HR 8683, the Pacific Islands Embassies Act, requires the U.S. Department of State to establish physical embassies in Vanuatu, Kiribati, and Tonga within two years of enactment. The bill authorizes $40.2 million for 2023 to build and maintain these embassies, plus $3 million for 2024 operations, to support U.S. diplomatic engagement in the region. This directly affects U.S. foreign policy operations by creating dedicated diplomatic posts to deepen relations with these Pacific Island nations and advance U.S. national security interests. The legislation aims to strengthen U.S. presence amid growing geopolitical competition, though it does not alter existing diplomatic arrangements.
S.J.Res. 59 is a resolution that would block a specific proposed military sale to the United Arab Emirates. The sale, detailed in a transmittal dated August 2, 2022, includes 96 THAAD missile rounds, two THAAD Launch Control Stations, two THAAD Tactical Operations Stations, and related support items like spare parts and secure communication equipment. If passed, the resolution would prohibit the U.S. government from finalizing this defense transaction with the UAE. The bill was introduced in the Senate on August 4, 2022, and referred to the Foreign Relations Committee.
This joint resolution (SJRES 58) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific proposed foreign military sale to Saudi Arabia. It prohibits the sale of 300 PATRIOT MIM-104E missiles, related tools, training, support services, and other defense articles described in a government transmittal. The bill directly affects Saudi Arabia by blocking this arms transaction, which was submitted to Congress under the Arms Export Control Act. The resolution does not alter the sale's details but aims to prevent its implementation through congressional action.
Ethanol Access for a Sustainable Economy Act of 2022 or the EASE Act of 2022 This bill revises the Reid Vapor Pressure (RVP) requirements to provide for the year-round sale of ethanol-gasoline fuel blends that contain more than 10% denatured anhydrous ethanol. RVP is a metric of gasoline volatility (i.e., how quickly fuel evaporates into the atmosphere). Current law prohibits the sale of gasoline that exceed certain RVP limits during the high ozone season (i.e., the summer months). However, current law provides waivers from this requirement, including a waiver that gives certain ethanol-gasoline fuel blends containing 10% denatured anhydrous ethanol a higher RVP limit under certain conditions. This bill expands the waiver to include ethanol-gasoline fuel blends containing more than 10% of such ethanol, thus allowing year-round sales of such fuel blends.
Acting on the Annual Duplication Report Act of 2022 This bill requires various activities to implement recommendations identified in a report issued by the Government Accountability Office for reducing fragmentation, overlap, and duplication in federal programs. It specifically addresses recommendations concerning (1) the regulation of radioactive materials and disposal of low-level radioactive waste, and (2) coordination of federal efforts to reduce the risks of chronic health conditions through diet.
Save Our Sequoias Act This bill provides for the conservation of giant sequoia trees ( Sequoiadendron giganteum ) in California, including by providing statutory authority for the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition; directing the coalition to submit a Giant Sequoia Health and Resiliency Assessment; declaring an emergency on certain public lands and allowing officials to carry out protection plans during the emergency to respond to the threat of wildfires, insects, and drought; directing the Department of the Interior to develop and implement a Giant Sequoia Reforestation and Rehabilitation Strategy; and establishing a variety of programs and funds to support the conservation of giant sequoias.
This resolution condemns the assassination of former Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, extends condolences to the family of former Prime Minister Abe and the people of Japan, honors the life and legacy of former Prime Minister Abe, and calls for a renewed commitment to the U.S.-Japan alliance.
Preserving Access to Home Health Act of 2022 This bill restricts the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) from decreasing payments for Medicare home health services based on certain adjustments until 2026. Current law requires the CMS to make certain permanent and temporary payment adjustments under the Medicare prospective payment system for home health services based on behavioral assumptions for 2020 through 2026. The bill restricts the CMS from making adjustments that decrease payments until 2026; the CMS must also ensure that any such necessary decreases are made before 2032.
The LTCH Access and Stability Act This bill waives the Medicare site-neutral payment rate for inpatient services at long-term care hospitals for an additional 12 months after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must report on the effects of this waiver on hospital admissions and overall access to services, among other information.
Billionaire Minimum Income Tax Act This bill imposes a minimum tax on individual taxpayers whose net worth for the taxable year exceeds $100 million. The tax is equal to 20% of the sum of a taxpayer's taxable income, plus net unrealized gains for the taxable year. The tax may not exceed 40% of the amount by which the taxpayer's net worth exceeds $100 million.
Arms Exports Delivery Solutions Act This bill requires the Department of State and the Department of Defense to report to Congress on certain transfers of defense articles or defense services since October 1, 2017. The report must include a list of approved transfers to Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Australia, or New Zealand that are above a certain value threshold and that have not been fully delivered by the start of the fiscal year in which the report is being submitted.
Combating Violent and Dangerous Crime Act This bill revises various statutes with respect to violent crimes and establishes new criminal offenses. For example, the bill (1) increases the statutory maximum penalty for carjacking, and (2) establishes enhanced criminal penalties for certain federal drug offenses involving the manufacture or distribution of candy-flavored controlled substances or similar products for minors.
