Breaking the Gridlock Act

To advance commonsense policy priorities. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Breaking the Gridlock Act I 101. Federal task force to support grandparents raising grandchildren (a) Establishment There is established a Federal Task Force to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren (referred to in this section as the Task Force (b) Older relative caregiver In this section, the term older relative caregiver 42 U.S.C. 3030s(a)(3) (c) Membership (1) In general The Task Force shall be composed of the following members, or their designee: (A) The Secretary of Health and Human Services. (B) The Attorney General. (C) The Administrator of the Administration for Community Living. (D) The Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (E) The Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use. (F) The Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families. (G) The Director of the Indian Health Service. (H) The Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (I) The head of each Federal department, agency, or other governmental entity identified by the Secretary of Health and Human Services as having responsibilities, or administering programs, relating to the current health, educational, nutritional, and other needs and current issues affecting older relative caregivers, including grandparents, raising children in their care. (J) A grandparent raising a grandchild or grandchildren as well as another older relative caregiver of children. (2) Lead agency The Department of Health and Human Services shall be the lead agency for the Task Force. (d) Duties (1) In general (A) Information The Task Force shall identify, coordinate, and disseminate information publicly about Federal information, resources, and best practices available, on the date of the determination, to help older relative caregivers, including grandparents, raising children in their care, including those raising children in their care as a result of the opioid crisis, meet the health, educational, nutritional, and other needs of the children in their care as well as maintain their own physical and mental health and emotional well-being. (B) Native Americans In carrying out the duties described in subparagraph (A), the Task Force shall ensure that the needs of Native Americans (as defined in section 102 of the Older Americans Act of 1965 ( 42 U.S.C. 3002 (2) Report (A) In general Not later than 360 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Task Force shall submit a report to the Special Committee on Aging, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Education and the Workforce, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives that includes— (i) best practices, resources, and other useful information for older relative caregivers, including grandparents, raising children in their care; and (ii) an identification of the gaps in needs of older relative caregivers, including grandparents, raising children in their care. (B) Final report Not later than 4 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Task Force shall submit a final report to the Special Committee on Aging, the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and the Committee on Finance of the Senate and the Committee on Education and the Workforce, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the Committee on Ways and Means of the House of Representatives that includes the final findings of the Task Force, recommendations for future actions to address issues faced by older relative caregivers, including grandparents, raising children in their care, and any other useful information. (3) Process for public input The Task Force shall establish a process for public input to inform the identification of, and updates to, the best practices, resources, and other useful information and the gaps in needs described in paragraph (2), including a process for the public to submit recommendations to the Task Force and an opportunity for public comment. (e) Sunset The Task Force shall terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of enactment of this Act. (f) Nonapplicability of Federal Advisory Committee requirements The provisions of chapter 10 of part I of title 5, United States Code, shall not apply to the Task Force. (g) Funding No additional funds are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section. The Task Force shall be carried out with funds otherwise appropriated. II 201. Modification of findings and purpose (a) Findings Section 2 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 ( 42 U.S.C. 7701 (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) by inserting , and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, States (B) by inserting Oregon, New York, (C) by inserting Tennessee, South Carolina (2) in paragraph (2), by striking prediction techniques and (3) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following: (4) A well-funded seismological research program could provide the scientific understanding needed to fully implement an effective earthquake early warning system. ; (4) in paragraphs (6) and (7), by striking lifelines lifeline infrastructure (5) by adding at the end the following: (12) The built environment has generally been constructed and maintained to meet the needs of the users under normal conditions. When earthquakes occur, the built environment is generally designed to prevent severe injuries or loss of human life and is not expected to remain operational or able to recover under any specified schedule. (13) The National Research