HR 24, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2023, requires a comprehensive audit of the Federal Reserve System's Board of Governors and Federal Reserve banks within 12 months of the bill's enactment. The Congressional auditor (Comptroller General) must then submit a detailed report to Congress within 90 days, including findings, conclusions, and recommendations for improving transparency. This bill directly affects the Federal Reserve System by mandating greater oversight of its operations and financial activities. The key provision repeals a prior limitation that prevented audits of certain Fed programs, aiming to clarify which activities are subject to audit under existing law.
WHO Withdrawal Act This bill requires the President to immediately withdraw the United States from the World Health Organization (WHO) and prohibits using any federal funds to provide for U.S. participation in the WHO. The bill also repeals the 1948 act authorizing the United States to join the WHO.
This bill establishes nationwide recognition for valid concealed carry permits. It allows permit holders from any state to carry concealed handguns in states that either issue such permits or don't ban concealed carry, provided they carry a photo ID and their valid permit. Key provisions include making presentation of a valid permit and ID prima facie evidence of compliance, shifting the burden of proof to prosecutors if challenged, and requiring courts to award attorney fees to successful defendants. It does not override state laws prohibiting concealed carry on private property or government lands, nor does it affect restrictions on federal lands like national parks.
HR 146, the "Old Glory Only Act," prohibits U.S. diplomatic and consular posts from flying any flag other than the U.S. flag above the buildings. This law directly affects all U.S. embassies, consulates, and other official diplomatic facilities abroad. The Secretary of State is required to ensure compliance with this rule, mandating that only the U.S. flag be displayed at these locations. The bill makes no exceptions for foreign flags or other symbols at these specific government properties.
HRES 641 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing the 75th anniversary of the National Association of Conservation Districts (NACD). It celebrates NACD's history as a locally led conservation organization with 3,000 districts across all 50 states and territories, which works with landowners and governments to manage natural resources. The resolution describes NACD's mission of promoting voluntary, incentive-driven conservation programs at the local level. As a non-binding resolution, it does not create new laws or funding, but formally honors NACD's role in conservation efforts.
Protecting Veteran Community Care Act This bill modifies the community care program for veterans, including to expand access to community mental health care providers.
Federal Reserve Accountability Act of 2022 This bill reduces the number of Federal Reserve districts from 12 to 5, requires Senate confirmation for Federal Reserve bank presidents, and makes other changes to the operation of the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve banks.
Health Savings Accounts For All Act of 2022 This bill revises provisions relating to health savings accounts (HSAs). Specifically, the bill increases the annual limitation on tax-deductible contributions to HSAs by plan participants and their employers; eliminates the requirement that an HSA participant must be enrolled in a high deductible health plan as a condition of eligibility; allows payments from HSAs for health insurance premiums and primary care service arrangements; allows payment of medical expenses incurred prior to the establishment of an HSA and correction of administrative errors prior to the due date of an applicable tax return; allows a tax-free rollover of amounts in an HSA, upon the death of an account holder, to the account holder's child, parent, or grandparent; allows payments from HSAs for vitamins, dietary supplements, gym membership, and wearable fitness trackers; and extends bankruptcy protections to HSAs on the same basis as tax-preferred retirement plans.
Legacy Mine Cleanup Act of 2022 This bill establishes the Office of Mountains, Deserts, and Plains within the Environmental Protection Agency. The office must address abandoned hardrock mines, including by (1) establishing and annually updating a list of abandoned hardrock mine sites that are prioritized for response actions, and (2) updating every five years an interagency plan to carry out response actions at Navajo Nation abandoned uranium mine sites.
Financial Regulators Transparency Act of 2022 This bill makes certain disclosure and ethics requirements applicable to the Federal Reserve banks and financial regulators. For example, the bill makes Federal Reserve banks subject to Freedom of Information Act requests and makes financial regulators subject to congressional ethics inquiries.
Safeguarding American Innovation Act This bill addresses the security of federally funded research and development grants and export-controlled goods, technologies, or sensitive information. The bill establishes in the Office of Management and Budget a Federal Research Security Council to develop federally funded research and development grant making policy and management guidance to protect the national and economic security interests of the United States. Each executive agency on the council shall be responsible for assessing federal research security risks posed by persons participating in federally funded research and development. The bill prohibits any individual from knowingly (1) preparing or submitting a federal grant application that fails to disclose the receipt of any outside compensation, including foreign compensation, by the individual; or (2) forging, counterfeiting, or otherwise falsifying a document to obtain a federal grant. An alien shall be inadmissible to the United States if a consulate or the Department of Justice knows the alien seeks to enter the United States to acquire export-controlled goods, technologies, or sensitive information if the Department of State has determined that such acquisition would be contrary to U.S. national security (including economic security). The bill revises provisions relating to the disclosure of foreign gifts.
Responsible Self-Regulation Act of 2022 This bill provides for the registration of an association of digital asset intermediaries with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. Upon the written request of a member of the association, a registered digital asset association is allowed to make an initial determination of the legal character of a digital asset, including as a security, an ancillary asset, or a commodity.
