VA Emergency Transportation Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reimburse a veteran for the reasonable value of emergency transportation by a non-VA provider (1) to a facility for emergency treatment, or (2) from a non-VA facility where the veteran was treated to a VA or other federal facility for additional care.
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to designate one week per year as Battle Buddy Check Week for the purposes of organizing outreach events and educating veterans on how to conduct peer wellness checks. The VA shall ensure that the Veterans Crisis Line has a plan for handling the potential increase in calls that may occur during such week.
This bill extends through October 18, 2021, the order issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) titled Temporary Halt in Residential Evictions To Prevent the Further Spread of COVID-19 and published on September 4, 2020. The bill also permits the CDC to further extend the order as it determines necessary.
This resolution expresses the condolences of the Senate regarding the death of the Honorable Mike Enzi, former Senator for Wyoming.
International Pandemic Preparedness and COVID-19 Response Act of 2021 This bill outlines U.S. foreign policy to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic and to future pandemics and disasters. With respect to COVID-19, the Department of State must develop a strategy to expand and expedite access to COVID-19 vaccines in other countries. The bill also allows for the use of any foreign assistance for activities to combat COVID-19, regardless of the original purpose of the funding. Additionally, the State Department and the U.S. Agency for International Development must protect and support humanitarian actors responding to secondary effects of the pandemic (e.g., food insecurity). Furthermore, the State Department must report on, and take other steps to address, restrictions and violations of human rights in the COVID-19 response measures of other countries, and the U.S. Agency for Global Media must focus its communication programs on combating propaganda and providing accurate information related to COVID-19. With respect to future pandemics and disasters, the bill (1) designates agencies responsible for carrying out preparedness and response activities, and (2) authorizes a committee within the National Security Council to coordinate government-wide response efforts. Additionally, the President must establish a strategy for advancing U.S. global health security; the bill creates a position in the State Department to promote this strategy. Moreover, the State Department must work with other international actors to establish a financing mechanism and otherwise promote global health security, including by strengthening health systems and disease surveillance in developing countries. Additionally, funding authorized by this bill may not be made available to China.
Office of Attending Physician Independence Act This bill addresses the appointment and oversight of the Attending Physician (a medical officer who is currently assigned by the the Navy to provide emergency medical assistance to Members of Congress, Justices of the Supreme Court, congressional staff, and visitors to the Capitol). The bill establishes a commission to recommend individuals to the President for appointment to the position of Attending Physician. The commission shall recommend at least three individuals who are medical officers of the Navy for appointment. The President shall appoint the Attending Physician from the individuals recommended by the commission with the advice and consent of the Senate for a term of 10 years. The Office of Attending Physician shall be subject to oversight by the Committee on House Administration and the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration.
Federal Insurance Office Elimination Act This bill eliminates the Federal Insurance Office (FIO) within the Department of the Treasury. The bill also removes the FIO director as a nonvoting member of the Financial Stability Oversight Council.
Don't Weaponize the IRS Act This bill codifies regulations promulgated by the Trump Administration exempting certain tax-exempt organizations from specified reporting requirements. Specifically the bill increases from $5,000 to $50,000 the gross receipts threshold used to determine the eligibility of tax-exempt organizations for the exemption from certain disclosure and reporting requirements; expands the definition of organization to include tax-exempt charitable organizations and organizations with no significant activities relating to lobbying, political activity, and the operation of a trade or business; exempts from disclosure the names and addresses of contributors to an organization in its annual informational return; and extends exemptions from reporting requirements to political action committees (i.e., 527 organizations).
Partnerships for Energy Security and Innovation Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish the Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation. It also authorizes the establishment of the National Energy Technology Laboratory. The Foundation for Energy Security and Innovation, a nonprofit corporation, must support DOE's mission and increase private and philanthropic sector investments that support efforts concerning the development, deployment, and commercialization of innovative technologies that address crosscutting national energy challenges. The foundation may award fellowships and grants for activities relating to research, development, demonstration, maturation, or commercialization of energy and other technologies supported by DOE. In addition, the National Energy Technology Laboratory may establish a nongovernmental Federal Laboratory-Associated Foundation to advance U.S. energy security as specified by the bill.
Supporting Trucking Efficiency and Emission Reductions Act or the STEER Act This bill requires the Department of Energy to establish a voucher program for expenses associated with retrofitting certain heavy-duty trucks with emission-reducing technologies.
Nuclear Power Purchase Agreements Act This bill requires the Department of Energy to develop and carry out a program under which it will enter into one or more long-term (i.e., 10 to 40 years) nuclear power purchase agreements with nuclear reactors that received initial licenses after January 1, 2020.
Alternatives to Opioids in the Emergency Department Reauthorization Act of 2021 or the ALTO Reauthorization Act of 2021 This bill reauthorizes through FY2026 a grant program for developing and implementing alternatives to opioids for pain management in hospitals and emergency departments.
