Sen. Benjamin L. Cardin

Migratory Birds of the Americas Conservation Enhancements Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 and otherwise modifies a grant program that supports conservation projects for neotropical migratory birds. Modifications include (1) increasing the maximum federal share of project costs from 25% to 33.3%, and (2) requiring the Department of the Interior to establish criteria for awarding the grants.

Workplace Violence Prevention for Health Care and Social Service Workers Act This bill requires the Department of Labor to address workplace violence in health care, social service, and other sectors. Specifically, Labor must issue an interim occupational safety and health standard that requires certain employers to take actions to protect workers and other personnel from workplace violence. The standard applies to employers in the health care sector, in the social service sector, and in sectors that conduct activities similar to those in the health care and social service sectors. In addition, Labor must promulgate a final standard within a specified time line.

This resolution designates March 2022 as Irish-American Heritage Month. The resolution also recognizes the significant contributions of Irish Americans in the history and progress of the United States. Finally, the resolution supports the full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement (also known as the Belfast Agreement) and subsequent agreements or arrangements for implementation of that agreement to support peace in Ireland.

Wage Theft Prevention and Wage Recovery Act This bill requires employers to make initial and modified disclosures to employees of the terms of their employment, provide such employees with regular paystubs, and make a final payment to an employee for uncompensated work hours within 14 days of the employee's termination. Employers must also allow employees access to wage records. An employer must compensate an employee at the rate specified in an employment contract, including a collective bargaining agreement, that specifies a rate of pay higher than the minimum wage rate. The bill makes all of such unpaid wages recoverable through civil enforcement. The bill establishes new and increased civil and criminal penalties for violations of overtime or minimum wage requirements, including referral to the Department of Justice for criminal prosecution of employers who engage in wage theft, falsification of wage records, or retaliation against employees. The Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor must provide grants to specified organizations, including nonprofits and educational institutions, to enhance the enforcement of wage and hour laws. The Government Accountability Office must study and report on successful grant programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill designates the federal office building at 308 W. 21st Street in Cheyenne, Wyoming, as the "Louisa Swain Federal Office Building" to honor Louisa Swain, a historical figure recognized as the first woman to vote in a U.S. election. It updates all federal references in laws, documents, and records to use the new name, ensuring consistency in official communications. The bill has no policy impact beyond renaming a specific building and affects only federal agencies using the building's address in their documentation.

This resolution expresses that the Senate has heard of the death of the Honorable Orrin G. Hatch, former U.S. Senator for the state of Utah. The resolution also expresses that the Senate honors the life and legacy of the late Senator Hatch for his unwavering dedication to Utah as a Senator and a public servant and accomplishments in legislating with principle and dedication for the good of the people of the United States. The resolution states when the Senate adjourns today, it stands adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Hatch.

Ukraine Democracy Defense Lend-Lease Act of 2022 This bill temporarily waives certain requirements related to the President's authority to lend or lease defense articles if the defense articles are intended for Ukraine's government or the governments of other Eastern European countries affected by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. For FY2022 and FY2023, an agreement to lend or lease defense articles under this bill shall not be subject to certain requirements and provisions that typically apply to such lend-lease agreements, including a requirement that generally prohibits a loan or lease period from exceeding five years. The President must establish expedited procedures to ensure the timely delivery of defense articles loaned or leased to Ukraine under this bill.

This resolution supports the designation of May 1, 2022, through May 7, 2022, as Public Service Recognition Week and commends public servants for their contributions.

Water Resources Development Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out activities concerning water resources development projects, ecosystem restoration, flood control, water supply and wastewater infrastructure, or navigation.

This resolution recognizes the centrality of a free press to free societies and democratic governance and expresses concerns about threats to the exercise of freedom of expression globally.