This is a symbolic Senate resolution (SRES 626), not a policy bill. It supports observing National Nurses Week from May 6-12, 2022, to honor nurses' contributions to healthcare. The resolution recognizes nurses as the largest healthcare profession (over 4 million registered nurses), highlights their roles during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, and encourages public recognition of their work in patient care, research, and health equity. It does not create new laws, allocate funds, or directly affect policies or individuals.
S 4179, the Space National Guard Establishment Act, creates a new Space National Guard as a reserve component of the U.S. Space Force, directly affecting state National Guard units operating in areas where the Space Force is active. The bill formally establishes this force within the organized militia of states, territories, Puerto Rico, and D.C., defining it as federally recognized units trained under constitutional authority. Key mechanisms include amending Title 10 and Title 32 U.S. Code to define the Space National Guard and its reserve status, requiring implementation within 18 months, and mandating annual congressional briefings on its progress. This bill establishes a concrete policy structure for space-focused National Guard operations without altering existing military installations.
Veterans First Act of 2022 This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from obligating or expending any amounts to provide emergency assistance in response to an emergency at the southern border directly resulting from the repeal of certain public health orders from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Specifically, the bill prohibits such emergency assistance in response to the repeal of the order issued on August 2, 2021, titled Public Health Reassessment and Order Suspending the Right To Introduce Certain Persons From Countries Where a Quarantinable Communicable Disease Exists ; the order issued on April 1, 2022, titled Public Health Determination and Order Regarding Suspending the Right To Introduce Certain Persons From Countries Where a Quarantinable Communicable Disease Exists ; and an order relating to the same public health concerns as the listed orders.
The Veterans Benefits Improvement Act of 2022 (HR 7556) makes several administrative improvements to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to better serve veterans. It creates an internship program for law students and a pilot honors program to recruit legal professionals for the Board of Veterans' Appeals, with requirements for mentorship and student loan repayment. The bill also mandates the publication of disability benefit forms (with limited exceptions), requires contractors to communicate with veterans' power of attorney representatives, and allows veterans to consent to electronic notifications of benefit decisions. Additionally, it requires reports on improving telehearings, medical examinations for overseas veterans, and support for governmental veterans service officers. These changes aim to streamline VA processes and improve access to benefits for veterans.
This resolution expresses support for the designation of Home Front Heroes Day, recognizing the efforts and sacrifice made by civilians contributing to wartime efforts.
No Timber From Tyrants Act This bill prohibits the importation of wood and related articles from Russia and Belarus. It also directs the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to replace these prohibited imports with timber production on certain lands. Specifically, the bill directs the President to prohibit the importation of all wood and related articles from Russia and Belarus. The President may terminate this prohibition upon certification to Congress that certain conditions have been met, including that Russia or Belarus (or both, as applicable) reached an agreement to withdraw forces in Ukraine. Additionally, the bill directs Interior and USDA to authorize timber harvest in an amount sufficient to equal the volume, with respect to calendar year 2021, of imports of wood and related articles from Russia and Belarus. Interior may authorize timber harvest only on public lands and USDA may authorize timber harvest only on National Forest System lands. The bill generally prohibits Interior and USDA from approving a plan that reduces the allowable sale quantity of timber.
Water Resources Development Act of 2022 This bill authorizes the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to carry out activities concerning water resources development projects, ecosystem restoration, flood control, water supply and wastewater infrastructure, or navigation.
This bill prohibits using federal funds to establish a Disinformation Governance Board under the Department of Homeland Security. It directly affects the DHS by blocking any allocation of taxpayer money for creating this board. The key provision is a funding restriction that prevents the board's formation, requiring Congress to specifically authorize such spending if desired. The bill does not address disinformation policies or content, only the funding mechanism for the proposed board.
This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to establish or operate a Disinformation Governance Board under the Department of Homeland Security. It directly affects the Department of Homeland Security by blocking funding for this specific board, preventing its creation or activities. The measure restricts how existing federal appropriations can be applied, without altering other funding mechanisms.
Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2022 This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish a process to vet applicants for certain funding that supports affordable broadband deployment in high-cost areas, including rural communities. Specifically, the process applies to applicants seeking funding under the high-cost universal service programs that provide competitive awards for broadband deployment. As part of the process, the FCC must require applicants to provide a proposal for deploying the broadband network. The proposal must contain enough detail and documentation for the FCC to ascertain whether the applicant has the technical capabilities to deploy the proposed network and deliver services. The FCC must evaluate proposals against reasonable and well-established technical standards.
Social Security Guarantee Act of 2022 This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to issue certificates to Social Security beneficiaries that guarantee them the full monthly benefit amount to which they are entitled and at least an annual cost-of-living increase to their benefits. It also provides additional mandatory funding for those benefits. Currently, Social Security beneficiaries are entitled to their benefits, but benefits are primarily funded through a payroll tax (including assets derived from the tax held in reserve). Actuarial projections reported by the Social Security Board of Trustees indicate that in 2035 there will be insufficient tax revenue and reserved assets to cover the full amount of benefit payments.
Protecting Free Speech Act This bill terminates the Disinformation Governance Board of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and prohibits using DHS funding for the activities of any other entity that is substantially similar to the board.
