Sen. James E. Risch

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution designates September 2022 as National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month to highlight prostate cancer's impact, which affects millions of men in the U.S. as the most commonly diagnosed non-skin cancer and second-leading cause of cancer-related deaths among men. It calls on the public, health organizations, and communities to promote awareness, support research for better screening and treatment, and improve access to care. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create new laws, change funding, or mandate actions, but aims to encourage education and community engagement around prostate cancer prevention and early detection.

Parental Rights Over the Education and Care of Their Kids Act or the PROTECT Kids Act This bill requires elementary and middle schools, as a condition of receiving federal funds, to obtain parental consent under specified circumstances. Specifically, an elementary school or a school consisting of only grades 5-8 must obtain parental consent before (1) changing a minor child's gender markers, pronouns, or preferred name on any school form; or (2) allowing a child to change the child's sex-based accommodations, including locker rooms or bathrooms.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SRES 768) is a ceremonial Senate measure recognizing the fourth week of September 2022 as National Forensic Science Week. It does not create new laws or funding but formally supports the week’s goals by encouraging forensic science professionals, local policymakers, media, and the public to engage in activities like laboratory tours, community events, and discussions about forensic science needs. The resolution specifically urges policymakers to formally declare the week and visit labs, while inviting the public to attend events and learn about forensic science contributions. It has no direct legal effect or policy changes.

Department of State Authorization Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes various activities of the Department of State through FY2023 and otherwise addresses matters related to the State Department.

This resolution remembers Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and her more than 70 years of service in support of the British people and the Commonwealth of Nations. The resolution also expresses gratitude to Queen Elizabeth II for her efforts to maintain strong bilateral relations between the United Kingdom and the United States. Finally, the resolution extends condolences to the family of Queen Elizabeth II, to the people of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and to the peoples of the Commonwealth of Nations.

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.

Simplifying Grants Act of 2022 This bill sets forth procedures for simplifying the grant process for nonurbanized areas, for both existing and new grant programs. Each agency must make publicly available a checklist for covered local governments with respect to each grant program of the agency for which such governments are otherwise eligible that includes each requirement for every step of the grant process. The Office of Management and Budget must report to Congress (1) within 270 days of this bill's enactment, evaluating the extent to which agencies have simplified the requirements and made the checklist available; and (2) each April 1st, evaluating the amount of technical assistance provided and the amount of funds awarded.

This resolution expresses that the Senate has heard the announcement of the death of the Honorable Jacqueline R. Walorski, Congresswoman for the Second Congressional District of Indiana. The resolution also honors Representative Walorski for her service to Indiana and the United States. The resolution expresses that when the Senate adjourns today, it stands adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Representative Walorski.

Raising Expectations with Child Opportunity Vouchers for Educational Recovery Act or the RECOVER Act This bill directs local educational agencies to use certain federal COVID-19 relief funds to address student learning loss by distributing direct financial assistance (i.e., Child Opportunity Scholarships) to the parent or guardian of an eligible student for certain qualified educational expenses (e.g., educational materials, tutoring, or private school tuition). Eligible student refers to a child who is a member of a household with an income that is not more than 300% of the federal poverty level.

Securing Allies Food in Emergencies Act or the SAFE Act This bill requires the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to develop a strategy for averting a global food security crisis. The bill also relaxes a law requiring that certain goods be transported by U.S. vessels. The bill authorizes USAID to procure life-saving food aid commodities to provide emergency food assistance to the most vulnerable populations in countries experiencing acute food insecurity. For certain commodities procured under this authority, the bill waives a requirement that a certain percentage of the commodities must be transported by U.S. vessels (such requirements are known as federal cargo preference laws). The bill also removes a mandate from a federal cargo preference law relating to goods obtained by the U.S. government.