Original Black History Month Resolution of 2021 This resolution recognizes the importance of commemorating Black History Month to acknowledge the achievements of African Americans throughout history.
Muhammad Ali Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Muhammad Ali.
Black History is American History Act This bill requires entities (e.g., institutions of higher education, libraries, and museums), in order to be eligible for certain grants administered by the Department of Education (ED), to include Black history in their teaching of American history. It also requires Black history to be included in tests administered by the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP). Specifically, the bill mandates the inclusion of Black history as a required component of American history for such entities to be eligible for American History and Civics Academies' competitive grants. These grants support the establishment of (1) Presidential Academies for Teachers of American History and Civics, which offer workshops to teachers of American history and civics to strengthen their knowledge and prepare them to teach in these subjects; and (2) Congressional Academies for Students of American History and Civics, which support high school students in developing an understanding of these subjects. (Currently, Black history is not a required component of American history for either academy.) In addition, ED must give priority to grant applicants that align their activities with programs and resources of the Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of African American History and Culture. The bill also requires the inclusion of Black history in tests administered by the NAEP, which measures student academic achievement in various subjects.
This resolution reaffirms the United States' commitment to supporting democracy and human rights both domestically and internationally. The resolution also calls on the U.S. government to uphold all relevant international human rights agreements ratified by the United States.
This resolution recognizes the roles that development and diplomacy play in advancing American interests and national security, and it expresses support for a substantial U.S. international affairs budget.
K2 Veterans Care Act of 2021 This bill establishes a presumption of service-connection for certain diseases becoming manifest in a veteran who served on active duty at Karshi-Khanabad (K2) Air Base in Uzbekistan between January 1, 2001, and December 31, 2005. Specifically, there must be a presumption of service-connection for veterans who manifest illnesses that have a positive association with exposure to jet fuel, volatile organic compounds, high levels of particulate matter, depleted uranium, asbestos, or lead-based paint, as determined by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). Under a presumption of service-connection, specific conditions diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded. Veterans who served at K2 Air Base during the specified period are eligible for Department of Veterans Affairs hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care for an illness that has been determined by NASEM to have a positive association with exposure to jet fuel, volatile organic compounds, high levels of particulate matter, depleted uranium, asbestos, or lead-based paint.
This bill provides for the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to the Freedom Riders, in recognition of their contribution to civil rights by fighting for equality in interstate travel.
Juneteenth National Independence Day Act This bill establishes Juneteenth Independence Day as a federal holiday.
Workforce Promotion and Access Act or the WPA Act This bill requires the Department of Labor to establish a program to provide grants for job guarantee programs. Specifically, such grants are awarded on a competitive basis to political subdivisions of states, tribal entities, and outlying areas with a high unemployment rate to establish a program to ensure employment to residents. A job guarantee program qualifies under this bill if the jobs provided under the program pay a certain wage, are included in an established bargaining unit, provide health insurance, and comply with certain leave requirements. The bill also imposes a trading excise tax, with certain exemptions, on certain transactions occurring on a qualified board or exchange in the United States or with respect to a derivative. The rate of such tax is 0.1% on purchases of stocks, bonds, and derivatives. The tax applies to transactions by a controlled foreign corporation and must be paid by its U.S. shareholders.
Protecting LGBTQ Youth Act This bill expands programs that prevent and treat child abuse and neglect to address issues facing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender youth. Specifically, these programs include (1) research and reporting requirements, (2) providing technical assistance, (3) grants to states and local agencies to train child-welfare personnel, and (4) community-based prevention-service grants, among others.
