Congressional Inherent Contempt Resolution of 2022 This resolution sets forth procedures regarding committee subpoenas by the House of Representatives, including allowing the House of Representatives to enforce committee subpoenas with respect to federal departments, agencies, executive branch officials, and other persons. Specifically, the resolution allows the House to punish a noncomplying individual held in contempt with a monetary penalty, detention, or both.
Masks for All Act of 2022 This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to manufacture and distribute N-95 respirator masks to every individual in the United States and to provide N-95 masks to all individuals working in health care settings in the United States that are experiencing a shortage of such masks. FEMA must provide the masks at no cost to individuals and deliver them, to the greatest extent possible, using the U.S. Postal Service. Additionally, FEMA shall designate mask pickup sites in each community and shall provide masks to each site, allocated according to population; consider new designs for masks to improve comfort, fit, and size options; and submit to Congress a strategic plan that includes monthly, measurable targets to eliminate shortages and increase domestic production of N-95 masks and to fulfill all other requirements of this bill. The President shall make use of any and all available authorities (including emergency authorities) at the disposal of the federal government to procure and domestically manufacture N-95 masks and support the domestic manufacturing of N-95 masks.
This bill directs the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to support research on medical products for virus families and viral pathogens with pandemic potential. Specifically, the NIH must establish or continue a multidisciplinary program for supporting research centers to advance the discovery and development of medical products to prevent, treat, and diagnose such viruses.
Ban Congressional Stock Trading Act This bill requires each Member of Congress to divest or place in a blind trust any specified investment owned by the Member, the Member's spouse, or a dependent of the Member. This requirement applies for the entire period of a Member's service in Congress and for 180 days after that service ceases. A Member of Congress who does not comply with the bill's requirements is subject to a fine equal to the Member's monthly congressional salary. The fine must be assessed 30 days after notice of the violation is issued and at least every subsequent 30 days.
This bill nullifies Order 2021-148 of the Mayor of the District of Columbia (December 22, 2021) and any successor or substantially similar order of the Mayor of the District of Columbia that imposes a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for entry to certain establishments and facilities in the District.
Open Schools Act This bill directs the Department of Education to make grants to parents of eligible students for certain education-related expenses. Eligible student refers to a student who is enrolled for the 2021-2022 school year in an elementary or secondary school that (1) is located in a local educational agency that received certain COVID-19 relief funds; and (2) does not provide, for any reason related to COVID-19, in-person learning for each enrolled student for each school day during the school year. Grant funds may be used to pay the tuition and fees for a private elementary or secondary school, pay the cost of attending a public school that provides in-person learning, or for other expenses and educational materials.
This bill (H.J.Res. 68) is a symbolic, procedural measure that would require the President to issue an annual proclamation designating a day as "Democracy Day." It directs the President to call on state/local governments and citizens to observe the day through programs and activities, with January 6 referenced as a potential date. The bill does not create new government programs or change existing laws - it only establishes a recurring presidential proclamation. It directly affects federal, state, and local governments by encouraging them to participate in annual observances. The bill has no budgetary impact and remains focused on promoting civic engagement through a designated day.
This resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 3460 (exempting antitrust actions brought by states from the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation's processes regarding transfers and consolidations of cases).
Freedom Riders Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders, in recognition of their contribution to civil rights by fighting for equality in interstate travel.
Helping Unleash Benefits and Services for Veterans Act of 2021 or the HUBS for Veterans Act of 2021 This bill establishes a grant program to assist the transition of military personnel to civilian life. It directs the Department of Labor to carry out a five-year program of grants to nonprofit organizations that assist the transition of the following persons from Armed Forces service to civilian life: members eligible for preseparation counseling, former members who are transitioning to civilian life, and spouses of such members or former members. Funds must be used for a broad range of supportive programs, such as job recruitment training.
VA Safe Holidays Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to annually conduct outreach for a 10-week period starting on November 1 to veterans to promote the Veteran Identity Theft Helpline and identify other identity theft resources available to veterans and beneficiaries of VA programs. The VA must submit a plan to Congress detailing its efforts to promote identity theft awareness and to assist veterans and VA program beneficiaries who experience identity theft.
Veterans Pro Bono Corps Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to study the feasibility and advisability of establishing a five-year pilot program to provide assistance to entities that provide aid to veterans applying for compensation for a service-connected disability, specifically by helping them substantiate their claims with independent medical examinations and opinions. The study must also assess the use of the VA disability benefits questionnaire forms to support the pilot program. Under the program, eligible entities are those that administer a non-VA medical residency or medical fellowship program in the United States (or a territory of the United States) and are accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency.
