This resolution states that the United Nations Security Council should immediately impose an arms embargo against the military of Burma (Myanmar) and hold it accountable for its ongoing violations of human rights.
District of Columbia National Guard Federal Employee Leave Fairness Act This bill excludes payments received by federal employees or employees of the District of Columbia for their service in the District of Columbia National Guard from being credited against their civilian pay. The bill applies to payments made between January 6, 2021, and the date of the bill's enactment.
Birth Access Benefiting Improved Essential Facility Services Act or the BABIES Act This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to establish a Medicaid demonstration program to improve freestanding birth center services for women with low-risk pregnancies. Among other things, the CMS must (1) publish criteria for freestanding birth centers to participate in the program, including specified accreditation, licensure, and service requirements; (2) publish guidance for states to establish prospective payment systems under Medicaid for program participants; and (3) award planning grants for states to develop program proposals. The CMS may choose up to six states to participate in the program.
Enhanced Whistleblower Engagement Act This bill modifies requirements with respect to whistleblower protections for employees of an office of inspector general (OIG). The bill specifies that the whistleblower protection coordinator in each OIG shall educate that office's employees on specified matters, including prohibitions against retaliation for protected disclosures and rights and remedies against such retaliation. The bill also specifies that best practices developed by the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency shall include best practices for the handling and consideration of protected disclosures and allegations of reprisal that are internal to an OIG.
Get the Lead Out Act This bill requires community water systems (i.e., public water systems that provide drinking water) to identify and replace lead service lines (e.g., pipes) and allows the systems to use assistance from drinking water state revolving funds to replace those lines. Specifically, the bill requires community water systems to submit to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by specified deadlines (1) plans to inventory and replace lead service lines, and (2) certifications that lead service lines have been replaced except for any line that is not owned by the system and for which the owner declined replacement. Community water systems must pay the full costs of all lead service line replacements and any filters required under their plans. Systems may incorporate into their base rates the costs of the line replacements and filters not fully covered by grants and other assistance.
Promoting Service in Transportation Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation to establish and administer a transportation workforce outreach program to (1) increase awareness of transportation career opportunities; and (2) increase diversity such as race, gender, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status of professionals in the transportation sector.
This bill requires the Department of Energy to establish a pilot program to award grants to nonprofit organizations for energy-efficiency materials to install in nonprofit buildings.
Real Education and Access for Healthy Youth Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish grants to support sex education and sexual health services for young people (ages 10 through 29) and repeals requirements that apply to certain federally funded sex education programs. HHS must award grants, in coordination with the Department of Education, to (1) provide sex education to young people through elementary and secondary schools, institutions of higher education, and youth-serving organizations; and (2) train education professionals to effectively teach, and otherwise support, sex education. Sex education refers to high quality teaching and learning that follows, to the maximum extent practicable, specified educational standards; covers a variety of topics concerning sex and sexuality; explores values and beliefs about those topics; and helps young people gain skills to navigate relationships and manage sexual health. Additionally, HHS must award grants for the provision of sexual health services to marginalized youth to youth-serving organizations and health care entities that are eligible to receive covered outpatient drugs at reduced prices through the 340B drug discount program. Recipients of any of these grants must comply with certain nondiscrimination requirements. In addition, they may not use funds for sex education programs or sexual health services that provide incomplete or inaccurate medical information or fail to address specified issues. The bill also eliminates prohibitions regarding the content of specified federally funded sexual health education and information programs and repeals the Abstinence Only Until Marriage program.
America Wins Act This bill imposes an excise tax on the carbon dioxide content of coal, petroleum and petroleum products, and natural gas sold by the manufacturer, producer, or importer and requires the revenues to be used for infrastructure, an energy refund program to provide payments to certain low-income households, and other purposes. Refunds or credits for the tax must be issued for carbon substances that are (1) not emitted due to use as a feedstock or through carbon capture and sequestration, or (2) previously taxed carbon substances used to make another taxable carbon substance. The bill includes border adjustment provisions that require certain fees, credits, or refunds for carbon-intensive goods that are exported or imported. The bill also establishes a Build America Trust Fund and appropriates to the fund amounts equal to the increase in revenues attributable to the tax. Specified amounts of the funds must be used, without further appropriation, for infrastructure related to transportation, water, broadband, education, health care, housing, and energy. Specified portions of the funds must also be used for providing assistance to workers and communities reliant on industries that primarily produce taxable carbon substances or carbon-intensive goods, providing assistance to individuals and communities disproportionately impacted by climate change and greenhouse gas pollutants as well as groups underrepresented in the energy sector, an energy refund program to provide payments to certain low-income households, and a refundable tax credit for households that meet specified income requirements.
Represent America Abroad Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of State to establish the Represent America Mid-Career Foreign Service Entry Program to increase diversity in the Foreign Service by recruiting mid-career professionals who are from minority groups. As part of the program, the State Department shall (1) establish and publish eligibility criteria for participation; (2) carry out recruitment efforts to attract highly qualified, mid-career professionals from minority groups; and (3) include appropriate mentorship and other career development opportunities for program participants. The State Department must submit an annual report on the status of the program.
Crimea Annexation Non-Recognition Ac t This bill prohibits any federal agency from taking any action or extending any assistance that recognizes or implies recognition of Russia's sovereignty over Crimea, its airspace, or its territorial waters.
This resolution expresses support for the designation of National CASA/GAL Volunteers Day to commend the work of court-appointed special advocate (CASA) and guardian ad litem (GAL) volunteers.
