Sen. Tom Cotton

This resolution condemns the death and detention of Mahsa Amini (an Iranian woman who died in the custody of the Morality Policy of Iran after being detained for purportedly wearing her hijab improperly). It also calls on Iran to end its systemic persecution of women.

Zero Tolerance for Deceptive Fentanyl Trafficking Act This bill adds five fentanyl analogues and the entire category of fentanyl-related substances to schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act. A schedule I controlled substance is a drug, substance, or chemical that has a high potential for abuse; has no currently accepted medical value; and is subject to regulatory controls and administrative, civil, and criminal penalties under the Controlled Substances Act. Additionally, the bill establishes a new criminal offense and penalties with respect to the deceptive sale of fentanyl, fentanyl analogues, or fentanyl-related substances.

Preserving the Readiness of our Armed Forces Act of 2022 This bill provides that a member of the National Guard (or another reserve component) must maintain access to pay and benefits while a request for a religious or health accommodation is pending. Additionally, a member of an active or reserve component of the Armed Forces may not be involuntarily separated from the Armed Forces based solely on COVID-19 vaccination status until specified recruiting goals are achieved.

Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act of 2022 This bill bars the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture from prohibiting or regulating the use of lead ammunition or tackle on federal land or water that is under the jurisdiction of such departments and made available for hunting or fishing. The bill makes exceptions for specified existing regulations and where the applicable department determines that a decline in wildlife population at the specific unit of federal land or water is primarily caused by the use of lead in ammunition or tackle, based on the field data from such unit, and the state approves the regulations.

This joint resolution nullifies the final rule issued by the Council on Environmental Quality titled National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Regulations Revisions and published on April 20, 2022. The rule restores regulatory provisions issued under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) that were in effect before being modified in 2020 by the Update to the Regulations Implementing the Procedural Provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act rule.

Student Loan Reform Act of 2022 This bill makes various changes to the federal student loan system, including by imposing a penalty on institutions of higher education for borrowers who default on student loans and prohibiting new Federal Direct PLUS Loans from being made to student loan borrowers (with an exception for parent borrowers and covered health care students) on or after July 1, 2023. The bill also addresses expressive activities (e.g., peacefully assembling, distributing literature, or carrying signs) on campuses.

Felony Murder for Deadly Fentanyl Distribution Act This bill makes the distribution of fentanyl resulting in death a first degree murder. An individual who is guilty of first degree murder by distributing fentanyl is subject to death or life in prison.

Strengthening Entry Visa Enforcement and Restrictions Act of 2022 or the SEVER Act of 2022 This bill directs the President to deny an individual's admission to the United States as a representative to the United Nations if the individual is subject to sanctions regarding Iran and may pose a threat to U.S. national security interests.

Taiwan Symbols of Sovereignty (SOS) Act of 2022 This bill directs the Department of State and the Department of Defense to permit representatives from Taiwan's government and armed forces to display Taiwan's flag and military insignia at U.S. government-hosted functions. (The U.S.-Taiwan relationship has been unofficial since 1979, when the United States established diplomatic relations with China and broke them with Taiwan.)

Simplify Timelines and Assure Regulatory Transparency Act or the START Act This bill sets forth a variety of provisions to expedite the environmental review of energy projects, such as the Mountain Valley Pipeline project.