Religious Liberty Update on U.S. Congress and Executive Branch Actions

Congress

NEW LAW

1. On December 29, 2022, President Biden signed into law H.R.2617, the $1.7 trillion spending package that spans 4,155 pages. The new law includes provisions that will keep the government open until September, provides aid for Ukraine and a large increase in Defense Department spending, requires employers with 15 or more employees to grant reasonable accommodations related to an employee’s pregnancy, sets forth new retirement saving rules, changes the Electoral Count Act to define the role of the Vice President as strictly ceremonial and require 20% of both chambers of Congress to raise an objection to a state’s electoral votes, increases funding for police, rolls back environmental laws that burden lobster fishers, bans the use of TikTok on government devices, renames two federal buildings for Democrat Nancy Pelosi and Republican Richard C. Shelby of Alabama, and allocates funding for developing drugs and therapeutics to combat future pandemics and disaster relief, among other provisions.

2. On December 23, 2022, President Biden signed into law Pub. Law 117-81, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022. The new law rescinds the DOD vaccine mandate for the COVID-19 vaccine. DOD has 30 days to work out the details for rescinding its vaccine mandate for troops.

SENATE

1. On December 15, 2022, Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) introduced S.5276, “A bill to prohibit the limitation of access to assisted reproductive technology, and all medically necessary care surrounding such technology.” The bill was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

2. On December 13, 2022, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) introduced S.J.Res.66, “A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Veterans Affairs (“VA”) relating to ‘Reproductive Health Services.’” The resolution would cause the VA’s rule to have no force or effect. It was referred to the Committee on Veterans’ Affairs.

Rep. Michael Cloud (R-TX-27) introduced with 65 cosponsors an identical resolution on the same day in the House.

3. On December 8, 2022, Sen. Tammy Baldwin (D-WA) introduced with 10 cosponsors S.5227, “Reproductive Health Travel Fund Act of 2022.” The bill would authorize eligible entities to pay for travel-related expenses and logistical support for individuals to access abortion services. It was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

4. On December 1, 2022, Sen. Robert P. Casey Jr. (D-PA) introduced S.5158, “Students’ Access to Freedom and Educational Rights Act of 2022.” The bill would “strengthen civil rights protections against harassment based on sex, race, color, national origin, disability, or age.” It was referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

An identical bill was introduced in the House on the same day by Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-CT-5).

5. On December 1, 2022, Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced S.5177, “Defending Religious Accommodations for Military Members Act of 2022.” The bill was referred to the Committee on Armed Services.

HOUSE

1.     On December 21, 2022, Rep. Kevin Hern (R-OK-1) introduced H.R.9657, “To prohibit the use or declaration of a public health emergency with respect to abortion, and for other purposes.” The bill was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

2.     On December 15, 2022, Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO-3) introduced with 14 cosponsors H.R.9575, “No Taxpayer Funds for Illegal Alien Abortions Act.” The bill was referred to the Committee on Energy and…