Oklahoma Congressional Bills

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 19, 2024

S 3981: DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act of 2024

This bill establishes the INCLUDE Project at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to advance research on Down syndrome. It authorizes $250 million annually (2025-2029) for studies on chromosome 21’s effects, co-occurring health conditions (like Alzheimer’s and heart disease), and developing treatments. The program requires NIH to coordinate research across agencies, expand clinical trials for individuals with Down syndrome, and submit biennial reports to Congress. It directly affects NIH’s research priorities and funding for Down syndrome studies, without altering medical care for patients.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Oklahoma · House Mar 19, 2024

HR 7725: To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to prohibit graduate medical schools from receiving Federal financial assistance if such schools adopt certain policies and requirements relating to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

HR 7725 would block federal funding for graduate medical schools that require students or staff to adopt specific statements about race, gender, or identity (like claiming systemic racism or collective guilt), use race-based distinctions in admissions or programs, maintain DEI offices, or mandate "diversity statements" for admission. It directly affects graduate medical schools at colleges/universities receiving federal financial aid, including student loans. The bill exempts medical education about race-related health needs, demographic data collection for reporting, and religious institutions from adhering to policies conflicting with their beliefs. Schools violating these rules would lose eligibility for federal funds, though they could still comply with anti-discrimination laws and provide general academic instruction.

Topics ✗ Education

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 14, 2024

SJRES 64: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Federal Communications Commission relating to "The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act: Prevention and Elimination of Digital Discrimination".

This bill (SJRES 64) seeks to block a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rule published in the Federal Register (89 Fed. Reg. 4128, January 22, 2024) that implements provisions from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act related to preventing digital discrimination. It requests Congress disapprove the rule under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code, which would prevent the rule from taking effect. The resolution directly affects the FCC's ability to enforce digital discrimination prevention measures under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. If passed, the rule would have no legal force or effect, halting the FCC's regulatory action on this specific issue.

Topics ✗ Technology

Ted Cruz (R) · 19 co-sponsors

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 14, 2024

SJRES 65: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Reconsideration of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards for Particulate Matter".

This joint resolution (SJRES 65) seeks to disapprove an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rule that would have revised national air quality standards for tiny air particles (particulate matter), which are pollutants linked to health issues like asthma and heart disease. The EPA rule, published on March 6, 2024, proposed updating these standards to tighten pollution limits. By invoking the Congressional Review Act, the resolution would block the rule from taking effect, maintaining the current standards without changes. This directly affects the EPA’s ability to implement the proposed revisions to air quality regulations, impacting public health protections and industry compliance requirements.

Topics ✗ Environment ✗ Healthcare

Mitch McConnell (R) · 49 co-sponsors

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 14, 2024

S 3957: A bill to require the Director of National Intelligence to develop a strategy to improve the sharing of information and intelligence on foreign adversary tactics and illicit activities affecting the ability of United States persons to compete in foreign jurisdictions on projects relating to energy generation and storage, and for other purposes.

This bill requires the Director of National Intelligence to create a strategy within 90 days for better sharing information between the government and private companies. The strategy must help U.S. companies competing on energy projects abroad - especially those involving critical minerals - by sharing intelligence about foreign adversaries' threats like economic espionage, disinformation campaigns, and deceptive tactics that undermine U.S. interests. It also mandates a plan for implementing this strategy within 30 days after the strategy is developed, focusing on both sending threat information to companies and receiving threat reports from them. The bill directly affects U.S. energy and mineral companies operating internationally.

Topics ✓ Technology

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 14, 2024

S 3963: Native Species Protection Act

S 3963, the Native Species Protection Act, defines "intrastate species" as plants or wildlife entirely within one state's borders and not part of a national commodity market. It removes federal regulatory authority for these species under the Endangered Species Act and other federal laws based on interstate commerce powers. This directly affects state governments and landowners within states containing such species, shifting management responsibility to state authorities. The bill changes federal policy by explicitly exempting these locally confined species from federal environmental regulations.

