Rep. Robert J. Wittman

Chinese Military and Surveillance Company Sanctions Act of 2021 This bill requires the President to impose property-blocking sanctions on Communist Chinese military companies upon certain findings. Specifically, if the President determines that imposing sanctions on a foreign person would address certain threats related to the financing of Chinese Communist military companies, the President must impose sanctions on that person provided that the person is identified (1) as a Communist Chinese military company in a specified report to Congress or in a November 17, 2020, executive order, or (2) by the Department of the Treasury as having engaged in transactions in the publicly traded securities (or derivatives) of a Communist Chinese military company.

Re-using Equipment for Environmental Fortification Act or the REEF Act This bill requires the Department of the Navy to notify Congress of the pending retirement of vessels that are viable candidates for artificial reefing (intentionally sinking a vessel to promote marine life). Specifically, the Navy must provide such notice not later than 90 days before the viable candidate's retirement from the Naval Vessel Register.

EMBRACE Stormwater Management Act or the Enhancing Military Base Resilience And Conserving Ecosystems through Stormwater Management Act This bill authorizes the Department of Defense and each military department to implement stormwater management projects on or related to military installations. Specifically, such projects are authorized for the purpose of (1) protecting nearby waterways and stormwater-stressed ecosystems, and (2) improving military installation resilience or the resilience of a defense access road or other essential civilian infrastructure supporting the installation.

Working Dog Commemorative Coin Act This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue 50,000 $5 gold coins, 500,000 $1 silver coins, and 750,000 half-dollar clad coins in commemoration of the service that working dogs provide to society. The designs of the coins minted under this bill shall be emblematic of the contributions of working dogs to society, including in detection, military service, therapy and assistance. Treasury may issue coins only during the one-year period beginning on January 1, 2023. All sales of coins shall include a surcharge, which shall be paid to America's VetDogs for general expenses associated with the fulfillment of its mission.

This resolution opposes the enactment of any federal law that voids state laws that prohibit employers from requiring workers to join a union as a condition of employment.

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 bill prohibits the Department of Defense (DOD) from procuring any covered item from the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea, the People's Republic of China, the Russian Federation, or the Islamic Republic of Iran. Under the bill, covered items include sanitizing and disinfecting wipes, testing swabs, gauze, bandages, and personal protective equipment for use in preventing the spread of disease and the materials and components thereof. The bill provides for an exception to the prohibition in circumstances where (1) DOD determines that covered materials of satisfactory quality and quantity cannot be procured from other nations at a specified time and reasonable price, (2) the procurement of covered items is for use outside of the United States, or (3) the purchase is for amounts not greater than $150,000. However, a proposed purchase or contract for an amount greater than $150,000 may not be divided into multiple purchases or contracts for lesser amounts to qualify for an exception.

1st Lt. Hugh Conor McDowell Safety in Armed Forces Equipment Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of the Army and the Department of the Navy to jointly implement a five-year pilot program to evaluate the feasibility of using data recorders to monitor, assess, and improve the readiness and safety of the operation of military tactical vehicles (e.g., Army Strykers). The program must be carried out at not fewer than one military station in the United States that (1) contains the necessary force structure, equipment, and maneuver training ranges to collect necessary driver and vehicle data; and (2) represents at least one of the five training ranges that did not track unit location during training, as identified by the Government Accountability Office.

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 .