Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act of 2023 This bill requires federally funded entities to certify that they will not, subject to certain exceptions, perform abortions or provide funding to other entities that perform abortions. The bill provides exceptions for abortions (1) in cases of rape or incest; or (2) when the life of the woman is in danger due to a physical disorder, injury, or illness.
This bill prohibits federal funding to Planned Parenthood Federation of America and its affiliates for one year unless they certify they won't perform or fund abortions (with exceptions for rape/incest or life-threatening conditions). It redirects $235 million in existing funding to community health centers for women's health services like contraception, cancer screenings, and prenatal care. The bill explicitly states that redirected funds will continue to support all women's health services previously provided by Planned Parenthood. It also requires repayment of funds if Planned Parenthood violates the certification, and clarifies that overall federal funding for women's health services remains unchanged.
The Educational Choice for Children Act creates tax credits for individuals and corporations that contribute to scholarship organizations providing educational scholarships. Individuals can claim a credit up to 10% of their adjusted gross income or $5,000, while corporations can claim up to 5% of taxable income. Scholarships are available to students in households earning no more than 300% of the area median income and can be used for public or private school expenses, including religious schools. The bill establishes a $10 billion annual cap on total contributions with funds allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and requires scholarship organizations to verify student income and distribute scholarships to multiple students. It also prohibits government control over scholarship organizations and schools, ensuring maximum freedom for these organizations.
The A PLUS Act (S 110) allows states to consolidate federal education funds under a "declaration of intent," giving them flexibility to manage programs like Title I under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) while reducing administrative burdens. States must submit a declaration outlining eligible programs, commit to using funds to supplement state funding (not replace it), and report annually on student progress to parents and taxpayers. Key provisions include limiting administrative costs to 1% of consolidated funds (or 3% if excluding Title I), requiring accountability for disadvantaged students, and prohibiting consolidation of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds. The bill directly affects states, local school districts, and parents through streamlined fund use and transparency requirements.
This bill prohibits the FDA from approving new abortion drugs and restricts existing approved drugs to in-person administration by certified healthcare providers. It requires providers to be certified in pregnancy assessment, ectopic pregnancy diagnosis, and emergency care capabilities, and mandates that drugs can only be dispensed in clinics, offices, or hospitals. The bill also imposes new reporting requirements for adverse events (like hospitalizations or severe infections) and requires providers to document risks to patients before prescribing. These provisions apply to all drugs defined as "abortion drugs" under the bill, which includes any substance intended to terminate pregnancy (excluding specific medical exceptions).
HR 553, the Workplace Choice and Flexibility for Individuals with Disabilities Act, amends the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 to clarify what counts as "competitive integrated employment" for people with disabilities. It updates the definition to explicitly include social interactions with colleagues and customers in regular workplace settings (not just isolated work units) and specifies that jobs paid through federal or state government contracts prioritizing disability employment support - such as those awarded to contractors or subcontractors meeting certain criteria - qualify as competitive. This change ensures state vocational rehabilitation programs can count these jobs as legitimate employment outcomes, aligning with Congressional intent that such roles be considered part of the broader labor market. The bill directly affects state agencies managing vocational rehabilitation services and government contractors providing disability-focused employment support.
No Tax Dollars for the United Nation's Immigration Invasion Act This bill prohibits the federal government from making contributions to the United Nations (U.N.) International Organization for Migration, the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, or the U.N. Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress on federal funds provided to these U.N. agencies, including the amounts provided during FY2021 and FY2022 and any restrictions attached to such funding.
SRES 14 is a procedural resolution amending a Senate rule to align terminology with how the House of Representatives handles budget-related communications. It updates references from "Senator" to "Member of Congress" and adds "message from the House of Representatives" to requirements for identifying spending items in budget documents. This change ensures Senate committees consistently treat House amendments and messages as equivalent to Senate amendments when processing budget-related items. The resolution affects only internal Senate procedural rules, not substantive policy or constituent impacts.
This bill prohibits federal funds from covering abortions in most circumstances, including health benefits plans, with exceptions for cases of rape, incest, or when a pregnancy endangers a woman's life. It specifically bars the use of Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions for health plans that cover abortion, requiring insurers to disclose abortion coverage details separately in marketing materials. The law applies to all federal health programs and ACA marketplace plans, ensuring taxpayer dollars aren't used for abortion services or coverage. It does not affect private insurance plans purchased with non-federal funds or separate abortion coverage options.
S 68, the FARM Act, requires the Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS) to review foreign investments in U.S. agriculture businesses and supply chains. It adds the Secretary of Agriculture to CFIUS and designates agricultural supply chains as critical infrastructure and critical technologies. The bill mandates a report within one year detailing foreign investments in U.S. agriculture, potential threats to supply chains, and espionage risks targeting agricultural data. This directly affects foreign entities seeking to acquire or invest in U.S. agricultural operations and supply chain systems.
S 78 requires physicians performing abortions on minors from out-of-state to provide at least 24 hours' written notice to the minor's parent before the procedure, unless specific exceptions apply. It prohibits transporting minors across state lines to bypass parental involvement laws in their home state, with penalties for violations. Exceptions include life-threatening medical conditions, compliance with the minor's home state's abortion laws, or documented court authorization. The bill directly affects minors seeking out-of-state abortions, their parents, and medical providers who perform such procedures.
HR 526, the Health Freedom for All Act, prohibits the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) from issuing emergency temporary standards requiring employers to mandate COVID-19 vaccination or testing for employees. This bill directly affects private-sector employers covered by OSHA’s emergency rulemaking authority, preventing new mandates after September 23, 2021. The key provision amends the OSH Act to explicitly ban such requirements in emergency temporary standards, making any rules issued after that date unenforceable. The bill does not affect existing rules issued before September 23, 2021, or permanent workplace safety standards. It focuses solely on blocking specific emergency measures related to pandemic health protocols.
