Keep China Out of Solar Energy Act of 2021 This bill prohibits federal procurement of solar panels manufactured or assembled in China. Specifically, the bill directs the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to develop standards and guidelines for executive agencies to prohibit (1) federal funds from being awarded for the procurement of solar panels that are manufactured or assembled by any entity domiciled in China or subject to influence or control by the government of China or the Chinese Communist Party, and (2) the use of government-issued purchase cards to purchase solar panels that are manufactured or assembled by any such entity. The Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council shall amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation to implement the prohibition with respect to federal contracts and subcontracts. The bill sets forth provisions regarding waivers, quarterly reports by the OMB to Congress, and a report by the Government Accountability Office. The OMB shall seek to enter into a contract with a federally funded research and development center under which the center will study (1) the current and future domestic market of solar panel production, (2) the ability of the solar panel domestic market to keep pace with technological advancements across the industry, and (3) the current global supply chain and workforce involved with solar panel production.
Sen. Shelley Moore Capito
Sponsored bills
Rural Reasonable and Comparable Wireless Access Act of 2021 This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission to establish a national standard—informed by data gathered on mobile broadband service in the 20 most populous metropolitan areas in the United States—to determine whether the mobile broadband service available in rural areas is reasonably comparable to that of urban areas.
Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage Tax Credit Amendments Act of 2021 This bill extends the carbon oxide sequestration tax credit through 2030. It also permits taxpayers to elect to receive a payment in lieu of the tax credits for carbon oxide sequestration and qualifying advanced coal projects. The bill also makes other modifications to certain carbon sequestration credits, including (1) an allowance of carbon sequestration credits against the base erosion minimum tax, (2) modifications to sequestration requirements for certain qualifying advanced coal project credit equipment, and (3) increasing the sequestration credit value for direct air capture projects.
Forest Incentives Program Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish two programs to achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions. Specifically, USDA must establish (1) a forest incentives program to achieve emission reductions and carbon sequestration on private forest land through carbon incentives contracts and conservation easement agreements, and (2) an incentives program to achieve emission reductions from material choices in buildings. USDA shall pay owners of forest land under a contract or agreement for (1) certain forestry practices that measurably increase carbon sequestration and storage over a designated period on such land, with appropriate crediting for the carbon benefits of harvested wood products; or (2) conservation easements on such land. USDA shall pay owners of nonresidential buildings used for commercial or state or local government for using less energy-intensive commercial or industrial products in new construction or building renovation.
Natural Gas Export Expansion Act This bill revises requirements regarding natural gas imports or exports to expand the expedited application and approval process to any nation, even if not a party to a free trade agreement with the United States, that is not specifically excluded by this bill. The bill excludes any nation subject to sanctions or trade restrictions imposed by the United States or excluded by the President or Congress for national security reasons.
This resolution expresses the sense that the current influx of migrants at the southern land border constitutes a crisis.
No Budget, No Pay Act This bill prohibits Members of Congress from being paid in a fiscal year until both chambers approve the budget resolution and pass all regular appropriations bills for that fiscal year. Retroactive pay is prohibited for such a period.
PPP Extension Act of 2021 This bill extends the Paycheck Protection Program, established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), through June 30, 2021. Currently, the program is set to expire on March 31, 2021. For the final 30 days of the program (i.e., from June 1 until June 30), the Small Business Administration may only process applications submitted prior to June 1, and it may not accept any new loan applications.
This resolution designates March 2021 as National Women's History Month. The resolution also recognizes the celebration of such month as a time to reflect on the contributions that women have made to the United States.
Rural Health Clinic Protection Act This bill applies certain modified payment limits to rural health clinics that temporarily enrolled in Medicare during the public health emergency relating to COVID-19 or that applied to enroll by December 31, 2020.