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.
No Forced Vaccination for COVID-19 Act This bill prohibits any executive agency from implementing a COVID-19 vaccine mandate unless specifically authorized by Congress. This includes a mandate that requires an individual to either receive the COVID-19 vaccine or undergo periodic COVID-19 testing.
Taiwan Deterrence Act This bill authorizes defense-related assistance for Taiwan and addresses related issues. For FY2023-FY2032, the Department of State may provide foreign military financing grant assistance to Taiwan if (1) Taiwan commits to match such spending on a dollar-for-dollar basis, and (2) the United States and Taiwan agree to conduct joint long-range planning for capability development and on the expenditure of the funds. Furthermore, for the purposes of certain arms export control laws, Taiwan shall receive treatment identical to NATO member countries, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Israel, and New Zealand. (Currently, such countries receive benefits in regards to defense article transfers, such as the waiver of certain requirements and eligibility for assistance and fee waivers.) The State Department must report to Congress on U.S. priorities for building more capable Taiwan security forces and organizations. The State Department and the Department of Defense must jointly report to Congress on an annual basis on Taiwan's enhancement of its self-defense capabilities.
This bill provides statutory authority for the rule published on August 27, 2019, by the Department of the Interior entitled Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; Regulations for Listing Species and Designating Critical Habitat . The rule addressed procedures and criteria used for (1) listing or removing species from the lists of endangered and threatened wildlife and plants, and (2) designating critical habitat.
Open Access Evapotranspiration Data Act This bill directs the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to establish an Open Access Evapotranspiration (OpenET) Data Program under which the USGS shall provide for delivering satellite-based evapotranspiration data to advance the quantification of evaporation and consumptive water use. The bill defines Evapotranspiration as the process by which water is transferred from the land to the atmosphere by evaporation from soil and other surfaces and transpiration from plants. As part of the program, the USGS shall provide data users with field-scale estimates of evapotranspiration data across large landscapes over certain periods of time, enter into cooperative agreements with program partners (e.g., institutions of higher education, states, private sector entities, or nongovernmental organizations) to provide for the efficient and cost-effective administration of the program, and provide nonreimbursable matching funding for programmatic and operational activities.
Prohibiting Taxpayer Funded Settlements for Illegal Immigrants Act This bill prohibits using federal funds to make settlement payments to compensate any individuals for being separated from family members while detained by U.S. Customs and Border Protection if the detention was (1) a result of the individual improperly entering (or attempting to improperly enter) the United States, and (2) in accordance with a Department of Justice memorandum that adopted a zero-tolerance policy for such improper entry into the United States.
No Vaccine Mandate Act This bill prohibits certain funding made available for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and related agencies from being used for implementing or enforcing a rule that requires a COVID-19 vaccine.
Bear River National Heritage Area Study Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area, including areas in Utah and Idaho that are within the main drainage area of the Bear River, as a National Heritage Area, to be known as the Bear River National Heritage Area.
HRES 754 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House of Representatives' opposition to proposed "punitive natural gas taxes" on U.S. businesses, families, and workers. It cites claims that such taxes would raise average energy bills by 17%, reduce GDP by $9 billion, and eliminate 90,000 jobs, while disproportionately harming low-income households. The resolution argues that opposing these taxes supports U.S. energy security, national security, and continued leadership in reducing emissions through domestic natural gas production. As a procedural resolution, it does not create law but formally states the House's position against this policy approach.
NCAA Accountability Act of 2021 This bill establishes due process and notice requirements for the investigations carried out by certain intercollegiate athletic associations and related organizations. Specifically, the requirements apply to interstate athletic associations, conferences, or other organizations with authority over intercollegiate athletics or that administer intercollegiate athletics and that have at least 900 member institutions. Such organizations must establish and administer due process requirements for the investigation of any member institution, student athlete enrolled in such member institution, or other individual for infractions of the athletic association's bylaws or failure to meet the conditions and obligations of membership. The Department of Justice must establish procedures for (1) individuals and entities to file complaints, (2) the investigation of complaints that have a substantial probability of validity, and (3) the investigation of other violations of this bill.
Prohibiting Unrealized Capital Gains Taxation Act This bill prohibits the Department of the Treasury or any other federal official from imposing a tax on unrealized capital gains (i.e., not sold or otherwise disposed of).
Exposing China's Belt and Road Investment in America Act of 2021 This bill requires the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to review certain investments made by China in the United States. Specifically, the committee must review any investment by a foreign person that (1) involves the acquisition of real estate in the United States and the establishment of a U.S. business on such real estate, and (2) could result in direct or indirect control of that U.S. business by China. A party to any such investment must submit to the committee a declaration containing basic information regarding the transaction.
