Sen. Bill Cassidy

Maddy summarySRES 831 designates October 10, 2022, as "World Mental Health Day" in recognition of the importance of mental health support. The resolution acknowledges the pandemic's severe impacts on children's mental health, education, and well-being, particularly in marginalized communities. It urges national attention to prioritizing mental health services and coordination across agencies to support children, families, and caregivers. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new policies or funding.

This resolution designates the week beginning on October 9, 2022, as National Wildlife Refuge Week. The resolution acknowledges the importance of national wildlife refuges for their recreational opportunities and contribution to local economies. Finally, the resolution reaffirms the support of the Senate for wildlife conservation and the National Wildlife Refuge System.

Arrest Murderers not Ministers Act This bill specifies that in order for the federal government to prosecute individuals for violations of the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances Act (which prohibits forceful or threats of forceful interference with an individual's access to reproductive health services or exercise of religious freedom), the violation must involve intentional physical injuries or damage. Any funds that would have been used for prosecutions that are prohibited under the bill must be used to prosecute individuals who commit violent crimes or other specified offenses.

Healthcare Cybersecurity Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to undertake activities to improve the cybersecurity of the health care and public health sector. HHS must coordinate with the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) on these activities; in particular, CISA must make resources, including cyber-threat indicators and appropriate defense measures, available to federal and nonfederal entities that receive information through HHS programs. In addition, HHS must provide training on cybersecurity risks and mitigation strategies to owners of assets in the health care and public health sector. HHS must also update the Healthcare and Public Health Sector Specific Plan, which guides the sector's effort to enhance the security and resilience of critical infrastructure. The updates must address, among other topics, the impact of the risks on rural entities and small- and medium-sized entities, cybersecurity workforce shortages in the sector, and challenges related to the COVID-19 emergency.

Solid Start Act of 2022 This act permanently authorizes and expands the Solid Start program, which is an outreach program for veterans in their first year of separation from the military. Specifically, the act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to coordinate with the Department of Defense to collect updated contact information during transition classes or separation counseling for members of the Armed Forces who are separating from service; explain the existence and purpose of the program; call veterans three times within the first year of separation; publish information about the program in booklets and on the VA website; provide women veterans with information tailored to their health care and benefit needs; provide information on access to state and local resources, such as Vet Centers; gather and analyze data that assesses the effectiveness of the program; ensure calls are tailored to each veteran's needs by conducting quality assurance tests; and prioritize outreach to veterans who have accessed mental health resources prior to separation from the Armed Forces. Under the act, the VA is authorized to (1) encourage members of the Armed Forces to provide additional contact information if they are unreachable following their separation, and (2) follow up on missed phone calls.

Maddy summarySRES 811 is a ceremonial Senate resolution designating October 2-8, 2022, as "Religious Education Week" to celebrate the role of religious education in the U.S. It does not create new laws or policies but affirms the importance of religious education for moral and civic development. The resolution references historical figures, Supreme Court cases supporting religious instruction options, and studies linking religious education to youth well-being. It urges states to accommodate religious education programs, such as school release time for religious classes, but this is a non-binding recommendation. As a resolution, it has no legal effect and solely serves to recognize religious education's contributions.

This resolution designates October 2022 as National Dyslexia Awareness Month and calls on Congress, schools, and educational agencies to recognize that dyslexia has significant educational implications that must be addressed.

This resolution supports the designation of October 2-October 8, 2022, as National 4-H Week. It also (1) recognizes the important role of 4-H in youth development and education, and (2) encourages all citizens to recognize 4-H for the significant impact the organization and members have made and continue to make by empowering young people with the skills needed to lead for a lifetime.

Breaking Russia's Energy Addicted Kleptocracy and Punishing Uncivil Tyrant Invading Neighbor Act of 2022 or the BREAK PUTIN Act of 2022 This bill requires the President to take steps to sanction entities involved in the purchase of crude oil produced in Russia and to increase the production and refining of crude oil in the United States. Specifically, the bill requires the President to block the U.S. property of (1) any foreign person who knowingly purchased Russian crude oil; or (2) any foreign financial institutions, insurance companies, brokering services, international trading houses, port operators, or shipping companies that facilitated any significant financial transaction for the purchase of Russian crude oil. The bill also directs the President to establish a task force to combat evasion of these sanctions.

Repealing the Ill-Conceived and Problematic (RIP) Book Minimum Tax Act This bill repeals the 15% alternative minimum tax on corporations enacted by the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.