Rep. Brian Babin

DHS Restrictions on Confucius Institutes and Chinese Entities of Concern Act This bill restricts funding to an institution of higher education (IHE) that has a relationship with a Confucius Institute (a cultural institute directly or indirectly funded by the Chinese government). It also requires certain disclosures related to Chinese entities of concern (generally, universities or colleges involved in China's military, police, or intelligence activities). Specifically, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must ensure that an IHE that has awarded a contract to, entered into an agreement with, or received an in-kind donation or gift from a Confucius Institute is ineligible to receive specified funds from DHS, unless the IHE terminates the relationship. The IHE may regain eligibility for these funds upon termination of the relationship. DHS may waive this funding restriction, on a case-by-case basis and for a period of not more than one year, if it is in the national security interests of the United States. Additionally, an IHE that has a relationship with a Chinese entity of concern and is seeking to receive or receives specified DHS funds must notify DHS about the relationship. DHS must provide outreach and, upon request, technical assistance to IHEs related to compliance with this bill.

Taxpayers Support Life Act This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from finalizing, implementing, administering, or enforcing a proposed rule (published on August 4, 2022) that implements the statutory ban on discrimination in federally funded health programs and activities. Further, HHS may not use federal funds to contravene the administration or enforcement of the existing nondiscrimination rule, which became effective on June 19, 2020.

Emergency Care Improvement Act This bill permanently allows for coverage under Medicare and Medicaid of services that are provided by freestanding emergency centers. The bill takes effect January 1, 2023, or the first day after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, whichever is first.

Maddy summaryHRES 1297 is a non-binding House resolution designating the week beginning November 7, 2022, as "National Pregnancy Center Week." It recognizes community-supported pregnancy centers - nonprofit organizations providing free services like pregnancy tests, counseling, ultrasounds, and material support - to individuals facing pregnancy decisions. The resolution highlights these centers' role in serving over 2 million people annually through local, volunteer-driven support. As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new policies or alter funding, focusing solely on acknowledging their work.

Arms Exports Delivery Solutions Act This bill requires the Department of State and the Department of Defense to report to Congress on certain transfers of defense articles or defense services since October 1, 2017. The report must include a list of approved transfers to Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Australia, or New Zealand that are above a certain value threshold and that have not been fully delivered by the start of the fiscal year in which the report is being submitted.

This resolution expresses support for U.S. Border Patrol agents, denounces the politicization and falsification of claims against agents in Del Rio, Texas, and calls on the Biden administration to support front line agents.

Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 110 East Alexander Street in Three Rivers, Texas, as the "Private Felix Z. Longoria Veterans' Memorial Post Office."

Texas Coastal Spine Authorization Act This bill authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out the project on coastal Texas protection and restoration in accordance with the plans and conditions laid out in the report issued by the Chief of Engineers on September 16, 2021. The report recommends plans to reduce the risks of tropical storm surge impacts and to restore degraded coastal ecosystems on the Texas Gulf Coast.

Preventing Abortion Sanctuaries Act This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from providing funding to a state that permits abortions or that facilitates interstate travel for abortions. In particular, the prohibition on funding applies to any state that lacks laws providing gestational protection at any stage of development; establishes a fund, commission, or similar entity to provide direct financial or logistical support to an individual traveling to the state to receive an abortion; or prohibits enforcement of another state's laws authorizing civil actions against those who receive or seek abortions, perform or induce abortions, or otherwise aid or abet such conduct.

This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the Council on Environmental Quality titled National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations Revisions and published on April 20, 2022. The rule restores regulatory provisions issued under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) that were in effect before being modified in 2020 by the Update to the Regulations Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act rule.