This concurrent resolution recognizes the disparity in wages paid to Black women and its impact on women, families, and the nation, and reaffirms Congress' support for ensuring equal pay and closing the gender wage gap.
Equal Pay for Equal Work Act This bill establishes the National Equal Pay Enforcement Task Force to improve enforcement of equal pay laws.
Expanding Broadcast Ownership Opportunities Act of 2021 This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take certain actions to increase diversity of ownership in the broadcasting industry and establishes a related tax incentive. Specifically, the bill requires the FCC to report to Congress regarding (1) recommendations for increasing the total number of broadcast stations that are owned or controlled by members of minority groups or women, (2) the total number of broadcast stations that are owned or controlled by members of minority groups or women, and (3) whether there is a nexus between diversity of ownership or control of broadcast stations and the diversity of the viewpoints expressed on the stations. In addition, the bill allows companies engaged in the qualifying sale of a broadcast station to receive favorable tax treatment by electing nonrecognition of the gain or loss resulting from the sale. To qualify for this treatment, the sale must result in or preserve ownership and control of a broadcast station by socially disadvantaged individuals.
Lonnie Kilpatrick Central Pacific Relief Act This bill provides a presumption of service-connection for diseases associated with exposure to certain herbicide agents to veterans who served on (1) Guam or American Samoa, or in the territorial waters thereof, between January 9, 1962, and July 31, 1980; or (2) Johnston Atoll or a ship that went to Johnston Atoll between January 1, 1972, and September 30, 1977. Under a presumption of service-connection, specific diseases diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded. Additionally, the bill expands eligibility for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care to veterans with a disability associated with exposure to certain herbicides during specified times of military service on Guam, American Samoa, or Johnston Atoll.
This resolution expresses support for members of the Islamic community and recognizes Islam as one of the world's great religions.
Sending Unconditional Payments to People Overcoming Resistances to Triumph Act of 2021 or the SUPPORT Act of 2021 This bill establishes a guaranteed income pilot program and tax credit and provides for bank accounts supported by Federal Reserve banks. The bill establishes the Office of Guaranteed Income Programs to carry out a five-year guaranteed income pilot program. The pilot program must provide grants through local governments and community development financial institutions for periodic cash payments to eligible individuals. An eligible program must provide cash payments that are not less than $50 per individual and are made on a biweekly, monthly, or quarterly basis. Additionally, the bill establishes the Guaranteed Income Tax Credit, a refundable income tax credit for individual taxpayers equal to $14,400 plus $600 for each dependent. The amount is reduced for individuals whose adjusted gross income exceeds specified levels. A taxpayer may elect to receive this credit in advance in equal amounts throughout the year. The bill also requires Federal Reserve member banks to provide bank accounts ( FedAccounts ) to residents and to businesses domiciled in the United States for purposes of holding digital dollar balances. These accounts must provide specified banking services, including debit cards, online banking, automatic bill pay, and automatic teller machines at U.S. postal facilities. These accounts may not charge fees or have balance requirements and must provide a specified interest rate.
Genuine Progress Indicator Act of 2021 or the GPI Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Commerce to establish the genuine progress indicator as a metric to measure the economic well-being of households. The indicator shall be calculated through adjustments to gross domestic product that account for positive and negative economic, environmental, and social factors that contribute to economic activity. It shall also include the total annual economic value and cost of such factors. The head of each federal agency, the President, the Federal Reserve, and Congress must use both the indicator and gross domestic product for budgetary reporting and economic forecasting that measures the net benefits of economic activity.
Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act This bill provides rights and protections for domestic workers (e.g., housekeepers, nannies, caretakers, personal assistants, and chauffeurs), including pay and leave rights, and health and safety protections. Specifically, the bill repeals the exemption of domestic live-in employees from certain minimum wage and maximum hour requirements. Employers must provide written notice of termination and provide at least 30 days of lodging and two weeks of severance pay to terminated live-in employees. Live-in employees also must be provided with reasonable access to telephone and internet service during their employment. The bill requires employers to provide domestic workers with a written agreement covering wages, sick leave, benefits, and other matters. Further, domestic workers may request and be granted changes to work schedules due to personal events. The bill also provides domestic workers with certain privacy rights, extends to domestic workers protections against discrimination in employment, and increases the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for certain Medicaid-funded medical services provided by domestic workers. The Department of Labor must (1) award grants for a domestic worker national hotline for reporting emergencies, training on hazards facing domestic workers, and workforce investment activities for domestic workers; and (2) establish a Domestic Worker Wage and Standards Board to investigate standards in the domestic workers industry. Labor must publish online a document that describes the rights and protections for domestic workers under this bill.
Protecting Renters from Evictions Act of 2021 This bill extends through December 31, 2021, the order issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention titled Temporary Halt in Residential Evictions To Prevent the Further Spread of COVID–19 and published on September 4, 2020.
This resolution condemns the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise on July 7, 2021, and extends condolences to his family and the people of Haiti.
