Bills of The Day:

Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2024
House of Congress: Senate
Bill Code: S. 4173
Date Introduced: April 18, 2024
Sponsor: Mrs. Gillibrand
Co-Sponsor(s): N/A

Summary: This bill mandates the establishment of effluent limitations guidelines, standards, and water quality criteria for perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) under the Federal Water Pollution Control Act. It defines key terms such as "effluent limitation" and "measurable." The Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is required to publish human health water quality criteria for PFAS within three years and set effluent guidelines for various industries by specified deadlines through 2027. Monitoring requirements for PFAS discharges into publicly owned treatment works are set, and grants are authorized for pretreatment program activities. The bill also includes appropriations for these activities through fiscal year 2028.

Next Action: The bill was referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.

Strengthening Administrative PAYGO Act of 2024
House of Congress: House of Representatives
Bill Code: H.R. 8195
Date Introduced: May 1, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Bergman
Co-Sponsor(s): Mr. Arrington, Mr. Carter of Georgia, Mr. Grothman, Mr. Yakym, Mrs. McClain, Mr. Cline, Mr. Ferguson, Mr. Estes, Mr. Moore of Utah, Mrs. Fischbach, Mr. Smucker, Mr. Norman, Mr. Edwards, Mr. Burgess, Mr. Valadao, Mr. Brecheen, Mr. Good of Virginia, Mr. Roy, Mr. McClintock

Summary: This bill amends the Administrative Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) Act of 2023 to enhance congressional oversight. It requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to submit any waiver determinations and detailed explanations to the House and Senate Budget Committees, along with estimates of the budgetary effects. The exemption criteria for administrative actions are clarified to apply to actions increasing direct spending by $1 billion over ten years or $100 million in any single year. The purpose statement is updated to emphasize budget neutrality, and the bill repeals the sunset provision of the original Act, ensuring its continued application. The bill also mandates detailed reporting on waiver determinations in the President's budget submissions.

Next Action: The bill was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary and Budget.

Israel Security Assistance Support Act
House of Congress: House of Representatives
Bill Code: H.R. 8369
Date Introduced: May 14, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Calvert
Co-Sponsor(s): Mr. Cole, Mr. Diaz-Balart, Mr. Joyce of Ohio, Mr. McCaul, Mrs. Houchin, Mr. Yakym, Mr. McClintock, Ms. Tenney, Mr. Weber of Texas, Mr. Aderholt, and 109 others

Summary: This bill mandates the expedited delivery of defense articles and services to Israel, emphasizing the urgency due to heightened threats from Iran and its proxies. It condemns the Biden Administration’s decision to pause certain arms transfers and calls for continuing all previously approved transfers without delay. The bill prohibits using funds to withhold or cancel defense deliveries to Israel and requires prompt delivery of items expected in fiscal years 2024 and 2025. It includes provisions for withholding funds from the Department of Defense and State until delivery requirements are met, mandates regular reporting on security assistance, and ensures that unobligated funds for Israel are promptly obligated.

Next Action: The bill was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, Armed Services, and Intelligence.

Debt Per Taxpayer Information Act
House of Congress: House of Representatives
Bill Code: H.R. 8372
Date Introduced: May 14, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Arrington
Co-Sponsor(s): Mr. Estes, Mr. Grothman

Summary: This bill mandates that the President’s annual budget submission to Congress and the annual concurrent budget resolution include estimates of the debt held by the public and gross federal debt per taxpayer. The estimates should cover the prior fiscal year, the current fiscal year, the fiscal year for which the budget is submitted, and the ensuing fiscal years. Additionally, the bill requires that employee W-2 forms include information on total federal government revenue, outlays, deficit, and gross federal debt, along with an estimate of the debt per taxpayer for the most recent fiscal year. This information must be presented clearly and understandably for the average individual.

Next Action: The bill was referred to the Committee on the Budget, Ways and Means, and Rules.

Remote Access Security Act
House of Congress: House of Representatives
Bill Code: H.R. 8152
Date Introduced: April 29, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Lawler
Co-Sponsor(s): Mr. Jackson of North Carolina, Mr. McCormick, Ms. Crockett

Summary: This bill amends the Export Control Reform Act of 2018 to include control of remote access to items subject to U.S. jurisdiction. It defines "remote access" and integrates this term into various sections of the Act. The bill requires the Secretary of Commerce to regulate remote access by foreign persons through networks, including the Internet and cloud services. Amendments ensure remote access is considered alongside exports and in-country transfers in existing regulations. This includes updates to sections concerning definitions, control policies, licensing, enforcement, and penalties, aiming to enhance national security by addressing modern technological challenges related to remote access.

Next Action: The bill was referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs.