Sen. Mike Lee

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits the U.S. Secretary of Energy from selling petroleum products from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to entities controlled by the Chinese Communist Party or to any buyer unless they guarantee the oil won't be exported to China. It directly affects the Department of Energy (which manages the SPR) and any companies or entities seeking to purchase SPR oil with potential Chinese ties. The key mechanism requires the Secretary to block sales to China-linked entities or impose strict export restrictions on all sales. The bill aims to prevent SPR oil from reaching China, without creating new programs or altering existing SPR management rules.

Iran Hostages Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to the 53 hostages of the Iran Hostage Crisis (November 4, 1979-January 21, 1981) in recognition of their bravery and endurance throughout their captivity.

Federal Reserve Accountability Act of 2022 This bill reduces the number of Federal Reserve districts from 12 to 5, requires Senate confirmation for Federal Reserve bank presidents, and makes other changes to the operation of the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve banks.

Federal Clarity for Kratom Consumers Act This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to hold a hearing and establish a task force on the health and safety of products with kratom (an herbal substance that produces opioid- and stimulant-like effects). It also prohibits the FDA from regulating kratom products in a manner that is more restrictive as compared to regulations for food, dietary supplements, or dietary ingredients.

University of Utah Research Park Act This bill releases to the University of Utah, without consideration, the revisionary interest of the United States in approximately 593 acres of specified nonfederal land.

Interstate Obscenity Definition Act This bill expands the prohibition on transmitting obscene content via interstate or foreign communications by providing for a broader definition of obscenity in statute and eliminating a requirement that obscene content be transmitted with the intent to abuse, threaten, or harass a person.

Shielding Children's Retinas from Egregious Exposure on the Net Act or the SCREEN Act This bill requires certain interactive computer services that create, host, or otherwise make available pornographic content to use technologies to verify the age of users in order to prevent those under 18 years of age from accessing such content.

Streamline Pentagon Budgeting Act of 2022 This bill repeals reporting requirements related to the unfunded priorities of the (1) armed force or forces or combatant command, and (2) the Missile Defense Agency.

Continuing Appropriations and Health Extenders Act of 2022 This bill provides continuing FY2023 appropriations to federal agencies through February 3, 2023. It is known as a continuing resolution (CR) and prevents a government shutdown that would otherwise occur if the FY2023 appropriations bills have not been enacted when the existing CR expires on December 16, 2022. The bill also extends several expiring programs and authorities, including several health programs.

Defending Religious Accommodations for Military Members Act of 2022 This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to audit the religious accommodations relating to COVID-19 for the Armed Forces to ensure all applicable federal laws, and guidance and policies of the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and each military department were followed.