Sen. Jack Reed

This resolution designates September 2021 as National Voting Rights Month, encourages people to uphold the right to vote, encourages Congress to pass certain voting rights legislation, recommends the development of a curriculum in public schools and universities regarding voting, encourages the U.S. Postal Service to issue a special John R. Lewis stamp during the month of September, and invites Congress to allocate funds for public service announcements regarding elections.

This resolution designates September 2021 as National Democracy Month.

Pregnant Workers Fairness Act This bill prohibits employment practices that discriminate against making reasonable accommodations for qualified employees affected by pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. A qualified employee is an employee or applicant who, with or without reasonable accommodation, can perform the essential functions of the position, with specified exceptions. Specifically, the bill declares that it is an unlawful employment practice to fail to make reasonable accommodations to known limitations of such employees unless the accommodation would impose an undue hardship on an entity's business operation; require a qualified employee affected by such condition to accept an accommodation other than any reasonable accommodation arrived at through an interactive process; deny employment opportunities based on the need of the entity to make such reasonable accommodations to a qualified employee; require such employees to take paid or unpaid leave if another reasonable accommodation can be provided; or take adverse action in terms, conditions, or privileges of employment against a qualified employee requesting or using such reasonable accommodations. The bill sets forth enforcement procedures and remedies that cover different types of employees in relation to such unlawful employment practices. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission must provide examples of reasonable accommodations that shall be provided to affected employees unless the employer can demonstrate that doing so would impose an undue hardship. The bill prohibits state immunity under the Eleventh Amendment to the Constitution from an action for a violation of this bill.

This resolution commends the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on leading the commemoration of the Centennial of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

This resolution recognizes September 28, 2021, as National Voter Registration Day and encourages those eligible to vote to register, verify their personal information on record with local election officials, and vote.

Federal Employees Civil Relief Act This bill establishes a framework to temporarily suspend certain judicial and administrative proceedings against a federal employee or contractor during a shutdown (i.e., any period in which there is more than a 24-hour lapse in appropriations affecting any federal agency or department). A federal worker who is furloughed or required to work without pay during a shutdown may apply to a court for a temporary stay, postponement, or suspension of any payment of rent, mortgage, tax, fine, penalty, insurance premium, student loan repayment, or other civil obligation or liability that the worker or individual owes or would owe during the duration of the shutdown. The Department of Justice many commence a civil action against any person who engages in (1) a pattern or practice of violating the requirements of this bill, or (2) a violation that raises an issue of significant public importance. A person aggrieved by a violation of this bill's requirements may also bring a private right of action.

This resolution honors the life of Robert Dove, Parliamentarian Emeritus of the Senate, and offers the condolences of the Senate regarding his death.

This resolution honors the contributions of small businesses in the United States and supports the designation of National Small Business Week.

National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 This bill authorizes Department of Defense (DOD) activities for FY2022 and addresses related issues. For example, the bill provides or extends procurement authority for certain helicopters and amphibious shipbuilding programs; requires DOD to establish executive education activities on emerging technologies for certain officers and civilian leaders; provides statutory authority related to DOD Science and Technology Reinvention Laboratories, including direct hire authority with respect to advanced degree holders for positions at such laboratories; establishes within DOD a working group to develop a plan for creating a digital development infrastructure that supports tools and processes for developing and fielding applications powered by artificial intelligence; requires DOD core processes, such as acquisition and infrastructure planning, to fully consider and make needed adjustments to account for current and emerging climate and environmental challenges and to ensure climate resilience; expands Selective Service registration to include women; requires DOD to track allegations of retaliation against individuals who have made complaints of sexual assault or sexual harassment; requires DOD to implement certain recommendations from the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military; repeals a preference for fixed-price contracts in the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement; prohibits DOD from acquiring personal protective equipment from non-allied foreign nations, with some exceptions; extends and modifies authorities to assist vetted Syrian groups and individuals, provide assistance to counter the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, and support the activities of the Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq; and extends and modifies the Indo-Pacific Maritime Security Initiative and the Pacific Deterrence Initiative.

This resolution designates the week of September 19-September 25, 2021, as National Estuaries Week.