Sen. Joni Ernst

This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to submit a report to Congress on virtual currencies and their global use. The report must (1) assess how foreign countries use and mine virtual currencies; (2) identify, to the greatest extent practicable, the types and dollar value of virtual currency mined for FY2016-FY2022 within the United States and globally; and (3) identify vulnerabilities and opportunities with respect to virtual currency mining operations.

Unclaimed Savings Bond Act of 2021 This bill establishes requirements and procedures for the Department of the Treasury to transfer ownership of certain matured, unredeemed savings bonds and related records to states.

Afghanistan Counterterrorism, Oversight, and Accountability Act of 2021 This bill imposes sanctions involving Afghanistan and addresses related issues. The President must impose, with certain exceptions, visa- and property-blocking sanctions on any foreign individual or entity that (1) provides support to any terrorist group in Afghanistan, (2) is responsible for or complicit in serious human rights abuses in Afghanistan, or (3) plays a significant role in international narcotics trafficking centered in Afghanistan. The President may also impose such sanctions on any foreign individual or entity that provides certain support for (1) the Taliban or any Taliban member, or (2) any agency of the Taliban-controlled government of Afghanistan. Additionally, the Department of State must (1) require U.S. representatives to the United Nations to advocate and vote to maintain sanctions against the Taliban, and (2) encourage allies and partner countries to impose sanctions against the Taliban. The State Department may suspend the sanctions imposed under this bill upon certifying to Congress that the Taliban has taken certain actions, such as breaking all ties with other terrorist groups. The State Department must establish a task force to (1) implement a strategy relating to the evacuation of Afghanistan, and (2) identify individuals in Afghanistan who have sought admission into the United States as a refugee or humanitarian parolee. The bill requires various reports, including on (1) a revised strategy for engagement with South and Central Asian countries after the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, (2) a counterterrorism strategy for Afghanistan, and (3) the extent of Taliban human rights abuses.

This resolution honors the life of Robert Dove, Parliamentarian Emeritus of the Senate, and offers the condolences of the Senate regarding his death.

Congressional Budget Justification Transparency Act of 2021 This act requires federal agencies to post budget justification materials on certain public websites, including a single searchable website (e.g., USAspending.gov) and each agency's website. The materials most be posted in an open format that enables users to download individual reports, all reports in bulk, and the results of a search. In addition, the materials must be posted no later than two weeks after they are first submitted to Congress. The act also requires the Office of Management and Budget to maintain a public website that includes details regarding the materials, including a list of the agencies that submit budget justification materials to Congress, the dates that the materials were submitted to Congress and posted online, and links to the materials.

This resolution designates September 20-September 24, 2021, as National Clean Energy Week.

No Hearing, No Vote Act of 2021 This bill prohibits the Senate from considering a budget reconciliation bill unless at least one committee hearing has been held regarding the bill. (Reconciliation bills are considered by Congress using expedited legislative procedures that prevent a filibuster and restrict amendments in the Senate.) Specifically, the bill prohibits the Senate from considering a reconciliation bill unless (1) the bill was reported by a committee that received reconciliation instructions or by the Senate Budget Committee after receiving recommendations from committees that received instructions, and (2) each committee that reported the bill or ordered recommendations to be reported to the Senate Budget Committee held at least one hearing regarding any major provision of the bill that is within the jurisdiction of the committee.

This resolution honors the contributions of small businesses in the United States and supports the designation of National Small Business Week.

Prime Cancel Unnecessary Transactions and Spending Act or the Prime CUTS Act This bill restricts certain spending by federal agencies. It also authorizes the U.S. Mint to modify the metallic composition of circulating coins to a new metallic composition under specified circumstances and terminates the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. Specifically, the bill limits the amount of discretionary spending that an executive agency may obligate in the two-month period immediately preceding the end of a fiscal year. The bill authorizes the Department of Defense to consolidate infrastructure at its distribution centers to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the supply chain and inventory management. The bill prohibits specified federal spending to purchase, acquire, or distribute swag and requires each agency to report on public relations and advertising spending. Swag is merchandise (typically displaying an agency's name or seal) that is commonly distributed to all employees or participants at a particular event for the sole purpose of promoting or advertising the agency or organization. The bill prohibits the use of federal funds for certain transit and rail projects.

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Accountability Act of 2021 This bill changes the source of funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) from Federal Reserve System transfers to annual appropriations. Under current law, the transfers from the Federal Reserve System permit the CFPB to be funded outside of the annual appropriations process.