This resolution offers the condolences of the Senate regarding the death of Senator David Henry Gambrell and honors his life and legacy.
This resolution recognizes (1) 50 years of service by the National Railroad Passenger Corporation (Amtrak), and (2) that the restoration and expansion of the services that Amtrak provides is in the interest of the United States.
Unwavering Support for our Coast Guard Act or the USCG Act This bill addresses the funding, pay, and duties of the Coast Guard. During a funding gap, the Department of the Treasury shall make available to the Department of Homeland Security such amounts necessary to continue to provide, without interruption, pay and allowances to members of the Coast Guard, including its reserve components, who perform active service during the funding gap. The Coast Guard must conduct an updated fleet mix analysis that provides for a fleet mix sufficient to carry out the missions of the Coast Guard and to address national security threats. The Coast Guard must develop an updated shore infrastructure investment plan that includes the construction of additional facilities to accommodate the updated fleet mix and improvements to ensure existing facilities meet requirements and remain operational for the lifespan of such fleet mix. The Cost Guard shall establish a program to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in the enlisted ranks of the Coast Guard.
This bill requires the Department of Commerce to establish a China Economic Data Coordination Center within the Bureau of Economic Analysis. The center must collect, synthesize, and report on specified Chinese economic data regarding developments in China's financial markets and U.S. exposure to risks and vulnerabilities in China's financial system.
Conrad State 30 and Physician Access Reauthorization Act This bill modifies the Conrad 30 Waiver program, which incentivizes qualified foreign physicians to serve in underserved communities. It also extends statutory authority for the program for three years from this bill's enactment. Aliens coming to the United States under a J-1 nonimmigrant visa to receive medical training typically must leave the country and reside for two years abroad before being eligible to apply for an immigrant visa or permanent residence. The Conrad program waives this requirement for individuals who meet certain qualifications, including serving for a number of years at a health care facility in an underserved area. The bill increases the number of waivers that a state may obtain each fiscal year from 30 to 35 if a certain number of waivers were used the previous year, and provides for further adjustments depending on demand. An alien physician may be employed at an academic medical center to meet the Conrad program's employment requirements if the alien's work is in the public interest, even if the medical center is not in an underserved area. Employment contracts for alien physicians under the Conrad program shall contain certain information, such as the maximum number of on-call hours per week the physician shall have to work. Certain alien physicians (along with the physician's spouse and children) shall be exempt from the direct annual numerical limits on immigration, including those physicians that have met certain requirements related to visas for physicians to serve in underserved areas.
Bridge Investment Act of 20 21 This bill establishes a bridge investment program to award competitive grants to certain governmental entities for projects that improve (1) the condition of bridges; and (2) the safety, efficiency, and reliability of the movement of people and freight over bridges. Among other things, the bill requires grant awards for large projects (projects with total costs of greater than $100 million) to be at least $50 million, and for any other projects not less than $2.5 million; directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to consider a number of factors in awarding grants, including the extent to which a project demonstrates cost savings by bundling multiple bridge projects; requires DOT to prioritize projects that are located within states for which at least two project applications were submitted in the current fiscal year and an average of two were submitted in prior fiscal years, and fewer than two grants have been awarded for projects within the state; and limits funding for projects that consist solely of culvert replacement or rehabilitation.
This resolution congratulates the students, families, teachers, administrators, and staff of public charter schools across the United States for (1) making ongoing contributions to public education, (2) making impressive strides in closing the academic achievement gap in U.S. schools, and (3) improving and strengthening the public school system. The resolution supports the ideals and goals of the 22nd annual National Charter Schools Week.
This resolution recognizes April 30, 2021, as National Arbor Day and encourages the people of the United States to participate in National Arbor Day activities.
Contact Lens Prescription Verification Modernization Act This bill revises the requirements for the verification of prescriptions related to the purchase of contact lenses. Specifically, online sellers of prescription contact lenses must provide consumers with a method to transmit a digital copy of their prescriptions to such sellers. Online sellers also must encrypt protected health information they send by email. Additionally, the bill prohibits any seller of prescription contact lenses from using telephone calls with an artificial or prerecorded voice (i.e., robocalls) to verify a consumer's prescription.
Reaching America's Rural Minority Businesses Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the Minority Business Development Agency to establish rural business centers at historically Black colleges and universities to assist rural minority businesses with issues such as broadband adoption, advanced manufacturing, and entrepreneurship.
