Sen. Michael F. Bennet

Bringing Enhanced Treatments and Therapies to ESRD Recipients Kidney Care Act or the BETTER Kidney Care Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a demonstration program for Medicare beneficiaries with end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Under the program, renal dialysis facilities, kidney disease specialists, physician practices, and other health care practitioners may form an organization that partners with certain health care entities to provide integrated care to beneficiaries with ESRD. Such care must include all covered Medicare benefits as well as transition services for transplantations, palliative care, and hospice. Each organization must have a minimum number or percentage of participating beneficiaries (350 or 60% of beneficiaries served at the organization's facilities) and must also comply with certain fiscal, governance, and quality of care requirements. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must study certain data that is reported to the CMS regarding pediatric dialysis care, as well as the effects of race-based corrections to a specified kidney function test on referrals of ESRD patients for transplant evaluations.

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.

Industrial Finance Corporation Act This bill establishes within the executive branch the Industrial Finance Corporation. The corporation must provide support for (1) manufacturing and supply chains in certain critical industries, (2) industries on the technological frontier, and (3) other economic objectives. The bill specifies the membership and structure of the corporation and authorizes the corporation to invest in projects, make loans, and manage programs to further the corporation's economic objectives. The corporation also has the power to purchase or lease property, enter contracts, borrow funds from the Department of the Treasury (up to a specified limit), and otherwise carry out its functions. A risk committee must develop and review the corporation's risk management policies and an audit committee must oversee the integrity of the corporation's finances. The bill also requires the corporation to develop a performance measurement system to evaluate and monitor projects and guide future projects. Further, the corporation must develop appropriate safeguards, policies, and guidelines to ensure that its projects supplement, rather than compete with, private sector supports. The corporation must periodically report on its projects and publish certain project-level information.

This joint resolution repeals specified authorizations for the use of military force against Iraq.

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.

This resolution expresses the condolences of the Senate regarding the death of the Honorable Carl Levin, former Senator for Michigan.

Automatic Relief for Taxpayers Affected by Major Disasters and Critical Events Act This bill modifies the mandatory extension of certain tax filing and other tax-related deadlines for taxpayers affected by federally declared disasters and rules for postponing certain tax filing or payment requirements due to service in a combat zone or a contingency operation. It also tolls the deadline for filing a petition in the Tax Court if the location for filing the petition is inaccessible.

This resolution expresses the condolences of the Senate regarding the death of the Honorable Mike Enzi, former Senator for Wyoming.

Congressional Whistleblower Protection Act of 2021 This bill creates certain administrative and judicial remedies for federal employees whose right to provide information to Congress is interfered with or denied. Under current law, federal employees have the right to petition or furnish information to Congress or to individual Members of Congress, and this right may not be interfered with or denied. The bill explicitly allows employees who are aggrieved by a violation of this right to seek administrative remedies that are currently available to whistleblowers who are fired or experience other forms of retaliation. The bill also establishes a private right of action for aggrieved employees, including the option of a jury trial, if an administrative remedy is not issued within 210 days of a complaint being made. The bill applies to employees and contractors of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, including members of the intelligence community.

Supreme Court Ethics Act This bill establishes a new statutory requirement for the Judicial Conference of the United States to issue a judicial code of conduct for judges and justices of U.S. courts, including Justices of the Supreme Court. Currently, the Judicial Conference issues a code of conduct for judges of U.S. courts (but not for Justices of the Supreme Court).