This bill posthumously provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of the 13 service members who died on August 26, 2021, while stationed at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan.
Guaranteeing Ukrainian Autonomy by Reinforcing its Defense (GUARD) Act of 2021 This bill provides support for Ukraine and imposes sanctions related to Nord Stream 2, the pipeline constructed to increase exports of natural gas from Russia. If Russia or any of its proxies militarily advance into Ukraine's territory or airspace beyond the area occupied as of December 15, 2021, the Department of State must designate Russia a state sponsor of terrorism. The bill authorizes the State Department to provide Foreign Military Financing assistance to Ukraine in FY2022. The bill also authorizes providing Ukraine with lethal assistance, such as anti-armor weapon systems and anti-aircraft weapons systems. From FY2022-FY2026, Ukraine shall have priority access to excess defense articles. During the same time period, the bill also authorizes providing Ukraine with assistance, including (1) International Military Education and Training assistance; (2) assistance to strengthen cybersecurity and intellectual property enforcement; (3) support and training for banking reform, subsidy reform, corporate governance, and the privatization of state-owned enterprises; and (4) assistance to combat corruption and improve the rule of law. Within 15 days of this bill's enactment, the President must impose sanctions on any entity responsible for planning, constructing, or operating Nord Stream 2, as well as any corporate officer of such an entity. The bill also subjects the President's authority to waive certain sanctions to congressional review. The bill requires reports to Congress on various topics, including a strategy on using U.S. diplomacy to support Ukraine.
Student Veterans Transparency and Protection Act of 2021 This bill addresses the maintenance of the GI Bill Comparison Tool and administration of Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance. The VA must maintain the tool and ensure its historical data remains easily and prominently accessible on the VA's benefits website for at least seven years from the initial publication. The VA must retain, maintain, and publish feedback from students and state approving agencies regarding the quality of instruction, recruiting practices, and post-graduation employment placement of approved institutions of higher learning for the duration that the institution is approved for VA benefit purposes. The bill provides institutions of higher learning with up to 30 days to review and respond to any feedback and address issues before the feedback is published. The bill requires that the GI Bill Comparison Tool include updated information, including descriptions of each federal student aid program and the amount of educational assistance an individual may be eligible to receive under the program. The VA must train personnel that provide education benefits counseling, vocational or transition assistance, or similar functions to properly use the comparison tool and provide appropriate education counseling services. The VA must restore entitlement to educational assistance in situations where there is a civil enforcement action or VA action against an educational institution, and an individual was unable to complete the course or program of education due to such action. Individuals may be charged against their entitlement at their request.
Clarifying Authority over Nicotine Act of 2021 This bill expands the statutory authority of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to regulate tobacco products by amending the definition of such products. Currently, the statute defines tobacco products as products intended for human consumption that are made or derived from tobacco. The bill amends the definition to also include products that contain nicotine from any source, excluding foods that only contain trace amounts of naturally occurring nicotine. Beginning 30 days after this bill's enactment, existing laws, regulations, and related FDA guidance pertaining to tobacco products shall apply to tobacco products as defined under this bill.
This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of American Diabetes Month and decreasing the prevalence of diabetes in the United States through increased research, treatment, and prevention.
National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) Data Integrity Act of 2021 This bill modifies procedures for conducting firearms-related background checks through the national instant criminal background check system (NICS). Specifically, the bill requires the NICS to retain records related to a firearms-related background check for as long as necessary to determine whether an individual is eligible to receive a firearm. Additionally, the bill requires the NICS to query additional databases for relevant information, including the National Data Exchange, the Interstate Identification Index System, and the National Crime Information Center databases.
Combating International Islamophobia Act This bill establishes within the Department of State the Office to Monitor and Combat Islamophobia and addresses related issues. The office shall monitor and combat acts of Islamophobia and Islamophobic incitement in foreign countries. The bill establishes the position of Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Islamophobia, who shall head the office. The bill also requires certain existing annual reports to Congress about human rights and religious freedom in foreign countries to include information about Islamophobia, such as information about (1) acts of physical violence or harassment of Muslim people, (2) instances of propaganda in government and nongovernment media that attempt to justify or promote hatred or incite violence against Muslim people, and (3) actions taken by a country's government to respond to such acts. The office shall coordinate and assist in preparing these portions of the reports.
S 3393 permanently extends the Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC) for low-income individuals purchasing health insurance through the marketplace. It removes the temporary expiration date (previously set for January 1, 2022) from Section 35(b)(1) of the Internal Revenue Code, making the credit available indefinitely. This directly affects eligible low-income workers and their families who buy coverage via health insurance marketplaces. The key change is making the existing tax credit permanent, with coverage months after December 31, 2021, qualifying for the benefit.
African American History Act This bill authorizes the National Museum of African American History and Culture to carry out educational programs and related activities. Such activities include developing and making available accurate, relevant, and accessible resources to promote the understanding of African American history; and expanding the collection acquisition and collection access processes, including conservation and digitization. The museum may also develop and maintain on its website content designated for educators, students, and families to improve their awareness and understanding of African American history.
FDIC Board Accountability Act This bill revises provisions related to the board of directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Specifically, the bill removes the director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from the board as a voting member and requires the appointment of an individual with demonstrated primary experience working in or supervising small depository institutions. Further, the bill limits the term length of a board member to twelve years.
Continuing Robust and Uninhibited Drilling and Exporting Act or the CRUDE Act This bill limits the President's authority to restrict the export of crude oil from the United States. Currently, the President may restrict the export of oil for up to a year if the President declares a national emergency; the restrictions apply to countries, persons, or organizations for reasons of national security; or the Department of Commerce finds and reports to the President that the export of crude oil has caused sustained material oil supply shortages or sustained oil prices significantly above world market levels and those shortages or price increases have caused or are likely to cause sustained material adverse employment effects. However, this bill only allows the President to make such restrictions if the restrictions apply to countries, persons, or organizations for reasons of national security; or the Department of Defense, the Department of Energy, and Commerce jointly make those findings and report them to the President and Congress.
This bill requires the Department of the Air Force to report on the integration of the Adaptive Engine Transition Program propulsion system into the F-35A aircraft. Additionally, the Department of the Navy must report on the integration of an advanced propulsion system into F-35B and F-35C aircraft.
