Zero-Emission Homes Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Energy to establish a Zero-Emission Homes Program that provides rebates to homeowners and owners of multifamily buildings for qualified electrification projects (e.g., electric stoves or heat pumps).
The Pioneering Antimicrobial Subscriptions To End Up surging Resistance Act of 2021 or the PASTEUR Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to enter into subscription contracts for critical-need antimicrobial drugs, provides $11 billion in appropriations for activities under the bill, and contains other related provisions. A manufacturer of a Food and Drug Administration-approved antimicrobial drug may apply to HHS to have the drug designated as a critical-need antimicrobial, and HHS may enter into a subscription contract for such a critical-need antimicrobial. The bill imposes certain requirements related to such contracts, including a mechanism to lower payments under the contract in certain instances to limit the manufacturer's revenue from the drug. Furthermore, HHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shall award grants to support efforts to encourage the appropriate use of antimicrobial drugs and efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance. The CDC shall also track and assess data relating to antibacterial resistance and human antibiotic use and make such data publicly available. HHS shall also establish a Committee on Critical Need Antimicrobials. The committee shall develop a list of prioritized infections for which new antimicrobial drug development is needed, among other duties. Within six years of the bill's enactment, the Government Accountability Office shall report to Congress a study on the bill's effectiveness in developing priority antimicrobial drugs.
Lonnie Kilpatrick Central Pacific Relief Act This bill provides a presumption of service-connection for diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents to veterans who served on (1) Guam or American Samoa, or in the territorial waters thereof, between January 9, 1962, and July 31, 1980; or (2) Johnston Atoll or a ship that went to Johnston Atoll between January 1, 1972, and September 30, 1977. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific diseases 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. Additionally, the bill expands eligibility for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to veterans with a disability associated with exposure to certain herbicides during specified times of military service on Guam, American Samoa, or Johnston Atoll.
VA Emergency Transportation Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reimburse a veteran for the reasonable value of emergency transportation by a non-VA provider (1) to a facility for emergency treatment, or (2) from a non-VA facility where the veteran was treated to a VA or other federal facility for additional care.
VA Hiring Enhancement Act This bill modifies requirements and procedures related to the hiring of physicians at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Specifically, the bill negates enforcement of a noncompete agreement that an applicant for a specified appointee position (e.g., physician) in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) has entered into with a non-VA facility or party. As a condition of terminating the noncompete agreement, the physician must agree to serve at the VHA for one year or until the expiration of the noncompete agreement, whichever is later. The bill also authorizes the VA to offer a contingent physician's appointment to a person if the VA anticipates that the person will have completed a residency program leading to board eligibility in a specialty and met other requirements for the appointment within two years after the VA offer. Eligibility requirements for a VA physician's appointment are revised to require completion of a residency program rather than an internship.
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to designate one week per year as Battle Buddy Check Week for the purposes of organizing outreach events and educating veterans on how to conduct peer wellness checks. The VA shall ensure that the Veterans Crisis Line has a plan for handling the potential increase in calls that may occur during such week.
This resolution expresses the condolences of the Senate regarding the death of the Honorable Mike Enzi, former Senator for Wyoming.
This resolution recognizes the duty of the federal government to create a Green Real Deal to achieve robust, economy-wide greenhouse gas emissions reductions.
Protecting Students From Racial Hostility Act This bill prohibits school curriculums or teachings that promote certain concepts based on race. Specifically, the bill prohibits schools from promoting concepts that result in a racially hostile environment , which the bill defines as an environment in which (1) racial discrimination has created an adverse setting, (2) an individual is fearful due to a racially intimidating or offensive environment, or (3) an individual is restricted from participating in or benefiting from a program or activity on the basis of race. Prohibited concepts include the idea that (1) one race is inherently superior to another, (2) the United States is fundamentally racist, and (3) an individual bears responsibility for the past actions of others of the same race. The bill makes the use of such curriculums or teachings a violation of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin in federally funded programs or activities. Any intimidation, threat, or other interference with respect to an individual's rights or participation in related proceedings (e.g., the ability to file complaints about the use of prohibited curriculums) shall also be considered a violation of Title VI. The bill applies to elementary and secondary schools and to colleges and universities.
Social Security Disability Insurance Return to Work Act This bill makes various changes to Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), with a particular focus on returning individuals who receive SSDI to employment. Among other changes, the bill limits the amount of time an individual with a disability for which medical improvement is likely or expected may receive SSDI benefits, and it requires the Social Security Administration to establish a process to allow such individuals who return to employment before their benefits expire and whose earnings exceed a specified limit to receive an adjusted SSDI benefit.
Protect the Capitol Act of 2021 This bill places additional restrictions on deployments and other activities of the Capitol Police outside of the areas established by law for its jurisdiction. Current law allows the Capitol Police to deploy officers outside of its jurisdiction subject to prior notification and approval requirements. This bill restricts such a deployment to a defined, limited duration of no more than 30 days. Current law also provides exceptions to the prior notification and approval requirements if the purpose of a deployment is to respond to an imminent threat or emergency, provide protective services, or gather intelligence. This bill applies the 30-day limit to excepted deployments and requires that intelligence gathering deployments must be in response to a specific, identified threat to qualify for an exception. Additionally, the Capitol Police shall not establish or maintain a permanent office outside of the District of Columbia.
Federal Debt Emergency Control Act of 2021 This bill establishes various budget enforcement procedures to address the federal debt. The procedures established by the bill take effect during any fiscal year that follows a fiscal year in which the amount of federal debt exceeded the gross domestic product (GDP) for that fiscal year. During such a period, the bill rescinds unobligated balances of stimulus spending that was provided in specified bills that addressed the impact of COVID-19, establishes a point of order against legislation that increases spending, and requires Congress to consider certain deficit reduction measures using specified expedited legislative procedures. The expedited legislative procedures must be used for legislation that (1) would reduce the deficit by at least 5% during the 10-fiscal-year period following the current fiscal year, and (2) does not increase the rate of any federal tax or increase any fee paid to the federal government.
