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.
Ensuring Accurate Postal Rates Act This bill directs the Postal Regulatory Commission to review and potentially modify the market-dominant ratemaking system rules in light of the USPS Fairness Act, which canceled unpaid U.S. Postal Service obligations.
Block the Tok Act This bill prohibits the social media application TikTok from accessing user data of U.S. citizens from within China, and it requires the Federal Trade Commission to investigate whether TikTok has engaged in unfair or deceptive practices. The bill also prohibits the download or use of TikTok at U.S. military installations, at certain federal agencies, and on federal government devices.
No Federal Funds for Abortion Travel Expenses Act of 2022 This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to support interstate travel to obtain an abortion.
Protecting the Permian Basin Act of 2022 This bill eliminates a program administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that provides incentives for petroleum and natural gas systems to reduce their emissions of methane and other greenhouse gases. It also repeals a charge on methane emissions from specific types of facilities that are required to report their greenhouse gas emissions to the EPA's Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reporting Program.
Taxpayers Support Life Act This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from finalizing, implementing, administering, or enforcing a proposed rule (published on August 4, 2022) that implements the statutory ban on discrimination in federally funded health programs and activities. Further, HHS may not use federal funds to contravene the administration or enforcement of the existing nondiscrimination rule, which became effective on June 19, 2020.
Afghan Adjustment Act This bill expands eligibility for special immigrant visas to certain Afghan nationals (and accompanying spouse and children) and addresses related issues. The Department of Homeland Security may provide such visas to Afghan nationals who provided qualifying service as a member of the Afghan Air Force or other specified entities and meet eligibility requirements, such as passing a background check. Currently, special immigrant visas for Afghan nationals are generally only available to those who were employed by or on behalf of the U.S. government in Afghanistan. Such visas shall also be available to an Afghan national who is a qualifying relative of a veteran or member of the U.S. Armed Forces. The bill also modifies procedures for providing lawful permanent resident status to certain classes of Afghan nationals, such as by (1) providing a streamlined process with specified vetting requirements for certain individuals, including those who provided support to the U.S. government in Afghanistan; and (2) preserving the eligibility of certain battered spouses whose eligibility for such status stemmed from a marriage that has terminated. Furthermore, the Department of State (1) must respond to inquiries from Members of Congress about specific applications from Afghan nationals seeking special immigrant or refugee status; and (2) establish an office in Afghanistan to perform certain tasks, such as issuing visas, if no U.S. embassies are operational in Afghanistan. The President must establish a task force to develop and implement a strategy to assist Afghan nationals who qualify for admission to the United States.
Securing America's Federally-funded Extramural Risky Research Act or the SAFE Risky Research Act This bill prohibits federally funded research on pathogens of pandemic potential or other dangerous biological agents or toxins if the research is carried out by foreign institutions located in countries of concern.
Registered Traveler Act of 2022 This bill provides statutory authority for the Transportation Security Administration to establish and maintain the Registered Traveler Program.
No Taxpayer Funds for Illegal Alien Abortions Act This bill prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from using federal funds to (1) pay for an abortion except if the life of the mother is endangered or the pregnancy was a result of rape or incest, or (2) require any person to perform or facilitate any abortion.
SRES 741 is a non-binding Senate resolution expressing the Senate's view that state governors have constitutional authority to address border conditions they describe as an "invasion." It claims the Biden administration's border policies - such as halting border wall construction, ending the "remain in Mexico" program, and reducing deportations - have created dangerous conditions that meet the constitutional definitions of "actually invaded" (Article I, Section 10) and "invasion" (Article IV, Section 4). The resolution states governors may exercise their authority as "Commander-in-Chief" of their states to repel this situation, citing specific border enforcement data and legal arguments. It does not create new law or change existing policy; it solely states the Senate's position on governors' constitutional role.
Securing America's Land from Foreign Interference Act This bill requires the President to take actions as necessary to prohibit members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) (or foreign individuals or entities acting on behalf of the CCP) from purchasing real estate located in the United States. The bill also modifies an existing civil penalty for failing to satisfy a reporting requirement relating to a foreign individual or entity that acquires or transfers an interest in U.S. agricultural land. Under this bill, the civil penalty for failing to report the required information to the Department of Agriculture must be at least 10% of the fair market value of the relevant interest in agricultural land.
