This resolution expresses that the House of Representatives is deeply concerned for the latest years-long drought in the Horn of Africa and the ensuing food security crisis and severe socioeconomic disturbances it caused; acknowledges the role that climate change plays in increasing the frequency of extreme weather events like droughts, and pledges to take coordinated, international action to adapt to and avert further global warming; reaffirms the effectiveness and instrumentality of U.S. international food assistance for meeting humanitarian obligations, cultivating enduring self-reliance in developing nations, ensuring the stability of global financial markets, and mitigating the likelihood of conflict in accordance with our national security interests; and emphasizes the importance of funding urgently needed humanitarian assistance for hunger-stricken regions of the world, supporting the development of sustainable agricultural sectors in developing nations, and assisting with the international resettlement of refugees escaping droughts and extreme hunger.
HRES 1141 is a symbolic resolution designating the week of May 23-27, 2022, as "Educator Mental Health Awareness Week." It expresses congressional support for recognizing the mental health challenges faced by teachers and school staff, particularly during the pandemic. The resolution highlights statistics showing heightened stress, depression, and anxiety among educators, as reported in 2021 surveys. It urges awareness of educator well-being but does not create new programs, funding, or legal requirements. The resolution serves only as a non-binding statement of support.
Disaster Resiliency Planning Act This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget to establish guidance that requires federal agencies to incorporate natural disaster resilience into real property asset management and investment decisions. Specifically, the guidance must direct each agency to incorporate assessments of natural disaster risk information conducted by the agency, such as from vulnerability and other risk assessments, into real property asset management and investment decisions.
Virginia Graeme Baker Pool and Spa Safety Reauthorization Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 and expands swimming pool safety grants and education and awareness programs.
This bill provides for the removal of certain statues and busts from display in the Capitol. The bill directs the Joint Committee on the Library to remove the bust of Roger Brooke Taney in the Old Supreme Court chamber of the Capitol and to obtain a bust of Thurgood Marshall with which to replace it. The Joint Committee on the Library must remove all Confederate statutes and busts, as well as the statues of Charles Brantley Aycock, John Caldwell Calhoun, and James Paul Clarke, from areas of the Capitol accessible to the public. Furthermore, the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) must store each removed statue. Additionally, the bill prohibits the display of statues in National Statuary Hall of persons who served voluntarily with the Confederate States of America or in the military forces or government of a state while it was in rebellion against the United States; requires the AOC to identify such statues and the Joint Committee on the Library to arrange for their removal; requires each statue to be returned to the providing state if the state requests and agrees to pay any transportation-related costs; and permits a state that has a statue removed to replace the statue.
Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2021 This bill modifies and reauthorizes through FY2026 programs and activities under the Violence Against Women Act that seek to prevent and respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking. The bill also authorizes new programs, makes changes to federal firearms laws, and establishes new protections to promote housing stability and economic security for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking.
Fraud and Scam Reduction Act This bill expands activities to address mail, telephone, and internet fraud, particularly such scams targeting older adults. The bill establishes a Senior Scams Prevention Advisory Group, which must create model educational materials to educate employees of retailers, financial-services companies, and wire-transfer companies on how to identify and prevent scams that affect older adults. Further, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) must establish an advisory office in the Bureau of Consumer Protection to assist the FTC in monitoring scams targeting older adults, educating consumers, and receiving complaints.
Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act This bill requires the Environmental Protection Agency to issue a final rule that prohibits certain discharges of plastic pellets and other preproduction plastic into waters of the United States.
Access to Baby Formula Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take certain actions to address emergencies, disasters, and supply chain disruptions (particularly the shortage of infant formula in the United States) affecting participants of the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). The bill directs USDA to require each infant formula cost containment contract to include remedies in the event of an infant formula recall, including how an infant formula manufacturer would protect against disruption to WIC participants in the state. USDA must, within 30 days, ensure there is a memorandum of understanding with the Department of Health and Human Services that includes procedures for coordination and information sharing regarding any supply chain disruption, including a supplemental food recall. The bill also authorizes USDA to waive or modify any WIC qualified administrative requirement during emergencies, disasters, and supply chain disruptions. Specifically, USDA may waive or modify such a requirement for one or more state agencies if (1) the requirement cannot be met by state agencies during the emergency, disaster, or disruption; and (2) the modification or waiver is necessary to provide assistance to WIC participants and does not substantially weaken the nutritional quality of supplemental foods. For example, USDA may waive the maximum monthly allowance for infant formula. The bill establishes notification requirements for USDA and state agencies related to supply chain disruptions.
Aviation-Impacted Communities Act This bill addresses noise mitigation for aviation-impacted communities. ( Aviation-impacted community is defined as a community that is located not more than one mile from any point at which a commercial or cargo jet route is 3,000 feet or less above ground level.) Specifically, the bill expands Airport Improvement Program noise mitigation program funding for aviation-impacted communities that are not currently within the 65 day-night average sound level (DNL) standard; requires the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to enter into an agreement with the National Academy of Sciences to conduct a study that summarizes the relevant literature and studies done on aviation impacts worldwide and focuses on large hub commercial airports and surrounding communities, including communities currently outside of the 65 DNL contour; directs the FAA to conduct outreach to aviation-impacted communities to inform them of the opportunity to be a designated community; requires the FAA to devise an action plan that alleviates or addresses the concerns of a designated community; and provides grants for necessary noise mitigation in a designated community for residences, hospitals, nursing homes, adult or child day care centers, schools, and places of worship.
HRES 1133 is a symbolic resolution recognizing May as National Foster Care Month. It raises awareness about challenges faced by children in foster care, such as instability, educational disruptions, and the high number aging out without permanent connections. The resolution encourages Congress to implement policies improving outcomes for these children and acknowledges the work of foster parents, social workers, and advocates. It does not create new laws but urges legislative action aligned with existing programs under the Social Security Act focused on prevention, reunification, and support for youth transitioning to adulthood.
Water Efficiency, Conservation, and Sustainability Act of 2022 This bill establishes multiple grants that support activities to incentivize efficient water use by customers of public water systems, reduce water losses and leaks in water systems, and promote the adoption of water-efficient plumbing codes.
