Sen. Richard Burr

IRS Funding Accountability Act This bill delays for a 60-day period funding for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) enforcement activities enacted by the Inflation Reduction Act (except for eliminating return processing backlogs and reducing call wait times) until an annual spending plan for such activities is submitted to the congressional tax and appropriation committees. Congress may enact a joint resolution of disapproval of the spending plan before the end of the 60-day period requiring the IRS to submit a new spending plan. The IRS and the Department of the Treasury must make quarterly reports to the committees on expenditures for enforcement activities. The bill requires reductions in appropriations to the IRS for any failure to submit required reports.

This resolution designates September 24-October 2, 2022, as Blue Star Welcome Week and expresses gratitude for the sacrifices made by service members, transitioning veterans, and their families.

Electoral Count Reform and Presidential Transition Improvement Act of 2022 This bill revises the process of casting and counting electoral votes for presidential elections. The bill also revises provisions related to the presidential transition process. The bill specifies that the choice of electors must occur in accordance with the laws of the state enacted prior to election day. Additionally, the bill identifies each state's governor (unless otherwise identified in the laws or constitution of a state in effect on election day) as responsible for submitting the certificate of ascertainment identifying the state's electors. Further, the bill provides for expedited judicial review for any action brought by an aggrieved presidential or vice-presidential candidate arising under the U.S. Constitution or U.S. laws with respect to the issuance or transmission of such a certificate. The bill revises the framework for the joint session of Congress to count electoral votes and make a formal declaration of which candidates have been elected President and Vice President. Among other changes, the bill (1) specifies that the role of the Vice President during the joint session shall be ministerial in nature, and (2) raises the objection threshold in Congress to at least one-fifth of the duly chosen and sworn members of both the House of Representatives and the Senate. The bill also revises the presidential transition process, including to (1) allow more than one candidate to receive federal transition resources under certain circumstances, and (2) require additional reporting by the General Services Administration.

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.

Firewood Banks Act of 2022 This bill directs the Department of Energy, in collaboration with the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service, to establish a pilot program to provide heat energy for residences of low-income and disabled individuals with wood-burning stoves. Under the program, trees on federal land shall be made available to firewood banks and federal land may be made available for firewood banks. The bill also directs the Forest Service, using certain funds made available by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, to provide financial assistance for operating firewood banks. Cooperatives, nonprofit organizations, and state, local, or tribal governments may apply for financial assistance.

This bill increases the mileage of the Appalachian Development Highway System from 3,090 miles to 3,105 miles to provide for improvements to and expansion of Corridor K in North Carolina.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 794) officially designates the week of September 26-30, 2022, as "National Clean Energy Week." It does not create new laws or affect specific people or groups; instead, it symbolically recognizes the importance of clean energy. The resolution encourages Americans, businesses, and governments to support clean energy solutions and invest in affordable, low-emission technologies. It highlights clean energy’s role in job creation and economic growth but contains no binding requirements or policy changes.

This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the Council on Environmental Quality titled National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations Revisions and published on April 20, 2022. The rule restores regulatory provisions issued under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) that were in effect before being modified in 2020 by the Update to the Regulations Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act rule.

Strategic EV Management Act of 2022 This bill directs the General Services Administration (GSA) to coordinate with the heads of federal agencies to develop a comprehensive strategic plan for federal electric vehicle fleet battery management and to report to and brief Congress regarding the plan and its implementation across agencies. The GSA may periodically update the strategic plan based on new information relating to electric vehicle batteries that becomes available. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on how the costs and benefits of operating and maintaining electric vehicles in the federal fleet compare to the costs and benefits of operating and maintaining internal combustion engine vehicles.

This resolution remembers Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her more than 70 years of service in support of the British people and the Commonwealth of Nations. The resolution also expresses gratitude to Queen Elizabeth II for her efforts to maintain strong bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and the United States. Finally, the resolution extends condolences to the family of Queen Elizabeth II, to the people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and to the peoples of the Commonwealth of Nations.