Rep. Joaquin Castro

This resolution supports the work of the United States African Development Foundation as it creates pathways to prosperity for underserved communities on the African continent through community-led development, and it commits to continue supporting the work of the foundation as an independent agency.

Feeding Hungry Students in Schools Act of 20 21 This bill revises program requirements under the National School Lunch Program regarding food donations to allow schools participating in the program to donate food through a charitable organization official who is directly affiliated with the school food authority serving such school. A charitable organization official may not receive donated food unless they have received a food safety certification, or other applicable certification, from the state health department or other responsible authority in the state such food is donated in. The food donated by a school may be received, stored, and distributed on the campus of such school.

Youth, Peace, and Security Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of State to coordinate the development and implementation of a whole-of-government strategy to promote the inclusive and meaningful participation of youth in peace building and conflict prevention, management, and resolution, as well as post-conflict and recovery efforts. The President must appoint a coordinator who, in addition to being responsible for leading the implementation of such strategy, is authorized to provide grants, emergency assistance, and technical assistance to eligible youth-led civil society organizations and youth peace-building implementers. The bill also authorizes the President to provide development assistance to expand training, technical assistance, and grants managed and controlled by youth leaders.

Diversity and Inclusion at the Department of State Act This bill establishes a new position and requires other activities to promote diversity and inclusion in the Department of State. The bill creates the presidentially-appointed position of Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer in the Office of the Deputy Secretary of State to, among other activities, develop a strategic plan to guide implementation of diversity and inclusion efforts and support State Department personnel from traditionally underrepresented groups. The officer reports directly to the Secretary of State. Additionally, the State Department must establish a Diversity and Inclusion Leadership Council to coordinate applicable strategic plans, initiatives, and policies. The bill also modifies merit selection processes for promotions, performance pay, and related matters to promote diversity and inclusion in the Foreign Service. Specifically, it adds factors (e.g., testimony from peers and subordinates or demonstrated support for diversity and inclusion) that may be considered in recommendations and rankings related to a Foreign Service officer's performance. The State Department must also establish a mentorship program for entry- and mid-level members of the Foreign Service and periodically offer a Senior Executive Service development program to members of the civil service in the top two pay grades. Senior Executive Service members serve as high-level managers within federal agencies. The bill requires the State Department to report on its diversity and inclusion efforts, as well as demographic information about members of boards that make personnel decisions and candidates for the Senior Executive Service.

City and State Diplomacy Act This bill establishes within the Department of State the Office of City and State Diplomacy, which shall coordinate federal support for engagement by state and municipal governments with foreign governments. The head of the office shall be the Ambassador-at-Large for City and State Diplomacy, who shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.

Performing Artist Tax Parity Act of 2021 This bill modifies the tax deduction for the expenses of performing artists (including commissions paid to managers or agents) to provide for a phaseout of such deduction for taxpayers whose adjusted gross income exceeds $100,000 ($200,000 for joint return filers). The $100,000 phaseout threshold is adjusted for inflation annually for taxable years beginning after 2021.

United States Commitment to Peacekeeping Act of 2021 This bill repeals a limit on U.S. funding for, details U.S. policy objectives for, and revises reporting requirements related to United Nations (U.N.) peacekeeping operations. Under current law, the United States may contribute no more than 25% of the assessed costs for a U.N. peacekeeping operation; the bill eliminates that funding restriction. The Department of State must instruct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations to advance the U.S. policy objectives outlined in the bill for standardizing performance assessments of, diversifying the funding base for, and other aspects of U.N. peacekeeping operations. The bill modifies annual reports about U.S. participation in U.N. activities by eliminating a requirement to report on costs of U.N. peacekeeping operations in the prior fiscal year and by adding a requirement to report on U.S. efforts to implement reforms of U.N. peacekeeping. Additionally, the State Department must report on (1) strengthening the role of conflict prevention in U.N. missions, and (2) transitioning U.N. peacekeeping operations to host-country security forces.

Medicaid Saves Lives Act This bill requires and provides funds for the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a program that provides health benefits to the Medicaid expansion population in states that have not expanded Medicaid. Specifically, the program must provide coverage for individuals who are newly eligible for Medicaid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (i.e., the Medicaid expansion population) without premiums and in accordance with Medicaid cost-sharing and other requirements. The bill also extends and increases the temporarily enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (i.e., federal matching rate) for states that elect to participate in Medicaid expansion if they have not already done so.

This resolution reaffirms the House of Representatives' commitment to media diversity and expresses its pledge to eliminate barriers to such diversity.

Reverse Transfer Efficiency Act of 2021 This bill allows the release of a transfer student's educational records from an institution of postsecondary education where a student earned credit for coursework to an institution of postsecondary education where the student was previously enrolled in order to apply the student's coursework and credits toward completion of a recognized postsecondary credential, such as an associate's degree.   Specifically, the bill allows the Department of Education to provide funding to an institution of postsecondary education that releases a student's records of postsecondary coursework and credits without the consent of the student or the student's parents if the student provides written consent prior to receiving the credential.