Rep. Rick Larsen

Greenhouse gas Reduction and Environmental Enhancement through New Ferries Act or the GREEN Ferries Act This bill makes projects to construct or otherwise acquire zero- or reduced-emissions passenger ferries (and related facilities and equipment) eligible for grants that support transit capital, operating assistance, and transportation planning in urbanized areas.

Stop Child Hunger Act of 2021 This bill establishes a permanent program and provides funds for electronic benefit transfer (EBT) cards to cover meals for children during extended school closures. Specifically, the Department of Agriculture must establish a program to provide EBT cards to cover meals for children who are enrolled in the National School Lunch Program or School Breakfast Program when a school is closed, operating remotely, or a combination of both for a period of five days or more. Cards may be used to purchase food from approved retailers under the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Air America Act of 2021 This bill establishes the service of Air America employees as qualifying service for purposes of the Civil Service Retirement System. (Air America was a government-owned airline that provided air transport for certain covert operations in Southeast Asia, including Laos and Vietnam, between 1950 and 1976.) The bill applies to U.S. citizens who were employees of Air America or another affiliated company, as specified, between January 1, 1950 and December 31, 1976. Benefit applications must be filed within two years of the date of enactment of this bill.

Opportunity To Address College Hunger Act This bill requires institutions of higher education (IHEs) that receive grants to operate work-study programs to notify a student receiving work-study assistance that the student may be eligible for participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Department of Education must provide guidance to states and IHEs on how to identify and communicate with students who are potentially eligible for SNAP.

Midwives for Maximizing Optimal Maternity Services Act of 2021 or the Midwives for MOMS Act of 2021 This bill establishes grants within the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for establishing or expanding midwifery programs at institutions of higher education and nursing schools. HRSA may prioritize funding for institutions that focus on increasing the number of midwife professionals from underrepresented groups and that promote practicing in areas with limited access to professional health care.

Generating Reduced Emissions by Electrifying New Buses Act or the GREEN Buses Act This bill limits eligibility for certain grants that support projects to reduce emissions of public transportation vehicles. Current law permits the use of the grants for (1) projects related to both low- and zero-emission vehicles, and (2) constructing new and improving existing public transportation facilities to accommodate such vehicles. This bill limits the use of the grants to (1) projects related to no-emission vehicles, and (2) improving existing public transportation facilities. The bill also sets out additional criteria that apply to the grants. For example, the bill specifies the minimum number of buses that must be procured through a grant. Furthermore, at least 10% of grant funds must be distributed to projects that predominately serve low-income communities.

This resolution condemns the acts of gun violence that led to the tragic loss of eight lives in Georgia on March 16, 2021.

Birth Access Benefiting Improved Essential Facility Services Act or the BABIES Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a Medicaid demonstration program to improve freestanding birth center services for women with low-risk pregnancies. Among other things, the CMS must (1) publish criteria for freestanding birth centers to participate in the program, including specified accreditation, licensure, and service requirements; (2) publish guidance for states to establish prospective payment systems under Medicaid for program participants; and (3) award planning grants for states to develop program proposals. The CMS may choose up to six states to participate in the program.

United States Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs Act of 2021 This bill establishes within the Department of State an Ambassador at Large for Arctic Affairs who shall represent the United States in matters and cases relevant to the Arctic, serve on the Arctic Council, and coordinate U.S. Arctic policies.

Promoting Service in Transportation Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation to establish and administer a transportation workforce outreach program to (1) increase awareness of transportation career opportunities; and (2) increase diversity such as race, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status of professionals in the transportation sector.