This Senate resolution (SRES 464) expresses symbolic support for National Adoption Month (November) and National Adoption Day (November 20), encouraging public awareness of children awaiting adoption. It does not create new laws or allocate funding but urges U.S. citizens to consider adoption and support efforts to provide safety and permanency for children in foster care. The resolution highlights challenges like the pandemic's impact on foster care systems while affirming that every child deserves a permanent family. It directly affects no specific group through policy changes - it is a non-binding statement of support endorsed by 30+ senators.
SRES 437 is a Senate resolution designating November 8, 2021, as "National First-Generation College Celebration Day." It symbolically recognizes first-generation college students - those whose parents did not earn bachelor’s degrees - and honors the 1965 Higher Education Act, which established key programs like Federal TRIO and Pell Grants supporting these students. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but urges nationwide acknowledgment of first-gen students’ contributions to education and workforce development. It directly affects awareness and recognition for this student group, linking their experiences to the historical context of the Higher Education Act.
This resolution (1) censures Representative Paul Gosar for posting a certain video on his social media accounts that depicts violence against Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and President Joseph R. Biden , and (2) removes him from the Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Oversight and Reform.
Protections for Student Veterans Act This bill authorizes service members who are utilizing Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance benefits to withdraw or take a leave of absence after they receive orders for active service, inactive-duty training, or state active duty and addresses matters related to VA educational assistance for flight training. Institutions of higher education are prohibited from taking adverse actions (e.g., assigning a failing grade) against such service members for withdrawing or taking a leave of absence. The bill requires institutions of higher education to refund all tuition and fees (including for housing) for the academic term for which the service member withdraws. In situations where the service member takes a leave of absence, the institution of higher education must assign a grade of incomplete for the applicable term and permit the member to complete the academic term after the period of service. The bill adjusts requirements related to utilizing VA educational assistance for flight training purposes, including by removing the requirement that an individual must possess a valid private pilot certificate and meet certain medical requirements to utilize such assistance. Individuals enrolled in a program of education at an institution of higher learning in which flight training is required may elect to receive accelerated payments of tuition and fees if they also elect to receive educational counseling. The bill also specifies the calculation and determination of such fees, as well as the calculation of available entitlement in cases of accelerated payments.
VITAL Assessment Act This bill implements changes related to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Integration to Academic Leadership (VITAL) program, which focuses on enhancing student veterans' academic success and retention by assisting with things like mental and physical health. The VA must report on the program and establish best practices, goals, and measures for the program that are uniform among the VA's medical centers. The bill also requires the VA to conduct outreach among the Armed Forces, veterans service organizations, institutions of higher learning, and noncollege degree programs regarding the VITAL program. Additionally, the VA must assess the feasibility and advisability of including the suicide rate for student veterans in the National Veteran Suicide Prevention Annual Report.
VA Assessment by Independent Measures Act or the VA AIM Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to, at least once every 10 years, enter into a contract with a private sector entity or entities to conduct an independent assessment of the hospital care, medical services, and other health care furnished by the VA. The contracted entities must have experience and proven outcomes in health care management and in optimizing the performance of the health care delivery systems of the Veterans Health Administration and the private sector. The entities must also specialize in implementing large-scale organizational and cultural transformations.
Student Veterans Counseling Centers Eligibility Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish counseling, including counseling through a Vet Center, to veterans or members of the Armed Forces who are pursuing a course of education using specified Department of Defense or VA educational assistance benefits. Specifically, such counseling must be provided to veterans or members of the Armed Forces who are utilizing educational assistance benefits under the Montgomery GI Bill (Active Duty), Montgomery GI Bill (Selected Reserve), Veteran Readiness and Employment program, Post-Vietnam Era Veterans Educational Assistance Program, Post-9/11 GI Bill, Reserve Educational Assistance Program, VA High Technology Pilot Program, or Veteran Rapid Retraining Assistance Program.
Bringing Registered Apprenticeships to Veterans Education Act or the BRAVE Act This bill requires the Department of Labor, in the implementation of the Transition Assistance Program, to provide information concerning apprenticeship programs to members of the Armed Forces who are separating from active duty. The bill also requires Labor, in coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), to establish a publicly accessible and user-friendly website on which veterans can find specified information about apprenticeship programs that are approved under VA education benefit provisions.
SRES 451 is a commemorative Senate resolution honoring the late Senator Max Cleland (D-GA), who died November 9, 2021. The resolution recognizes his service as a Vietnam War veteran (losing both legs and an arm in combat), his 50+ years of public service including roles as Georgia State Senator, Secretary of State, U.S. Senator, and Administrator of the Veterans Administration, and his advocacy for veterans. It formally expresses the Senate’s "profound sorrow" and "deep regret" over his death, commemorates his legacy of service to Georgia and veterans, and requests the Secretary of the Senate transmit the resolution to his family. This is a ceremonial resolution with no policy changes or legal effect.
Protect Older Job Applicants Act of 2021 or the POJA Act of 2021 This bill prohibits employers from limiting, segregating, or classifying job applicants based on an applicant's age. It also requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to study and report on claims received from job applicants involving age discrimination.
Honoring Our Promises through Expedition for Afghan SIVs Act of 2021 or the HOPE for Afghan SIVs Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the Department of State and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to postpone the medical exam requirement for qualifying citizens or nationals of Afghanistan seeking entry into the United States as special immigrants. Specifically, this bill applies to an existing program that provides special immigrant status to an individual (or the spouse or child of such an individual) who (1) faithfully performed sensitive and trusted duties for the U.S. government or the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan on or after October 7, 2001, and (2) has experienced or is experiencing an ongoing serious threat due to the performance of those duties. Under this bill, the State Department and DHS may jointly issue a blanket waiver of any requirement for such individuals to undergo a medical exam before admission into the United States. DHS shall ensure, to the greatest extent practicable, that individuals admitted under such a waiver undergo medical exams no later than 30 days after admission into the United States. Such an individual shall be admitted as a conditional permanent resident. DHS shall remove the conditions once the individual receives and passes a medical examination.
Fiscal State of the Nation Resolution This concurrent resolution requires the congressional budget committees to conduct an annual joint hearing to receive a presentation from the Comptroller General regarding (1) the Government Accountability Office's audit of the financial statement of the executive branch, and (2) the financial position and condition of the federal government.
