This joint resolution seeks congressional disapproval of a specific Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule setting greenhouse gas emissions standards for heavy-duty vehicles (Phase 3). If passed, it would nullify the EPA rule (published April 22, 2024) under the Congressional Review Act, preventing it from taking effect. The rule directly affects manufacturers of trucks and buses by establishing new requirements for reducing emissions. The resolution does not create new standards but aims to block the existing EPA rule through a formal disapproval process.
This joint resolution seeks to block an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that would set new emissions standards for light- and medium-duty vehicles sold in model years 2027 and later. It directly affects automakers, as the rule would require them to meet stricter pollution limits for these vehicles. The resolution uses a congressional disapproval process under federal law to prevent the EPA rule from taking effect. If passed, the rule would be invalidated, meaning automakers would not need to comply with the 2027+ emissions standards outlined in the EPA's April 2024 proposal.
HR 8208, the Stop the BIS Rule Act, blocks federal funding for the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) to finalize, implement, or enforce a proposed rule on firearms export controls. The rule, issued April 26, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 34680), aimed to enhance controls for firearms and related items. By prohibiting funds for this specific rule, the bill prevents the government from moving forward with the proposed regulations, which would have affected firearms exporters. The bill directly targets the BIS's ability to act on the rule, not the rule's content.
The Growing and Preserving Innovation in America Act of 2024 amends the Internal Revenue Code to reduce the tax deduction rate for foreign-derived intangible income (FDII) from 50% to 37.5%. This directly affects U.S. corporations earning income from intellectual property abroad, as it lowers the tax deduction they can claim on that income. The change takes effect on the date the bill is enacted, altering the tax treatment of foreign-derived income for affected businesses. The provision is a specific policy adjustment to the tax code, not a broader innovation incentive.
HR 8147 repeals the Corporate Transparency Act, which required certain businesses (typically those with more than 20 employees) to report beneficial ownership details to the Treasury Department. This bill eliminates the requirement for companies to disclose who ultimately owns or controls them, directly affecting business owners and financial institutions that previously submitted this information. The bill also makes minor technical changes to Title 31 of the U.S. Code to remove references to the repealed provisions. The repeal would end the existing financial transparency reporting obligation for covered entities.
This resolution (HRES 1157) is a symbolic gesture recognizing the work of linemen. It does not create new laws or policies; instead, it formally expresses the House's support for designating April 18, 2024, as "National Lineman Appreciation Day." The resolution highlights linemen's critical role in maintaining power infrastructure, their work as first responders during emergencies, and their safety risks. It directly affects no individuals or entities through policy changes - it solely offers ceremonial recognition of linemen's contributions to public safety.
This bill would reform the U.S. patent system by reverting to a "first-to-invent" system (replacing the current "first-to-file" system), abolishing inter partes and post-grant review proceedings, and ending automatic publication of patent applications after 18 months. It would restore patents as private property rights with a presumption of validity, strengthen remedies for patent infringement including a presumption of irreparable harm for injunctions, and eliminate fee diversion to fully fund the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. The bill aims to protect inventors' rights and encourage innovation by making the patent system more favorable to patent holders. It would also reverse several Supreme Court decisions that have limited patentability for software and scientific discoveries.
HR 8061, the Crime Victims Fund Stabilization Act of 2024, ensures stable funding for the Crime Victims Fund by directing certain False Claims Act collections into it from 2024 through 2029. Specifically, it adds a provision requiring that amounts collected under the False Claims Act (excluding whistleblower rewards and government reimbursement for damages) be deposited into the fund during this period. This directly affects crime victims who rely on the fund for services like counseling and emergency aid, as it prevents potential shortfalls in funding. The bill makes a concrete policy change by redirecting specific federal civil penalties into the fund, rather than altering the fund's existing purposes or eligibility rules.
This bill (SJRES 72) seeks congressional disapproval of a Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rule requiring companies to standardize climate-related financial disclosures for investors. If passed, it would block the SEC’s rule (published March 28, 2024) from taking effect, directly affecting public companies subject to SEC reporting requirements. The resolution uses a specific legal process under Title 5, U.S. Code, to invalidate the rule without altering its content. It does not create new regulations but halts the implementation of the SEC’s existing climate disclosure proposal.
This bill authorizes the U.S. Treasury to mint and sell commemorative coins honoring the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted by the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. It specifies three coin types: $5 gold coins (max 100,000), $1 silver coins (max 500,000), and half-dollar coins (max 750,000), all with designs reflecting soccer and the World Cup. A surcharge is added to each coin sale ($35 for $5 coins, $10 for $1 coins, $5 for half-dollars), with all surcharge revenue going directly to FWC2026 US, Inc. to fund U.S. soccer programs, particularly youth initiatives and underserved communities. The coins may only be sold during 2026 and must cover all costs to avoid government expense.
This bill establishes federal grant programs to help communities address vacant and abandoned properties through land banks. It provides $10,000 annual grants for mapping blighted properties (Section 3), $100,000-$250,000 planning grants to develop neighborhood revitalization plans (Section 4), and $2 million-$15 million implementation grants to fund property remediation like demolition, rehab, and title clearance (Section 4). Land banks, counties without land banks, and rural areas receive priority, with at least one-third of funds reserved for underresourced entities. The bill also creates technical assistance and a fellowship program to support applicants, all funded through annual appropriations totaling $20-$44 million per year.
This bill prevents the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from closing, consolidating, or moving operations at any processing and distribution center in a region that missed specific delivery targets in the previous year. It directly affects USPS operations in regions failing to meet two key 2023 performance goals: at least 93% on-time delivery for two-day first-class mail and 90.3% for three-to-five-day first-class mail. The restriction applies annually during any calendar year based on the prior year's performance data. The law aims to protect postal facilities in underperforming areas from closure due to delivery metrics.
