This resolution recognizes that (1) large deficits are unsustainable, irresponsible, and dangerous; (2) the acceptance of Modern Monetary Theory will lead to higher deficits and higher inflation; and (3) it is the duty of the Senate to abandon the theory.
This resolution congratulates the people of Greece as they celebrate the 200th anniversary of Greece's independence. The resolution also expresses support for the principles of democratic governance to which the people of Greece are committed.
This resolution declares that decreasing the spread of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) in Africa is in the national interest of the United States, commends the work of Africa's frontline health workers, and calls on the United States and the international community to support African countries' responses to the pandemic.
Combating Racist Training in the Military Act of 2021 This bill prohibits the Armed Forces and academic institutions of the Department of Defense from promoting specified anti-American and racist theories (e.g., that any race is inherently superior or inferior to any other race). Specifically, the bill prohibits including anti-American and racist theories or materials in curricula, reading lists, seminars, workshops, trainings, or other educational or professional settings in a manner that could appear as sponsorship, approval, or endorsement; contracting with, hiring, or otherwise engaging speakers, consultants, diversity trainers, and other persons for the purpose of advocating anti-American and racist theories; compelling members of the Armed Forces to affirm or profess belief in anti-American and racist theories; and segregating members of the Armed Forces by race in any setting, including educational and training sessions.
Poverty Measurement Improvement Act This bill requires the Bureau of the Census to determine income and poverty levels in the United States in a manner that accounts for the receipt of federal benefits. Specifically, beginning in FY2021, the bureau must collect, in addition to the data collected under the Annual Social and Economic Supplement to the Current Population Survey, data from administering agencies related to participation in any federal benefit program and the monetary or cash equivalent value of such benefit for an individual, where possible, and otherwise for resource units or households; the total amount of market income for individuals; the total amount of entitlement and other income for individuals; payment of income taxes and payroll taxes for individuals; total resource unit income; and total earned resource unit income. The bill requires each administering agency to make available to the bureau such data as the bureau shall require for the purpose of carrying out this bill. The bureau shall (1) submit to Congress, by January 1, 2023, a report detailing the implementation of this bill; and (2) for 2024 and subsequent years, adjust the poverty thresholds used for determining poverty rates by using the personal consumption expenditure price index (as published by the Bureau of Economic Analysis). The bill (1) establishes within the bureau the Commission on Valuation of Federal Benefits, and (2) requires the Government Accountability Office to periodically report to Congress regarding poverty rates and related measures.
Federal Acquisition and Contracting Transparency Act of 2021 or FACT Act This bill requires the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation to require that a contractor, as a condition for being awarded a contract for the procurement of goods or services, disclose recent or current contracts or commercial ties with certain Chinese entities. The General Services Administration must establish and maintain a public database containing information about disclosed contracts.
Flexible Financing for Rural America Act of 202 1 This bill allows rural utility service providers to submit to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) a request to adjust the interest rate or modify the terms of certain loans. The request shall include a report summarizing how the adjustment or modification will assist the borrower in providing critical utility services to a rural community. Specifically, on receipt of a request, USDA or the Department of the Treasury (in the case of a loan owned by the Federal Financing Bank) must adjust the interest rate on the loan to match certain interest rates for obligations of comparable maturity to the term remaining on the loan (or a higher rate requested by the borrower), and make modifications to the loan terms as necessary to address changes in the financial position of the borrower due to the COVID-19 public health emergency and to promote the financial sustainability of the borrower. In carrying out the adjustments or modifications, USDA or Treasury shall not impose or collect any fee from, or impose any penalty on, a borrower. The bill also provides funding to implement the adjustments and modifications and for the liquidation of residual intragovernmental amounts owed by the Federal Financing Bank in connection with certain loans.
Keep China Out of Solar Energy Act of 2021 This bill prohibits federal procurement of solar panels manufactured or assembled in China. Specifically, the bill directs the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to develop standards and guidelines for executive agencies to prohibit (1) federal funds from being awarded for the procurement of solar panels that are manufactured or assembled by any entity domiciled in China or subject to influence or control by the government of China or the Chinese Communist Party, and (2) the use of government-issued purchase cards to purchase solar panels that are manufactured or assembled by any such entity. The Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council shall amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation to implement the prohibition with respect to federal contracts and subcontracts. The bill sets forth provisions regarding waivers, quarterly reports by the OMB to Congress, and a report by the Government Accountability Office. The OMB shall seek to enter into a contract with a federally funded research and development center under which the center will study (1) the current and future domestic market of solar panel production, (2) the ability of the solar panel domestic market to keep pace with technological advancements across the industry, and (3) the current global supply chain and workforce involved with solar panel production.
Preventing SBA Assistance from Going to China Act of 2021 This bill prohibits the Small Business Administration from providing aid, counsel, or assistance to a small business concern that (1) is headquartered in China, or (2) has more than 25% of voting stock owned by citizens of China.
American Innovation and Manufacturing Act This bill establishes within the Small Business Administration a credit facility to provide financial assistance to investment companies that finance small manufacturing businesses.
Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act of 2021 This bill contains provisions pertaining to the U.S.-Taiwan relationship. The director of the American Institute in Taiwan's Taipei office shall be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. (In 1979, the United States established diplomatic relations with China and ended formal diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The American Institute in Taiwan is a private organization that represents U.S. interests in Taiwan and provides consular services.) U.S. government departments and agencies (1) may not formally or informally recognize China's claims of sovereignty over Taiwan without the assent of Taiwan's people, as expressed through the democratic process; (2) shall treat Taiwan's elected government as the legitimate representative of Taiwan's people; and (3) shall end the practice of referring to Taiwan's government as authorities. The Department of State shall establish the U.S.-Taiwan Cultural Exchange Foundation, which shall work with schools to send U.S. high school and university students to Taiwan to study the Chinese language, politics, and other subjects. In addition, the State Department shall develop and implement a strategy to respond to Chinese government attempts to use misinformation, media manipulation, economic coercion, and other strategies against Taiwan or persons in Taiwan. The bill also directs the President to establish an interagency Taiwan policy task force, which shall annually report to Congress a plan for enhancing U.S.-Taiwan relations.
National Manufacturing Advisory Council for the 21st Century Act This bill establishes through September 30, 2025, the National Manufacturing Advisory Council within the Department of Commerce to support the U.S. manufacturing sector. The duties of the council shall include (1) providing advice and recommendations to Commerce regarding issues that involve U.S. manufacturing; (2) conveying input from key industry, labor, academic, defense, governmental, and other stakeholders to aid in the development of a national strategic plan for U.S. manufacturing; (3) monitoring global manufacturing trends and global threats to the U.S. manufacturing sector; and (4) providing input and improvements to the manufacturing.gov website.