Council published a study on reducing hazards and risks associated with earthquakes based on the goals and objectives for achieving national earthquake resilience described in the strategic plan entitled Strategic Plan for the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program . (b) Purpose Section 3 of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7702 (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), in the first sentence, by inserting and increase the resilience of communities future earthquakes (2) in paragraph (1), by inserting to individuals and the communities an earthquake (3) in paragraph (2), by striking in time of disaster to facilitate community-wide post-earthquake recovery and in times of disaster (4) in paragraph (3), by striking for predicting damaging earthquakes and (5) in paragraph (4), by inserting and planning model building (6) in paragraph (5), by striking reconstruction re-occupancy, recovery, reconstruction, (c) Definitions (1) Lifeline infrastructure (A) In general Section 4(6) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7703(6) lifelines lifeline infrastructure (B) Conforming amendment Such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7701 et seq. lifelines lifeline infrastructure (2) Community resilience Section 4 of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7703 (10) The term community resilience . 202. Modification of national earthquake hazards reduction program (a) Modification of program activities Subsection (a)(2) of section 5 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 ( 42 U.S.C. 7704 (1) in subparagraph (B)— (A) in clause (iii), by inserting , community resilience, seismic risk (B) by adding at the end the following: (iv) publishing a systematic set of maps of active faults and folds, liquefaction susceptibility, susceptibility for earthquake induced landslides, and other seismically induced hazards; and ; and (2) in subparagraph (D), by striking develop, operate 7708), continue the development of the Advanced National Seismic System, including earthquake early warning capabilities (b) Amendments relating to Interagency Coordinating Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction (1) Clarification regarding membership Subparagraph (B) of subsection (a)(3) of such section is amended, in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking The committee In addition to the Director, the committee (2) Reduction in minimum frequency of meetings of Interagency Coordinating Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction Subparagraph (C) of such subsection is amended by striking not less than 3 times a year not less frequently than once each year (3) Expansion of duties Subparagraph (D) of such subsection is amended to read as follows: (D) Duties (i) General duty The Interagency Coordinating Committee shall oversee the planning, management, and coordination of the Program. (ii) Specific duties The duties of the Interagency Coordinating Committee include the following: (I) Developing, not later than 6 months after the date of the enactment of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program Reauthorization Act of 2004 and updating periodically— (aa) a strategic plan that establishes goals and priorities for the Program activities described under subsection (a)(2); and (bb) a detailed management plan to implement such strategic plan. (II) Developing a coordinated interagency budget for the Program that will ensure appropriate balance among the Program activities described under subsection (a)(2), and, in accordance with the plans developed under subclause (I), submitting such budget to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget at the time designated by the Director for agencies to submit biennial budgets. (III) Developing interagency memorandums of understanding with any relevant Federal agencies on data sharing and resource commitment in the event of an earthquake disaster. (IV) Coordinating with the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Windstorm Impact Reduction and other natural hazards coordination committees as the Director determines appropriate to share data and best practices. (V) Coordinating with the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on data sharing and resource allocation to ensure judicious use of Government resources and the free-flowing exchange of information related to earthquakes. (VI) Coordinating with the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior on the use of public lands for earthquake monitoring and research stations, and related data collection. (VII) Coordinating with the Secretary of Transportation and the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development on the effects of earthquakes on transportation and housing stocks. (iii) Assistance from Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of the Interior To the extent practicable, the Secretary of Agriculture and the Secretary of the Interior shall expedite any request for a permit to use public land under clause (ii)(VI). . (4) Reduction in frequency of reporting by Interagency Coordinating Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction (A) In general Subsection (a)(4) of such section is amended— (i) in the paragraph heading, by striking Annual Biennial (ii) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (F) as clauses (i) through (vi), respectively, and adjusting the indentation of the margin of such clauses, as so redesignated, two ems to the right; (iii) in clause (v), as so redesignated, by striking ; and (iv) in clause (vi), as so redesignated, by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (v) by inserting after clause (vi), as so redesignated, the following: (vii) a statement regarding whether the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency has lowered or waived the cost share requirement for assistance provided under subsection (b)(2)(A)(i). ; (vi) in the matter preceding clause (i), as so redesignated, by striking The Interagency Senate (A) In general Not less frequently than once every two years, the Interagency Coordinating Committee shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, the Committee on Natural Resources, and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives a report on the Program ; and (vii) by adding at the end the following: (B) Support for preparation of report Each head of a Program agency shall submit to the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology such information as the Director may request for the preparation of a report under subparagraph (A) not later than 90 days after the date on which the Director requests such information. . (B) Effective date The amendments made by subparagraph (A) shall take effect on the first day of the first fiscal year beginning after the date of the enactment of this Act. (c) Modification of responsibilities of National Institute of Standards and Technology Subsection (b) of such section is amended— (1) in paragraph (1)— (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking and constructing, constructing, evaluating, and retrofitting (B) in subparagraph (D), by inserting provide new and research to (2) in paragraph (5), in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), in the first sentence, by inserting community resilience through improve (d) Modification of responsibilities of Federal Emergency Management Agency Paragraph (2) of subsection (b) of such section is amended to read as follows: (2) Department of Homeland Security; Federal Emergency Management Agency (A) Program responsibilities The Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency— (i) shall operate a program of grants and assistance to enable States to develop mitigation, preparedness, and response plans, purchase necessary instrumentation, prepare inventories and conduct seismic safety inspections of critical structures and lifeline infrastructure, update building, land use planning, and zoning codes and ordinances to enhance seismic safety, increase earthquake awareness and education, and provide assistance to multi-State groups for such purposes; (ii) shall support the implementation of a comprehensive earthquake education, outreach, and public awareness program, including development of materials and their wide dissemination to all appropriate audiences and support public access to locality-specific information that may assist the public in preparing for, mitigating against, responding to and recovering from earthquakes and related disasters; (iii) shall, in conjunction with the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, other Federal agencies, and private sector groups, use research results to support the preparation, maintenance, and wide dissemination of seismic resistant design guidance and related information on building codes, standards, and practices for new and existing buildings, structures, and lifeline infrastructure, aid in the development of performance-based design guidelines and methodologies, and support model codes that are cost effective and affordable in order to promote better practices within the design and construction industry and reduce losses from earthquakes; (iv) shall enter into cooperative agreements or contracts with States and local jurisdictions and other Federal agencies to establish demonstration projects on earthquake hazard mitigation, to link earthquake research and mitigation efforts with emergency management programs, or to prepare educational materials for national distribution; and (v) shall support the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the completion of programmatic goals. (B) State assistance program criteria In order to qualify for assistance under subparagraph (A)(i), a State must— (i) demonstrate that the assistance will result in enhanced seismic safety in the State; (ii) provide 25 percent of the costs of the activities for which assistance is being given, except that the Administrator may lower or waive the cost-share requirement for these activities for a small impoverished community, as defined in section 203 of the Disaster Relief Act of 1974 ( 42 U.S.C. 5133(a) (iii) meet such other requirements as the Administrator shall prescribe. . (e) Modification of responsibilities of United States Geological Survey Subsection (b)(3) of such section is amended— (1) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), in the first sentence— (A) by inserting report on significant domestic and international earthquakes and Survey shall (B) by striking predictions. forecasts. (2) in subparagraph (C), by striking predictions, including aftershock advisories alerts and early warnings (3) by striking subparagraph (D) and inserting the following: (D) issue when necessary and feasible, and notify the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and State and local officials, an alert and an earthquake warning; ; (4) in subparagraph (E), in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking using including (5) in subparagraph (I), by striking ; and (6) in subparagraph (J)— (A) by inserting and data hazard maps (B) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (7) by adding at the end the following: (K) support the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the completion of programmatic goals. . (f) Modification of responsibilities of National Science Foundation Subsection (b)(4) of such section is amended— (1) in subparagraph (B), by inserting , State agencies, State geological surveys, consortia (2) in subparagraph (C), by inserting to support applied science in the production of a systematic series of earthquake-related geologic hazard maps, and Survey (3) in subparagraph (D), by striking large-scale experimental and computational facilities of the George E. Brown Jr. Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation and other institutions engaged in research and the implementation of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program experimental and computational facilities (4) in subparagraph (G), by striking ; and (5) in subparagraph (H), by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and (6) by adding at the end the following: (I) support the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology in the completion of programmatic goals. ; (7) by redesignating subparagraphs (A) through (I) as clauses (i) through (ix), respectively, and indenting such clauses accordingly; (8) in the matter before clause (i), as redesignated by paragraph (7), in the first sentence, by striking The National Science Foundation (A) In general The National Science Foundation ; and (9) by adding at the end the following: (B) Identification of funding The National Science Foundation shall— (i) to the extent practicable, note in any notice of Program funding or other funding possibilities under the Program that the funds are part of the Program; (ii) to the extent practicable, track the awarding of Federal funds through the Program; and (iii) not less frequently than once every 2 years, submit to the director of the Program a report specifying the amount of Federal funds awarded to conduct research that enhances the understanding of earthquake science. . 203. Review of the National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (a) In general As soon as practicable, but not later than such date as is necessary for the Comptroller General of the United States to submit the report required by subsection (c) in accordance with such subsection, the Comptroller General shall complete a review of Federal earthquake hazard risk reduction efforts. (b) Elements The review conducted under subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) A comprehensive assessment of— (A) the extent to which the United States Geological Survey has identified the risks and hazards to the United States posed by earthquakes, including risks and hazards resulting from tsunamis and landslides that are generated by earthquakes; (B) the efforts of the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the National Institute of Standards and Technology to improve the resilience of the United States to earthquakes and to identify important gaps in the resilience of the United States to earthquakes; (C) the progress made by the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Interagency Coordinating Committee (as defined in section 4 the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 ( 42 U.S.C. 7703 (D) the extent to which the results of research in earthquake risk and hazards reduction supported by the National Science Foundation during the 40 years of the Program has been effectively disseminated to Federal, State, local, and private sector stakeholders; and (E) the extent to which the research done during the 40 years of the Program has been applied to both public and private earthquake risk and hazards reduction. (2) Recommendations to improve the Program and the resiliency of the United States to earthquake risks. (c) Report As soon as practicable, but not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, the Committee on Natural Resources, and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives a report on the findings of the Comptroller General with respect to the review completed under subsection (a). 204. Seismic standards Section 8 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 ( 42 U.S.C. 7705b 8. Seismic standards (a) Assessment and recommendations Not later than December 1, 2023, the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency shall jointly convene a committee of experts from Federal agencies, nongovernmental organizations, private sector entities, disaster management professional associations, engineering professional associations, and professional construction and homebuilding industry associations, to assess and recommend options for improving the built environment and critical infrastructure to reflect performance goals stated in terms of post-earthquake reoccupancy and functional recovery time. (b) Report to Congress Not later than June 30, 2024, the committee convened under paragraph (1) shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, the Committee on Natural Resources, and the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives a report on recommended options for improving the built environment and critical infrastructure to reflect performance goals stated in terms of post-earthquake reoccupancy and functional recovery time. . 