Ending Natural Gas Companies' Seizure of Land for Export Profits Act This bill restricts the use of eminent domain to take private or state land for the construction of a natural gas pipeline. Specifically, the bill prohibits the U.S. districts courts from having jurisdiction to condemn property in which a state owns any interest. Further, the bill prohibits the use of eminent domain to take private property for the construction of a pipeline that will export liquefied natural gas to a foreign country.
Renew America’s Schools Act of 2021 This bill establishes a program under which the Department of Energy must award grants for energy improvements (e.g., renovations to install energy efficiency or renewable energy technologies, repairs to improve indoor air quality, or purchases of zero-emission vehicles) at public school facilities.
NICS Denial Notification Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Justice to notify state and local law enforcement authorities following a firearms-related background check that results in a denial.
Strengthening Trade, Regional Alliances, Technology, and Economic and Geopolitical Initiatives concerning China Act or the STRATEGIC Act This bill contains provisions addressing China and foreign relations generally. The provisions include directing the Department of State to establish a program to facilitate dialogues between U.S. regulatory and technical agencies and their counterparts in partner countries to promote U.S. regulatory standards; authorizing the State Department to help U.S. companies address China-related supply chain management issues, including by relocating production to other countries; directing the President to establish an interagency working group to strengthen U.S. leadership in international standards-setting bodies for mobile telecommunications technology, including fifth generation (5G) technology; requiring the President to establish a process for a U.S. person to petition for sanctions against a foreign person involved in a significant act of intellectual property theft or the forced transfer of technology; prohibiting any individual who has directly represented the government of a country designated by the President as a country of national security concern from serving in a State Department position that requires Senate confirmation; directing the State Department to establish the Office of Integrity in the United Nations System to counter undue influence by authoritarian nations in the United Nations; and authorizing through FY2026 various State Department programs in Southeast Asia related to maritime security and diplomatic outreach activities.
Retaining Educators Takes Added Investment Now Act or the RETAIN Act This bill allows a refundable tax credit for the employment of early childhood educators, teachers, early childhood education program directors, school leaders, and school-based mental health services providers that is based upon the number of school years for which such individuals have been continuously employed.
Carbon Capture Modernization Act This bill modifies sequestration and other requirements for the qualifying advanced coal project tax credit.
This bill directs the Joint Committee on the Library to accept from the Harriet Tubman Statue Commission of Maryland the donation of a statue of Harriet Tubman, which the Architect of the Capitol shall place in a prominent, permanent location in the U.S. Capitol.
Global Trade Accountability Act This bill requires congressional approval of any proposed unilateral trade action that has the effect of increasing trade barriers.
Fighting Oppression until the Reign of Castro Ends Act or the FORCE Act This bill prohibits removing Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism until the President makes the determination that a transition government in Cuba is in power. Further, the President must submit a report that identifies terrorists and fugitives being provided safe haven in Cuba.
Coin Metal Modification Authorization and Cost Savings Act of 2021 This bill authorizes the United States Mint to modify the metallic composition of circulating coins (including by prescribing reasonable manufacturing tolerances with respect to those coins) if a study and analysis conducted by the Mint indicates that the modification will reduce costs incurred by the taxpayers; be seamless, which shall be determined by verifying that the coins will work interchangeably in most coin acceptors using electromagnetic signature technology; and have as minimal an adverse impact as possible on the public and stakeholders. The Mint must notify Congress before making the modification and provide a justification for the modification.
Stop Higher Education Espionage and Theft Act of 2021 This bill establishes a process for designating foreign actors as foreign intelligence threats to higher education. Specifically, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) must designate a foreign actor as a foreign intelligence threat to higher education if the foreign actor has committed, attempted to commit, or conspired to commit certain actions in connection with an institution of higher education (IHE), such as espionage, misuse of visas, or theft of trade secrets. Prior to making such a designation, the FBI must submit notice to Congress and the Department of Justice. Upon the designation of a foreign actor as a threat, the Department of State must revoke the nonimmigrant visa issued to the foreign actor present in the United States, and the Department of Homeland Security must initiate removal proceedings against the foreign actor. Additionally, the bill provides for judicial review and a process for revoking a foreign actor's designation as a threat. Finally, the bill also requires an IHE to disclose to the Department of Education any gift or contract with a foreign intelligence threat, including the fair market value of the gift or contract.
Public Health Infrastructure Saves Lives Act This bill provides annual funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to strengthen core public health infrastructure. Core public health infrastructure includes the elements and workforce capabilities that enable health departments to perform critical functions such as disease surveillance and emergency response. Specifically, the CDC must award grants to health departments for their core infrastructure needs. In addition, the CDC must support the development of accreditation standards for health departments that emphasize core public health infrastructure. Health departments must meet those (or similar) standards as a condition of receiving grants beginning in FY2025. The CDC must also take steps to expand and improve its own public health infrastructure.
