This concurrent resolution commemorates the 30th anniversary of Operation Provide Comfort (the humanitarian operation to defend and deliver aid to Kurdish refugees fleeing Iraqi Kurdistan due to attacks by the regime of Saddam Hussein). It also reaffirms the strong partnership between the United States and the Iraqi Kurds.
Safeguarding Treatment for the Restoration of Ecosystems from Abandoned Mines Act or the STREAM Act This bill allows a state to set aside up to 30% of its annual grant for abandoned mine reclamation provided under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act for the treatment and abatement of acid mine drainage, which is the release of acidic water from abandoned coal mines.
Saving Money and Accelerating Repairs Through Leasing Act or the SMART Leasing Act This bill authorizes the General Services Administration (GSA) to establish a pilot program that allows federal agencies to lease underutilized properties with GSA approval and to use the rent payments to help fund capital projects and facilities maintenance. The GSA may not enter into a lease under the pilot program unless it certifies that the lease will not have a negative impact on its mission or that of the applicable federal agency. The bill provides for a maximum of six leases under the program during each fiscal year, with a term of up to 15 years.
Banning Operations and Leases with the Illegitimate Venezuelan Authoritarian Regime Act or the BOLIVAR Act This bill temporarily prohibits an executive agency from entering into a contract for the procurement of goods or services with any person that it determines, with the concurrence of the Department of State, knowingly engages in significant business operations with the Maduro regime in Venezuela. The bill lists exceptions, including where vital to U.S. national security or as necessary for purposes of providing humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and other urgent lifesaving measures, or to carry out noncombatant evacuations. The prohibition shall not apply to contracts that support U.S. government activities in Venezuela or to contracts with international organizations. The State Department may waive the requirements of this bill upon determining that to do so is in the national interest.
This resolution supports efforts to combat illicit economies, illicit trade, and trade-based money laundering through risk assessments, strategies, and coordination with international partners.
Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity Training Act This bill establishes within the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency an initiative to provide the cybersecurity workforce with no-cost training related to securing industrial control systems. These are information systems used to control industrial processes, such as manufacturing, product handling, production, and distribution.
President's Cup Cybersecurity Competition Act This bill authorizes an annual competition to award prizes, including cash prizes, to U.S. government cybersecurity employees and teams. To carry out the competition, the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency may enter into a grant, contract, or cooperative agreement with a nonprofit, a for-profit entity, or a state or local agency to administer the competition.
This bill (HCONRES 123) is a procedural correction to the official enrollment of H.R. 1437. It directs the House Clerk to amend H.R. 1437's title to accurately read: "Making further continuing appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, and for other purposes." The bill itself does not create new policy or affect any stakeholders - it solely fixes a technical error in the title of another bill. This type of correction is routine administrative work to ensure legislative records match the actual bill content.
This concurrent resolution makes a correction in the enrollment of H.R. 7776 (James M. Inhofe National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023) to amend the official title of the bill.
This concurrent resolution makes a correction in the enrollment of H.R. 2617 (the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2023) to strike out the short title, the table of contents, and a division title.
HRES 1519 is a procedural resolution (not a policy bill) that sets rules for the House of Representatives to debate and vote on H.R. 8393. It waives objections to considering H.R. 8393, which would allow Puerto Rico's residents to choose a permanent non-territorial political status (like statehood or independence) and establish a transition process. The resolution specifies one hour of debate equally divided between committee leaders and requires the bill to be considered as amended without further changes. It directly affects the legislative process for Puerto Rico's status bill but does not alter Puerto Rico's current status or the substance of H.R. 8393.
Lobbying Disclosure Improvement Act This bill requires registered lobbyists to disclose whether they are exempt from having to register as foreign agents due to their lobbying activities and status as registered lobbyists.
