HR 770, the ESP Family Leave Act, amends the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to create specific eligibility rules for education support professionals and school support staff in public schools and public higher education institutions. It changes the standard FMLA work-hour requirement (1,250 hours) to a new threshold: these workers qualify if they've worked at least 60% of their expected monthly hours for the previous school year. Employers must maintain records of each employee's expected monthly hours, and the bill defines "education support professionals" to include roles like paraeducators, secretaries, custodians, food service workers, security staff, and health support staff. The bill directly affects these support staff members, making it easier for them to qualify for FMLA leave under the revised hours calculation.
HR 789, the Caring for All Families Act, expands the Family and Medical Leave Act to allow employees to take leave for a wider range of family members, including domestic partners, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, parent-in-law, adult children, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, and others with "close association equivalent to family." The bill adds new provisions for employees to take up to 4 hours of leave per 30 days (24 hours annually) for school activities, routine medical appointments for family members, or visiting nursing homes for elderly individuals considered family. This legislation directly affects private sector workers covered by FMLA and federal employees, broadening who qualifies for leave and what types of family care can be accommodated. The bill amends existing FMLA definitions and requirements to include these expanded family relationships and care needs.
HR 765, the African American History Act, authorizes $2 million annually for the National Museum of African American History and Culture to develop educational resources and programs about African American history. The bill directs the museum to create accessible teaching materials, support teacher professional development, and expand digital content for schools and the public, focusing on contributions, civil rights, and historical contexts. It requires annual reports to Congress and expires in 2028. The program directly supports educators, students, and families in learning about African American history through museums, schools, and online platforms.
HR 814, the "Protect Social Security and Medicare Act," requires a two-thirds vote in both House and Senate to consider any bill, resolution, or amendment that would reduce benefits administered by the Social Security Administration (SSA) or Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This directly affects Congress, as it raises the threshold for passing legislation impacting Social Security or Medicare benefits. The bill includes an exception for Medicare Advantage plans: reductions in payments to these plans are allowed only if offset by equal or greater increases in other Medicare payments. Determinations about whether a provision would reduce benefits are made solely by the SSA's Office of the Chief Actuary.
SRES 24 is a symbolic Senate resolution supporting the annual observance of "National Girls & Women in Sports Day" on February 1, 2023. It aims to raise public awareness and celebrate the achievements of girls and women in sports, referencing ongoing efforts to address gender disparities in athletic participation and coaching. The resolution highlights statistics showing persistent inequities, such as female athletes comprising only 44% of college athletes and BIPOC women representing just 7% of head coaches. It specifically calls for continued support of Title IX and the Equal Pay for Team USA Act to advance gender equity in sports. As a resolution, it does not create new laws or policies but formally recognizes the importance of this observance.
This resolution states that the House of Representatives condemns the February 1, 2021, military coup in Burma (Myanmar) and denounces the Burmese military for human rights violations. The resolution calls on the Burmese military to end violence against prodemocracy activists and release political prisoners.
HR 715, the Bipartisan Background Checks Act of 2023, requires background checks for all firearm transfers between private individuals, not just those through licensed dealers. It mandates that unlicensed sellers must involve a licensed dealer to conduct a background check before transferring a firearm, with exceptions for family transfers (like spouses or parents/children), law enforcement, temporary safety transfers, and certain hunting or range activities. The bill also requires licensed dealers to provide a notice and certification form in both English and Spanish to buyers. It explicitly states it won't create a national gun registry or override state laws on the same topic. The law would take effect 180 days after enactment.
HR 694, the Job Protection Act, expands access to family and medical leave under the FMLA by reducing eligibility requirements. It lowers the required employment period from 12 months to 90 days for most workers and removes the 50-employee threshold, requiring all employers (including small businesses with one or more employees) to provide leave. Federal, presidential, and congressional employees also see their eligibility thresholds reduced to 90 days. The bill directly affects millions of private-sector workers and small businesses nationwide by making existing leave protections more widely available. It makes no changes to leave duration or pay, only to who qualifies and which employers must comply.
HRES 77 is a non-binding House resolution expressing support for the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. It calls on the President to make nuclear disarmament central to U.S. national security policy and urges specific actions: pursuing new arms control talks with Russia and China, renouncing first-use of nuclear weapons, ending the president’s sole authority to launch nukes, removing weapons from hair-trigger alert, and canceling plans to modernize the U.S. nuclear arsenal. The resolution directly addresses the President, Secretary of State, Secretary of Defense, and other federal leaders, urging them to lead global efforts to reduce nuclear risks. It does not create new laws or policies but formally endorses the treaty’s goals and outlines concrete steps for U.S. nuclear policy reform.
S 173, "Ethan's Law," requires firearm owners to store guns securely in homes where minors (under 18) or individuals ineligible to own firearms might access them. It amends federal law to make non-compliant storage an offense punishable by a $500 fine per violation, with enhanced penalties (up to 5 years in prison) if injury or death results. The bill creates a federal grant program to support states with laws matching its secure storage requirements, offering funding incentives for states that enact similar measures. It directly affects homeowners with firearms in households containing minors or prohibited persons, aiming to reduce accidental child access and firearm-related injuries.
Choosing Our Own Lives Over Fast Firearms Act or the COOL OFF Act This bill establishes a three-day waiting period for certain handgun transfers. Specifically, the bill makes it unlawful for a licensed importer, manufacturer, or dealer to sell or transfer a handgun to an unlicensed individual unless three business days have elapsed since the licensee initiated a background check. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, up to one year in prison, or both. Additionally, the bill makes it unlawful for an unlicensed individual to receive a handgun from another unlicensed individual unless at least three business days have elapsed since the recipient most recently offered to take possession of the handgun. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, up to five years in prison, or both. The three-day waiting period does not apply to certain handgun transfers, such as for a loan between spouses for a lawful purpose.
HR 660, "Ethan's Law," requires gun owners in homes where minors (under 18) or individuals prohibited from owning firearms under federal/state law reside to store firearms securely. It makes unsecured storage unlawful if a minor or prohibited person could access the firearm, with fines of $500 per violation and enhanced penalties (up to 5 years in prison) if injury or death occurs. The bill also establishes a federal grant program to help states implement similar secure storage laws and provides funding incentives for states that already have such laws in place.
