This bill increases the penalties for an alien who fails to appear at a removal proceeding and modifies related procedures. Currently, an alien who misses a required removal proceeding shall be ordered removed from the United States if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement proves that the alien had received written notice to appear at the removal proceeding. If an alien in Department of Justice or Department of Homeland Security custody is required to attend a removal proceeding, this bill requires DOJ or DHS to issue such a written notice to the alien before removing or paroling that alien from its custody. Furthermore, under this bill, an alien who fails to attend a required removal proceeding after receiving written notice shall lose any immigration status or benefit the alien may have, absent exceptional circumstances.
Sponsored bills
Access to Technology and Equipment for Same-day Tests Act or the Access to TESTs Act This bill establishes grant programs to increase access to diagnostic tests. Specifically, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must award grants to hospitals, primary care facilities, and other health care providers to buy equipment and supplies to increase access to same-day diagnostic testing in point-of-care settings. The CDC must also award grants to public health and other laboratories to buy high-throughput diagnostic equipment and supplies to increase testing capacity and expedite test results.
This resolution expresses the sense that the current influx of migrants at the southern land border constitutes a crisis.
No Budget, No Pay Act This bill prohibits Members of Congress from being paid in a fiscal year until both chambers approve the budget resolution and pass all regular appropriations bills for that fiscal year. Retroactive pay is prohibited for such a period.
Reassurance On Commitments Act of 2021 or the ROC Act This bill prohibits using funds made available to the Department of State for FY2022 to implement or enforce any policy that restricts representatives of Taiwan (such as members of Taiwan's armed forces or representatives of its government) or the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office from displaying symbols of Taiwan's sovereignty for official purposes.
Association Health Plans Act of 2021 This bill provides statutory authority for certain short-term, limited-duration health insurance plans and association health plans. The bill permits short-term, limited-duration plans to provide coverage for a period of less than 12 months, not including extensions. Under current law, such plans are exempt from certain market requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, such as coverage of individuals with preexisting conditions. The bill further permits groups or associations of employers to sponsor fully insured group health plans as if they were employers. Such plans may not discriminate based on the health factors of any prospective plan participant for the purpose of granting an employer's membership in the association or determining a participant's eligibility for benefits or premium amounts.
Freedom To Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act This bill allows the use of funds in a qualified tuition program (commonly known as a 529 account) to pay for expenses associated with obtaining or maintaining recognized postsecondary credentials.
Fair Accountability and Innovative Research Drug Pricing Act of 20 21 This bill requires manufacturers to report about certain price increases for prescription drugs and biological products with a wholesale cost of at least $100 per month. Such reports must include, among other information (1) the percentage price increase, (2) a justification for such increase, (3) the price history of the drug, (4) the total cost to develop the drug, and (5) the total revenue and net profit generated from the drug.
Federal Agency Sunset Commission Act of 2021 This bill provides for the establishment of the Federal Agency Sunset Commission to submit to Congress a schedule for review and abolishment of each agency, including each advisory committee. The schedule for review shall be in the form of a joint resolution. Each agency shall be abolished unless reauthorized by Congress. For each agency, the commission must schedule a date of abolishment to occur at least once every 12 years. The commission must (1) review and evaluate the efficiency and public need for each agency using specified criteria; (2) analyze the authority claimed by the executive branch but not specifically authorized by statute; (3) recommend whether each agency should be abolished, reorganized, or continued; and (4) report to Congress on introduced legislation that would establish a new agency or a new program. The Government Accountability Office and the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Congressional Research Service, shall prepare an inventory of federal programs to assist Congress and the commission in carrying out this bill. The bill provides for expedited consideration of the schedule for review and abolishment.
This bill retroactively eliminates the waiting period for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) benefits for certain individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Commonly known as Lou Gehrig's Disease, ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Under current law, most SSDI recipients must wait five months after becoming disabled before their benefit payments may begin. The ALS Disability Insurance Access Act of 2019 eliminated the waiting period for individuals with ALS but only covers individuals who apply for benefits after the date of enactment (December 20, 2020). As a result, individuals with ALS who applied for SSDI benefits in the five months before that date are still subject to the waiting period. This bill eliminates the waiting period for those individuals.