Rep. William R. Keating

Home for the Brave Act of 2021 This bill excludes from income veterans' service-connected disability or death benefits for purposes of determinations made in connection with the Department of Housing and Urban Development's housing assistance programs.

This bill repeals the joint resolution of March 9, 1957, that provided for the use of certain funds to promote peace and stability in the Middle East.

This bill repeals the January 14, 1991, resolution authorizing the use of military force against Iraq.

Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program Act of 2021 This bill provides statutory authority for the Trans-Sahara Counterterrorism Partnership Program, an interagency program launched in 2005 to partner with countries in the Sahel and Maghreb regions of Africa to counter terrorism and violent extremism. The Department of State, in consultation with the Department of Defense and the U.S. Agency for International Development, shall establish the partnership program, which must coordinate all U.S. programs in North and West Africa related to various counterterrorism activities, such as building foreign-military capacity, enhancing border security, promoting youth employment, and supporting independent media to counter terrorist propaganda. The State Department must submit comprehensive, five-year strategies that include specified activities for the Sahel and Maghreb regions and for program counterterrorism efforts. Further, program activities must, among other things (1) be carried out in countries where there is an adequate level of partner country committment, and (2) have clearly defined outcomes and specific plans with indicators to regularly monitor and evaluate outcomes and impact. Such activities must also take into account the counterterrorism and development strategies of partner countries and align with such strategies to the extent possible. The State Department shall notify Congress before obligating funds for such programs, and must submit annual reports about program activities.

Global Health Security Act of 2021 This bill directs the United States to implement a strategy to strengthen global health security, including by requiring the President to create the Global Health Security Agenda Interagency Review Council to implement the Global Health Security Agenda. The agenda is an initiative launched by nearly 30 nations to address global infectious disease threats. The council's responsibilities include (1) providing policy recommendations on agenda-related goals, objectives, implementation, and other international efforts to strengthen pandemic preparedness and response; (2) helping federal agencies with implementation; and (3) reviewing the progress and challenges in achieving U.S. commitments, including assistance to help other countries meet agenda targets. The bill also directs the federal agencies involved with the agenda to prioritize its implementation and to take certain steps to achieve that goal. The President shall coordinate a strategy for responding to global health security emergencies and submit a report on the implementation of this strategy. Additionally, the Department of State should seek to enter into negotiations with donors, relevant United Nations agencies, and other multilateral stakeholders to establish a Fund for Global Health Security and Pandemic Preparedness that (1) closes gaps in global health security and pandemic preparedness; and (2) builds capacity in eligible partner countries related to global health security, infectious disease control, and pandemic preparedness. The fund should provide grants, technical assistance, and innovative funding mechanisms to achieve its purposes.

Equal Access to Contraception for Veterans Act This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from requiring payment from a veteran for any contraceptive item that is required to be covered by health insurance plans without a cost-sharing requirement.

Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2021 This bill requires states to direct their local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish policies that prevent and prohibit bullying and harassment of elementary and secondary school students. In particular, these policies must prohibit bullying and harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or religion. Further, LEAs must provide (1) students, parents, and educational professionals with annual notice of the conduct prohibited in their disciplinary policies; (2) students and parents with grievance procedures that target such conduct; and (3) the public with annual data on the incidence and frequency of that conduct at the school and LEA level. The Department of Education must conduct and report on an independent biennial evaluation of programs and policies to combat bullying and harassment in elementary and secondary schools. The National Center for Education Statistics must collect state data to determine the incidence and frequency of the conduct prohibited by LEA disciplinary policies.

Providing Resources and Occupational Training for Emotional Crisis and Trauma in 911 Act or the PROTECT 911 Act This bill requires reporting on, and authorizes a grant program to address, suicide and other behavioral health issues among 9-1-1 operators and other public safety personnel who receive and communicate requests for emergency assistance. Specifically, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must develop a reporting system to collect data on the suicide rate among and identify best practices to reduce suicides within that profession. In addition, the bill establishes within the Department of Homeland Security grants for emergency communications centers and relevant nonprofits to raise awareness of, prevent, and mitigate job-related mental health issues.

Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2021 This bill requires states to direct their local educational agencies (LEAs) to establish policies that prevent and prohibit bullying and harassment of elementary and secondary school students. In particular, these policies must prohibit bullying and harassment based on race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or religion. Further, LEAs must provide (1) students, parents, and educational professionals with annual notice of the conduct prohibited in their disciplinary policies; (2) students and parents with grievance procedures that target such conduct; and (3) the public with annual data on the incidence and frequency of that conduct at the school and LEA level. The Department of Education must conduct and report on an independent biennial evaluation of programs and policies to combat bullying and harassment in elementary and secondary schools. The National Center for Education Statistics must collect state data to determine the incidence and frequency of the conduct prohibited by LEA disciplinary policies.

This resolution urges the President to facilitate private medical supply donations and to deliver urgently needed medical supplies, including oxygen generator plants, to India and countries neighboring India that are facing the spread of COVID-19.