Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2021 This bill modifies a program providing special immigrant visas to eligible citizens or nationals of Afghanistan who assisted U.S. efforts there and addresses related issues. The bill extends the program through 2023 and increases the number of visas available. An individual may become eligible for a visa after assisting U.S. efforts in Afghanistan for one year, whereas currently some individuals must have served for two years. Furthermore, for an applicant qualifying for a visa by performing duties with a NATO mission in Afghanistan, the bill eliminates a requirement that the duties performed qualify as sensitive and trusted duties. The bill removes a requirement that the individual has experienced or is facing an ongoing serious threat due to their assistance to the United States or NATO. The Department of State or the Department of Homeland Security may postpone the program's medical examination requirement. An individual who received a postponement must undergo a medical exam within 90 days of admission into the United States. The bill also expands surviving family member benefits for the Afghanistan program (and a similar program for Iraq) to a surviving spouse or child of an individual who submitted an application to the Chief of Mission that would have been approved but for the individual's death. Currently, such survivor benefits only apply if the deceased individual's petition was approved.
Sponsored bills
Iran Nuclear Treaty Act This bill requires Senate approval of certain actions with respect to Iran's nuclear program. Specifically, the bill deems any agreement reached between the President and Iran relating to Iran's nuclear program to be a treaty that is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Further, the bill prohibits the President from (1) limiting the application of certain sanctions, or (2) refraining to apply such sanctions pursuant to an agreement unless the agreement is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate as a treaty.
This resolution recognizes that freedom of expression and freedom of speech are sacred ideals of the United States and should be protected.
This bill requires the Department of Labor to estimate and report to Congress the number of jobs projected to be lost as a result of a specified section of the executive order titled Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science To Tackle the Climate Crisis , which revoked the March 2019 permit for the Keystone XL pipeline.
Federal Debt Emergency Control Act of 2021 This bill establishes various budget enforcement procedures to address the federal debt. The procedures established by the bill take effect during any fiscal year that follows a fiscal year in which the amount of federal debt exceeded the gross domestic product (GDP) for that fiscal year. During such a period, the bill rescinds unobligated balances of stimulus spending that was provided in specified bills that addressed the impact of COVID-19, establishes a point of order against legislation that increases spending, and requires Congress to consider certain deficit reduction measures using specified expedited legislative procedures. The expedited legislative procedures must be used for legislation that (1) would reduce the deficit by at least 5% during the 10-fiscal-year period following the current fiscal year, and (2) does not increase the rate of any federal tax or increase any fee paid to the federal government.
Protecting Rural Telehealth Access Act This bill expands coverage of telehealth services under Medicare. Specifically, the bill permanently (1) removes geographic restrictions on originating sites (i.e., the location of the beneficiary), (2) allows the home of the beneficiary to serve as the originating site for all services, (3) allows federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to serve as the distant site (i.e., the location of the health care practitioner), and (4) expands coverage to include audio-only services for evaluation and management and behavioral health services.
This resolution offers the condolences of the Senate regarding the death of Senator John William Warner and expresses deep appreciation for his outstanding and important service to his country.
ATF Accountability Act of 2021 This bill establishes a federal statutory process for licensed gun dealers, importers, or manufacturers to appeal a ruling or determination by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.
No Vaccine Passports Act This bill restricts collection and disclosure of an individual's vaccination status, including for COVID-19 vaccinations. It also makes it unlawful to discriminate based on COVID-19 vaccination status and to mandate vaccination in certain circumstances. Specifically, the bill prohibits the use of federal funds to establish or collaborate with federal, state, private, or international systems that track or monitor an individual's COVID-19 vaccination status. Additionally, federal agencies must destroy existing records that contain information about an individual's COVID-19 vaccination status within 30 days. Furthermore, agencies may not issue vaccine passports or similar standardized documentation of COVID-19 vaccination status. The bill also prohibits discrimination based on COVID-19 vaccination status or willingness to provide documentation of vaccination status in employment, public accommodations, and certain public programs and services. Remedies and enforcement mechanisms available under federal civil rights laws apply to violations under this bill. In addition, federal privacy standards for health information must prohibit the disclosure of non-anonymized information about the status of any vaccination without a patient's express consent. Moreover, the bill makes anyone who requests an individual's vaccination status subject to these standards. The bill temporarily bans (1) mandates for vaccines authorized for use under emergency procedures, and (2) administration of those vaccines to minors or individuals who lack capacity to consent to vaccinations without the consent of their parent or guardian. It also prohibits public disclosure of an individual's COVID-19 vaccination status without express, written consent. Violations of these prohibitions are subject to criminal and civil penalties.
Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act of 2021 This bill provides for Medicare coverage and payment for multi-cancer early detection screening tests that are approved by the Food and Drug Administration and that are used to screen for cancer across many cancer types. The Government Accountability Office must report on the resulting utilization and effectiveness of such tests.