Rep. Sara Jacobs

Restoring U.S. Leadership in International Organizations Act of 2021 This bill makes changes and establishes requirements to expand U.S. engagement with international organizations. Changes include eliminating (1) a limitation on the number of foreign service employees on the staff of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations who are eligible for housing benefits, and (2) a requirement that those employees contribute a portion of their pay toward housing costs. Additionally, the value of the housing benefits is excluded from income for federal tax purposes. The bill also allows consideration of an employee's service formulating policy for or representing the United States at an international, multilateral, or similar organization in Foreign Service processes for promotions, performance pay, and related matters. The Department of State must establish training on conducting diplomacy at international and multilateral organizations and on negotiating multilateral international agreements. The bill requires this training for certain State Department employees, such as those assigned to U.S. missions at international organizations. Furthermore, the bill designates the U.S. Special Representative to the United Nations as a standing member of the President's cabinet and outlines U.S. policy for staffing and paying dues to international and multilateral organizations. The State Department must annually report to Congress about the number of and related information about federal employees detailed or transferred to international organizations.

Equal Pay for Equal Work Act This bill establishes the National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force to improve enforcement of equal pay laws.

Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act This bill provides rights and protections for domestic workers (e.g., housekeepers, nannies, caretakers, personal assistants, and chauffeurs), including pay and leave rights, and health and safety protections. Specifically, the bill repeals the exemption of domestic live-in employees from certain minimum wage and maximum hour requirements. Employers must provide written notice of termination and provide at least 30 days of lodging and two weeks of severance pay to terminated live-in employees. Live-in employees also must be provided with reasonable access to telephone and internet service during their employment. The bill requires employers to provide domestic workers with a written agreement covering wages, sick leave, benefits, and other matters. Further, domestic workers may request and be granted changes to work schedules due to personal events. The bill also provides domestic workers with certain privacy rights, extends to domestic workers protections against discrimination in employment, and increases the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for certain Medicaid-funded medical services provided by domestic workers. The Department of Labor must (1) award grants for a domestic worker national hotline for reporting emergencies, training on hazards facing domestic workers, and workforce investment activities for domestic workers; and (2) establish a Domestic Worker Wage and Standards Board to investigate standards in the domestic workers industry. Labor must publish online a document that describes the rights and protections for domestic workers under this bill.

Protecting Renters from Evictions Act of 2021 This bill extends through December 31, 2021, the order issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention titled Temporary Halt in Residential Evictions To Prevent the Further Spread of COVID–19 and published on September 4, 2020.

This resolution condemns the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise on July 7, 2021, and extends condolences to his family and the people of Haiti.

This resolution condemns acts of violence against Afghan women and girls and any effort to limit the ability of women and girls to participate in the civic affairs of Afghanistan. It also urges the President to ensure that Afghan women, youth, and other marginalized groups are meaningfully participating and engaging in all peace talks.

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.

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.

Monarch Action, Recovery, and Conservation of Habitat Act of 2021 or the MONARCH Act of 2021 This bill provides support for the conservation of western monarch butterflies (the monarch butterfly population that overwinters along the coast of California and breeds across California, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Utah). Specifically, the bill establishes the Western Monarch Butterfly Rescue Fund. The Department of the Interior must use amounts in the fund to provide grants for the conservation of such butterflies. In addition, Interior must enter into an agreement with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation to facilitate the implementation of the Western Monarch Butterfly Conservation Plan, which was prepared by the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.