Topics ✗ Environment

in committee · Oklahoma · House Mar 13, 2024

HR 7656: Balanced Budget and Accounting Act

HR 7656, the Balanced Budget and Accounting Act, would require the President's annual federal budget to balance spending and revenue each fiscal year. It amends Section 1105(a) of Title 31, U.S. Code, to mandate that total government spending (outlays) cannot exceed total revenue (receipts) in any given year. This would directly affect how the executive branch prepares and submits federal budgets, imposing a binding constraint on annual budget planning. The bill creates a concrete rule for budget preparation, requiring the President to submit a balanced budget proposal without exception.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 12, 2024

S 3929: A bill to prohibit the Secretary of Agriculture from taking certain proposed actions relating to a land management plan direction for old-growth forest conditions across the National Forest System.

S 3929 prohibits the Secretary of Agriculture from implementing a specific Forest Service notice (88 Fed. Reg. 88042, December 20, 2023) that proposed land management actions for old-growth forest conditions across National Forest System lands. The bill directly affects the Department of Agriculture's management authority over federal forest lands by blocking the adoption of this particular plan direction. It does not create new policy but prevents the executive branch from moving forward with the proposed actions outlined in that specific notice. The bill's effect is limited to halting this one administrative step related to old-growth forest management.

Topics ✗ Environment

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 12, 2024

S 3933: Laken Riley Act

S 3933, the Laken Riley Act, amends immigration law to require mandatory detention for non-citizens charged with certain crimes like theft or burglary, rather than allowing release. It directly affects individuals facing these charges and gives state attorneys general the legal standing to sue federal agencies (like DHS or the State Department) if they claim immigration policies caused the state or residents financial harm exceeding $100. Key provisions include requiring Homeland Security to take custody of such individuals and establishing new court procedures for states to seek injunctions against federal immigration enforcement actions. The bill does not change border policies but focuses on detention requirements and state legal challenges to federal immigration enforcement.

Topics ✗ Criminal Justice ✗ Immigration

Katie Boyd Britt (R) · 47 co-sponsors

in committee · Oklahoma · Senate Mar 12, 2024

S 1514: HELPER Act of 2023

The HELPER Act of 2023 creates a new FHA mortgage insurance program allowing eligible first responders and K-12 teachers to secure home loans with **no down payment**. It directly affects full-time law enforcement officers, firefighters, paramedics, EMTs, and public/private K-12 teachers who have worked in their roles for at least 4 of the past 5 years. Key provisions include requiring housing counseling, verifying employment status, and prohibiting monthly mortgage insurance premiums (replacing standard FHA requirements). The bill authorizes $660,000 for 2024 and $160,000 annually from 2025-2030 to fund this program, which expires after 5 years.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Housing

Marco Rubio (R) · 30 co-sponsors

in committee · Oklahoma · House Mar 12, 2024

HR 7622: AUSTIN Act of 2024

The AUSTIN Act of 2024 requires cabinet-level officials, such as department heads, to notify the President and congressional leaders within 24 hours if they cannot perform their duties due to illness or absence, and to publish this notice on their agency’s website. The notice must include the reason for the inability and a timeline for when they will be unable to work and when they expect to return. The President may temporarily waive the public posting requirement for national security reasons but must explain the waiver to Congress, and congressional leaders can override such a waiver if they disagree. Failure to comply could result in the official losing federal funding for their salary and facing termination.

in committee · Oklahoma · House Mar 8, 2024

HR 7596: Servicewomen and Veterans Menopause Research Act

This bill requires the Defense and Veterans Affairs Secretaries to evaluate existing research on menopause, perimenopause, and mid-life health in female service members and veterans. They must identify gaps in knowledge about treatments, military service impacts (including combat roles, burn pits, and toxic chemicals like PFAS), and mental health effects, then report findings and create a strategic research plan within 180 days. The bill also mandates both departments to conduct or fund new research on these issues. It directly affects women currently serving in the military and veterans who experience menopause-related health challenges. The law focuses on gathering evidence to address specific health gaps unique to this population.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Oklahoma Congressional Bills

Bill results