Virginia Congressional Bills

passed · Virginia · House Dec 18, 2023

HR 1147: Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023

HR 1147, the Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act of 2023, allows schools participating in the National School Lunch Program to offer whole milk as an option during lunch. It amends the school lunch law to explicitly permit schools to serve flavored and unflavored whole milk alongside reduced-fat, low-fat, and fat-free milk choices for students. The bill also requires the Secretary of Agriculture to adjust meal regulations to account for saturated fat from whole milk, ensuring it doesn't count against meal fat limits. This change directly affects participating schools and the students who receive school lunches, expanding their milk beverage options.

Glenn Thompson (R) · 134 co-sponsors

passed · Virginia · House Dec 13, 2023

HR 4531: Support for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act

This bill reauthorizes and extends funding for programs addressing substance use disorders and opioid addiction, including residential treatment for pregnant and postpartum women, first responder training, and community recovery initiatives. It increases funding levels for these programs, adds xylazine to Schedule III of controlled substances, and requires a study on remote monitoring for patients prescribed opioids. The bill also expands Medicaid coverage requirements for medication-assisted treatment and mandates reporting on mental health condition data alongside substance use disorder data, directly affecting individuals with substance use disorders, healthcare providers, and state and tribal governments.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

Brett Guthrie (R) · 66 co-sponsors

passed · Virginia · House Dec 13, 2023

HR 357: Ensuring Accountability in Agency Rulemaking Act

HR 357, the Ensuring Accountability in Agency Rulemaking Act, requires federal agencies to have rules signed by Senate-confirmed appointees (or senior appointees for initiation), aiming to increase oversight of regulatory decisions. It directly affects all federal agencies creating rules under standard procedures (covered by 5 U.S.C. § 553), ensuring higher-level accountability for rulemaking. Exceptions exist only if an agency head certifies that compliance would impede public safety/security, with required notifications to the OIRA Administrator and Federal Register publication. The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) will monitor agency compliance with these requirements.

Ben Cline (R) · 19 co-sponsors

passed · Virginia · House Dec 12, 2023

HR 3226: PREEMIE Reauthorization Act of 2023

This bill reauthorizes and extends federal funding for research and support services related to preterm birth through 2028, replacing the previous 2019-2023 funding period. Key provisions include adding chronic condition screening and treatment to maternal health education services, mandating an interagency working group on prematurity within 18 months, and requiring a National Academies study on preterm birth costs, risk factors, and program gaps. The study must assess neonatal care expenses, societal impacts, and effective prevention strategies, with a final report due within 24 months. These changes directly affect preterm infants, their families, healthcare providers, and federal agencies managing maternal health programs.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Anna G. Eshoo (D) · 28 co-sponsors

passed · Virginia · House Dec 11, 2023

HJRES 88: Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Improving Income Driven Repayment for the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program".

HJRES 88 is a resolution seeking to block a Department of Education rule that would have improved income-driven repayment options for federal student loan borrowers. The rule, published in the Federal Register on July 10, 2023, targeted the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program. This resolution uses the Congressional Review Act process to disapprove the rule, preventing it from taking effect and preserving the current repayment structure. If enacted, it would stop the proposed changes to repayment terms without altering existing loan policies.

Topics ✗ Education

Lisa C. McClain (R) · 52 co-sponsors

passed · Virginia · Senate Dec 7, 2023

SRES 492: A resolution honoring the life of the First Lady Rosalynn Carter.

This is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 492) honoring the late First Lady Rosalynn Carter. It expresses the Senate's condolences for her passing and recognizes her lifetime of humanitarian work, including her advocacy for mental health care, founding of caregiver support programs, and service with The Carter Center. The resolution does not create new laws or policies; it is purely a commemorative statement. It was introduced by a bipartisan group of senators and adopted by the Senate on December 7, 2023.

passed · Virginia · House Dec 7, 2023

HR 4468: Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2023

HR 4468, the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act of 2023, blocks the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from finalizing or enforcing a specific proposed rule setting emissions standards for 2027+ light-duty vehicles. It amends the Clean Air Act to prevent future EPA regulations from mandating specific vehicle technologies or limiting the availability of new vehicles based on engine type (e.g., gasoline vs. electric). The bill directly affects EPA rulemaking authority and automakers' compliance with emissions standards, ensuring new vehicle options remain diverse without technology mandates. This is a procedural change to federal emissions regulations, not a direct consumer or industry mandate.

