Weekly Legislative Update: U.S. Senate and House of Representatives in Action - 2024

This week, U.S. lawmakers in both the Senate and the House are advancing critical legislative measures that tackle pressing national issues. With bills on defense, healthcare, economic priorities, and social justice, Congress aims to address key challenges and opportunities for the U.S. Here’s an updated look at some of the most significant legislative actions currently under consideration.

Updated Key Bills in the U.S. Senate

1. Supplemental Security Income (SSI) Savings Penalty Elimination Act

This bipartisan bill aims to modernize outdated asset limits for SSI recipients, increasing the allowable savings to $10,000 for individuals and $20,000 for couples. These updates would help disabled and elderly individuals build a financial cushion without losing essential benefits.

2. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) Reauthorization

As debate continues, lawmakers are focusing on balancing security needs with privacy rights. The FISA reauthorization would extend surveillance capabilities while incorporating stricter oversight to protect civil liberties.

3. Defense Appropriations for FY 2024

This comprehensive funding package covers military operations, homeland security, and veterans’ services, ensuring continued defense readiness and support for U.S. allies. The bill also addresses cybersecurity and other emerging security threats.

4. FAA Reauthorization

This bill secures funding for the Federal Aviation Administration, emphasizing infrastructure updates, air traffic control modernization, and improving flight safety across the national airspace.

5. No CORRUPTION Act

Focused on governmental accountability, this act would end pension payments to members of Congress convicted of corruption or criminal activities associated with their office.

6. Preventing Child Sex Abuse Act of 2023

This act aims to enhance federal protections against child exploitation, establishing new penalties and programs to combat trafficking and support child victims of abuse.

7. Disclosing Foreign Influence in Lobbying Act

To improve transparency, this bill requires lobbyists to disclose any foreign funding or influence, ensuring that U.S. policy remains protected from foreign interference.

8. Moving Americans Privacy Protection Act

An update to the Tariff Act of 1930, this legislation seeks to protect personal data at U.S. borders, improving privacy standards for Americans during international travel.

9. Fire Grants and Safety Act

This act provides grants for fire departments nationwide, supporting firefighting equipment, safety training, and fire prevention efforts, which have become increasingly crucial in wildfire-prone areas.

10. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Act of 2023

Recognizing March 9 as U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day, this bill brings attention to Americans unjustly detained abroad, aiming to support their return home.

Updated Key Bills in the U.S. House of Representatives

1. H.R. 2670 - National Defense Authorization Act for FY2024

This essential defense bill authorizes funds for military construction, operations, and energy-related activities. Recent amendments focus on bolstering cybersecurity defenses and expanding support for U.S. allies.

2. H.R. 1513 - FUTURE Networks Act

Targeting advancements in telecommunications, this act focuses on 6G development and other next-gen network technology to ensure U.S. competitiveness in global tech.

3. H.R. 7213 - Autism CARES Act of 2024

Supporting autism research, this bill provides expanded funding for services for individuals with autism and their families, strengthening resources for early diagnosis and intervention.

4. H.R. 9468 - Supplemental Appropriations for FY2024

This bill allocates emergency funding for federal agencies, including disaster relief and response funds, to address the aftermath of recent natural disasters across several states.

5. H.R. 7438 - FIFA World Cup 2026 Commemorative Coin Act

This bill proposes commemorative coins for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, celebrating North America’s event hosting, including the United States.

6. H.R. 7909 - Violence Against Women by Illegal Aliens Act

This act strengthens penalties against undocumented individuals who commit violent crimes, particularly crimes affecting women while expanding victim protections.

7. H.R. 4790 - Prioritizing Economic Growth Over Woke Policies Act

This bill limits corporate activism, ensuring businesses prioritize economic growth without external political or social pressures.

8. H.R. 4767 - Protecting Americans’ Retirement Savings from Politics Act

A bill that protects retirement accounts from being influenced by political agendas, keeping investment focus on financial returns.

9. H.R. 6090 - Combating Antisemitism Act

It aims to combat antisemitism by adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s definition, addressing rising antisemitic incidents across the nation.

10. H.R. 2 - Securing the U.S. Borders Act

Reinforces U.S. border security by increasing funding for patrol agents and establishing stricter immigration enforcement measures.

11. H.R. 5 - Parents Bill of Rights Act

This bill empowers parents in public education by giving them more influence over curricula and school policies, especially regarding sensitive topics.

12. H.R. 82 - Repealing the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provisions Act

This legislation seeks to repeal provisions that reduce Social Security benefits for government employees who also receive pensions, addressing concerns from public sector retirees.

13. H.R. 3935 - Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act

Extends the FAA’s funding for essential programs, including air traffic control updates and aviation safety, emphasizing the need for modern infrastructure.

14. H.R. 734 - Title IX Amendment

Reframes Title IX protections to focus on biological sex in addressing gender-related policies in schools, impacting areas like sports participation and locker room access.

15. H.R. 2530 - Nurse-to-Patient Staffing Ratios Act

Mandates specific nurse-to-patient ratios in hospitals to improve patient care quality, supporting better working conditions for healthcare workers.

16. H.J.Res. 30 - Disapproval of Labor Rule on Prudence and Loyalty

This resolution opposes a Department of Labor rule on fiduciary investment decisions, emphasizing financial rather than social factors in managing funds.

Conclusion

The U.S. Congress is actively debating these critical pieces of legislation, which reflect a wide range of pressing issues from national security and economic policy to healthcare and social justice. Each bill, if passed, will shape U.S. policy and the daily lives of Americans for years to come. As lawmakers continue to negotiate and amend these measures, their impact will set the course for the nation’s future direction.