Sen. Ted Cruz

Maddy summarySRES 724 is a non-binding Senate resolution stating that the Federal Government should continue using the historic definition of a recession - two consecutive quarters of negative gross domestic product (GDP) growth - for economic analysis and policy decisions. The resolution cites that this definition has been consistently applied by the National Bureau of Economic Research to identify U.S. recessions over the past decade, including in all 10 instances of two or more consecutive negative GDP quarters. It does not change any law or require government action, but formally expresses the Senate's view on economic terminology. This resolution directly addresses federal economic reporting standards, not specific groups or policies.

Asylum Accountability Act This bill permanently bars a non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) from receiving certain immigration-related relief if that individual is ordered removed from the United States after failing to appear at a removal proceeding, unless that failure to appear is due to exceptional circumstances. (Currently, this bar from relief is for 10 years.) Under this bill, such an individual shall be permanently barred from receiving discretionary relief under specified immigration provisions, such as (1) cancellation of removal and adjustment to lawful permanent resident status, (2) being allowed to voluntarily depart from the United States, or (3) being allowed to change from one nonimmigrant classification to another.

Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act This bill revises various statutes with respect to violent crimes and establishes new criminal offenses. For example, the bill (1) increases the statutory maximum penalty for carjacking, and (2) establishes enhanced criminal penalties for certain federal drug offenses involving the manufacture or distribution of candy-flavored controlled substances or similar products for minors.

Texas Coastal Spine Authorization Act This bill authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out the project on coastal Texas protection and restoration in accordance with the plans and conditions laid out in the report issued by the Chief of Engineers on September 16, 2021. The report recommends plans to reduce the risks of tropical storm surge impacts and to restore degraded coastal ecosystems on the Texas Gulf Coast.

Maximize Americans' Retirement Security Act This bill revises the fiduciary duties for a retirement or employee benefit plan that is regulated under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974. The bill generally requires a fiduciary to select and maintain investments for a plan based solely on pecuniary factors. Under the bill, a pecuniary factor is a factor that is expected to have a material effect on the risk or return of an investment based on appropriate investment horizons that are consistent with the plan's investment objectives and funding policy. A fiduciary may only use nonpecuniary factors if the fiduciary is unable to distinguish between investment alternatives on the basis of pecuniary factors alone. In such a case, the fiduciary must provide specified documentation to the plan's participants and beneficiaries, including an explanation of how the chosen nonpecuniary factors are consistent with their interests.

This resolution recognizes and honors the life and legacy of Oswaldo Payá Sardiñas on the 10th anniversary of his death on July 22, 2022. The resolution also calls on the communist regime in Cuba to cease violating human rights and to begin providing democratic political freedoms to its citizens.

This resolution calls on the Russian government to immediately release Brittney Griner. The resolution urges the United States, in all interactions with the Russian government, to raise the case of Brittney Griner and to press for her release. The resolution further urges the Russian government to provide consular access to Brittney Griner while she remains in detention and to respect her human rights. Finally, the resolution expresses support to the family of Brittney Griner and a commitment to bringing her home.

Protect Our Children's Schools Act This bill requires certain unobligated federal COVID-19 relief funds to be made available to local educational agencies for keeping elementary and secondary schools physically secure.

This bill directs the President to designate the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) as a foreign terrorist organization and impose sanctions on FARC and any foreign person affiliated with FARC.

National Regulatory Budget Act of 2022 This bill requires the establishment of a national regulatory budget to limit the costs of federal regulations. It also establishes (1) procedures for enforcing the regulatory budget, (2) the Office of Regulatory Analysis within the executive branch, and (3) a Regulatory Analysis Advisory Board.