Rep. Stephanie I. Bice

National Commission on United States Involvement in Afghanistan Act of 2021 This bill establishes the independent National Commission on United States Involvement in Afghanistan. The commission shall assess and report on issues related to U.S. involvement in Afghanistan since 2001, specifically (1) U.S. strategic goals and interests and whether such goals were achieved, (2) U.S. assessments of the situation and whether those assessments were accurately communicated to policymakers and the public, (3) efforts by the United States and its allies to withdraw from Afghanistan, (4) U.S. efforts to evacuate U.S. citizens and Afghan allies, and (5) recommendations for corrective measures for future foreign policy endeavors. The commission terminates 60 days after submitting its final report to Congress.

This resolution condemns (1) the executive actions that canceled the Keystone pipeline and imposed a moratorium on oil and gas leases on federal lands and waters, and (2) the waiver of sanctions on officials connected with the Nord Stream 2 pipeline.

National Defense Workforce Opportunity Act This bill requires the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment of the Department of Defense to establish and manage a coalition among institutions of higher education, vocational programs, workforce development boards, labor organizations, and organizations representing defense industrial base contractors to focus on career development for individuals seeking careers in manufacturing.

Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act or the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act This bill implements a program and a policy related to service dog therapy for veterans. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a five-year pilot program to provide canine training to eligible veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as an element of a complementary and integrative health program. Eligible veterans are those who are enrolled in the VA health care system and have been recommended for participation by a qualified mental health care provider or clinical team. The VA must seek to enter agreements containing specified elements with accredited nongovernmental entities that have demonstrated ability to provide canine training. Veterans who participate in the program are authorized to adopt the dog they assisted in training if their health provider determines it is in the best interest of the veteran. The VA must establish processes to document and track the progress of participating veterans with respect to health benefits and improvements. The Government Accountability Office must brief Congress and submit a report on the program. The bill also authorizes the VA to provide service dogs to veterans with mental illnesses, regardless of whether they have a mobility impairment.

This resolution condemns the President's failure to heed military and intelligence advisors about the speed and nature of the Taliban offense in Afghanistan and urges the President to commit to maintaining the evacuation operation as long as necessary to evacuate any U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or Afghan partner who requests evacuation assistance .

Mental Health Stigma in the Military Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Defense to implement a pilot program through July 1, 2022, to survey access to mental health care under the military health system. Command climate surveys must be administered to active duty service members of not fewer than 20 commands, 10 of which must be deployable, in each military department.

Border Security for America Act of 2021 This bill addresses border security and related issues. For example, the bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to resume all activities to construct a border barrier system along the U.S.-Mexico border that were underway or planned prior to January 20, 2021; requires DHS to deploy, in addition to physical barriers, tactical infrastructure and technology to achieve situational awareness and operational control of the southwest border; authorizes U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to carry out a program to acquire innovative commercial items through a competitive selection of proposals; imposes certain requirements for DHS border security technology acquisition programs that have a total expenditure of at least $300 million; requires CBP to implement certain technologies, including a program to establish a biometric exit data system at ports of entry; requires CBP to increase or maintain certain staffing levels for agents, officers, processing coordinators, and other positions; requires CBP to implement a workload staffing model for the U.S. Border Patrol and for CBP's Air and Marine Operations; and provides statutory authority through FY2026 for Operation Stonegarden, a Federal Emergency Management Agency program that provides grants to states and territories involved in certain active CBP border security operations.

Promoting Opportunities in Skilled Trades Act or the POST Act This bill allows recipients of existing federal career and technical education funds to use those funds to raise awareness for skilled trade programs and other programs that prepare students for in-demand occupations.

This resolution condemns the Chinese Communist Party and its violation of the human rights of the people of China.

Office of Attending Physician Independence Act This bill addresses the appointment and oversight of the Attending Physician (a medical officer who is currently assigned by the the Navy to provide emergency medical assistance to Members of Congress, Justices of the Supreme Court, congressional staff, and visitors to the Capitol). The bill establishes a commission to recommend individuals to the President for appointment to the position of Attending Physician. The commission shall recommend at least three individuals who are medical officers of the Navy for appointment. The President shall appoint the Attending Physician from the individuals recommended by the commission with the advice and consent of the Senate for a term of 10 years. The Office of Attending Physician shall be subject to oversight by the Committee on House Administration and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.