Sen. Maria Cantwell

Surface Transportation Investment Act of 2021 This bill reauthorizes and establishes Department of Transportation programs and requirements relating to freight transport, railways, and motor carriers, particularly with respect to passenger rail infrastructure and the overall safety of rail service, commercial trucking, highways, and motor vehicles. The bill also includes provisions to support technological research, hazardous material response, and evaluations of department programs.

Sport Fish Restoration and Recreational Boating Safety Act of 2021 This bill provides support for aquatic conservation (e.g., coastal wetlands and fisheries), boating safety, and boating infrastructure. For example, the bill reauthorizes through FY2026 and revises the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, which provides funding for several things, including fisheries conservation and management, water and boating infrastructure, and recreational boating safety. In addition, it revises the Federal Aid to Wildlife Restoration Fund, which supports wildlife restoration, conservation, and hunter education and safety programs. The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to report on (1) the increasing use of nonmotorized vessels and their impacts on motorized and nonmotorized vessel access, (2) user conflicts at waterway access points, (3) the use of Sport Fish Restoration Program funds to improve nonmotorized vessel access and the reasons for providing such access, and (4) the use of Recreational Boating Safety Program funds for nonmotorized boating safety programs. The GAO must also consult with the Sport Fishing and Boating Partnership Council and the National Boating Safety Advisory Council on study design, scope, and priorities for the report.

Fly Safe and Healthy Act of 2021 This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to establish a 180-day pilot program to conduct temperature checks for domestic and international passengers, individuals accompanying those passengers, crew members, and other individuals who pass through airport security screening locations at which screening is conducted by the TSA. In developing the pilot program, the TSA must address certain policies and procedures, including (1) types and costs of technology that may be used to conduct temperature checks, (2) mechanisms to protect the privacy and medical information of individuals subjected to temperature checks, and (3) exempting individuals who may have a fever unrelated to COVID-19. The pilot program must ensure airlines allow passengers who are prohibited from flying due to a fever or a secondary medical screening to reschedule, request a voucher, or cancel a flight at no cost. The TSA must design, test, and implement a passenger notification system for alerting passengers of temperature checks under the pilot program that includes (1) a message discouraging any individual who has a fever from traveling in air transportation; and (2) a notification that each passenger and any individual accompanying a passenger into the sterile area of the airport will undergo a temperature check, subject to a secondary medical screening, if the pilot program established under this bill is in effect in that airport.

This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of American Diabetes Month and decreasing the prevalence of diabetes in the United States through increased research, treatment, and prevention.

Humane Cosmetics Act of 2021 This bill generally prohibits animal testing in the evaluation of cosmetic products, and it prohibits the sale or transport of cosmetics developed using animal testing, subject to civil penalties. These prohibitions begin one year after enactment. The bill specifies exceptions to these prohibitions, including if such animal testing (1) is conducted outside the United States to comply with a foreign regulatory authority; (2) is pursuant to a specified finding that there are no nonanimal alternatives to test the safety of a potentially dangerous cosmetic product or ingredient; (3) is of a product or ingredient for a drug or device subject to regulation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); or (4) is required for a noncosmetic purpose pursuant to a state, federal, or foreign regulatory authority. Further, no animal-testing evidence may be used to establish the safety of a cosmetic product or ingredient that is regulated by the FDA after the effective date of this bill, subject to limited exceptions.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate resolution (SRES 470) commemorating the death of former U.S. Senator Bob Dole of Kansas. It formally expresses the Senate's sorrow, requests the Secretary of the Senate transmit a copy to Dole's family, and directs the Senate to adjourn as a mark of respect. The resolution has no policy or legal effect - it solely serves as a symbolic tribute to Dole's public service career. It does not affect any individuals or enact new laws.

Maritime Administration Reauthorization Act of 2022 This bill revises provisions related to the Maritime Administration (MARAD). Among other things, the bill reauthorizes MARAD programs, including programs associated with maintaining the U.S. Merchant Marine; sets aside funding to support the maritime environmental and technical assistance program of MARAD, including for activities related to technologies that support port and vessel air emissions reductions and to support zero emissions technologies; directs the Department of Transportation to develop and and deliver to Congress a strategy to assist state maritime academies and the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy to improve the representation of women and underrepresented communities in the next generation of the mariner workforce; authorizes MARAD to award maritime career training grants to eligible institutions (e.g., postsecondary educational institutions or postsecondary vocational institutions) for the purpose of developing, offering, or improving educational or career training programs for workers in the United States related to the maritime workforce; and addresses sexual harassment and sexual assault at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and provides for greater diversity and inclusion at the academy and within the maritime transportation system workforce.

Original Slavery Remembrance Day Resolution This joint resolution designates a Slavery Remembrance Day annually on August 20 and condemns slavery and its progenies.

Maddy summarySRES 452 is a symbolic Senate resolution recognizing November 2021 as "National Homeless Children and Youth Awareness Month." It does not create new laws or allocate funding but formally acknowledges the issue of homelessness among children and youth in the U.S., citing statistics like 1.4 million homeless children identified in schools during 2018-2019. The resolution encourages businesses, governments, and organizations to raise awareness and support efforts to address child and youth homelessness during November 2021. As a procedural resolution, it has no direct impact on policy or affected individuals.

Maddy summarySRES 451 is a commemorative Senate resolution honoring the late Senator Max Cleland (D-GA), who died November 9, 2021. The resolution recognizes his service as a Vietnam War veteran (losing both legs and an arm in combat), his 50+ years of public service including roles as Georgia State Senator, Secretary of State, U.S. Senator, and Administrator of the Veterans Administration, and his advocacy for veterans. It formally expresses the Senate’s "profound sorrow" and "deep regret" over his death, commemorates his legacy of service to Georgia and veterans, and requests the Secretary of the Senate transmit the resolution to his family. This is a ceremonial resolution with no policy changes or legal effect.