This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that the President, in consultation with Congress, should work to conclude negotiations for comprehensive trade agreements between the United States and the United Kingdom and between the United States and the European Union.
Relief for Restaurants and other Hard Hit Small Businesses Act of 2022 This bill addresses support for restaurants, arts and entertainment venues, and small businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill provides an additional $42 billion in FY2021 for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund and gives priority to previous applicants who have not received a grant. The Small Business Administration (SBA) must provide to applicants an explanation for denied applications, establish a reconsideration process for denied applications, and institute an audit and oversight plan with respect to grant recipients. Additionally, the bill establishes the Hard Hit Industries Award Program for small businesses that suffered a pandemic-related revenue loss of 40% or more. Aggregate grant amounts are capped at $1 million. Funds may be used for expenses including mortgage, rent, and utility payments and payroll. SBA must prioritize entities that have experienced significant pandemic-related revenue loss, with first priority going to those that experienced a loss of at least 80%, and second priority going to those that experienced a loss of at least 60%. Finally, the bill extends to March 11, 2023 (or a later date as determined by the SBA), the time frame during which Shuttered Venue Operators Grant recipients may use grant funds to cover their expenses.
Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2021 This bill establishes new background check requirements for firearm transfers between private parties (i.e., unlicensed individuals). Specifically, it prohibits a firearm transfer between private parties unless a licensed gun dealer, manufacturer, or importer first takes possession of the firearm to conduct a background check. The prohibition does not apply to certain firearm transfers or exchanges, such as a gift between spouses in good faith.
Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2021 (Sec. 2) This bill revises background check requirements applicable to proposed firearm transfers from a federal firearms licensee (e.g., a licensed gun dealer) to an unlicensed person. Specifically, it increases the amount of time, from 3 business days to a minimum of 10 business days, that a federal firearms licensee must wait to receive a completed background check prior to transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person. (This type of transaction is often referred to as a default proceed transaction.) If a submitted background check remains incomplete after 10 business days, then the prospective purchaser may submit a petition for a final firearms eligibility determination. If an additional 10 days elapse without a final determination, then the federal firearms licensee may transfer the firearm to the prospective purchaser. (Sec. 3) The Government Accountability Office must report on the extent to which the changes have prevented firearms transfers to prohibited persons. (Sec. 4) The Federal Bureau of Investigation must report on the number of petitions it receives for final federal firearms determinations. (Sec. 5) The Department of Justice, in consultation with the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and Firearms, must report on further amendments to the background check process that would likely reduce the risk of death or great bodily harm to victims of domestic violence, domestic abuse, dating partner violence, sexual assault, and stalking.
This resolution designates the last weekend of June 2022 to commemorate the first weekend of the Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969 and the first full weekend of May to commemorate the final weekend of the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival of 1970. The resolution also recognizes the contributions of the Harlem Cultural Festival of 1969 and the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival of 1970 to Black art and culture. Finally, the resolution encourages local governments in the United States to build partnerships with local Black artists, performers, and activists to further uplift Black culture and art and promote equal treatment of all people.
SRES 648 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating May 2022 as "National Brain Tumor Awareness Month." It does not create new laws or affect specific individuals, but aims to raise public awareness about brain tumors through official recognition. The resolution cites statistics on brain tumor diagnoses (over 88,000 estimated new cases in 2022), survival rates (35.6% 5-year survival), and their status as a leading cause of cancer death in children and young adults. It encourages public awareness, supports research for better treatments, and honors those affected by brain tumors. This resolution has no direct policy impact but serves as a formal acknowledgment of the disease's significance.
This resolution congratulates the Northwest Missouri State University Bearcats men's basketball team and the university community, mayor, university president, governor, and fans of the Bearcats on their National Collegiate Athletics Association national championship victory.
This bill provides for the removal of certain statues and busts from display in the Capitol. The bill directs the Joint Committee on the Library to remove the bust of Roger Brooke Taney in the Old Supreme Court chamber of the Capitol and to obtain a bust of Thurgood Marshall with which to replace it. The Joint Committee on the Library must remove all Confederate statutes and busts, as well as the statues of Charles Brantley Aycock, John Caldwell Calhoun, and James Paul Clarke, from areas of the Capitol accessible to the public. Furthermore, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) must store each removed statue. Additionally, the bill prohibits the display of statues in National Statuary Hall of persons who served voluntarily with the Confederate States of America or in the military forces or government of a state while it was in rebellion against the United States; requires the AOC to identify such statues and the Joint Committee on the Library to arrange for their removal; requires each statue to be returned to the providing state if the state requests and agrees to pay any transportation-related costs; and permits a state that has a statue removed to replace the statue.
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 This bill modifies and reauthorizes through FY2026 programs and activities under the Violence Against Women Act that seek to prevent and respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. The bill also authorizes new programs, makes changes to federal firearms laws, and establishes new protections to promote housing stability and economic security for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
Fraud and Scam Reduction Act This bill expands activities to address mail, telephone, and internet fraud, particularly such scams targeting older adults. The bill establishes a Senior Scams Prevention Advisory Group, which must create model educational materials to educate employees of retailers, financial-services companies, and wire-transfer companies on how to identify and prevent scams that affect older adults. Further, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) must establish an advisory office in the Bureau of Consumer Protection to assist the FTC in monitoring scams targeting older adults, educating consumers, and receiving complaints.
Homeland Security Acquisition Professional Career Program Act This bill establishes in the Department of Homeland Security an acquisition professional career program to develop a cadre of acquisition professionals. The Management Directorate shall administer the program, including carrying out recruitment efforts and providing specialized acquisition training.
This resolution authorizes (1) Daniel Schwager, a former employee of the Office of the Secretary of the Senate, and Nate Russell and Diego Torres, custodians of records in the Senate Recording Studio, to provide relevant testimony in the case of United States v. Hale-Cusanelli , except concerning matters for which a privilege should be asserted; and (2) the Senate Legal Counsel to represent Schwager, Russell, and Torres, and any current or former officer or employee of their offices, in connection with the case.
