Delaware Congressional Bills

in committee · Delaware · House Jul 18, 2023

HR 1282: Major Richard Star Act

This bill, HR 1282 (Major Richard Star Act), expands benefits for certain military retirees by allowing them to receive both veterans' disability compensation and military retirement pay simultaneously. It specifically affects combat-related disabled retirees under Chapter 61 of the military retirement system who have fewer than 20 years of service. The key change removes the automatic reduction of military retirement pay when these retirees also receive disability compensation, as amended in Section 1413a(b)(3) of Title 10. Technical updates to the law’s structure and effective date (starting after enactment) complete the provisions.

Topics ✓ Veterans

Gus M. Bilirakis (R) · 326 co-sponsors

in committee · Delaware · House Jul 14, 2023

HCONRES 56: Recognizing that the climate crisis disproportionately affects the health, economic opportunity, and fundamental rights of children, expressing the sense of Congress that leadership by the United States is still urgently needed to address the climate crisis, and acknowledging the need of the United States to develop a national, comprehensive, science-based, and just climate recovery plan to phase out fossil fuel emissions, protect and enhance natural carbon sequestration, and put the United States on a path toward stabilizing the climate system.

HCONRES 56 is a non-binding congressional resolution recognizing that climate change disproportionately harms children's health, economic opportunities, and rights. It expresses Congress's view that U.S. leadership is urgently needed to address the climate crisis and calls for a national climate recovery plan. The resolution specifically demands a science-based plan to phase out fossil fuels, protect natural carbon sinks, and reduce atmospheric CO2 to below 350 parts per million by 2100. This resolution does not create new laws or allocate funds but formally states congressional support for a comprehensive climate strategy prioritizing children's well-being.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment

in committee · Delaware · House Jul 14, 2023

HRES 580: Expressing support for the designation of Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day.

HRES 580 is a symbolic resolution expressing the House's support for designating "Journeyman Lineworkers Recognition Day." It honors lineworkers who work in hazardous conditions (such as at heights near live wires) and respond to disasters like hurricanes and wildfires, while recognizing their contributions and the legacy of Henry Miller, an early electrical worker who died on the job. The resolution has no legal effect - it solely encourages public recognition and reflection on these workers' service.

in committee · Delaware · House Jul 14, 2023

HR 4572: Stephanie Tubbs Jones Uterine Fibroid Research and Education Act of 2023

This bill authorizes $30 million annually (2024-2028) for the National Institutes of Health to expand research on uterine fibroids, including studies on racial disparities (noting Black women are 80% likely to develop fibroids by menopause versus 70% of White women). It also requires the creation of a Medicaid database to track treatment services for fibroids and mandates a congressional report on related costs and coverage. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to develop public education materials about fibroid symptoms, treatment options (including non-hysterectomy care), and racial prevalence differences. It directly affects women with fibroids - particularly those from racial minority groups - and aims to improve data collection and awareness around a condition causing significant health burdens and healthcare costs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Yvette D. Clarke (D) · 90 co-sponsors

in committee · Delaware · Senate Jul 13, 2023

S 2327: Afghan Adjustment Act

S 2327, the Afghan Adjustment Act, creates a pathway to permanent residency for Afghans who directly supported U.S. missions in Afghanistan between October 1, 2001, and September 1, 2021. The bill allows eligible individuals already in the U.S. (or paroled into the U.S.) to adjust their status to lawful permanent residents without being subject to visa numerical limits. It establishes a new category of special immigrant visas for at-risk Afghan allies and their relatives, requiring a vetting process equivalent to refugee vetting. The bill prohibits application fees, provides benefits similar to those for refugees, and sets a deadline for applications with authorized funding for implementation.

Topics ✓ Immigration

Amy Klobuchar (D) · 17 co-sponsors

in committee · Delaware · Senate Jul 13, 2023

S 2299: Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act

S 2299 prohibits the federal government from imposing or carrying out the death penalty for any violation of federal law after the bill's enactment date. It also requires that any person already sentenced to death for a federal offense before enactment be resentenced. The bill directly affects all individuals currently facing or convicted of federal crimes that carry the death penalty under current law. This legislation would eliminate the federal death penalty as a sentencing option and mandate new sentencing hearings for existing death row cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice

