Rep. David N. Cicilline

This resolution condemns the military coup that took place in Burma (Myanmar) on February 1, 2021. The resolution denounces the Tatmadaw (the military of Burma) for perpetrating gross violations of human rights as part of its brutal campaign to suppress the democratic aspirations of the people of Burma and calls on the Tatmadaw to cease all violence against prodemocracy activists and reach a cease-fire with ethnic armed organizations, release all political prisoners, and engage in constructive dialogue with all parties to negotiate a pathway toward a government that reflects the will of the Burmese people. The resolution also calls on the President to enact new targeted sanctions on individuals and entities affiliated with the Tatmadaw, including an international arms embargo and a prohibition on the sale of aviation fuel.

First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to the First Rhode Island Regiment, collectively, in recognition of their dedicated service during the Revolutionary War.

Global Respect Act This bill imposes visa-blocking sanctions on foreign persons responsible for or complicit in violating the human rights of individuals due to actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics. The President must report and periodically update a list of foreign persons responsible for such human rights violations and apply sanctions accordingly. The Department of State must designate at least one senior officer who shall be responsible for tracking violence and discrimination against individuals based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics in foreign countries.

Maddy summaryHRES 911 is a symbolic resolution supporting National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, observed annually on February 7 to address the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on African American communities. It encourages state and local governments, public health agencies, and media to promote HIV testing, education, and community engagement within Black communities. The resolution commends organizations providing HIV services and aligns with the National HIV/AIDS Strategy’s goals to reduce new infections, improve care access, and address health disparities. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or funding but serves as a call to action to combat HIV/AIDS through prevention, treatment, and reducing stigma.

Keeping School Meals Flexible Act This bill extends authority through June 30, 2023, for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to waive certain requirements for the school meal programs to address COVID-19. The bill extends the authority for USDA to issue a single waiver of child nutrition program requirements to all states under the National School Lunch Program for purposes of providing meals and snacks with appropriate safety measures with respect to COVID-19; grant waivers of requirements to allow non-congregate feeding in the Child and Adult Care Food Program for purposes of providing meals and snacks with appropriate safety measures with respect to COVID-19; and grant waivers related to the nutritional content of meals served in child nutrition programs if it determines the waiver is necessary to provide meals and snacks, and there is a food supply chain disruption due to COVID-19.

Stop the Wait Act of 2022 This bill allows individuals with disabilities to begin receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits in the month they become eligible for the benefits. It also allows these individuals to immediately enroll in Medicare if they cannot afford minimum essential coverage. (Under current law, an individual must generally wait 5 months after the onset of disability to begin receiving SSDI benefits and an additional 24 months to become eligible for Medicare.)

Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging Grant Program Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Transportation to establish the Wireless Electric Vehicle Charging Grant Program to award grants on a competitive basis for projects to construct, install, or improve existing wireless charging infrastructure and technology for electric vehicles.

Department of Veterans Affairs Nurse and Physician Assistant Retention and Income Security Enhancement Act or the VA Nurse and Physician Assistant RAISE Act This bill increases the maximum rate of basic pay for advanced practice nurses, physician assistants, and registered nurses of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Pell Grant Sustainability Act This bill requires the Department of Education to calculate the maximum award amount for Pell Grants for award year 2022-2023 and each subsequent award year by indexing the award amount to the rate of inflation.

Transition-to-Success Mentoring Act This bill permanently reauthorizes educational programs that assist at-risk middle school students. It also establishes a transition-to-success mentoring program requiring the Department of Education to award grants to eligible entities (e.g., local educational agencies) to provide school-based mentoring programs to assist at-risk students in transitioning from middle to high school.