The DETERRENT Act requires colleges and universities to disclose foreign gifts and contracts worth $50,000 or more, including details about the foreign source, purpose, and value, with a public database for transparency. It establishes a waiver process for institutions seeking to contract with "foreign countries of concern" or "foreign entities of concern" while imposing fines up to 100-200% of investment value for non-compliance. The law primarily affects institutions receiving federal funds, particularly those with significant research funding, and mandates policies for faculty and staff regarding foreign gifts. It also requires interagency sharing of information with intelligence and law enforcement agencies to address potential national security concerns.
The Fiscal Stability Act of 2023 establishes a 16-member Fiscal Commission to develop recommendations for improving the federal government's long-term fiscal health. The commission, appointed by congressional leadership with balanced representation from both parties, must identify policies to achieve a sustainable public debt-to-GDP ratio of 100% by 2039 and ensure solvency of federal trust funds for at least 75 years. The commission must submit a report and implementing bill by May 1, 2025, which Congress would consider under expedited procedures requiring approval by a supermajority of voting members. This bill directly affects federal budget policy by creating a structured process for addressing fiscal challenges, with the commission terminating 30 days after submitting its final recommendations.
H.J.Res. 66 disapproves a specific rule issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) regarding small business lending under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act (Regulation B). The resolution, if passed, would prevent this CFPB rule from taking effect by declaring it "have no force or effect." The rule in question (88 Fed. Reg. 35150) aimed to clarify how lenders must evaluate small business loan applications under existing equal credit laws. This disapproval directly affects the CFPB's regulatory authority and would block the rule's implementation for small business lenders and financial institutions.
SRES 478 is a Senate resolution designating November 2023 as "National Hospice and Palliative Care Month." It encourages the public to learn about hospice and palliative care services, recognize the work of family caregivers and healthcare providers, and participate in activities that raise awareness of these services. The resolution highlights the importance of palliative care in improving quality of life for patients with serious illnesses and supporting caregivers, without creating new legal requirements or funding. It does not directly affect specific groups but aims to increase public understanding of these care options.
S 3347 requires the President to designate Ansarallah (the Houthi movement) as a foreign terrorist organization within 30 days of the bill becoming law. It mandates imposing existing U.S. sanctions under Executive Order 13224 on Ansarallah and any foreign person determined to be its official, agent, or affiliate. The bill also requires the President to submit a determination within 30 days about whether specific individuals - Abdul Malik al-Houthi, Abd al-Khaliq Badr al-Din al-Houthi, and Abdullah Yahya al-Hakim - are connected to Ansarallah. This bill directly affects Ansarallah and those designated as its officials or affiliates, triggering automatic sanctions without requiring new legislation.
This bill prohibits state and federal governments from denying contracts, funding, or licenses to child welfare service providers (including religious organizations and individuals) who decline to provide services conflicting with their sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions. It specifically protects providers from adverse actions like refusing to renew contracts or canceling funding when their religious objections prevent them from offering certain services, such as foster care placements or adoption assistance. The law allows affected providers to sue for violations and requires states that violate the law to forfeit 15% of their federal child welfare funding. It applies to all federally funded child welfare services under Title IV of the Social Security Act, covering services like foster care, adoption support, and family preservation.
S 820, the Protecting Consumers from PFAS Act, adds the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) to the federal interagency working group that coordinates efforts on PFAS chemicals. PFAS are chemicals commonly found in consumer products like non-stick cookware and water-resistant clothing, with health concerns linked to long-term exposure. The bill formally includes the CPSC - responsible for regulating product safety - into this working group to enhance federal coordination on PFAS. It does not change product regulations but updates agency roles in federal PFAS oversight.
This bill authorizes $50 million annually (2023-2027) for the VA to award grants to states to improve outreach and assistance for veterans and their families (including spouses, children, and parents) regarding veterans' benefits. States must use funds to hire more veterans service officers, expand outreach programs, or provide training, with priority for areas lacking officers, high veteran suicide rates, or frequent crisis line referrals. Grantees must submit detailed plans ensuring equitable distribution across urban/rural areas and addressing needs of underserved veterans (e.g., Native American, elderly, women veterans), while tracking benefit application timelines and outcomes. The VA will monitor performance, require remediation plans for underperforming states, and report annually to Congress.
SRES 470 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating November 16, 2023, as "National Rural Health Day." It commemorates rural communities' contributions to health care and acknowledges the unique challenges rural health providers and patients face, including access barriers and hospital closures. The resolution recognizes the efforts of rural health care workers and the millions they serve, while expressing a commitment to future policy improvements for rural health care. It does not create new laws, funding, or direct obligations - it serves solely as a formal acknowledgment of rural health issues.
This Senate resolution (SRES 471) expresses formal support for National Adoption Day (observed November 18, 2023) and National Adoption Month (November 2023). It promotes awareness about children in foster care awaiting adoption, celebrates adoption success stories, and encourages U.S. citizens to support efforts securing permanent, safe homes for all children. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight adoption needs. It specifically references foster care statistics (e.g., 114,000 children awaiting adoption) to underscore its purpose.
This bill (SJRES 43) is a joint resolution seeking to block a Department of Education rule that would have improved income-driven repayment plans for federal student loans. It targets a specific rule (88 Fed. Reg. 43820, July 10, 2023) affecting borrowers in the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program and the Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL) Program. If passed, the resolution would make this rule void, preventing it from taking effect. The resolution uses a specific procedural mechanism under Title 5 of U.S. Code to achieve this disapproval. It directly impacts student loan borrowers who rely on income-driven repayment options.
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