in committee · Delaware · Senate Jul 13, 2023

S 2313: Driving for Opportunity Act of 2023

The Driving for Opportunity Act of 2023 (S 2313) provides federal grants to states that repeal laws allowing driver’s license suspensions for unpaid civil or criminal fines and fees (e.g., traffic tickets, child support). It directly affects millions of people - particularly in rural areas without public transit - who face license suspensions for non-driving-related debt, trapping them in poverty by blocking access to jobs and essential services. The bill’s key mechanism is funding states to reinstate licenses and vehicle registrations suspended for these reasons, with requirements to maximize eligibility, assist those in transportation-limited areas, and report on program outcomes. States must first repeal such suspension laws to qualify for grants, which cover costs of reinstatement and must be reported on annually. The law aims to reduce a widespread "poverty trap" while redirecting law enforcement resources from non-safety-related suspensions.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Delaware · Senate Jul 12, 2023

S 1040: A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to prohibit smoking on the premises of any facility of the Veterans Health Administration, and for other purposes.

This bill would ban all smoking and vaping - including cigarettes, cigars, pipes, e-cigarettes, and vape pens - in every Veterans Health Administration (VHA) facility. It directly affects veterans, patients, staff, contractors, and visitors using or working at VHA locations like medical centers, clinics, nursing homes, and outpatient facilities. The law explicitly prohibits smoking on all VHA premises, covering both traditional tobacco products and electronic nicotine delivery systems. The bill amends existing law to implement this comprehensive ban across all VHA-operated facilities under Department of Veterans Affairs jurisdiction.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

in committee · Delaware · Senate Jul 12, 2023

S 928: Not Just a Number Act

S 928, the "Not Just a Number Act," requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to publish an annual report on veteran suicide rates starting 18 months after enactment. The report must include detailed data broken down by age, gender, and race/ethnicity, plus comparisons between veterans who used VA health services (like Vet Centers or mental health care) versus those who did not, and veterans engaged with VA benefits programs (such as education assistance, disability compensation, or housing loans). The bill also mandates a toolkit for state/local coroners to better identify and report veteran suicides, and a study on creating a dedicated VA suicide prevention office. These requirements aim to improve data collection, analysis, and reporting on veteran suicide trends to inform prevention strategies.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Jon Tester (D) · 33 co-sponsors

in committee · Delaware · Senate Jul 11, 2023

S 2240: United States-Israel International Development Cooperation Act of 2023

S 2240, the United States-Israel International Development Cooperation Act of 2023, increases annual funding for US-Israel development projects from $2 million to $4 million (fiscal years 2024-2026) under the Foreign Assistance Act. It directly affects US-Israel cooperative development efforts in countries across Africa, Eastern Europe, and Latin America, focusing on sectors like water technology, agriculture, and education. The bill requires the USAID Administrator to submit a report within 180 days on expanding these projects, including multilateral cooperation with regional partners, and assessing resource needs. This legislation formalizes and scales up existing US-Israel development collaboration, as evidenced by their 2019 partnership agreement.

in committee · Delaware · Senate Jul 11, 2023

S 2235: Healthy Poultry Assistance and Indemnification Act of 2023

This bill establishes a federal compensation program for poultry farmers whose operations are restricted in "control areas" designated by the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) due to animal health threats. It requires the Secretary of Agriculture to pay affected farmers an amount calculated as their average income from the five most recent flocks multiplied by the number of flocks they were prohibited from raising during the control period. Compensation is capped to avoid double payments - covering only the difference between the calculated amount and any existing state or other compensation received. Payments must be issued within 60 days of a farmer’s request, and farmers who already received compensation for destroyed animals under existing law are excluded.

in committee · Delaware · Senate Jul 11, 2023

S 2242: Safeguarding Domestic Energy Production and Independence Act of 2023

This bill creates a new renewable fuel credit program under the Clean Air Act to help obligated entities (like refiners and importers) meet their renewable fuel requirements. It sets a fixed price of $0.20 per credit (adjusted for inflation), which can only be used for compliance in the year purchased and cannot be resold or used for other biofuel mandates. Revenue from credit sales is split equally: one-third funds advanced biofuels investments, one-third supports farmers' crop diversification, and one-third goes to the Habitat and Wildlife Restoration Fund. The fund directs money to restore grasslands, wetlands, and other habitats impacted by expanded corn and soy production since 2007, managed through a partnership with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Transportation

Delaware Congressional Bills

Bill results