Enhancing Entrepreneurship for the 21st Century Act This bill requires the Department of Commerce to conduct an assessment and analysis of the reasons underlying the decreasing rate of formation of new businesses (i.e., startups) in the United States.
No Fencing at the United States Capitol Complex Act This bill prohibits the use of federal funds for permanent fencing around the perimeter of any U.S. Capitol buildings or grounds. On January 7, 2021, in response to the previous day's events, razor wire fencing was erected to secure the perimeter of the U.S. Capitol; the fencing was initially to remain in place for 30 days and has since been kept in place through periodic extensions.
Recreational Lands Self-Defense Act of 2021 This bill requires the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to allow an individual to possess a firearm at a Corps water resources development project as long as the individual's possession of the firearm is in compliance with the law of the state in which the project is located.
Renewable Energy Certainty Act This bill authorizes long-term contracts for federal purchases of renewable energy and establishes related requirements. Specifically, the bill authorizes federal agencies to enter into contracts for the acquisition of energy generated from renewable energy sources or from cogeneration facilities for a period of up to 30 years. In addition, the bill requires the Federal Energy Management Program to publish a standardized energy purchase agreement that an agency may use for such an acquisition.
This joint resolution nullifies the action of the District of Columbia Council in approving the Minor Consent for Vaccinations Amendment Act of 2020, enacted by the council on December 23, 2020, and transmitted on February 1, 2021, to Congress pursuant to the District of Columbia Home Rule Act. The act authorizes a minor, 11 years of age or older, to consent to receive a vaccine if the minor is capable of meeting the informed consent standard and the vaccine is recommended by the United States Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and will be provided in accordance with its recommended immunization schedule.
This resolution acknowledges the importance of the U.S.-Egypt partnership and Egypt's role in the fight against terrorism and violent extremism. It also urges the Egyptian government to (1) enact serious and legitimate reforms to ensure that Coptic Christians have the same rights and opportunities as other Egyptian citizens, (2) complete the process of church certification, and (3) take steps to end the culture of impunity for attacks on Christians.
Small Business Succession Planning Act This bill requires the Small Business Administration (SBA) to establish a program to assist small businesses with developing and implementing business succession plans. The bill also provides a tax credit for a business that establishes a succession plan or that successfully carries out such a plan. A business succession plan identifies who will assume the ownership responsibilities of a small business upon the owner's death or retirement, and it includes an operational description of the small business to ensure the continuation of operations. To carry out the program, the SBA must develop and make publicly available a toolkit to assist small business with succession planning. Further, it must train resource partners on the toolkit, educate small businesses about the program, and ensure that each SBA district office and each resource partner employs someone to counsel small businesses on using the toolkit.
No Taxpayer Funding for the Chinese Communist Party Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Justice to report to Congress on the extent to which China has benefited from U.S. taxpayer-funded research. The report shall also contain information including (1) a list of U.S. government-funded entities that have hired Chinese nationals; and (2) a list of U.S. government programs in the science, technology, engineering, and math fields that have cooperated or affiliated with research institutions in China or Chinese Communist Party entities.
Lessening Regulatory Costs and Establishing a Federal Regulatory Budget Act of 2021 This bill establishes procedures and provides statutory authority to reduce the number of federal regulations. Specifically, it requires each agency to establish a regulatory reform task force chaired by a designated regulatory reform officer. Each task force must, among other duties (1) review each existing agency regulation; (2) estimate the potential cost savings of repealing or modifying each regulation; and (3) identify regulations that are appropriate for repeal, replacement, or modification based on cost, effectiveness, and impact on employment. The bill further provides statutory authority for the executive order prohibiting agencies from issuing a new regulation with an economic impact of at least $100 million without identifying two regulations for repeal that will offset the cost of the proposed new regulation. Agencies also must submit a list of all planned regulatory actions for inclusion in the semiannual Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions, including (1) the estimated economic effect of each action, and (2) proposed deregulatory actions to offset the cost of each proposed new regulation. Additionally, the Office of Management and Budget must establish an annual regulatory budget for each federal agency that specifies the net allowable increase in regulatory costs for each agency during the next fiscal year.
Fairness for Craft Beverage Producers Act This bill provides additional economic relief to certain beverage manufacturers in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019). Specifically, the bill gives certain beverage manufacturers (e.g., breweries and wineries that derived at least 35% of their gross annual income during either 2019 or 2020 from in-person sales) access to second draw loans under the Paycheck Protection Program. Further, it makes these beverage manufacturers eligible to receive additional months of subsidized principal and interest payments on certain Small Business Administration loans.
No taxpayer funding for United Nations Human Rights Council Act This bill prohibits the Department of State from making contributions to the United Nations Human Rights Council, either as a percentage of the U.S. contribution to the regular budget of the United Nations or as a voluntary contribution to the council.
"Six Triple Eight" Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021 This bill directs the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal in honor of the women of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion (commonly known as the Six Triple Eight) in recognition of their pioneering military service, devotion to duty, and contributions to increase the morale of personnel stationed in the European theater of operations during World War II. The medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution and made available for display and research.
