federal grants addressing dental workforce shortages. It amends Section 340G(f) of the Public Health Service Act to change the grant funding period from 2019-2023 to 2024-2028. This extension directly affects dental health programs and organizations receiving these grants, ensuring continued funding for initiatives that train and deploy dental professionals in underserved communities. The key provision is a straightforward renewal of the grant timeline without altering funding amounts or eligibility criteria.
The Laken Riley Act (HR 7511) would require federal authorities to detain non-citizens charged with or convicted of burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting offenses. It also creates new legal standing for state attorneys general to sue federal immigration officials in federal court if they believe immigration enforcement decisions (like releasing aliens or granting parole) cause financial harm exceeding $100 to the state or its residents. The bill amends immigration laws to expand detention requirements for certain property crimes and allows states to seek court orders to enforce immigration policies. It does not create new criminal penalties but modifies existing immigration enforcement procedures. The bill’s findings and political language about the Laken Riley case are not part of its policy provisions.
# Summary of Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2024
This bill provides funding for the Department of Commerce, Department of Justice, and related agencies for fiscal year 2024.
## Key Funding Highlights:
### Department of Commerce
- **National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)**: $4.55 billion for operations, research, and facilities; $1.72 billion for procurement, acquisition, and construction
- **National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)**: $1.08 billion for scientific and technical research
- **United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO)**: $4.196 billion (with offsetting collections)
- **Pacific Coast Salmon Recovery**: $65 million for salmon population restoration
- **Fisheries Disaster Assistance**: $300,000 for fishery disaster programs
### Department of Justice
- **Federal Bureau of Investigation**: $10.64 billion for crime detection, investigation, and prosecution
- **Drug Enforcement Administration**: $2.57 billion for drug enforcement activities
- **United States Marshals Service**: $1.69 billion for prisoner holding and related support
- **Federal Prison System**: $8.39 billion for prison operations and maintenance
- **Office on Violence Against Women**: $713 million for prevention and prosecution programs
- **State and Local Law Enforcement Assistance**: $2.48 billion for various programs including:
- Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grants: $924 million
- State Criminal Alien Assistance Program: $234 million
- Victim services for trafficking: $88 million
## Notable Provisions:
- Emergency designations: Multiple amounts designated as emergency requirements under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act
- Specific program allocations: Detailed funding for targeted initiatives like the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, Project Safe Neighborhoods, and violence against women prevention
- Restrictions on transfers: Multiple provisions limiting the ability to transfer funds between accounts
- Requiring specific reporting: Mandates for the Department of Commerce to provide budget justification materials with multi-year project estimates
The bill includes comprehensive funding for critical national security, scientific research, law enforcement, and justice system operations, with specific allocations for priority programs and emergency needs.
This bill amends U.S. travel regulations to allow children aged 10 or younger to use Global Entry lanes when traveling with a parent or legal guardian who is already a Global Entry member. It also permits parents applying for Global Entry for up to four children to schedule a single appointment for all children's background checks. The policy directly affects families traveling internationally with young children, streamlining airport entry for parents already enrolled in the program.
This bill allows states to use fixed-fee primary care arrangements under Medicaid, where patients pay a set monthly fee for basic primary care services (like check-ups and preventive care) instead of traditional billing. It directly affects Medicaid programs, primary care providers (doctors and clinics), and enrollees receiving primary care. Key provisions remove barriers to states contracting directly with providers for this model and require the HHS Secretary to issue implementation guidance and submit a report on cost and quality outcomes within a year. The bill does not change Medicaid eligibility, cost-sharing rules, or limit services to only this payment model.
This bill reauthorizes the Preventing Maternal Deaths program through 2028, extending existing provisions under the Public Health Service Act. It requires maternal mortality review committees to include obstetricians and gynecologists and improves death certificate accuracy by directing coordination with death certifiers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must annually share evidence-based best practices for preventing maternal mortality with hospitals, state health groups, and perinatal quality collaboratives. The changes directly affect state maternal mortality review committees, healthcare providers, and hospitals receiving CDC guidance. The bill does not create new funding but extends the current program's authorization period from 2019-2023 to 2024-2028.
HR 5426 requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to add a direct link on its main website to the Office of Inspector General's fraud reporting resources within 30 days of the bill's enactment. This link allows borrowers of specific pandemic-era SBA loans to report suspected fraud, waste, or abuse. The bill applies to loans made under SBA's Section 7(a) or 7(b) during the CARES Act-covered period (March 1, 2020, to December 31, 2020). It creates a clear, accessible pathway for borrowers to report fraud related to these loans without changing loan terms or eligibility.
HR 6591, the Encouraging Success Act, requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to regularly update the asset and net worth limits for individuals qualifying as "economically disadvantaged" under the SBA's 8(a) business development program. This affects small business owners seeking eligibility for the 8(a) program, which provides federal contracting opportunities. The bill mandates the SBA reassess these thresholds annually after enactment and every four years thereafter, adjusting for inflation and economic changes through a standard rulemaking process with public comment. The SBA must use existing funding to implement these updates without requiring new appropriations.
This bill requires the Small Business Administration's Office of Rural Affairs to submit annual reports on its rural business activities. The initial report must detail how the office promotes financial assistance, tracks statistics, and conducts outreach events, while annual reports must be submitted alongside the SBA's budget justification. It also mandates a separate report on the SBA's collaboration with the Department of Agriculture regarding rural business efforts. All reporting requirements will use existing SBA funding without new appropriations.
This bill reauthorizes and enhances anti-trafficking programs through several key provisions. It establishes "Frederick Douglass Human Trafficking Prevention Education Grants" for schools to implement evidence-based, culturally responsive training for K-12 students, teachers, and school personnel on recognizing and preventing child trafficking. It also creates a Human Trafficking Survivors Employment and Education Program to help trafficking victims gain job skills, education, and life skills for self-sufficiency. The bill extends funding for these programs through 2028 with increased authorization levels and modifies international trafficking reporting standards.
This bill establishes a framework to deepen cooperation among the U.S., Australia, India, and Japan (the Quad). It requires the State Department to submit a strategy within 180 days detailing U.S. engagement with the Quad on shared challenges like climate, infrastructure, and security. The bill also creates a U.S. parliamentary working group (with 24 members split between House and Senate) to coordinate with Quad partners, funded at $1 million annually. This affects U.S. foreign policy implementation and congressional oversight of Quad relations.
