This resolution recognizes the importance, effectiveness, and need for veteran-to-veteran sponsorship programs and encourages the use and practice of such programs within the federal government.
Secure Equipment Act of 2021 This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to establish rules stating that it will no longer review or approve any authorization application for equipment that is on the list of covered communications equipment or services. (Listed communications equipment or services are those that the FCC determines pose an unacceptable risk to national security or the security and safety of U.S. persons.)
This concurrent resolution declares that Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station for broadcasting sound recordings over the air, or on any business for such public performance of sound recordings.
Congressional and Executive Foreign Lobbying Ban Act This bill prohibits any individual from registering or otherwise serving as the agent of a foreign principal if the individual at any time served as a Member of Congress, a senior political appointee, or a general or flag officer of the Armed Forces.
Protecting America From Spies Act This bill expands the grounds for barring aliens who have engaged in acts relating to espionage or sabotage from entering the United States. Specifically, any alien shall be inadmissible if the alien has engaged in or will engage in an act that (1) violates a U.S. law relating to espionage or sabotage; (2) would violate any U.S. law relating to espionage or sabotage if it occurred in the United States; or (3) violates any U.S. law prohibiting the export of goods, technology, or sensitive information. Currently, an alien shall be inadmissible if the alien seeks to enter the United States to engage in such an action. Furthermore, the bill expands these grounds of inadmissibility and other security-related grounds to cover the spouse or child of the barred alien if the act occurred in the last five years. The bill also modifies the authority of the Department of Justice to waive certain security-related grounds of inadmissibility for an alien applying for a nonimmigrant visa.
Uyghur Stop Oppressive Sterilizations Act or the Uyghur SOS Act This bill expands existing visa-blocking sanctions to cover certain high-ranking foreign government officials who are responsible for coercive population control policies, such as forced abortions, with a focus on those responsible for such policies against ethnic minority groups in China. Specifically, the Department of State may not issue a visa to a foreign national who is a head of state, head of government, or cabinet-level minister and responsible for establishing or enforcing such policies if the policies are (1) imposed with the intent to destroy a national, ethnic, racial, or religious group; or (2) targeting ethnic minority groups (e.g., Uyghurs, Kazakhs, or Tibetans) or individuals peacefully expressing internationally-recognized human rights in China. (Currently, these sanctions do not apply to any foreign government officials at these higher ranks.) The State Department must make a public announcement each time sanctions are imposed under this bill. The bill also requires the State Department to provide all appropriate assistance to women who belong to an ethnic minority group in China and who have experienced sexual violence, torture, or coercive population control policies.
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.
Stop Foreign Funds in Elections Act This bill prohibits contributions or donations by foreign nationals in connection with state or local ballot initiatives or referenda.
TEACH for Tomorrow Act of 2021 This bill revises grant programs that support teacher preparation. Specifically, the bill revises the Teacher Quality Partnership program by requiring institutions of higher education (IHEs) to report additional information on the performance of their teacher preparation programs. Further, the Department of Education (ED) must impose a fine on an IHE that fails to provide the required information related to their programs. (Currently, ED may impose such a fine but is not required to do so.) Additionally, the bill revises the eligibility requirements for Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grants by (1) establishing a minimum pass rate for state assessments used for teacher certification or licensure, and (2) directing ED to continue to make TEACH grants to an ineligible IHE for the duration of each teacher candidate's course of study. ED must issue or revise regulations to carry out this bill.
Transparency in COVID-19 Expenditures Act This bill requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to audit certain funding that was provided to address COVID-19. Specifically, the GAO must audit and report on the use of funding provided by the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2020; the Families First Coronavirus Response Act; the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act); the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act; Divisions M and N of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021; and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
