HR 5, the Parents Bill of Rights Act, would require public schools receiving federal funding to provide parents with greater access to educational information. The bill mandates that schools post curricula online or widely distribute it to parents, include school budgets in report cards, and provide specific information about school activities including violent incidents and plans to eliminate gifted programs. It also guarantees parents the right to meet with teachers twice a year, review library materials, and address school boards. These requirements would apply to all local educational agencies and schools covered by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. The bill amends existing education laws to strengthen parental transparency and involvement in their children's education.
HR 1777 establishes a $50 million annual fund (2024-2028) for collaborative defense research between the U.S. and Israel in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, directed energy, and automation. The bill directly supports U.S. and Israeli military forces by enabling joint development of new warfare capabilities to address current and future defense challenges. Key provisions include authorizing $50 million per year for collaborative projects, building on existing U.S.-Israel defense partnerships like counter-tunnel and counter-drone systems. This funding aims to strengthen bilateral defense innovation without altering existing military aid structures.
Stop Funding Our Adversaries Act of 2023 This bill prohibits federal agencies from conducting or supporting, either directly or indirectly, research that will be conducted by China's government, the Chinese Communist Party, or any agent, instrumentality, or entity belonging to or controlled by either entity.
Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act of 2023 This bill raises the mandatory retirement age for pilots engaged in commercial aviation operations from 65 to 67 years of age, unless the operation takes place in (1) the territorial airspace of a foreign county where such operations are prohibited by the foreign country, or (2) international airspace where such operations are not in compliance with the Annexes to the Convention on International Civil Aviation. The Federal Aviation Administration must also submit a report to Congress on further increasing the age limitation for pilots engaged in commercial aviation operations.
HCONRES 28 is a symbolic resolution expressing Congress's view that tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies - organizations providing life, health, and accident benefits to members - have long delivered critical community support. It states these societies, with about 7 million members nationwide, generate significant annual value through charitable work and volunteer activities (estimated at over $3.8 billion yearly). The resolution affirms that their tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(8) of the tax code is essential for sustaining their volunteer-driven model and relieving pressure on government safety programs. As a non-binding expression of congressional sentiment, it does not alter existing laws or create new obligations.
HCONRES 17 is a non-binding congressional resolution expressing that the U.S. Congress believes the federal government should not impose restrictions on crude oil or petroleum product exports. It cites the 2015 repeal of export bans, U.S. growth as a top oil producer, and 2019 status as a net petroleum exporter as reasons for this position. The resolution specifically urges against overly restrictive regulations on energy production and any export restrictions under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act. It does not change existing law but formally states congressional sentiment on this policy matter.
HCONRES 14 is a concurrent resolution expressing Congress's disapproval of President Biden's 2021 revocation of the Presidential permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, which had been granted in 2019 to TransCanada (now TC Energy). The resolution has no legal effect but formally states the House's opposition to the executive action that canceled the pipeline project's permit. Introduced on February 7, 2023, it serves as a symbolic statement without altering any policy or affecting any entity.
H.J. Res. 30 seeks to block a Department of Labor rule that would have required retirement plan managers (like those handling 401(k)s) to follow strict "prudence and loyalty" standards when selecting investments and voting on company matters. The rule, published in December 2022, aimed to protect retirement savings by ensuring fiduciaries prioritize participants' interests. This resolution, if passed, would prevent the rule from taking effect, avoiding new compliance requirements for retirement plan managers and sponsors. It directly affects retirement plan administrators and the millions of participants in these plans.
This resolution supports the preservation of the stepped-up basis tax rule that allows recipients of inherited assets such as land, equipment, or buildings to adjust the cost basis of the assets to reflect their fair market value. The resolution opposes any efforts to impose new taxes on family farms or small businesses and recognizes the importance of generational transfers of farm and family-owned businesses.
This bill prohibits the Federal Reserve, Treasury Department, and other federal agencies from creating or distributing a central bank digital currency (CBDC) directly to individuals or maintaining accounts for individuals using CBDCs. It explicitly bans any federal entity from minting, issuing, offering CBDC-related services, or holding CBDCs as assets on their balance sheets. The bill directly affects federal financial institutions and prevents them from developing or implementing a government-run digital currency system.
The NIH Reform Act (S 960) reorganizes the National Institutes of Health by splitting the existing National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) into three new institutes: the National Institute of Allergic Diseases, the National Institute of Infectious Diseases, and the National Institute of Immunologic Diseases. This directly affects NIH leadership and research operations, requiring new director appointments with 5-year terms (allowing one reappointment) and updating federal references to replace NIAID with the new institute names. The bill mandates a transition plan for NIH leadership to shift responsibilities from the old NIAID structure to the new institutes, without altering funding or creating new research programs. It focuses on administrative restructuring to better align research priorities with specific disease areas.
The Kids in Classes Act requires states receiving Title I federal education funds to provide those funds directly to parents and guardians if in-person instruction is unavailable for more than three days during a school year due to public health emergencies or collective bargaining actions. This provision allows families to use the money for educational expenses such as tutoring, curriculum materials, online learning resources, private school tuition, and educational therapies for students with disabilities. The bill is designed to ensure that disadvantaged students, who are disproportionately affected by school closures, continue to receive educational support when regular classroom instruction is not available. By mandating that Title I funds follow eligible children, the legislation aims to prevent widening educational gaps between low-income students and their peers during periods when schools cannot operate normally.
