No Communist Countries Participating in Lobbying Act This bill prohibits former Members of Congress from lobbying the federal government on behalf of communist countries (or entities that are owned or controlled by such countries) and establishes specific monetary penalties for violations.
Chinese Communist Party (CCP) Politburo Accountability Act This bill authorizes the President to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on certain senior officials of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and addresses related issues. The President may impose sanctions on senior CCP officials who have engaged in or provided support for (1) any malign disinformation campaign or political warfare operation against the United States; (2) the theft of intellectual property belonging to a U.S. individual or entity; (3) actions undermining Taiwan's sovereignty; or (4) restrictions against the practice of religion in China, including the forced closure of any place of worship. The President must impose sanctions on four named senior CCP officials. The Department of State must report to Congress on whether any CCP Politburo members meet the criteria for sanctions under various authorities. (The Politburo and the Politburo Standing Committee are China's highest decision-making bodies.)
One Agency Act This bill consolidates antitrust enforcement authority in one agency by transferring all Federal Trade Commission (FTC) antitrust functions, employees, assets, and funding to the Department of Justice (DOJ). The bill also transfers to DOJ the responsibility for reviewing specified communications transactions that is currently the duty of the Federal Communications Commission. The bill does not remove the authority of the FTC to police certain unfair and deceptive acts and practices.
Fiscal State of the Nation Resolution This concurrent resolution requires the congressional budget committees to conduct an annual joint hearing to receive a presentation from the Comptroller General regarding (1) the Government Accountability Office's audit of the financial statement of the executive branch, and (2) the financial position and condition of the federal government.
This resolution recognizes the importance of gig workers (i.e., workers hired on a per-project basis) and other independent contractors to the economy.
VA Medicinal Cannabis Research Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to conduct clinical trials of the effects of medical-grade cannabis on the health outcomes of covered veterans diagnosed with chronic pain and those diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Covered veterans are those who are enrolled in the VA health care system. The trials must include a control group and an experimental group that are of similar sizes and structures and represent the demographics of the veteran population. Data collected in the trials must be preserved to facilitate further research. Under the bill, participation in the clinical trials does not affect a covered veteran's eligibility or entitlement to other VA benefits.
National Informed Consent Exemption (NICE) Act This bill restricts the federal government and federally funded entities from mandating that U.S. citizens receive a vaccination or a test for an infectious disease in order to participate in federal programs or activities such as travel. It also specifies that laws, regulations, or policies that discriminate on the basis of a citizen's vaccination status are unenforceable, subject to limited exceptions. The bill establishes a national vaccination exemption that may be exercised by any individual, including on behalf of the individual's children or dependents. Further, the bill prohibits vaccinating a child without the consent of each parent or guardian. One parent or guardian may consent if the other parent or guardian received, at least three days prior, written notice of the child's vaccination appointment. The bill's provisions do not apply (1) to lawfully incarcerated or institutionalized individuals, (2) to a specific individual subject to an individualized court order that meets due process protections, or (3) during declared emergencies if the jurisdiction's governing authority formally applies to the President for an exception to the national vaccination exemption that meets specified standards. An aggrieved individual may enforce the bill through a private right of action. Additionally, an entity that provides false information to influence an individual's decision about receiving a vaccine shall be liable for damages resulting from the vaccination. The Surgeon General must establish an independent commission to evaluate the safety of COVID-19 vaccines and other vaccines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Maddy summaryHRES 754 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House of Representatives' opposition to proposed "punitive natural gas taxes" on U.S. businesses, families, and workers. It cites claims that such taxes would raise average energy bills by 17%, reduce GDP by $9 billion, and eliminate 90,000 jobs, while disproportionately harming low-income households. The resolution argues that opposing these taxes supports U.S. energy security, national security, and continued leadership in reducing emissions through domestic natural gas production. As a procedural resolution, it does not create law but formally states the House's position against this policy approach.
Nullify Occupational Safety and Health Administration Act or the NOSHA Act This bill abolishes the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA, which is part of the Department of Labor, sets and enforces workplace safety and health standards and provides related training, outreach, education, and assistance.
This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to require a member of the Armed Forces to receive a COVID-19 vaccination. The bill also prohibits adverse action (e.g., punishment) being taken against a member of the Armed Forces because the member refuses to receive a COVID-19 vaccination.