Topics ✗ Energy ✗ Environment ✗ Transportation

Tim Walberg (R) · 34 co-sponsors

passed · Virginia · House Dec 6, 2023

HR 542: Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act of 2023

The Elizabeth Dole Home Care Act of 2023 increases the expenditure cap for home- and community-based care for veterans from 65% to 100% of costs, with exceptions for certain cases based on clinical need and geographic factors. It establishes new programs including Veteran-Directed Care, which allows veterans to select and manage their own in-home care services, and Home-Based Primary Care, which provides in-home health care overseen by VA providers. The bill requires improved coordination with existing programs like the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) and mandates a centralized website with information about available services. It specifically targets veterans who would otherwise require nursing home care or face increased risk of hospitalization, and includes provisions to address home health aide shortages through pilot programs.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

Julia Brownley (D) · 76 co-sponsors

passed · Virginia · House Dec 5, 2023

HR 3581: COPE Act

The COPE Act (HR 3581) creates a new grant program for the VA to fund mental health support services specifically for family caregivers of veterans enrolled in the VA's family caregiver program. It requires grantees to develop equitable plans addressing rural, American Indian/Alaska Native, elderly, women, and other underserved veteran communities, with priority given to areas with high veteran suicide rates or Veterans Crisis Line referrals. Grants must expand or create new mental health services while tracking outcomes like increased service utilization and reduced barriers, with annual reports to Congress. The bill authorizes $50 million annually (2023-2025) to supplement existing VA funding for this purpose.

Topics ✓ Healthcare ✓ Veterans

passed · Virginia · Senate Nov 28, 2023

SRES 476: A resolution supporting the goals and ideals of a National Move Over Law Day.

SRES 476 is a symbolic Senate resolution supporting the establishment of a National Move Over Law Day. It does not create new laws but urges national, state, and regional organizations to raise public awareness about existing state move-over laws, which require drivers to change lanes or slow down near roadside emergency responders. The resolution highlights that 50 traffic responders were killed in 2022 due to collisions while managing incidents, and cites the need for greater public education on these laws to improve safety. It specifically references the Federal Highway Administration’s Crash Responder Safety Week as part of ongoing efforts to reduce roadside collisions.

Topics ✓ Transportation

passed · Virginia · House Nov 28, 2023

HRES 793: Calling on Hamas to immediately release hostages taken during October 2023 attack on Israel.

HRES 793 is a resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives calling on Hamas to immediately release all 199 hostages taken during Hamas' October 7, 2023 attack on Israel. The resolution condemns Hamas for the attack, the taking of hostages, and threats against hostages, while stating that holding hostages violates international humanitarian law under the Geneva Conventions. It demands the immediate release of all hostages and expresses sympathy for victims and their families. As a symbolic resolution, it does not create legal obligations but formally expresses the House's position.

Haley M. Stevens (D) · 239 co-sponsors

passed · Virginia · House Nov 28, 2023

HRES 683: Expressing support for the diplomatic relations required to encourage the Government of Mexico to fulfill its water deliveries on an annual basis to the United States under the treaty between the United States and Mexico regarding the utilization of the Colorado and Tijuana Rivers and of the Rio Grande.

HRES 683 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House's support for diplomatic efforts to encourage Mexico to fulfill annual water delivery commitments under the 1944 U.S.-Mexico treaty. The treaty requires Mexico to deliver an average of 350,000 acre-feet of water annually (over a 5-year cycle) to the U.S., but Mexico has historically delayed deliveries until the cycle ends. The resolution specifically acknowledges water shortages faced by South Texas farmers and urges Mexico to meet its annual obligations, while supporting negotiations for more reliable water agreements. It does not create new legal requirements but formally encourages diplomatic action to address the delivery delays.

Virginia Congressional Bills

Bill results