Sustainable Shark Fisheries and Trade Act of 20 21 This bill addresses the conservation and management of sharks. The bill prohibits the importation into the United States of shark products from a nation that does not have measures to provide for the conservation and management of sharks and measures to prohibit shark finning (the removal of a shark's fins, including the tail, and discarding the remainder of the shark at sea) that are comparable to those of the United States. The bill includes exceptions to this prohibition for law enforcement, subsistence purposes, education, conservation, or scientific research. The Department of Commerce must certify nations with protections for sharks that are comparable to those of the United States. Commerce must revise its regulations to include rays and skates as species that are subject to the Seafood Import Monitoring Program. (The Seafood Import Monitoring Program has data reporting and recordkeeping requirements for imported fish or fish products entering U.S. commerce.)
Veterans Access to Direct Primary Care Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a five-year pilot program to provide eligible veterans with the option to receive primary care services from a non-VA health care provider under a direct primary care service arrangement through the use of a veteran health savings account. Eligible veterans are those enrolled in the VA health care system.
The American PPE Supply Chain Integrity Act This bill requires specified federal departments to purchase certain items, including medical supplies, personal protective equipment (PPE), and clothing, from the United States, with exceptions. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Department of Veterans Affairs to purchase items such as specified medical supplies (including disinfecting wipes), PPE, and fabric products (including clothing, bags, and tents) from products that are 100% grown, reprocessed, reused, or produced in the United States. The bill requires regulations to (1) prohibit the use by any federal department or agency of reverse auctions or lowest price technically acceptable contracting methods for the procurement of PPE if the level of quality or failure of the item could result in infection, illness, or death; and (2) establish a preference for the use of best value contracting methods for the procurement of such equipment. The bill applies the Berry Amendment (which requires the Department of Defense to give preference in procurement to domestically produced, manufactured, or homegrown products) to specified supplies and equipment, such as surgical dressing materials, hospital and surgical clothing, and textile medical supplies and equipment.
Ukraine Security Partnership Act of 2021 This bill contains provisions related to U.S. support for Ukraine. From FY2022-FY2026, the Department of State is authorized to (1) provide grants and loans to Ukraine for acquiring U.S. defense equipment and services through the Foreign Military Financing program, and (2) provide training for Ukraine's military through the International Military Education and Training program. During this period, Ukraine shall have priority access to excess U.S. defense articles. During this period, the State Department may also engage in certain activities in Ukraine to (1) strengthen cybersecurity and intellectual property enforcement, (2) provide support and training for certain economic reforms and the privatization of state-owned enterprises, (3) combat corruption and strengthen the rule of law, (4) respond to humanitarian crises caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine, (5) improve participatory legislative processes, and (6) build civil society and independent media capacity. The State Department shall report to Congress a strategy on (1) using diplomacy to support Ukraine, and (2) encouraging other countries to donate excess defense equipment to Ukraine. The President shall report to Congress a determination as to whether certain vessels and entities, including the project company behind the Nord Stream 2 pipeline, meet the criteria to be subject to sanctions. (The Nord Stream 2 is a pipeline project that would bring natural gas from Russia to Europe.)
Abortion Providers Loan Elimination Act This bill makes abortion providers ineligible to receive a loan under the Paycheck Protection Program, which was established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19. This prohibition shall not apply to hospitals or entities that exclusively provide abortions (1) where the pregnancy is the result of rape or incest, or (2) where the pregnancy endangers the life of the mother. The Inspector General of the Small Business Administration must report on the number of paycheck protection loans made to the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and to other abortion providers.
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment requiring Representatives to be apportioned according to the number of U.S. citizens in each state, rather than the number of persons in each state.
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the U.S. government should not infringe upon the ability of American citizens to act in accordance with their sincerely held religious beliefs. It condemns any behavior by the states that limits the ability of individuals to express such beliefs.
Promoting Responsible and Effective Virtual Experiences through Novel Technology to Deliver Improved Access and Better Engagement with Tested and Evidence-based Strategies Act or the PREVENT DIABETES Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to allow online or virtual diabetes prevention programs that meet standards set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to participate in the Medicare Diabetes Prevention Program Expanded Model. The model provides CDC-approved training on dietary changes, physical activity, and other behavioral strategies for beneficiaries who are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
Woman's Right To Know Act This bill specifies requirements for informed consent that health care providers must obtain before performing an abortion procedure. Providers must present a woman seeking an abortion with an authorization form at least 24 hours before performing the procedure. The form must (1) include specified information concerning gestational age, associated developmental characteristics, and medical risks; (2) disclose penalties that providers may face for failing to obtain the requisite informed consent; and (3) include an affirmation that the individual signing the form understands the information. The form must be signed and witnessed in person and retained in the medical file. Providers do not have to obtain such consent if, in reasonable medical judgment, obtaining it would pose a greater risk of death or substantial physical impairment of a major bodily function, excluding psychological or emotional conditions, of the pregnant woman. The bill also establishes civil penalties for providers who do not comply with these requirements.
Pharmacy and Medically Underserved Areas Enhancement Act This bill provides for Medicare coverage and payment with respect to certain pharmacist services that (1) are furnished by a pharmacist in a health-professional shortage area, and (2) would otherwise be covered under Medicare if furnished by a physician.
English Language Unity Act of 2021 This bill establishes English as the official language of the United States. It establishes a framework for implementation and enforcement, including by testing English as part of the naturalization process.
Animal Cruelty Enforcement Act of 2021 This bill establishes a new section in the Environmental and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice to enforce federal laws concerning animal cruelty.
