Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act This bill suspends normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus. It also permanently authorizes the President to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions based on violations of human rights. Specifically, the bill authorizes the President to proclaim increases in the rates of duty applicable to products of Russia or Belarus. This authority terminates on January 1, 2024. The President may restore normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus, subject to congressional disapproval. The bill directs the U.S. Trade Representative to (1) condemn the recent aggression in Ukraine, (2) encourage other World Trade Organization (WTO) members to suspend trade concessions to Russia and Belarus, (3) consider steps to suspend Russia's participation in the WTO, and (4) seek to halt the accession process of Belarus.
Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act This bill prohibits the importation of energy products from Russia. Specifically, the bill prohibits the importation of Russian products that are classified under chapter 27 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (which includes mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation, bituminous substances, and mineral waxes). The President may terminate this prohibition, subject to congressional disapproval, if the President certifies that Russia (1) has reached an agreement to withdraw Russian forces and cease military hostilities in Ukraine, (2) poses no immediate military threat of aggression to any North Atlantic Treaty Organization member, and (3) recognizes the right of the Ukrainian people to independently and freely choose their own government.
Postal Service Reform Act of 202 2 This bill addresses the finances and operations of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The bill requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish the Postal Service Health Benefits Program within the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program under which OPM may contract with carriers to offer health benefits plans for USPS employees and retirees. The bill provides for coordinated enrollment of retirees under this program and Medicare. The bill repeals the requirement that the USPS annually prepay future retirement health benefits. Additionally, the USPS may establish a program to enter into agreements with an agency of any state government, local government, or tribal government, and with other government agencies, to provide certain nonpostal products and services that reasonably contribute to the costs of the USPS and meet other specified criteria. The USPS must develop and maintain a publicly available dashboard to track service performance and must report regularly on its operations and financial condition. The Postal Regulatory Commission must annually submit to the USPS a budget of its expenses. It must also conduct a study to identify the causes and effects of postal inefficiencies relating to flats (e.g., large envelopes). The USPS Office of Inspector General shall perform oversight of the Postal Regulatory Commission.
Emmett Till Antilynching Act This bill makes lynching a federal hate crime offense. Specifically, the bill imposes criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to 30 years, or both—on an individual who conspires to commit a hate crime offense that results in death or serious bodily injury or that includes kidnapping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill.
Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Act This bill establishes grants and requires other activities to improve mental and behavioral health among health care providers. Specifically, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must award grants to hospitals, medical professional associations, and other health care entities for programs to promote mental health and resiliency among health care providers. In addition, HHS may award grants for relevant mental and behavioral health training for health care students, residents, or professionals. Additionally, HHS must conduct a campaign to (1) encourage health care providers to seek support and treatment for mental and behavioral health concerns, and (2) disseminate best practices to prevent suicide and improve mental health and resiliency among health care providers. HHS must also study and develop policy recommendations on improving mental and behavioral health among health care providers, removing barriers to accessing care and treatment, and identifying strategies to promote resiliency. Furthermore, the Government Accountability Office must report on the extent to which relevant federal grant programs address the prevalence and severity of mental health conditions and substance use disorders among health care providers.
John Lewis NIMHD Research Endowment Revitalization Act of 2021 This bill expands eligibility for research endowments available through the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities to include former centers of excellence at health professional schools and biomedical and behavioral research institutions that meet criteria related to the inclusion of underrepresented minority individuals in programs and activities.
Suicide Training and Awareness Nationally Delivered for Universal Prevention Act of 20 21 or the STANDUP Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), when awarding certain grants for priority mental-health needs, to give preference to state, tribal, and local educational agencies that plan to implement evidence-based suicide awareness and prevention training policies. HHS may also consider suicide rates in the applicable jurisdiction and other factors when awarding the grants. In addition, HHS must coordinate with the Department of Education and the Department of the Interior to provide educational agencies with best practices for these training policies.
Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2022 This bill provides appropriations to federal agencies for the remainder of FY2022, provides supplemental appropriations for activities to support Ukraine, and modifies or establishes various programs that address a wide range of policy areas. The bill includes the 12 regular appropriations bills that fund federal agencies for FY2022. These bills include the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2022; the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2022; the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2022; the Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2022; the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act, 2022; the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2022; the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2022; the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2022; the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2022; the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2022; the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2022; and the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2022. The bill provides supplemental appropriations for several federal agencies to assist Ukraine in responding to the attack by Russia. For example, the bill provides funding for emergency food assistance, migration and refugee assistance, defense equipment, economic assistance, and enforcing sanctions against Russia. In addition, the bill reauthorizes several expiring programs and authorities, including the National Flood Insurance Program; several immigration-related authorities and programs; the Department of Agriculture's livestock mandatory reporting program; the special assessment on nonindigent people or entities convicted of certain criminal offenses (e.g., sexual abuse and trafficking); the authority for the Department of Health and Human Services to make certain appointments for the National Disaster Medical System; the temporary scheduling order issued by the Drug Enforcement Administration to place fentanyl-related substances in Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act; the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program; the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency; programs and activities under the Violence Against Women Act that seek to prevent and respond to domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence, and stalking; intelligence activities and programs; and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA's) enhanced-use leasing authority. The bill also includes several additional provisions that address a wide range of policy issues and programs, including: the regulation of synthetic nicotine; Medicare, Medicaid, and other health programs; fraud targeting the elderly; deceptive acts or practices targeting Native Americans; carbon monoxide poisoning; salaries for certain Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical positions; VA cemetery grants; credit union governance; the replacement of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) benchmark interest rate; recovery and assistance efforts for Haiti; reporting requirements and law enforcement activities related to cybercrimes; the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program; the EB-5 immigrant investor visa program; and the normalization of relations between Israel and Arab countries.
"Six Triple Eight" Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021 This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to the women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion (commonly known as the Six Triple Eight) in recognition of their pioneering military service, devotion to duty, and contributions to increase the morale of personnel stationed in the European theater of operations during World War II.
Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act of 2021 This bill invalidates arbitration agreements that preclude a party from filing a lawsuit in court involving sexual assault or sexual harassment, at the election of the party alleging such conduct.
Ghost Army Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to the 23rd Headquarters Special Troops and the 3133rd Signal Services Company, known collectively as the Ghost Army , in recognition of unique and highly distinguished service during World War II.
Willie O'Ree Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Willie O'Ree or, if unavailable, to a member of his family, in recognition of his contributions and commitment to hockey, inclusion, and recreational opportunity. The amounts received from the sale of duplicate medals shall be deposited in the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
