Bills of The Day:

Driving Forward Act
House of Congress: House of Representatives
Bill Code: H.R. 8041
Date Introduced: April 17, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Carter of Texas
Co-Sponsor(s): Ms. Foxx, Mr. Sessions, Mr. Ruppersberger, Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania, Mr. Cuellar

Summary: This bill enables the Secretary of Transportation to extend the exemption period from the pre-trip vehicle skills testing required for Commercial Drivers License candidates operating school buses intrastate. The current exemption, established on October 27, 2022, will be extended until November 27, 2027. Additionally, the Secretary is mandated to gather public comments on the possibility and advantages of a permanent exemption. States can use federal funds under section 31313 of title 49, U.S. Code, to cover expenses related to this exemption.

Next Action: The bill was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

No Propaganda Act
House of Congress: House of Representatives
Bill Code: H.R. 8053
Date Introduced: April 17, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Perry
Co-Sponsor(s): Mrs. Miller of Illinois, Mr. Massie, Mr. Ogles

Summary: This bill proposes to amend Section 396 of the Communications Act of 1934 to eliminate federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It specifies that no federal funds will be available to the Corporation following the enactment of this act, and prohibits the Corporation from accepting any federal funds thereafter. The bill also includes revoking any unobligated federal funds previously allocated to the Corporation in the Consolidated Appropriations Acts of 2022 and 2023 and the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024.

Next Action: The bill was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Appropriations.

Energizing Our Communities Act
House of Congress: House of Representatives
Bill Code: H.R. 8047
Date Introduced: April 17, 2024
Sponsor: Ms. Kuster
Co-Sponsor(s): N/A

Summary: The bill establishes the Community Economic Development Transmission Fund to support communities that host transmission lines. It allocates a portion of the interest from certain Department of Energy loans to this fund. The fund is designed to compensate host communities, which include local governments and Indian Tribes, for the impacts of transmission line projects. Payments from the fund can be used to improve public infrastructure, provide community services, or promote conservation and recreation. Additionally, the bill allows for the rescission of unobligated funds from prior appropriations to support these initiatives.

Next Action: The bill was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce.

Boosting Benefits and COLAs for Seniors Act
House of Congress: House of Representatives
Bill Code: H.R. 8044
Date Introduced: April 17, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Gallego
Co-Sponsor(s): N/A

Summary: The legislation amends the Social Security Act to change the metric used for calculating cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for Social Security benefits. It proposes using the Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers (CPI-E) instead of the existing Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W), or whichever index yields a higher adjustment. This change aims to better reflect the spending patterns of seniors. The bill also mandates the Bureau of Labor Statistics to develop and publish the CPI-E monthly. Changes will affect cost-of-living computation quarters ending on or after September 30, 2024.

Next Action: The bill was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means and the Committee on Education and the Workforce.

Supporting Parents in Education Act
House of Congress: House of Representatives
Bill Code: H.R. 8050
Date Introduced: April 17, 2024
Sponsor: Mr. Moran
Co-Sponsor(s): N/A

Summary: This bill aims to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to enhance support for student parents by improving access to child care services. It restructures the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) program to increase grant minimums to $75,000 and set maximum grants at 3% of an institution's total Federal Pell Grant funds. The grants, lasting four years, are to be used for child care services, support services like transportation and health care, and can also integrate with early childhood education programs. The initiative emphasizes a strategic partnership with local child care providers to extend services to student parents.

Next Action: The bill was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce.