Safeguarding Military Bonuses Act This bill requires the military departments to grant to certain members of the Armed Forces (i.e., those who were involuntarily separated based on the refusal to receive a COVID-19 vaccination) an exception to the requirement that they must repay a bonus, incentive pay, or similar benefit that is contingent on the member's satisfaction of certain service or eligibility requirements. Specifically, this exception applies for such members if the bonus, incentive pay, or similar benefit was made before August 24, 2021.
Office of Disaster Recovery Act This bill directs the Department of Commerce to establish an Office of Disaster Recovery. The office must direct and implement the Economic Development Administration's post-disaster economic recovery responsibilities and economic recovery support function activities as directed under the National Disaster Recovery Framework. Additionally, the bill increases the federal share for a project for economic recovery in response to a major disaster or emergency declared under the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act.
Delivering Equity and Justice for Disaster Survivors Act of 2022 This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to establish, as a subcommittee of the National Advisory Council, the Disaster Equity and Justice Subcommittee. The subcommittee must develop recommendations for improving equitable and just policy and program delivery before, during, and after disasters, including recommendations related to the accessibility, utilization, and receipt of FEMA grants and assistance by underserved, under resourced, and underrepresented populations and communities; strategies and policy recommendations to address the inequitable delivery of disaster assistance, grant programs, technical assistance, and training; and strategies to address any disparate impacts climate change will have on culturally, socially, or economically vulnerable communities.
NOAA Chief Scientist Act This bill revises requirements concerning the qualifications and responsibilities of the Chief Scientist in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Specifically, the bill establishes new minimum qualification requirements for the position of the Chief Scientist. It also outlines new responsibilities of the Chief Scientist. For example, the Chief Scientist must follow NOAA's scientific integrity policies and ensure NOAA's employees and contractors adhere to the policies as well. In addition, the Chief Scientist must (1) provide policy and program direction for the science and technology priorities of NOAA, and (2) manage the Office of the Chief Scientist.
This resolution expresses support for U.S. Border Patrol agents, denounces the politicization and falsification of claims against agents in Del Rio, Texas, and calls on the Biden administration to support front line agents.
Original Slavery Remembrance Day Resolution of 2021 This resolution supports the designation of a Slavery Remembrance Day and condemns slavery and its progenies.
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.
Earning Approval of Voice External Sound Databasing Retained on People Act or the EAVESDROP Act This bill requires internet-connected devices that include a microphone to notify consumers how and under what circumstances the device collects information from ambient noise, such as human dialogue or any other sound that occurs in the range of the device's microphone. Further, such devices must include a reasonable method to deactivate such collection.
Shirley Chisholm Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of Shirley Chisholm, in recognition of her activism, independence, and groundbreaking achievements in politics, election as the first African American woman in Congress, and campaign to be the first African American to gain the nomination of a major political party for President of the United States. Following its award, the gold medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution where it shall be available for display and research.
Let Experienced Pilots Fly Act This bill raises the mandatory retirement age for pilots engaged in commercial aviation operations from 65 to 67 years of age, unless the operation takes place in (1) the territorial airspace of a foreign county where such operations are prohibited by the foreign country, or (2) international airspace where such operations are not in compliance with the Annexes to the Convention on International Civil Aviation.
Protecting America's Strategic Petroleum Reserve from China Act This bill prohibits the sale and export of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to China. Specifically, the bill prohibits the Department of Energy (DOE) from selling petroleum products (e.g., crude oil) from the SPR to any entity that is under the ownership, control, or influence of the Chinese Communist Party. Further, DOE must require as a condition of any sale of crude oil from the SPR that the oil not be exported to China.
Western Hemisphere Security Strategy Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of State and the Department of Defense (DOD) to implement a multiyear Western Hemisphere Security Strategy. The strategy must include elements such as (1) a proposal for increasing U.S. bilateral and multilateral security assistance and cooperation in Latin America and the Caribbean, (2) activities to counter malign influence from state actors and transnational criminal organizations, (3) efforts to expand bilateral and multinational military training exercises with partner countries, (4) humanitarian assistance and disaster relief initiatives, (5) continued support for State Department programs to ensure the safety and rights of women and girls, and (6) a detailed assessment of the resources to carry out the strategy. The State Department and DOD must jointly report the strategy to Congress and also provide periodic briefings on the strategy's implementation. The State Department must also report to Congress on efforts by the Maduro regime of Venezuela to detain U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. The authorities provided under this bill shall terminate three years after this bill's enactment.
