This concurrent resolution expresses the sense of Congress that tax-exempt fraternal benefit societies provide critical benefits to the people and communities of the United States and their work should continue to be promoted.
This resolution expresses the sense of the Senate that the Indiana Veterans' Home is an example of Hoosiers' dedication to their veterans and should be recognized for its 125 years of care to the veterans of Indiana and their families.
This resolution (1) supports the designation of June 2021 as National Dairy Month, and (2) encourages the people of the United States to visit with dairy producers to learn more about agriculture and the vital role dairy producers play in our global food system.
This resolution designates May 18, 2021, as National CASA/GAL Volunteers Day to commend the work of court-appointed special advocate (CASA) and guardian ad litem (GAL) volunteers.
END CRT Act This bill prohibits executive agencies from acting in contravention of certain provisions of Executive Order 13950, which prohibits programming that contains certain concepts relating to race and sex. It also prohibits federal agencies and recipients of federal funds from advancing certain ideas, such as that one race is inherently superior or inferior to another race.
Verifying Accurate Leading-edge IVCT Development Act of 2021 or the VALID Act of 2021 This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate in vitro clinical tests (IVCTs). Currently, the FDA and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have authority to regulate in vitro diagnostic devices. The bill defines IVCTs, which includes in vitro diagnostic devices, as tests intended for the collection, preparation, analysis, or in vitro clinical examination of specimens from the human body to provide information about a disease, condition, or treatment. An IVCT may not be introduced into interstate commerce unless it has received FDA premarket approval or is covered by certain exemptions, such as an exemption for a test that (1) was developed and introduced before this bill's enactment and meets certain requirements, (2) is a low-risk test, (3) is solely for public health surveillance, (4) is covered by a technology certification issued under this bill, or (5) has received a humanitarian exemption or emergency use authorization. The FDA may grant upon application a technology certification. Generally, such a certification covers a group of tests that use a single technology and may be evaluated using a representative test. While such a certification is valid, a qualifying IVCT that falls within the scope of the certification shall be cleared for interstate commerce. The bill also imposes various requirements related to IVCTs, including those related to quality control, labeling, and reporting adverse events. The FDA shall have various enforcement authority, including authority to order the recall of an IVCT with a reasonable probability of causing serious adverse health consequences.
Unnecessary Agency Regulations Reduction Act of 2021 This bill requires the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs to annually report a list of major rules (i.e., rules with a significant economic impact, cost to consumers, or adverse effects on competition) that it recommends should be consolidated or repealed because they are outdated, duplicative, or incur excessive compliance costs. Congress must review the list to determine, and recommend by joint resolution, any such rules to consolidate or repeal.
Unity through Service Act of 2021 This bill establishes a Council on Military, National, and Public Service in the Executive Office of the President to, among other things, advise the President on promoting and expanding opportunities for military service, national service, and public service. The council shall establish an internet-based platform to serve as a centralized resource and database for people to learn about and connect with service organizations and opportunities, and assist in the recruiting needs of service organizations. The council may carry out a pilot program to focus on recruiting individuals from underserved markets and demographic populations, such as those defined by gender, geography, socioeconomic status, and critical skills. The Department of Defense, the corporation, and the Peace Corps shall establish a joint plan to provide an applicant who is ineligible, or otherwise not selected, for service in the Armed Forces, in a national service program administered by the corporation or in the Peace Corps, with information about forms of service for which the applicant has not applied.
504 Credit Risk Management Improvement Act of 2021 This bill revises the duties of the Office of Credit Risk Management to include oversight of a certified development company (CDC) that participates in the 504 Loan Program of the Small Business Administration (SBA), and it requires the SBA to issue rules related to certain environmental requirements. The 504 Loan Program provides a small business with SBA financing—through a CDC intermediary—for expansion or modernization. Specifically, the bill requires the office to oversee any CDC that participates in the program and to conduct file reviews with respect to loan closings under the program. Further, the bill authorizes the office to take formal and informal enforcement actions against a CDC for specified violations and to charge each CDC a fee. The SBA must issue rules to clarify the procedures necessary for an eligible CDC to comply with certain environmental requirements.
Volunteer Innovation Act This bill creates a new pay-for-results pilot program within AmeriCorps that allows for the private funding of national service projects in exchange for payment of federal funds upon successful project completion. Eligible entities selected to participate in the pilot program must use AmeriCorps participants or volunteers for a national service project and must finance the entire up-front cost of the project. A participating entity must agree to achieve some desired outcome through the project. A participating entity that achieves the desired outcome will receive a grant from AmeriCorps in a negotiated amount that is less than or equal to the value to the federal government of the outcome. An entity that does not achieve the desired outcome on a project is not eligible to receive federal funds under the bill.
Keep the Watchdogs Running Act This bill authorizes a federal office of inspector general (OIG) to continue performing its duties during a lapse in appropriations (i.e., government shutdown). During a lapse in appropriations, the OIG may obligate funds (1) at the rate of operations and under the terms and conditions provided in the most recently enacted appropriations act, and (2) to perform its duties with respect to any program that continues during the lapse in appropriations.
Protecting Life and Taxpayers Act of 2021 This bill requires federally funded entities to certify that they will not perform an abortion, and will not provide funds to any other entity that performs an abortion, except in cases of rape or incest or where a physical condition endangers the woman's life unless an abortion is performed. The bill's requirements do not apply to hospitals, as long as the hospital does not provide funds to any non-hospital entity for abortions that are not otherwise excepted.
