Verifiable, Orderly, and Timely Election Results Act This bill establishes certain federal standards for voting by mail and reporting federal election results. It also requires states to establish certain election measures. First, the bill establishes federal standards for (1) requesting a mail-in ballot; (2) confirming the identity, registration, and eligibility of an individual requesting a mail-in ballot; and (3) submitting a mail-in ballot. In particular, the bill requires mail-in ballots to be received by the time the polls close on election day. In addition, the bill makes it unlawful to possess or return a mail-in ballot completed by another person (commonly referred to as ballot harvesting), with exceptions. A violator is subject to criminal penalties—a fine, a prison term of up to one year, or both. The bill also establishes standards for reporting federal election results, including by requiring states to count all eligible ballots within 24 hours after the election. Finally, each state must, in order to receive election assistance funds, have in effect certain laws related to voting. For example, states must require voters to present identification to cast a ballot in a federal election.
Sponsored bills
Extreme Risk Protection Order and Violence Prevention Act of 2021 This bill establishes a new grant program to help states and Indian tribes implement extreme risk protection order laws. Extreme risk protection order laws, or red flag laws, generally allow certain individuals (e.g., law enforcement officers or family members) to petition a court for a temporary order that prohibits an at-risk individual from purchasing and possessing firearms. The bill also expands the categories of persons who are prohibited from receiving, possessing, shipping, or transporting a firearm or ammunition. Specifically, it adds a new category of prohibited persons: persons who are subject to an extreme risk protection order.
World Health Organization Accountability Act of 2021 This bill prohibits the United States from providing any funds (either assessed or voluntary contributions) to the World Health Organization until the organization replaces all top leadership that was in place as of January 1, 2020, and Taiwan is accepted as a member.
Dignity for Aborted Children Act This bill sets out requirements for the disposition of human fetal tissue from an abortion. Specifically, it requires abortion providers to obtain a patient's informed consent for one of two specified methods of disposition. First, patients may choose to retain possession of the tissue. A patient may choose to transfer the tissue to an entity that provides interment or cremation services. Second, the patient may elect to release the tissue to the provider. Providers must ensure any tissue released to them is interred or cremated within seven days of the procedure in a manner consistent with state law regarding the disposal of human remains. Abortion providers must report annually about these requirements and other specified information. The bill provides civil or criminal penalties for violations of disposal, informed consent, and reporting requirements.
Parental Notification and Intervention Act This bill restricts the performance of an abortion on an unemancipated minor under 18 years of age. Specifically, it prohibits a person or organization from performing, facilitating, or assisting with an abortion on an unemancipated minor without first complying with certain requirements, including parental notification and a 96-hour waiting period. It establishes penalties—a fine, up to one year in prison, or both—for each willful violation. A parent who is required to be notified of an abortion of an unemancipated minor may sue in federal court to prohibit the abortion. Parental notification requirements may be waived in a medical emergency or in a case of physical abuse.
Protection of Women and Girls in Sports Act of 2021 This bill makes it a violation of federal law for a recipient of federal funds who operates, sponsors, or facilitates athletic programs or activities to permit a person whose sex is male to participate in an athletic program or activity that is designated for women or girls. The bill specifies that sex shall be recognized based solely on a person's reproductive biology and genetics at birth.
Financial Defense for Industrial Contractors Act or the FDIC Act This bill requires the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to begin proceedings for terminating the insured status of large depository institutions that deny banking services to federal contractors that otherwise qualify for such services.
This resolution urges the President not to return the United States to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action—commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal—unless the agreement is revised and Iran meets specified conditions. Further, the resolution recommends that U.S. sanctions against Iran remain in place until Iran has complied with all elements of a revised agreement.
Put Students First Act of 2021 This bill prohibits the Department of Education (ED) from providing certain FY2021 education funds or COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) relief funds to an elementary or secondary school that does not offer in-person instruction by April 30, 2021. A school must forfeit or return these funds if it does not offer in-person instruction by that date. Additionally, the bill outlines the use of forfeited and returned funds. A state may regain eligibility for these funds if it submits an implementation plan to ED that provides students with school choice options. If a state does not submit an implementation plan, then the funds must be provided as grants to states with the highest percentage of schools offering in-person instruction.
This resolution designates January 24-January 30, 2021, as National School Choice Week.