205. Management plan for Advanced National Seismic System (a) Plan required Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the United States Geological Survey shall submit to Congress a 5-year management plan for the continued operation of the Advanced National Seismic System. (b) Elements The plan required by subsection (a) shall include the following: (1) Strategies to continue the development of an earthquake early warning system. (2) A mechanism for securing the participation of State and regional level earthquake monitoring entities, including those defunded by the Advanced National Seismic System in the last five years. (3) A plan to encourage and support the integration of geodetic and geospatial data products into earthquake monitoring in regions experiencing large earthquakes. (4) A plan to identify and evaluate existing data sets available across commercial, civil, and defense entities to determine if there are additional data sources to inform the development and deployment of the Advanced National Seismic System and an earthquake early warning system. (5) A plan to ensure that there is an active, geographically diverse, management and advisory structure for the Advanced National Seismic System. 206. Authorization of appropriations Section 12 of the Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 ( 42 U.S.C. 7706 (1) in subsection (a)(8)— (A) in subparagraph (I), by striking and (B) in subparagraph (J), by adding and (C) by inserting before the language following subparagraph (J) the following: (K) $8,758,000 for fiscal year 2024, ; (2) in subsection (b)(2)— (A) in subparagraph (I), by striking ; and (B) in subparagraph (J), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (K) $83,403,000 for fiscal year 2024, of which not less than $30,000,000 shall be made available for completion of the Advanced National Seismic System established under section 7707 of this title. ; (3) in subsection (c)(2)— (A) in subparagraph (I), by striking and (B) in subparagraph (J), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (K) $54,000,000 for fiscal year 2024. ; and (4) in subsection (d)(2)— (A) in subparagraph (I), by striking and (B) in subparagraph (J), by striking the period at the end and inserting , and (C) by inserting before the language following subparagraph (J) the following: (K) $5,900,000 for fiscal year 2023, . 207. Technical corrections (a) Correction of title of Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency The Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977 ( 42 U.S.C. 7701 et seq. (1) in section 5 ( 42 U.S.C. 7704 (A) in subsection (a)(3)(B), as amended by section 202(b)(1) of this Act— (i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking the directors of (ii) in clause (i), by inserting the Administrator of the (iii) in clauses (ii) through (v), by inserting the Director of the (B) in subsection (b)(3)(C), as amended by section 202(e), by striking Director of the Federal Administrator of the Federal (2) in section 9 ( 42 U.S.C. 7705c Director of the Agency Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (b) References to the Advanced National Seismic System Such Act is amended— (1) in section 13 ( 42 U.S.C. 7707 Advanced National Seismic Research and Monitoring System Advanced National Seismic System (2) by striking Advanced National Seismic Research and Monitoring System Advanced National Seismic System (c) Incorrect cross-References Paragraph (4) of section 5(a) of such Act ( 42 U.S.C. 7704(a) (1) in clauses (i) and (ii) of subparagraph (A), as redesignated by such section 3(b)(4)(A), by striking subparagraph (3)(A) paragraph (3)(D)(i)(I) (2) in clause (iii), as so redesignated, by striking under (3)(A) under paragraph (3)(D)(i)(I) III 301. Renaming (a) Short title Section 1 of the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012 is amended by striking Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012 Representative Louise McIntosh Slaughter Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act (b) Conforming amendment Section 103(i)(2) of the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 ( 5 U.S.C. App. 103(i)(2) Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act of 2012 STOCK Act IV 401. Maturity for loans with remaining balance after application of forgiveness (a) In general Section 7(a)(36)(K)(ii) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 636(a)(36) minimum maturity of 5 years and a maximum maturity (b) Effective date; applicability The amendment made by this section shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act and shall apply to any loan made pursuant to section 7(a)(36) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 636(a)(36) Public Law 116–136 Public Law 116–139 V 501. Restoration of amounts improperly withheld for tax purposes from severance payments to veterans with combat-related injuries (a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall— (1) identify— (A) the severance payments— (i) that the Secretary paid after January 17, 1991; (ii) that the Secretary computed under section 1212 of title 10, United States Code; (iii) that were not considered gross income pursuant to section 104(a)(4) (iv) from which the Secretary withheld amounts for tax purposes; and (B) the individuals to whom such severance payments were made; and (2) with respect to each person identified under paragraph (1)(B), provide— (A) notice of— (i) the amount of severance payments in paragraph (1)(A) which were improperly withheld for tax purposes; and (ii) such other information determined to be necessary by the Secretary of the Treasury to carry out the purposes of this section; and (B) instructions for filing amended tax returns to recover the amounts improperly withheld for tax purposes. (b) Extension of limitation on time for credit or refund (1) Period for filing claim