Sen. Richard Burr

Prepare for and Respond to Existing Viruses, Emerging New Threats, and Pandemics Act or the PREVENT Pandemics Act This bill sets out programs and activities primarily to address public health preparedness and response. Specifically, the bill establishes a legislative task force to investigate the COVID-19 pandemic and a White House office to advise on pandemic preparedness and response. It also revises authorities, programs, and other aspects of the Department of Health and Human Services and associated agencies to support preparedness and response activities at all levels of government. Other matters addressed in the bill include grants related to health disparities and for centers for public health preparedness; collection and dissemination of public health data (e.g., genomic sequencing of pathogens); workforce programs for public health and related fields; the safety and availability of the blood supply; research concerning viruses and other pathogens with pandemic potential, vaccines and other medical countermeasures, and the long-term health effects of COVID-19; biosafety and security related to biological agents and toxins; national security, privacy and information security, and foreign influence in biomedical research; the administration of the Strategic National Stockpile; and domestic manufacturing of medical countermeasures. The bill also modifies the regulation of medical products with a particular focus on expediting the development and approval of medical countermeasures. Additional areas of focus include strengthening medical product supply chains and supporting innovation in, for example, clinical trial designs.

"Six Triple Eight" Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021 This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to the women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion (commonly known as the Six Triple Eight) in recognition of their pioneering military service, devotion to duty, and contributions to increase the morale of personnel stationed in the European theater of operations during World War II.

Advanced Research Project Authority for Health Act or the ARPA-H Act This bill establishes within the National Institutes of Health (NIH) the Advanced Research Projects Authority for Health to accelerate innovation in health and medicine by investing in high-risk, high-reward research projects. The bill also establishes an interagency advisory committee to inform the authority's activities. The authority director shall be appointed by the President and report to the NIH director. The authority director must, among other duties, designate personnel to serve as program managers who select projects to support, make recommendations about terminating or continuing projects, and otherwise administer authority programs. The authority may use a variety of mechanisms to support the research projects, including grants, contracts, and prize competitions. To receive funding, an applicant must demonstrate sufficient, unsuccessful attempts to secure private funding for its project and other criteria. Furthermore, the authority's budget is separate from the NIH budget. In addition, the authority must (1) develop and periodically update a strategic plan, (2) annually report on its activities, and (3) seek to contract with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine to evaluate the authority's performance. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may meet with the authority and other federal partners to discuss actions to facilitate the development of medical projects and products prioritized by the authority. The authority must reimburse the FDA for the costs associated with supporting authority activities. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to report on issues related to the authority's hiring and staffing.

Stopping Harmful Image Exploitation and Limiting Distribution Act of 2022 or the SHIELD Act of 2022 This bill establishes a new criminal offense related to the distribution of intimate visual depictions. Specifically, it makes it a crime to knowingly distribute (or intentionally threaten to distribute) an intimate visual depiction of an individual (1) with knowledge of or reckless disregard for the individual's lack of consent and reasonable expectation of privacy, and (2) without a reasonable belief that distributing the depiction touches a matter of public concern. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to five years, or both.

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.

This joint resolution nullifies the rule titled Medicare and Medicaid Programs; Omnibus COVID-19 Health Care Staff Vaccination , which was issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on November 5, 2021. The rule requires health care providers, as a condition of Medicare and Medicaid participation, to ensure that staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

Making Pipelines Accountable to Consumers and Taxpayers Act or the MPACT Act This bill revises the authority of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) regarding rates and charges in connection with the transportation or sale of natural gas. Specifically, the bill provides FERC the authority to set refund effective dates by which natural gas companies must pay refunds for changes in rates or charges that are unjust, unreasonable, unduly discriminatory, or preferential.

Strengthening American Cybersecurity Act of 2022 This bill addresses cybersecurity threats against critical infrastructure and the federal government. The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) must perform ongoing and continuous assessments of federal risk posture. An agency, within a specified time frame, must (1) determine whether notice to any individual potentially affected by a breach is appropriate based on a risk assessment; and (2) as appropriate, provide written notice to each individual potentially affected. Each agency must (1) provide information relating to a major incident to specified parties, and (2) develop specified training for individuals with access to federal information or information systems. The bill requires reporting and other actions to address cybersecurity incidents. Entities that own or operate critical infrastructure must report cyber incidents and ransom payments within specified time frames. The bill limits the use and disclosure of reported information. The bill establishes (1) an interagency council to standardize federal reporting of cybersecurity threats, (2) a task force on ransomware attacks, and (3) a pilot program to identify information systems vulnerable to such attacks. The bill provides statutory authority for the Federal Risk and Authorization Management Program (FedRAMP) within the General Services Administration (GSA). FedRAMP is a government-wide program that provides a standardized approach to security assessment, authorization, and continuous monitoring for cloud computing products and services. The bill establishes a FedRAMP Board to examine the operations of FedRAMP and the Federal Secure Cloud Advisory Committee.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution (SRES 526) formally condemns the antisemitic terrorist attack at Congregation Beth Israel Synagogue in Colleyville, Texas, on January 15, 2022, where hostages were held at gunpoint. It expresses gratitude that no lives were lost, applauds law enforcement and emergency responders for their actions, and condemns antisemitism in the United States. The resolution does not create new policies or allocate funds; it is a symbolic expression of support for the Jewish community and law enforcement. It directly affects the congregation and local community by affirming their safety and the importance of religious freedom.

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."