Sen. Richard Blumenthal

This resolution condemns the death and detention of Mahsa Amini (an Iranian woman who died in the custody of the Morality Policy of Iran after being detained for purportedly wearing her hijab improperly). It also calls on Iran to end its systemic persecution of women.

This resolution expresses the refusal of the Senate to recognize any Russian claim of sovereignty over any portion of Ukraine and calls on the President to restrict economic and military aid and assistance to any country that recognizes Russian sovereignty over any part of Ukraine.

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates October 8, 2022, as "National Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day" through a symbolic Senate gesture. It does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes the importance of hydrogen and fuel cell technologies. The resolution highlights their role in clean energy, transportation, space exploration, and grid reliability, citing their use in vehicles, power generation, and environmental applications. It affects no specific group or entity, serving solely as a ceremonial acknowledgment by the Senate.

This resolution urges the Brazilian government to ensure that the October 2022 elections are conducted in a free, fair, credible, transparent, and peaceful manner that enables all citizens of Brazil to exercise the right to vote. The resolution call for the U.S. government to immediately recognize the outcome of the election in Brazil, if that election is determined by international observers and organizations to have been free and fair.

Promoting Readiness for Overseas Contingencies and Unexpected Responses Emergencies Act or the PROCURE Act This bill establishes a Critical Munitions Acquisition Fund to finance the acquisition or ensure the availability of certain munitions during the war in Ukraine and future conflicts. The fund may accept contributions from foreign entities, foreign governments, or international organizations. The authority for the fund expires at the end of 2024.

Vote Without Fear Act This bill establishes new federal criminal offenses for possessing a firearm or causing a firearm to be present in or within 100 yards of a federal election site.

Enhancing Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Through Campus Planning Act This bill requires the Department of Education to encourage institutions of higher education to develop and implement comprehensive campus mental health and suicide prevention plans.

Veterans Claims Education Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to, upon receipt of an initial claim for benefits from a claimant that is not represented by an accredited entity, provide (1) notice that an accredited entity may assist the claimant, (2) information regarding a search tool to find an accredited entity to assist in the filing of claims, and (3) information on how and where to report an entity that is not accredited and charged a fee to assist with a claim.

Maddy summarySRES 799 is a non-binding Senate resolution designating October 5, 2022, as "Energy Efficiency Day." It commemorates the economic and environmental benefits of energy efficiency, citing historical achievements like $800 billion in annual energy cost savings and 2 million jobs in the sector. The resolution does not create new policies or affect any group; it solely encourages public recognition through events and awareness activities. It references past bipartisan energy efficiency legislation but does not alter existing laws. This is a symbolic gesture celebrating existing progress, not a policy change.

Puerto Rico Nutrition Assistance Fairness Act of 2022 This bill sets out a process to enable Puerto Rico to participate as a state in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Under current law, a state receives SNAP funding based on the number of participating households in the state whereas Puerto Rico receives a block grant to fund its nutrition assistance program. The bill requires Puerto Rico to submit to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) a plan of operation to transition away from the consolidated block grant program to SNAP. USDA must provide appropriate training and technical assistance to enable Puerto Rico to formulate such plan.