Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act of 2022 or the CROWN Act of 2022 This bill prohibits discrimination based on a person's hair texture or hairstyle if that style or texture is commonly associated with a particular race or national origin. Specifically, the bill prohibits this type of discrimination against those participating in federally assisted programs, housing programs, public accommodations, and employment. Persons shall not be deprived of equal rights under the law and shall not be subjected to prohibited practices based on their hair texture or style. The bill provides for enforcement procedures under the applicable laws.
Ensuring Sound Guidance Act This bill generally requires investment advisors and fiduciaries of employer-sponsored retirement plans to make investment decisions based only on pecuniary factors (i.e., factors that a fiduciary prudently determines are expected to have a material effect on the risk and return of an investment based on appropriate investment horizons consistent with the plan's policies and objectives). The bill allows nonpecuniary factors to be considered in certain situations, such as when a customer specifically requests that these factors be considered or when selecting investment options for certain participant-directed retirement plans.
Small Scale LNG Access Act of 2022 This bill expedites the approval of applications for the exportation of natural gas that do not exceed 51.75 billion cubic feet per year. Specifically, the bill deems such applications to be consistent with the public interest and requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to grant the applications without modification or delay. However, applications for exportation of natural gas to any nation subject to sanctions imposed by the United States may not be expedited.
This joint resolution nullifies the rule issued by the Department of Health and Human Services on October 7, 2021, that reverts requirements for federally funded providers of family planning services to those in effect before May 3, 2019, and makes other changes to family planning programs. Specific changes in the rule include (1) removing restrictions on pregnancy options counseling and referrals for abortion services, (2) eliminating requirements for physical and financial separation between abortion-related activities and specified family planning activities, and (3) providing a particular focus on health equity.
This resolution (SRES 551) is a symbolic recognition, not a policy change. It honors AmeriCorps members, alumni, and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers for their service across the U.S., including helping vulnerable communities, supporting education, and responding to emergencies. The Senate encourages the public to salute these volunteers during AmeriCorps Week and promotes national service as a way to strengthen communities. It does not create new programs, funding, or legal requirements.
This resolution rejects and opposes engaging Russia as a main intermediary for reviving any nuclear agreement with Iran. The resolution rejects and opposes giving Russia any sanctions exemption or waiver as a condition to any nuclear agreement with Iran. The resolution rejects and opposes any agreement that lifts sanctions on Iran and legitimizes the regime's illicit nuclear program amidst an International Atomic Energy Agency investigation into undeclared sites, facilities, and material in Iran. The resolution also reaffirms that any nuclear deal with Iran reached by the Biden administration without congressional approval or Senate ratification as a treaty is illegitimate; to take every legislative opportunity to overturn such an agreement; to restore every single sanction, restrictive measure, designation, waiver, or general license the Biden administration removes; and to limit the Biden administration's or any future administration's ability to issue waivers and licenses for Iran sanctions, designations, or restrictive measures.
This bill requires the Department of State to notify Congress at least 45 days before revoking a designation of an organization as a foreign terrorist organization. Congress may prohibit the revocation by enacting a joint resolution within 45 days of the State Department's notification.
Supporting Children's Mental Health Care Access Act of 2022 This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 and makes changes to grants for states, localities, and Indian tribes to promote the integration of behavioral health in pediatric primary care through statewide or regional telehealth access programs. Specific changes include allowing grant recipients to use funds to support schools and emergency departments.
This resolution expresses that the Senate encourages the President of the United States to support the transfer of aircraft, such as MiG-29s, and air defense systems to Ukraine; supports continued efforts by members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and other countries around the globe to identify additional aviation and air defense capabilities to transfer to the Armed Forces of Ukraine; and stands with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the people of Ukraine in their struggle against Russian aggression.
This resolution urges the government of Argentina to bring the perpetrators of the March 17, 1992, terrorist attack on the Embassy of Israel in Buenos Aires to justice (in 1999 the Supreme Court of Argentina found that the transnational terrorist organization Hezbollah was responsible for the attack). The resolution commends the Argentinian government for designating Hezbollah as a terrorist organization and urges other U.S. allies and partners in Latin America and the Caribbean to do the same. The resolution urges these allies and partners to condemn and counter regional governments in the hemisphere that aid and abet Iran and Hezbollah. The resolution also commends the Argentinian government for adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance working definition of antisemitism and encourages other partners and allies to do the same. Finally, the resolution commends the Secretary General of the Organization of American States for appointing a Commissioner to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism in the Western Hemisphere.
This bill revokes certain waivers of sanctions relating to Iran's nuclear activity, including for (1) the modernization or redesign of the Arak reactor, and (2) the preparation or modification of centrifuge cascades at the Fordow facility. The bill also prohibits the President from issuing a new waiver relating to such activities.
Accountable Federal Employees Act or the Accountable Feds Act This bill establishes and modifies requirements relating to the administration of the federal workforce, including (1) creating a new Schedule F in the excepted service for certain positions that are not normally subject to change as a result of a presidential transition; (2) specifying certain standards and principles relating to removals, grievance procedures, and adverse personnel actions; (3) placing certain restrictions on the use of union time; and (4) creating a workgroup to manage the efficiency of labor-management relations.
