Sen. Ted Budd

Halting the Use of Narcotics Through Effective Recovery Act of 2022 or the HUNTER Act of 2022 This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to purchase (or support the purchase of) pipes, syringes, or other paraphernalia that can be used to smoke, inject, or otherwise introduce into the body any controlled substance unlawfully. This includes funds made available through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 for overdose prevention, syringe services, and other harm reduction programs.

Return to Work Act This bill requires the head of each executive agency to reinstate the telework policies in use by that agency on December 31, 2019.

100th anniversary of the Lincoln Memorial Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue not more than 500,000 $1 coins in commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Lincoln Memorial. All sales of coins issued under this bill shall include a surcharge which shall be paid to the Trust of the National Mall for the purpose of restoring and preserving the Lincoln Memorial.

Health Care for Burn Pit Veterans Act This bill updates policies and procedures related to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care and benefits for veterans who have been exposed to toxic substances. Specifically, the bill extends the eligibility period for VA hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for combat veterans who served after September 11, 2001, and were exposed to toxic substances, radiation, or other conditions, including those who did not enroll to receive VA care during the eligibility period. The VA must incorporate into its existing health care screening a screening to help determine potential exposures to toxic substances during military service. Among other requirements, the VA must also provide annual training to health care and benefits personnel with respect to veterans who were exposed to toxic substances; analyze total and respiratory disease mortality in veterans who served in specified locations on specified dates; conduct an epidemiological study on the health trends of veterans who served in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001; conduct a study to determine trends in the rates of the incidence of cancer in veterans; publish a list of VA resources for veterans who were exposed to toxic substances, families and caregivers of such veterans, and survivors of such veterans who are receiving death benefits; and report on the data quality of the Individual Longitudinal Exposure Record and its usefulness in supporting veterans in receiving VA health care and benefits.

Service Restoration Act This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to require a member of the Armed Forces to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. The bill also prohibits adverse action (e.g., punishment) being taken against a member of the Armed Forces solely on the basis that the member refuses to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. Individuals who were involuntarily separated from the Armed Forces solely on the basis of their refusal to receive a COVID-19 vaccination must be reinstated in the grade they held prior to the separation. In computing retired or retainer pay, the military department concerned must include the time between the involuntary separation and reinstatement of the individual. The military department concerned must expunge adverse actions or references to involuntary separation related to the refusal to receive a COVID-19 vaccination from an individual's service record.

Blockchain Solutions for Small Businesses Act This bill requires the Small Business Administration to study the current and potential uses of blockchain technology (i.e., the technology that supports digital currencies such as Bitcoin) in making loans to qualified small businesses.

Licensing Individual Commercial Exam-takers Now Safely and Efficiently Act of 2022 or the LICENSE Act of 2022 This bill provides statutory authority for waivers of training, testing, and other requirements for commercial driver's licenses that were issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Keep Schools Open Act This bill generally prohibits federal education funding for elementary or secondary schools, local or state educational agencies, or institutions of higher education (IHEs) that do not provide in-person instruction. Specifically, the bill prohibits a school, educational agency, or IHE from receiving federal education funds unless the school, educational agency, or IHE (1) demonstrates to the Department of Education (ED) that it provides in-person instruction to students, and (2) certifies to ED that it will not discontinue in-person instruction for students due to COVID-19. This prohibition does not apply to a school, educational agency, or IHE that provides distance education or other virtual instruction to students in the regular course of its operations for reasons that are unrelated to COVID-19.

Child Tax Credit for Pregnant Moms Act of 2022 This bill allows a child tax credit for an unborn child who is born alive. It also allows the credit upon certification that a mother's pregnancy resulted in a miscarriage (the involuntary death of an unborn child who was carried in the womb for less than 20 weeks) or that the child was stillborn (the involuntary death of an unborn child who was carried in the womb for 20 weeks or more).

Maddy summaryThis resolution (HRES 883) is a symbolic gesture designating January 22 as "National Sanctity of Human Life Day" to recognize the value of human life at all stages. It contains statements opposing abortion and citing fetal development milestones, but the resolution itself has no legal effect or policy changes. It does not alter laws, allocate funding, or directly affect any individuals or groups. The bill solely encourages Americans to reflect on "the value of life" through a non-binding designation. As a procedural resolution, it has no binding provisions or concrete policy impact.