Sen. Elizabeth Warren

Federal Agency Climate Planning, Resilience, and Enhanced Preparedness Act of 2021 or the Federal Agency Climate PREP Act This bill requires executive agencies to develop plans to address, mitigate, and adapt to climate change. Specifically, each executive agency (except for the Government Accountability Office) must submit to the Office of Management and Budget an agency climate action plan. In addition, the bill establishes a Council on Federal Agency Climate Planning, Resilience, and Enhanced Preparedness. Finally, the bill provides statutory authority for the establishment of the White House Office of Domestic Climate Policy, which was created by Executive Order 14008.

John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2021 This bill establishes new criteria for determining which states and political subdivisions must obtain preclearance before changes to voting practices may take effect. Preclearance is the process of receiving preapproval from the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia before making legal changes that would affect voting rights. The bill also includes provisions related to federally protected activities at polling places and voting access on tribal lands. A state and all of its political subdivisions shall be subject to preclearance of voting practice changes for a 10-year period if 15 or more voting rights violations occurred in the state during the previous 25 years; or 10 or more violations occurred during the previous 25 years, at least 1 of which was committed by the state itself. A political subdivision as a separate unit shall also be subject to preclearance for a 10-year period if three or more voting rights violations occurred there during the previous 25 years. States and political subdivisions that meet certain thresholds regarding minority groups must preclear covered practices before implementation, such as changes to methods of election and redistricting. Further, states and political subdivisions must notify the public of changes to voting practices. Next, the bill authorizes DOJ to require states or political subdivisions to provide certain documents or answers to questions for enforcing voting rights. The bill also outlines factors courts must consider when hearing challenges to voting practices, such as the history of official voting discrimination in the state or political subdivision. In addition, the bill (1) includes certain protections for election workers, polling places, and election infrastructure; and (2) expands voting access on tribal lands.

Honest Census Communications Act This bill prohibits certain deceptive practices in relation to a census. Specifically, the bill prohibits communicating census-related information, or producing census-related information for communication, knowing the information to be materially false and with the intent to impede or prevent another person from participating in any census. The bill sets criminal and civil penalties for violations.

This resolution expresses the Senate's support for the celebration of Filipino American History Month in October 2021 as a testament to the advancement of Filipino Americans and a time to renew efforts toward researching and examining the history of Filipino Americans to give all people of the United States an opportunity to learn about their contributions.

Maddy summaryThis symbolic Senate resolution supports designating October 28, 2021, as "Honoring the Nation's First Responders Day." It recognizes first responders - including firefighters, police, EMTs, and emergency medical workers - and encourages Americans to observe the day with ceremonies highlighting their contributions to public safety. The resolution has no legal effect but formally expresses the Senate's support for honoring these workers. It directly affects public awareness of first responders' roles, not policy or funding.

Gun Violence Prevention Through Financial Intelligence Act This bill directs the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to collect information from financial institutions and develop an advisory regarding the reporting of suspicious transactions related to gun violence. Specifically, FinCEN must gather information and develop an advisory related to (1) the procurement of firearms and firearm accessories for the purpose of carrying out lone-wolf acts of terror, and (2) how the U.S. firearms market facilitates gun violence.

Fair Day in Court for Kids Act of 2021 This bill provides legal protections for a noncitizen (i.e., an individual referred to as an alien in federal law) who is detained or subject to immigration-related proceedings. The Department of Justice (DOJ), or the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in a case involving an unaccompanied child, may appoint or provide counsel at the government's expense to noncitizens in removal proceedings and related appeals. An unaccompanied child must be represented by counsel paid for and appointed by the government at every stage of such proceedings unless the child has obtained counsel at their own expense. If HHS fails to provide counsel to an unaccompanied child, the deadline for filing a motion to reopen a proceeding shall not apply, and the filing of such a motion shall stay the child's removal from the United States. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must provide a complete copy of a noncitizen's immigration file to the noncitizen (or the noncitizen's counsel) within seven days of a notice to appear for an immigration proceeding, and failure to provide the file shall result in a delay in the proceeding. DHS must provide access to counsel for all detained noncitizens. The bill authorizes HHS to enter into contacts or award grants for providing immigration-related legal services to children. The Office of Refugee Resettlement must develop model guidelines for representing noncitizen children in immigration proceedings.

This resolution designates October 2021 as National Dyslexia Awareness Month and calls on Congress, schools, and educational agencies to recognize that dyslexia has significant educational implications that must be addressed.

Maddy summarySRES 429 designates October 26, 2021, as the "Day of the Deployed" to honor currently deployed members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families. The resolution calls on the public to reflect on their service and encourages observance through appropriate ceremonies and activities. This is a commemorative resolution, not a law creating new obligations, and it aligns with an annual designation first established in 2011.

Ending Passenger Rail Forced Arbitration Act This bill prohibits all pre-dispute arbitration agreements and pre-dispute joint-action waivers with respect to consumer and civil rights disputes between Amtrak and its customers.