If a claim for credit or refund under section 6511(a) (2) Specified overpayment For purposes of paragraph (1), the term specified overpayment VI 601. Nonprofit security grant program (a) In general Subtitle A of title XX of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 601 et seq. 2009. Nonprofit security grant program (a) Establishment There is established in the Department a program to be known as the Nonprofit Security Grant Program Program (b) Eligible recipients Eligible nonprofit organizations described in this subsection (a) are organizations that are— (1) described in section 501(c)(3) (2) determined to be at risk of a terrorist attack by the Administrator. (c) Permitted uses The recipient of a grant under this section may use such grant for any of the following uses: (1) Target hardening activities, including physical security enhancement equipment and inspection and screening systems. (2) Fees for security training relating to physical security and cybersecurity, target hardening, terrorism awareness, and employee awareness. (3) Any other appropriate activity, including cybersecurity resilience activities, as determined by the Administrator. (d) Period of performance The Administrator shall make funds provided under this section available for use by a recipient of a grant for a period of not less than 36 months. (e) Report The Administrator shall for fiscal year 2024 submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report containing information on the expenditure by each grant recipient of grant funds made under this section. (f) Authorization of appropriations (1) In general There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $75,000,000 for fiscal year 2024. (2) Specification Of the amounts authorized to be appropriated pursuant to paragraph (1)— (A) $50,000,000 is authorized for eligible recipients located in jurisdictions that receive funding under section 2003; and (B) $25,000,000 is authorized for eligible recipients in jurisdictions not receiving funding under section 2003. . (b) Conforming amendment Subsection (a) of section 2002 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 ( 6 U.S.C. 603 sections 2003 and 2004 sections 2003, 2004, and 2009 (c) Clerical amendment The table of contents in section 1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2008 the following new item: Sec. 2009. Nonprofit security grant program. . VII 701. Study (a) In general Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall— (1) complete a study that— (A) reviews what actions Federal agencies have taken to help to address barriers to participation in federally funded cancer clinical trials by populations that have been traditionally underrepresented in such trials, and identifies challenges, if any, in implementing such actions; and (B) identifies additional actions that can be taken by Federal agencies to address barriers to participation in federally funded cancer clinical trials by populations that have been traditionally underrepresented in such trials; and (2) submit a report to the Congress on the results of such study, including recommendations on potential changes in practices and policies to improve participation in such trials by such populations. (b) Inclusion of clinical trials The study under subsection (a)(1) shall include review of cancer clinical trials that are largely funded by Federal agencies. VIII 801. Regional strategy to address the threat posed by Boko Haram (a) Strategy required (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense shall jointly develop and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a five-year strategy to help enable the Government of Nigeria, members of the Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram (MNJTF) authorized by the African Union, and relevant partners to counter the regional threat of Boko Haram and assist the Government of Nigeria and its neighbors to accept and address legitimate grievances of vulnerable populations in areas affected by Boko Haram. (2) Elements At a minimum, the strategy must address the following elements: (A) Enhance, pursuant to existing authorities and restrictions, the institutional capacity, including military capabilities, of the Government of Nigeria and partner nations in the region, as appropriate, to counter the threat posed by Boko Haram. (B) Provide humanitarian support to civilian populations impacted by Boko Haram’s activity. (C) Specific activities through which the United States Government intends to improve and enhance the capacity of Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram partner nations to investigate and prosecute human rights abuses by security forces and promote respect for the rule of law within the military. (D) A means for assisting Nigeria, and as appropriate, Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram nations, to counter violent extremism, including efforts to address underlying societal factors shown to contribute to the ability of Boko Haram to radicalize and recruit individuals. (E) A plan to strengthen and promote the rule of law, including by improving the capacity of the civilian police and judicial system in Nigeria, enhancing public safety, and responding to crime (including gender-based violence), while respecting human rights and strengthening accountability measures, including measures to prevent corruption. (F) Strengthen the long-term capacity of the Government of Nigeria to enhance security for schools such that children are safer and girls seeking an education are better protected, and to combat gender-based