Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization Act of 2022 This bill modifies and reauthorizes through FY2027 programs and activities under the Violence Against Women Act that seek to prevent and respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. The bill also authorizes new programs, makes changes to federal criminal laws, and establishes new protections to promote housing stability and economic security for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
SRES 509 is a non-binding Senate resolution honoring NFL quarterback Tom Brady for his 22-season professional career, primarily with the New England Patriots (20 seasons) and briefly with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2 seasons). The resolution recognizes his seven Super Bowl championships, NFL records (including most career passing yards and touchdowns), and iconic moments like the 2007 perfect regular season and Super Bowl LI comeback. It does not create new laws or affect any policies - it is a ceremonial tribute to Brady’s athletic achievements and legacy. The resolution was introduced by Senators Hassan, Collins, Whitehouse, and others in February 2022.
This resolution extends collective bargaining rights prescribed in the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to employees of the House of Representatives.
Cutting Medicare Prescription Drug Prices in Half Act This bill caps the cost of prescription drugs under Medicare at the amount that the Department of Veterans Affairs or the General Services Administration pays for the drug, whichever is lower.
American Housing and Economic Mobility Act of 2021 This bill addresses housing affordability and availability, makes certain changes to the estate and gift taxes, and contains other related provisions. The Department of Housing and Urban Development shall provide grants to (1) state and local governments that remove unnecessary barriers to building affordable units, (2) states to assist borrowers who have negative equity in their homes, (3) state housing finance agencies to construct or acquire affordable rental housing and prevent tenant displacement and harassment, and (4) eligible individuals (generally, lower income individuals who resided in low-income or historically racially segregated areas) to help them purchase their first homes. The bill provides funding through FY2031 for the first-time homeowner grant program established by the bill, through FY2022 for the affordable rental housing construction program established by the bill, and through FY2022 for specified existing rural housing programs. The bill also expands fair housing protections to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, source of income, veteran status, or an individual's perceived membership in a protected class (e.g., an individual's perceived race or sex). Additionally, the bill modifies the estate tax in various ways, including by reducing the number of brackets to three, increasing the tax rates, and reducing the basic exemption amount. The bill also modifies provisions related to gift taxes and transfer taxes.
Sensible, Timely Relief for America's Nuclear Districts' Economic Development Act of 2021 or the STRANDED Act of 2021 This bill provides resources to communities that are challenged by stranded nuclear waste. The bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a competitive prize competition for affected communities to carry out alternatives to nuclear facilities, generating sites, and waste sites. DOE must also (1) establish the Stranded Nuclear Waste Task Force to study existing public and private resources and funding for affected communities, and (2) establish a grant program to assist localities near nuclear power plants to offset the impacts of stranded nuclear waste in affected communities.
First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to the First Rhode Island Regiment, collectively, in recognition of their dedicated service during the Revolutionary War.
Global Respect Act This bill imposes visa-blocking sanctions on foreign persons responsible for or complicit in violating the human rights of individuals due to actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics. The President must report and periodically update a list of foreign persons responsible for such human rights violations and apply sanctions accordingly. The Department of State must designate at least one senior officer who shall be responsible for tracking violence and discrimination against individuals based on actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or sex characteristics in foreign countries.
Firefighter Staffing and Support Act This bill provides additional funding for firefighter staffing and safety grants. Specifically, the bill increases funding levels for FY2023 and sets a formula for funding for FY2024-FY2028 under the Assistance to Firefighters Grants and Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response grants programs, including for technical assistance. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Fire Administration must submit to Congress and make publicly available reports on (1) plans to improve the grant application process to ease access to such grant funds; and (2) the challenges specific to rural and volunteer fire departments, including an action plan to address such challenges. The bill also provides protections for volunteer firefighters. An employer may not terminate, demote, or discriminate against a volunteer firefighter for providing emergency services as part of a response to an emergency or major disaster.
Climate Security Intelligence Act of 2022 This bill permanently authorizes the Climate Security Advisory Council (currently authorized until December 31, 2025). The bill also requires the advisory council to report to Congress a plan to permanently establish a Climate Security Intelligence Center within the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. The plan must contain recommendations relating to the proposed center's duties, which shall include (1) serving as the primary intelligence community organization addressing the climate security intelligence needs and priorities of policymakers, (2) analyzing U.S. climate security risks and U.S. influence on climate policies around the world, and (3) conducting strategic forecasting for future climate security risks and opportunities. The plan shall also include a proposed process for transferring recommended functions and duties from the advisory council to the center.
Keeping School Meals Flexible Act This bill extends authority through June 30, 2023, for the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to waive certain requirements for the school meal programs to address COVID-19. The bill extends the authority for USDA to issue a single waiver of child nutrition program requirements to all states under the National School Lunch Program for purposes of providing meals and snacks with appropriate safety measures with respect to COVID-19; grant waivers of requirements to allow non-congregate feeding in the Child and Adult Care Food Program for purposes of providing meals and snacks with appropriate safety measures with respect to COVID-19; and grant waivers related to the nutritional content of meals served in child nutrition programs if it determines the waiver is necessary to provide meals and snacks, and there is a food supply chain disruption due to COVID-19.
This resolution expresses support for observing National Trafficking and Modern Slavery Prevention Month during the period of January 1-February 1, 2022.
