Rep. Christopher H. Smith

This resolution (1) recognizes World Oceans Day and affirms the individual and collective duty, both nationally and internationally, to protect, conserve, maintain, and rebuild our oceans and its resources; and (2)expresses commitment to increasing the investment of federal funds into scientific research and monitoring to better understand the changing oceans and to accomplish the goals of the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development.

Medical Nutrition Equity Act of 2021 This bill expands coverage under Medicare, Medicaid, other specified federal health care programs, and private health insurance to include foods, vitamins, and individual amino acids that are medically necessary for the management of certain digestive and metabolic disorders and conditions.

Paycheck Fairness Act This bill addresses wage discrimination on the basis of sex, which is defined to include pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, and sex characteristics. Specifically, it limits an employer's defense that a pay differential is based on a factor other than sex to only bona fide job-related factors in wage discrimination claims, enhances nonretaliation prohibitions, and makes it unlawful to require an employee to sign a contract or waiver prohibiting the employee from disclosing information about the employee's wages. The bill also increases civil penalties for violations of equal pay provisions. Additionally, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs must train EEOC employees and other affected parties on wage discrimination. The bill directs the Department of Labor to (1) establish and carry out a grant program to provide training in negotiation skills related to compensation and equitable working conditions, (2) conduct studies to eliminate pay disparities between men and women, and (3) make available information on wage discrimination to assist the public in understanding and addressing such discrimination. The bill establishes the National Award for Pay Equity in the Workplace for an employer who has made a substantial effort to eliminate pay disparities between men and women. It also establishes the National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force to address compliance, public education, and enforcement of equal pay laws. Finally, the bill requires the EEOC to issue regulations for collecting from employers compensation and other employment data according to the sex, race, and national origin of employees for use in enforcing laws prohibiting pay discrimination.

Made in America Emergency Preparedness Act This bill establishes in the legislative branch the National Commission on United States Preparedness for National Emergencies and requires any medical, pharmaceutical, or emergency preparedness product deemed integral to a response to a national emergency to be manufactured and procured in the United States beginning on and after January 1, 2026. The commission must, among other things, examine and report on the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States in 2020 and the private sector response, investigate the origin of the COVID-19 virus and measures for mitigating the impacts of future physical and medical national disasters, determine what medical, pharmaceutical, and emergency preparedness products are deemed to be essential to emergency preparedness, and report on infrastructure or capability deficiencies in hospitals and medical centers. States must implement the commission's findings or lose access to federal emergency preparedness funds. The bill allows 100% tax expensing for qualified pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing property (e.g., personal protective equipment) placed in service after 2020 and before 2027.

LymeX Authorization Act This bill authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to carry out prize competitions to accelerate innovation in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of Lyme disease. Lyme disease is a bacterial infection carried by ticks that can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.

This resolution strongly commends Lithuania for refusing to ratify the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement between the European Union (EU) and Cuba. It also calls on other EU members to follow Lithuania's footsteps and annul their ratification of the agreement.

This resolution condemns the rocket attacks by Hamas against Israel beginning the week of May 9, 2021. It also states that the United States must continue to invest in and support Israel's security and sovereignty.

Children Inflicted by Lyme Disabilities Act of 2021 or the CHILD Act of 2021 This bill expands the applicability of certain special education provisions to children with Lyme disease or other tick-borne diseases. (Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the United States. The disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected blacklegged tick and, if left untreated, can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.) Specifically, the bill defines child with a disability for purposes of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act to include a child who needs special education and related services because the child has a health impairment resulting from Lyme disease or another tick-borne disease.

United States Army Rangers Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to the U.S. Army Rangers Veterans of World War II in recognition of their dedicated service during World War II.

Stamp Out Lyme Disease Act This bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to issue a Lyme Disease Research Semipostal Stamp, with all proceeds being transferred to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.