violence and gender inequality. (G) Identify and develop mechanisms for coordinating the implementation of the strategy across the inter-agency and with the Government of Nigeria, regional partners, and other relevant foreign partners. (H) Identify the resources required to achieve the strategy’s objectives. (b) Assessment The Director of National Intelligence shall submit, to the appropriate committees of Congress, an assessment regarding— (1) the willingness and capability of the Government of Nigeria and regional partners to implement the strategy developed under subsection (a), including the capability gaps, if any, of the Government and military forces of Nigeria that would need to be addressed to enable the Government of Nigeria and the governments of its partner countries in the region— (A) to counter the threat of Boko Haram; and (B) to address the legitimate grievances of vulnerable populations in areas affected by Boko Haram; and (2) significant United States intelligence gaps concerning Boko Haram or on the willingness and capacity of the Government of Nigeria and regional partners to implement the strategy developed under subsection (a). (c) Sense of Congress It is the sense of Congress that lack of economic opportunity and access to education, justice, and other social services contributes to the ability of Boko Haram to radicalize and recruit individuals. (d) Appropriate committees of congress defined In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress (1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives. IX 901. Hearings (a) In general Each standing committee of the House of Representatives shall hold a hearing on the implementation of this Act within one year of enactment. (b) Exercise of rulemaking authority Subsection (a) is enacted— (1) as an exercise of rulemaking power of the House of Representatives, and, as such, shall be considered as part of the rules of the House, and such rules shall supersede any other rule of the House only to the extent that rule is inconsistent therewith; and (2) with full recognition of the constitutional right of either House to change such rules (so far as relating to the procedure in such House) at any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of the House. X 1001. Supplemental appropriations The following sums are hereby appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2023, and for other purposes, namely: Department of Health and Human Services Health Resources and Services Administration Rural Health For an additional amount for the Telehealth Resource Center of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy of the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth, to provide assistance with respect to technical, legal, regulatory service delivery or other related barriers to the development of telehealth technologies for skilled nursing facilities (as defined in section 1819 of the Social Security Act) and nursing facilities (as defined in section 1919 of such Act), $5,000,000 to remain available through September 30, 2024. XI 1101. Code of official conduct In rule XXIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives strike clause 20 and insert the following: 20. A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House may not, directly or indirectly, take any actions to prevent any individual from or retaliate against any individual for providing truthful information to the Committee on Ethics, the Office of Congressional Ethics, the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, or any law enforcement official, provided that the disclosure of such information is not otherwise prohibited by law or House rules. . XII 1201. Determination of budgetary effects The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation

Summary: Breaking the Gridlock Act This bill addresses a wide variety of issues, ranging from raising grandchildren to earthquake hazards reduction, to underrepresented groups in cancer trials to telehealth, and fighting Boko Haram in Nigeria. Specifically, the bill establishes a Federal Task Force to Support Grandparents Raising Grandchildren. With respect to earthquake hazards reduction, the bill reauthorizes the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program; reduces the frequency of reporting by the Interagency Coordinating Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction; modifies the responsibilities of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the U.S. Geological Survey, and the National Science Foundation; and directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to review federal earthquake hazard risk reduction efforts. The bill also (1) reauthorizes the Nonprofit Security Grant Program, and (2) restores certain amounts withheld for tax purposes from severance payments to veterans with combat-related injuries. The GAO must review actions federal agencies have taken to address barriers to participation in federally funded cancer clinical trials by populations that have been traditionally underrepresented in such trials. The Department of State and the Department of Defense must jointly develop and submit to Congress a five-year strategy to help enable the government of Nigeria, members of the Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram authorized by the African Union, and relevant partners to counter the regional threat of Boko Haram. The bill makes supplemental appropriations for the Telehealth Resource Center of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy of the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth.