HJRES 146 is a congressional disapproval resolution targeting a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) rule published on May 8, 2024, that would have clarified eligibility for health insurance subsidies under the Affordable Care Act for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and certain other noncitizens. The rule aimed to allow these individuals to access premium tax credits, cost-sharing reductions, and basic health programs through health insurance marketplaces. If enacted, this resolution would block the CMS rule from taking effect, maintaining current restrictions that prevent DACA recipients from qualifying for these subsidies.
The Recruit and Retain Act (S. 546) amends federal law to allow law enforcement agencies to use COPS grants for recruitment activities, including covering application fees like background checks and psychological evaluations. It creates a new COPS Pipeline Partnership Program that enables law enforcement agencies to partner with schools and colleges to engage students in law enforcement careers through job fairs, mentoring, and work-based learning. The bill also permits up to 2% of hiring grants to cover administrative costs and provides guidance for agencies operating below their budgeted officer strength. A study on police recruitment and retention will be conducted to identify barriers and make recommendations for improving recruitment efforts. This legislation directly affects federal, state, tribal, and local law enforcement agencies seeking to improve officer recruitment and retention.
HJRES 154 is a resolution seeking to block a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) rule that would have updated the process for leasing federal lands for oil and gas extraction. The rule, published in the Federal Register on April 23, 2024, specifically addressed "Fluid Mineral Leases and Leasing Process" (89 Fed. Reg. 30916). If passed, this resolution would cancel the rule under the Congressional Review Act, preventing it from taking effect. This action would directly impact the BLM's regulatory authority and oil and gas companies operating on federal lands.
H.J. Res. 157 seeks to disapprove a rule issued by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) that would have updated how marine species are listed as endangered or threatened and critical habitats are designated under the Endangered Species Act. The rule, published in the Federal Register on April 5, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 24300), aimed to change implementation procedures for marine species protections. If enacted, this resolution would block the rule from taking effect, preserving current listing and habitat designation practices. This is a standard congressional disapproval process under Title 5 of the U.S. Code for challenging federal agency rules.
HJRES 159 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule that would have updated regulations for protecting endangered and threatened wildlife and plants. If enacted, it would block the rule from taking effect, meaning current regulations would remain in place without the proposed changes. The rule in question was published in the Federal Register on April 5, 2024 (89 Fed. Reg. 23919).
HJRES 158 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule published on April 5, 2024, that would have updated how endangered and threatened species are listed and critical habitats designated. If passed, this resolution would block the rule from taking effect under the Congressional Review Act, preventing changes to the agency’s regulatory approach for wildlife conservation. The rule directly affected the management of protections for at-risk species and their habitats by altering listing and habitat designation procedures. This disapproval action halts the proposed regulatory changes without altering existing conservation laws.
SRES 705 is a ceremonial Senate resolution recognizing May 28, 2024, as the 100th anniversary of the U.S. Border Patrol. It commends the service of current and past Border Patrol agents, including honoring 155 agents who died in the line of duty. The resolution expresses support for improving working conditions and retention for Border Patrol agents but does not create new policies or affect any specific group through legislative action. As a commemorative resolution, it has no binding effect on government operations or policy.
This bill requires federal agencies to make their regulations available in machine-readable formats and use technology like AI to review existing rules. It mandates a report within 180 days on progress toward machine-readable regulations, followed by OMB guidance within 18 months on using technology to identify outdated, redundant, or problematic rules. Agencies must submit implementation plans within two years detailing how they will use this technology for retrospective reviews, including training staff. The law directly affects all federal agencies responsible for creating regulations, focusing on streamlining how they assess and update existing rules.
This joint resolution (SJRES 58) seeks congressional disapproval of a Department of Energy rule establishing new energy efficiency standards for consumer furnaces. It targets the specific rule published in the Federal Register on December 18, 2023 (88 Fed. Reg. 87502), which set requirements for furnace manufacturers. If passed, the resolution would nullify this rule, preventing it from taking effect and requiring the Department of Energy to withdraw the standards. The resolution directly affects furnace manufacturers and consumers by halting the implementation of these new efficiency requirements.
This bill requires the U.S. Department of Defense and State Department to immediately deliver all previously approved military equipment and services to Israel within 15 days, reversing any pauses on arms transfers. It prohibits using federal funds to withhold, halt, or cancel defense article deliveries to Israel and mandates that unobligated security assistance funds for Israel must be spent by the end of 30 days. The bill also requires monthly reports to Congress detailing all security assistance provided to Israel since October 7, 2023, including specific items delivered and funding sources. The law directly affects U.S. agencies responsible for military aid and Israel as the recipient of the security assistance.
HR 8459, the Stopping Traffickers and Their Accomplices Act of 2024, requires abortion providers to notify the National Human Trafficking Hotline within 24 hours if they reasonably suspect a patient is a trafficking victim. It mandates annual staff training on identifying trafficking victims and submitting certification of training completion. Violations carry penalties: $10,000 per failure to report or $1,000 per day for training noncompliance. The bill directly affects abortion providers and facilities, imposing new reporting obligations without creating a right to abortion or requiring victims to self-report. State attorneys general may also sue providers for violations.
Interstate Milk Freedom Act of 2024 This bill prohibits federal regulation of the interstate traffic of unpasteurized milk or milk products packaged for direct human consumption under specified circumstances. Specifically, the prohibition applies if such products (1) would be considered in violation of federal law solely because they are unpasteurized; (2) are allowed by the state of origin to be distributed for direct human consumption by any means; (3) are produced, packaged, and moved in compliance with the laws of such state; and (4) are moved from the state of origin with the intent to transport them to another state that allows the distribution of such products for direct human consumption.
