Rep. Joe Neguse

Fair COLA for Seniors Act This bill bases cost-of-living adjustments for certain benefits available through federal and military retirement programs, Social Security, and specified programs for veterans on a price index that tracks the spending patterns of older consumers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor must publish that price index on a monthly basis.

Improving Medicare Coverage Act This bill temporarily expands eligibility for Medicare. It also temporarily establishes a premium and cost-sharing assistance program for low-income beneficiaries. Specifically, the bill lowers the age of eligibility for Medicare from 65 to 60. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must establish procedures to provide for automatic enrollment of qualifying individuals. Enrollment must be completed within 11 months of the bill's enactment. The bill also establishes a program under Medicare to assist low-income Medicare beneficiaries with premiums, coinsurance, deductibles, and other costs. Currently, such assistance is provided through Medicare Savings Programs, which are administered by state Medicaid programs. The bill also establishes a related special enrollment period under Medicare, expands eligibility for assistance to beneficiaries with income up to 200% of the federal poverty line, and provides for joint eligibility determinations with respect to the bill's program and the low-income subsidy program under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. The bill's provisions generally take effect six months after the bill's enactment and terminate five years later.

Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act This bill provides statutory authority for the establishment of the Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration (SBA). The office must establish a working relationship with Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations by targeting SBA programs relating to entrepreneurial development, contracting, and capital access to revitalize small businesses owned and controlled by individuals who are members of Indian tribes or Native Hawaiian Organizations and economic development in Indian country.

Manatee Protection Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of the Interior to include the West Indian manatee ( Trichechus manatus ) in the endangered species list and give the species protections provided to endangered species.

Harlem Hellfighters Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to the 369th Infantry Regiment, commonly known as the Harlem Hellfighters, in recognition of their bravery and outstanding service during World War I.

Puppies Assisting Wounded Servicemembers for Veterans Therapy Act or the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act This bill implements a program and a policy related to service dog therapy for veterans. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a five-year pilot program to provide canine training to eligible veterans diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder as an element of a complementary and integrative health program. Eligible veterans are those who are enrolled in the VA health care system and have been recommended for participation by a qualified mental health care provider or clinical team. The VA must seek to enter agreements containing specified elements with accredited nongovernmental entities that have demonstrated ability to provide canine training. Veterans who participate in the program are authorized to adopt the dog they assisted in training if their health provider determines it is in the best interest of the veteran. The VA must establish processes to document and track the progress of participating veterans with respect to health benefits and improvements. The Government Accountability Office must brief Congress and submit a report on the program. The bill also authorizes the VA to provide service dogs to veterans with mental illnesses, regardless of whether they have a mobility impairment.

This resolution (1) sets forth the rule for consideration of H.R. 4 (establishing new criteria for the preclearance of, public notification of changes to, and judicial consideration of challenges to voting practices); (2) provides for the consideration of Senate amendments to H.R. 3684 (providing funding for infrastructure projects); (3) provides for the adoption of S.Con.Res. 14 (establishing the congressional budget for FY2022, setting forth budgetary levels for FY2023-FY2031, and providing reconciliation instructions for legislation that increases the deficit); (4) provides for the adoption of H.Res. 595 (committing to concur in Senate amendments to H.R. 3684 by September 28, 2021); and (5) provides for the tabling of H.Res. 594 (providing the rules for consideration of various bills).

This resolution provides for consideration of H.R. 4 (John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021) and H.R. 3684 (Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act). The resolution also adopts S.Con.Res. 14, tables H.Res. 594 and H.Res. 600, and provides that House Rule XXVIII (recommitment of a bill to a committee) does not apply to the House adoption of a concurrent resolution on the budget for FY2022.

This resolution (1) sets forth the rule for consideration of H.R. 4 (establishing new criteria for the preclearance of, public notification of changes to, and judicial consideration of challenges to voting practices); (2) provides for the consideration of Senate amendments to H.R. 3684 (providing funding for infrastructure projects); and (3) provides for the adoption of S.Con.Res. 14 (establishing the congressional budget for FY2022, setting forth budgetary levels for FY2023-FY2031, and providing reconciliation instructions for legislation that increases the deficit).

Veterans Equitable Taxation of Student Loans Act or the V.E.T. Student Loans Act This bill excludes from the gross income of veterans, for income tax purposes, income attributable to the discharge of student loan debt. The exclusion is permanent and is retroactive beginning in 2001.