This resolution acknowledges and condemns the discrimination against, wrongful termination of, and exclusion from the federal civil service, the Foreign Service, and the Armed Forces of the thousands of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals who were affected by the anti-LGBT policies of the federal government. The resolution expresses that the Senate, on behalf of the United States, apologizes to the affected LGBT military service members, Foreign Service members, veterans, and federal civil service employees and their families. Finally, the resolution reaffirms the commitment of the federal government to treat all military service members, Foreign Service members, veterans, and federal civil service employees and retirees, including LGBT individuals, with equal respect and fairness.
Sponsored bills
Emergency Grants of Release And Compassion Effectively Act of 2021 or the Emergency GRACE Act This bill sets forth provisions to prevent and limit the spread of COVID-19 in federal correctional facilities (e.g., prisons) and state prison systems. Among the provisions, the bill expands access to temporary release on furlough and compassionate release for federal prisoners during a public health emergency; allows Medicaid payment for medical services furnished to an incarcerated individual during the 30-day period preceding the individual's release; and requires federal correctional facilities, including contract facilities, to follow the procedures recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for limiting the spread of the coronavirus. Additionally, the bill provides FY2021 and FY2022 supplemental appropriations to help state prison systems expand testing of inmates and facilitate the compassionate release of high-risk inmates. The supplemental appropriations are designated as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits.
Juneteenth National Independence Day Act This bill establishes Juneteenth National Independence Day, June 19, as a legal public holiday.
National Museum of the American People Presidential Commission Establishment Act of 2021 This bill directs the President to establish a bipartisan commission to study the establishment of a National Museum of the American People.
Unsubscribe Act of 20 21 This bill requires that certain consumer protections are included in negative option agreements (an agreement under which a consumer's failure to take an affirmative action is considered approval to be charged for goods or services). These agreements are prohibited unless the agreement discloses all material terms; a consumer provides express informed consent before the consumer is charged for a product or the agreement is automatically renewed; and the agreement provides the consumer with a way to cancel the agreement, in the same manner by which the agreement was entered, before incurring further or increased charges. Further, under free-to-pay conversion contracts (a type of negative option agreement where a consumer is charged a nominal introductory rate and an increased rate after the introductory period ends), before charging a consumer the provider of the good or service must obtain the consumer's informed consent, provide the terms of the contract, and provide information about how to cancel the contract. The bill also requires that certain notifications are provided to consumers in the context of other forms of negative option agreements online, such as notice between two and seven days before an automatic renewal. The bill provides for enforcement of these requirements by the Federal Trade Commission and state attorneys general.
Save Our Future Act This bill imposes a fee on certain fossil fuels, including coal, petroleum products, and natural gas. It also imposes fees on fluorinated greenhouse gases imported into the United States and on facilities that emit greenhouse gases from processes other than fossil fuel combustion. The bill provides rebates to middle- and low-income taxpayers equal to $800 ($1,600 for joint returns), plus $300 times the number of taxpayer dependents. The bill directs the Department of the Treasury to provide cost mitigation grants to states and Indian tribes to assist with the transition to a low-carbon economy, assist rural households in reducing energy expenses, and for assistance to displaced coal industry workers. The bill creates an Office of Energy Veterans Assistance. It also provides funds through FY2032 for community assistance programs, including the Appalachian Regional Commission Revitalization Initiative and the Coal Communities Assistance Initiative. The bill provides funds for each fiscal year after FY2022 for assistance to environmental justice communities (i.e., communities most impacted by environmental harms and risks).
This bill directs the Forest Service to conduct a study to (1) determine the suitability and feasibility of establishing a unit of the National Forest System in the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Molokai, Lanai, Oahu, and Kauai in the state of Hawaii; and (2) identify available land within the study area that could be included in such unit.
Kenneth Meisel Public Servants' Claimant Fairness Act This bill requires the Department of Labor to revise regulations so as to allow at least 60 days (rather than at least 30 days) for a claimant to submit any additional evidence that is requested by the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs to support a federal workers' compensation claim.
Refund Equality Act of 2021 This bill permits legally married same sex couples to amend their tax returns to file as married filing jointly for returns outside of the statute of limitations.
COVID-19 Vaccine Developers Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to recognize all those whose efforts led to the development of COVID-19 vaccines that received emergency use authorizations.