Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin

This resolution expresses that the Senate condemns the unjust detention and indicting of Russian opposition leader Vladimir Vladimirovich Kara-Murza; urges the U.S. government and other allied governments to work to secure the immediate release of Vladimir Vladimirovich Kara-Murza, Alexei Navalny, and other Russian citizens imprisoned for opposing the regime of Vladimir Putin and the war against Ukraine; and calls on the President to increase support provided by the U.S. government for those advocating for democracy and independent media in Russia.

This resolution expresses that the Senate thanks Poland for its pivotal role in accepting Ukrainian refugees; and appreciates the ongoing support of Poland for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, including through the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance.

This resolution celebrates 100 years of continuous diplomatic relations between the United States and Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania (the Baltic States). The resolution also commits to providing continued support for the Baltic States through economic and security cooperation, including through the Baltic Security Initiative.

United States-Colombia Bicentennial Alliance Act This bill requires and authorizes various activities related to Colombia. For example, the bill requires the Department of State to develop and implement strategies to (1) engage with Colombia's government to combat corruption and the misuse of public resources, (2) support the efforts of Colombia's government in countering narcotics trafficking and transnational organized crime, and (3) support the efforts of Colombia's government to provide assistance to various groups that have been affected by natural disasters.

Affordability is Access Act This bill establishes several requirements relating to health insurance coverage of, and access to, over-the-counter contraceptives. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Labor, and the Department of the Treasury to specify that private health insurance plans must cover over-the-counter contraceptives that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), even without a prescription. Under current law, private health insurance plans (with some exceptions) must cover FDA-approved prescription contraceptives, without cost-sharing requirements. The bill also prohibits retailers from interfering with an individual's access to oral contraceptives that are meant for routine, daily use and are FDA-approved for use without a prescription.

Protecting America from Narcotics and Illicit Chemicals Act of 2022 or the PANIC Act of 2022 This bill expands the definition of major illicit drug producing country to include a country that is a direct source of certain drugs (or precursor chemicals for producing such drugs) that are significantly affecting the United States. (Under current law, a country designated a major illicit drug producing country may be eligible for certain U.S. foreign assistance, including transfers of excess defense articles. However, a designated country that fails to adhere to commitments related to drug control measures may be barred from receiving other forms of foreign assistance and may also be subject to trade restrictions.)

Upholding the Inter-American Democratic Charter Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of State to develop and implement a strategy to uphold and strengthen the Inter-American Democratic Charter, which states that the peoples of the Americas have a right to democracy and their governments have an obligation to promote and defend it. The charter was adopted in 2001 by the member states of the Organization of American States (OAS), which includes all 35 independent countries of the Western Hemisphere. The strategy must include plans to (1) strengthen the integrity of electoral processes in the Americas; (2) counter the spread and amplification of disinformation and misinformation in the Americas; and (3) address threats to democratic governance posed by corruption, criminality, and the malign activities of nondemocratic and non-OAS countries such as China and Russia.

Age 21 Act This bill raises the minimum age to purchase a large capacity ammunition feeding device or semiautomatic assault weapon from 18 to 21 years of age.

Small Business COVID Relief Act of 2022 This bill provides support for restaurants and other businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the bill provides additional funding for the Small Business Administration (SBA) to provide grants to support the ongoing operations of eligible restaurants and similar establishments. The SBA must report weekly and biweekly information about grant applications, awards, and denials. Additionally, the bill funds grants to support other eligible businesses impacted by the pandemic, including gyms and fitness centers, minor league sports teams, businesses located near land ports of entry, businesses that provide and support live events, and businesses located in certain U.S. exclaves with limited accessibility. A business may receive a grant under only one program. The bill also establishes procedures for the SBA to implement and provide administrative support for these grant programs. The SBA must institute an oversight and audit plan to review the use of grants under these programs. Further, the bill provides additional funding for grants to support eligible transportation service providers. Finally, the bill designates the funding as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits.

Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2022 This bill establishes new requirements to expand the availability of information on domestic terrorism, as well as the relationship between domestic terrorism and hate crimes. It authorizes domestic terrorism components within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to monitor, analyze, investigate, and prosecute domestic terrorism. The domestic terrorism components of DHS, DOJ, and the FBI must jointly report on domestic terrorism, including white-supremacist-related incidents or attempted incidents. DHS, DOJ, and the FBI must review the anti-terrorism training and resource programs of their agencies that are provided to federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies. Additionally, DOJ must make training on prosecuting domestic terrorism available to its prosecutors and to assistant U.S. attorneys. It creates an interagency task force to analyze and combat white supremacist and neo-Nazi infiltration of the uniformed services and federal law enforcement agencies. Finally, it directs the FBI to assign a special agent or hate crimes liaison to each field office to investigate hate crimes incidents with a nexus to domestic terrorism.