This resolution expresses that the Senate recognizes the importance of rural and agricultural programming and the need for greater access to rural and agricultural media programming.
This bill requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to (1) assess opportunities to increase hydroelectric power at its projects (e.g, dams and locks), and (2) create a new program manager position for nonfederal hydroelectric power development.
Month of Life Celebration Act This bill adds the Month of Life to the statutory list of patriotic and national observances. It also requires the President to annually issue a proclamation that (1) reaffirms the dignity of human life, (2) supports life inside and outside the womb and the life of the pregnant individual, and (3) commits to assist parents and children.
Protecting IP Act of 2021 This bill requires the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) to enforce the actions related to intellectual property outlined in the Economic and Trade Agreement Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of China (dated January 15, 2020). Such enforcement shall include civil, administrative, and criminal procedures and deterrent-level civil and criminal penalties as provided in the agreement. It shall also incorporate the USTR's authority to identify and take action against countries that deny (1) protection of intellectual property rights, or (2) market access to U.S. persons that rely upon intellectual property protection.
Prohibiting Abortion on Federal Lands Act This bill prohibits the federal government from promoting, supporting, or contracting with abortion entities, or otherwise expanding access to abortions on federal lands or in federal facilities, including military installations, national parks, court houses, and other federal buildings.
Unborn Child Support Act This bill requires states to apply child support obligations to the time period during pregnancy. This requirement is applicable retroactively based on a court order at the request of the pregnant parent and a determination by a physician of the month during which the child was conceived. Existing state requirements are applicable to these obligations, such as proof of parenthood.
Chase COVID Unemployment Fraud Act of 2022 This bill addresses fraud and overpayments of pandemic unemployment assistance, including by allowing states to retain a specified percentage of recovered funds and prohibiting the Department of Labor from allowing blanket waivers of overpayments.
Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act This bill establishes a federal statutory framework to regulate the carry or possession of concealed firearms across state lines. Specifically, an individual who is eligible to carry a concealed firearm in one state may carry or possess a concealed handgun (other than a machine gun or destructive device) in another state that allows its residents to carry concealed firearms. It sets forth requirements for the lawful concealed carry across state lines. The bill preempts most state and local laws related to concealed carry and establishes a private right of action for a person adversely affected by interference with a concealed-carry right established by this bill.
This bill prohibits federal funds from being used to require a member of the National Guard to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. In addition, the Department of Defense is prohibited from taking any adverse action (e.g., punishment) against a member of the National Guard because the member refuses to receive such a vaccination.
Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take various actions to address transparency in contract terms and pricing in the cattle industry. Among these requirements, USDA must maintain a publicly available library or catalog of contracts entered into between meat packers and livestock producers for the purchase of cattle, including any schedules of premiums or discounts associated with the contracts and other specific details. USDA must make this information available to producers and other interested parties in a monthly report. The bill further requires USDA to establish five to seven regions encompassing the entire continental United States that reasonably reflect similar fed cattle purchase practices for processing plants and establish mandatory minimums for each region (i.e., the minimum percentage of cattle purchases that are required to be made through approved pricing mechanisms from producers that are not packers). Under the bill, approved pricing mechanisms are generally purchases of fed cattle made through a negotiated purchase, through a negotiated grid purchase, at a stockyard, or through trading systems or platforms where multiple buyers and sellers can regularly make and accept bids and offers. The bill also establishes a maximum penalty for mandatory minimum violations by covered packers. Under the bill, a covered packer is a packer that has slaughtered an average of 5% or more of the number of fed cattle slaughtered nationally during the immediately preceding five calendar years.
