City and State Diplomacy Act This bill establishes within the Department of State the Office of City and State Diplomacy, which shall coordinate federal support for engagement by state and municipal governments with foreign governments. The head of the office shall be the Ambassador-at-Large for City and State Diplomacy, who shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.
Manufactured Housing Community Preservation Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to award grants to nonprofit organizations, public housing agencies, and other entities for the preservation of manufactured housing communities. Such funds may be used to (1) acquire and preserve manufactured housing communities; (2) make improvements to common areas and community property in such communities; and (3) demolish, remove, and replace dilapidated homes in such communities. A grantee that uses funds to acquire a manufactured housing community must agree to maintain the community for at least 20 years.
Captive Primate Safety Act This bill limits the trade and possession of nonhuman primates. For example, the bill prohibits most individuals from owning a nonhuman primate as a pet.
Marine Mammal Research and Response Act of 2021 This bill provides support for efforts to protect marine mammals. Specifically, the bill reauthorizes through FY2026 and generally revises the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program, including by renaming the program as the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue and Response Grant Program. The bill also establishes the Joseph R. Geraci Marine Mammal Rescue and Rapid Response Fund for providing emergency financial assistance for certain stranded or entangled marine mammals and otherwise provides support for marine mammals.
Bear Protection Act of 2021 This bill prohibits the import, export, and commerce of bear viscera or related products except for limited acts carried out solely to enforce wildlife protection laws.
This resolution (1) commits to advancing policies that will end roadway fatalities by 2050, and (2) calls on Congress and the Department of Transportation to commit to working together to achieve zero roadway fatalities by the year 2050.
Building Solutions for Veterans Experiencing Homelessness Act of 2021 This bill addresses various Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) grants, programs, and assistance related to services for homeless veterans. The bill removes certain funding limitations on grants that assist eligible entities in establishing or modifying programs to furnish outreach, rehabilitative services, vocational counseling and training, and transitional housing assistance to homeless veterans. Under the bill, grant recipients must not be subject to certain property disposition requirements. The bill increases the maximum rate of per diem payments provided to grant recipients furnishing services to homeless veterans. Under the Supportive Services for Veterans Families program, not less than 2% of the amounts available in any fiscal year may be available to provide technical assistance to entities providing supportive services to very low-income veteran families occupying permanent housing. Among other requirements, the VA must provide training and technical assistance to grant recipients regarding the planning, development, and provision of services for which the grant is made; establish and carry out a program to provide services to assist veterans with navigating housing and health care resources; and implement three pilot programs to provide improved public transportation, nursing staff, and substance use disorder and alcohol use disorder treatment services to certain veterans. The bill (1) extends through FY2025 the authority for appropriations for homeless veterans reintegration programs, and (2) increases the amount authorized to be appropriated annually for such programs from $50 million to $75 million.
Planning for Aging Veterans Act of 2021 This bill addresses the long-term care of veterans, including by implementing policies for the administration of state homes. First, the bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to develop a strategy for the long-term care of veterans. The VA must develop a standardized process for entering into sharing agreements between state homes and VA medical centers. A state home is a home established by a state for veterans who are disabled by age, disease, or otherwise and incapable of earning a living because of such disability. The term also includes a home that furnishes nursing home care for veterans. Under the bill, the VA must ensure that veterans who are catastrophically disabled are not required to pay a co-payment for medication received at a state home. Generally, veterans are catastrophically disabled if they have a permanent severely disabling injury, disorder, or disease that compromises the ability to carry out the activities of daily living. The VA must monitor any contractor it uses to conduct inspections of state homes, including by reviewing inspections, reporting deficiencies, and publishing inspection results on a public VA website. The VA must implement a two-year pilot program to provide geriatric psychiatry assistance to eligible veterans at state homes. Finally, the VA must work with public housing authorities and local organizations to assist aging homeless veterans in accessing existing housing and supportive services, even if a veteran is not eligible for such services from the VA.
United States Cadet Nurse Corps Service Recognition Act of 2021 This bill recognizes service as a member of the U.S. Cadet Nurse Corps between July 1, 1943, and December 31, 1948, as active duty service. The active duty designation entitles qualifying individuals to certain benefits afforded to veterans, such as burial benefits (not including interment at Arlington National Cemetery) and honorary veteran status. Under the bill, the Department of Defense (DOD) must issue individuals who served in the corps during the specified period a discharge from their service under honorable conditions if such a discharge is warranted based on the duration and nature of the service. Such individuals are not entitled to Department of Veterans Affairs benefits aside from those related to burials and memorials. The bill also authorizes DOD to produce a service medal or other commendation, memorial plaque, or grave marker to honor the individuals.
Onward to Opportunity Act This bill requires the Department of Defense to implement a pilot grant program at five military installations to provide enhanced support and funding to eligible entities to supplement the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) in providing job opportunities for industry-recognized certifications, job placement assistance, and related employment services to service members participating in TAP and their spouses.
Consumer Financial Protection Commission Act This bill removes the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau from the Federal Reserve System, converts the bureau into an independent commission, and modifies its leadership structure. Specifically, the bill eliminates the positions of director and deputy director and establishes a five-person commission appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate.
Performing Artist Tax Parity Act of 2021 This bill modifies the tax deduction for the expenses of performing artists (including commissions paid to managers or agents) to provide for a phaseout of such deduction for taxpayers whose adjusted gross income exceeds $100,000 ($200,000 for joint return filers). The $100,000 phaseout threshold is adjusted for inflation annually for taxable years beginning after 2021.
