Rural Broadband Protection Act of 2024

Arctic Refuge Protection Act of 2023

Preserving the Gulf Test Range to Ensure Military Readiness Act

Rachael Booth Act

Keep Americans Safe Act

Northern Border Regional Commission Reauthorization Act of 2023

Build, Utilize, Invest, Learn, and Deliver for Veterans Act of 2023 or the BUILD for Veterans Act of 2023 This bill addresses Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) capital asset management, planning, and investment. Among other requirements, the VA must ensure it has dedicated offices or entities and sufficient staff to conduct relevant critical responsibilities for the life cycle of capital asset management at the local, regional, and central office levels; establish a staffing model to ensure a minimum base level of capital asset staffing; develop goals and metrics to assess and improve the performance of VA capital asset management programs; comprehensively review the climate resilience of its facilities, land, and other relevant capital assets; submit the Strategic Plan to Improve VA's Delivery and Management of Capital Assets; and review all relevant authorities of the VA to determine whether the provisions are meaningful, relevant, and reflect current operational needs, organization structure, and all other necessary requirements for the full life cycle of effective and efficient management of capital assets. The Inspector General of the VA must examine and report on the management and performance of relevant capital asset projects of the VA. The Government Accountability Office must review and report on the VA's progress toward meeting the goals, metrics, and other plans set forth in this bill. The bill also requires various reports from the VA relating to capital asset improvement and the implementation of capital asset directives (e.g., reports on the VA's physical infrastructure and information technology needs).

Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act This bill establishes the Commission to Study and Develop Reparation Proposals for African Americans. The commission must (1) compile documentary evidence of slavery in the United States; (2) study the role of the federal and state governments in supporting the institution of slavery; (3) analyze discriminatory laws and policies against freed African slaves and their descendants; and (4) recommend ways the United States may recognize and remedy the effects of slavery and discrimination on African Americans, including through a formal apology and compensation (i.e., reparations). The commission consists of individuals from civil society and reparations organizations and individuals appointed by the President and congressional leadership. The commission may hold hearings, subpoena witnesses and records, and contract with other entities to conduct its work. The commission must submit its final report within one year of its first meeting.

VA medical Center Absence and Notification Timeline Act or the VACANT Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to comply with certain notification and staffing requirements when a VA medical center director is on detail. Not later than 90 days after detailing a director of a VA medical center to a different position within the VA, the VA must notify Congress with specified information about the detail (e.g., the location of the detail). Additionally, the VA must appoint an individual as acting director not later than 120 days after detailing a director to a different position. The VA must regularly update Congress regarding the status of the detail. Generally, not later than 180 days after detailing a director to a different position, the VA must return the individual to the position as director or reassign the individual from the position and begin the process of hiring a new director. This requirement may be waived for a limited amount of time, but the VA must submit to Congress a justification for the waiver.

Lifting Local Communities Act This bill specifies that government entities may not discriminate against religious organizations when awarding federal funds for social services programs (i.e., government programs that provide services for low-income individuals and communities, such as child care, transportation, employment, housing, and meal services). Specifically, religious organizations are eligible to apply for and receive federal funds to provide services for social services programs on the same basis as private, nonreligious organizations. Additionally, government entities may not discriminate against private organizations on the basis of religion when selecting funding recipients. Organizations that receive federal funds for social services programs may not discriminate against individuals on the basis of religion when providing services. If an individual objects to the character or affiliation of a private organization that is providing a service as part of a social services program, government entities must provide the individual with reasonable alternatives. Religious organizations may bring civil actions against entities for violations.

A resolution amending rule XLIV of the Standing Rules of the Senate to include amendments of the House of Representatives in the requirements for identifying spending items, and for other purposes.

Standing with Moms Act of 2023 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to disseminate information about pregnancy-related resources. Specifically, HHS must maintain a public website (life.gov) that lists such resources that are available through federal, state, and local governments and private entities. Additionally, HHS must maintain on its website a portal that provides a user, based on the user's responses to a series of questions, tailored information about pregnancy resources available in the user's zip code and risks related to abortion. HHS must develop a plan to conduct follow-up outreach to users of the portal (if the user consents to the outreach). States must recommend resources that meet criteria set by HHS for including through the portal. HHS may award grants to states to establish or support a system that aggregates resources to include on the portal. Further, the Health Resources and Services Administration must share information about life.gov and the portal through the Maternal Mental Health Hotline. HHS must also ensure that the life.gov website and hotline are available to families who speak languages other than English. The bill excludes from life.gov, the portal, and the hotline resources provided by entities that (1) perform, induce, refer for, or counsel in favor of abortions; or (2) financially support such entities. The bill also requires HHS to report on traffic to life.gov and the portal, gaps in services available to pregnant and postpartum individuals, and related matters.

Water Rights Protection Act of 2023 This bill addresses issues of water rights with respect to lands under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior and the Department of Agriculture, including water rights of federally recognized Indian tribes. Specifically, such departments must ensure that federal action imposes no greater restriction or regulatory requirement than under applicable state water law. Further, such departments shall not take actions that adversely affect state authority in permitting water usage or in adjudicating water rights. The bill also prohibits such departments from requiring water users to transfer water rights to the United States or acquire water rights in the name of the United States as a condition of issuing or renewing a land use or occupancy agreement.

American Apprenticeship Act This bill authorizes the Department of Labor to make grants to assist states in carrying out projects that defray the cost of pre-apprenticeship or related instruction for qualified apprenticeship programs. Labor shall (1) establish performance measures and an evaluation system for such grant program; and (2) identify in-demand occupations that lack the use of apprenticeships, analyze the use of the qualified apprenticeship program model in those occupations, and report on such analysis to states and Congress.

FLED Accountability Act of 2023 Fortifying Lawful Elections and Democracy Accountability Act of 2023