Ocean Shipping Reform Act of 2022 This act revises requirements governing ocean shipping to increase the authority of the Federal Maritime Commission (FMC) to promote the growth and development of U.S. exports through an ocean transportation system that is competitive, efficient, and economical. For example, the bill requires the FMC to (1) investigate complaints about detention and demurrage charges (i.e., late fees) charged by common ocean carriers, (2) determine whether those charges are reasonable, and (3) order refunds for unreasonable charges. It also prohibits common ocean carriers, marine terminal operators, or ocean transportation intermediaries from unreasonably refusing cargo space when available or resorting to other unfair or unjustly discriminatory methods.
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Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 679) formally commemorates June 19, 2022, as "Juneteenth National Independence Day" to honor the historical event of June 19, 1865, when Union troops announced the end of slavery in Texas. It references the significance of this date in U.S. history, specifically the moment news of emancipation reached enslaved people in the Southwestern States. The resolution does not create new legal obligations or affect any specific group; it is a symbolic recognition of this historical milestone. It aligns with Juneteenth’s established status as a federal holiday, which was officially designated in 2021.
State Antitrust Enforcement Venue Act of 2021 This bill limits the transfer and consolidation of antitrust cases that are brought by states in federal court. Current law generally permits federal civil cases that are related to be transferred to a single district court and consolidated for pretrial proceedings. However, under current law, antitrust cases brought by the federal government are exempt from transfer and consolidation. This bill adds to that exemption antitrust cases brought by states.
Air America Act of 2022 This bill establishes the service of Air America employees as qualifying service for purposes of the Civil Service Retirement System. (Air America was a government-owned airline that provided air transport for certain covert operations in Southeast Asia, including Laos and Vietnam, between 1950 and 1976.) The bill applies to U.S. citizens who were employees of Air America or another affiliated company, as specified, between January 1, 1950, and December 31, 1976. Benefit applications must be filed within two years of the date of enactment of this bill.
This resolution welcomes Finland and Sweden's decision to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). The resolution acknowledges that Russia's invasion of Ukraine has dramatically changed the security situation in Europe, and that the reform and expansion of NATO is key to ensuring a safe and prosperous future for the United States and its critical allies and partners. The resolution also calls on the President to move expeditiously to complete all documents and reports needed to support the Senate's approval of the accession protocols. Finally, the resolution calls on all NATO members to move rapidly to complete their ratification processes.
This resolution recognizes the 75th anniversary of the establishment of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). The resolution applauds UNICEF for the critical role it plays in protecting the rights and lives of vulnerable children around the world, including in the context of the global fight against COVID-19.
COI Elimination Act This bill limits U.S. contributions to the United Nations pertaining to the U.N. Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel. Current law imposes a cap on the annual U.S. contribution to the U.N. budget. The bill lowers that cap by 25% of the amount budgeted for the commission unless the Department of State certifies to Congress that the commission has been abolished. After such a certification, the United States shall, subject to appropriations, provide to the United Nations an amount equal to all the contributions that were withheld under this bill. The bill also states that it shall be U.S. policy to seek the abolition of the commission and combat systemic anti-Israel bias in international bodies.
Public Safety Officer Support Act of 2022 This bill extends death and disability benefits under the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program (PSOB) to certain public safety officers and survivors of public safety officers who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder, or a trauma and stress-related disorder following an exposure to one or more traumatic events while on duty. The PSOB program provides death, disability, and education benefits to public safety officers and survivors of public safety officers who die or become disabled as a direct and proximate result of a personal injury in the line of duty.
This resolution expresses opposition to the application of criminal laws to pregnancy outcomes and affirms that people deserve access to high-quality health care without fear of reprisal or punishment.
Military Access to Reproductive Care and Health for Military Servicemembers Act or the MARCH for Military Servicemembers Act This bill repeals the restriction on utilizing Department of Defense funds and facilities for performing abortions. The restriction only allows such funds and facilities to be used for abortions in cases of rape, incest, or where the mother's life is endangered.