Sen. Elizabeth Warren

This resolution condemns violence and threats of violence against historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and reaffirms the federal government's commitment to combating violence against HBCU students, faculty, and staff.

Severing Putin's Immense Gains from Oil Transfers Act of 2022 or the SPIGOT Act of 2022 This bill prohibits the importation of crude oil and petroleum products from Russia. The President may waive this prohibition by meeting certain requirements, such as certifying to Congress that the import prohibition would unduly impact energy prices for U.S. consumers. The bill also requires the President to impose sanctions on foreign individuals and entities that are involved with (1) importing crude oil and petroleum products from Russia to the United States, and (2) acts of corruption or serious human rights abuses.

Striking Workers Healthcare Protection Act This bill prohibits an employer from terminating or significantly altering the employer-provided health insurance coverage of an employee engaged in a lawful strike. An employer that violates this prohibition is subject to a maximum civil penalty of $50,000 for each violation.

Arbitration Fairness for Consumers Act This bill deems as invalid or unenforceable a predispute arbitration agreement or joint-action waiver related to a consumer financial product or service.

SESTA/FOSTA Examination of Secondary Effects for Sex Workers Study Act or the SAFE SEX Workers Study Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to study the impacts of the reduction in access to certain websites and other interactive computer services resulting from the Allow States and Victims to Fight Online Sex Trafficking Act of 2017 on individuals engaged in adult, consensual sex work. Specifically, HHS must study the impacts of the reduction on the health and safety of individuals engaged in transactional sex while DOJ must study the impacts of the reduction on human trafficking investigations and prosecutions.

Job Protection Act This bill reduces from 12 months to 90 days the employment period required for employees (including federal employees) to become eligible for family and medical leave. Additionally, the bill makes the family and medical leave requirements applicable to all employers (currently, the requirements apply to employers with 50 or more employees).

Maddy summaryThis resolution designates March 4, 2022, as "National Speech and Debate Education Day" to recognize the value of speech and debate programs in schools. It does not create new laws or allocate funds but encourages schools, communities, and individuals to celebrate these educational activities. The resolution highlights how speech and debate develop critical skills like communication, critical thinking, and civic engagement for students. It is a symbolic gesture with no direct impact on policy or affected populations.

Maddy summaryThis bill establishes "Gold Star Families Day" as a legal public holiday, observed on the last Monday in September. It directly affects all Gold Star families - defined as immediate family members of service members who died while serving or from service-connected injuries - by creating a national day of recognition. The key mechanism is amending the U.S. Code (5 U.S.C. §6103) to add this holiday to the federal calendar, replacing the existing holiday previously observed on that date. The bill focuses on formal recognition of sacrifice, not new benefits or programs.

Harriet Tubman Bicentennial Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue 50,000 $5 gold coins, 400,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins emblematic of the legacy of Harriet Tubman as an abolitionist. The Secretary may issue coins under this bill only during the period of January 1, 2024, through December 31, 2024. All surcharges received by Treasury from the sale of such coins must be paid equally to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, and The Harriet Tubman Home, Inc. in Auburn, New York, for the purpose of accomplishing and advancing their missions.

This resolution recognizes Black History Month as an opportunity to reflect on U.S. history and to commemorate the contributions of African Americans. It calls for the United States to (1) honor the contribution of pioneers who helped to ensure its legacy; and (2) move forward as a nation "indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."