American Coasts and Oceans Protection Act This bill prohibits the Department of the Interior from issuing a lease for the exploration, development, or production (i.e., offshore drilling) of oil or natural gas in the Southern California planning area of the Outer Continental Shelf.
Integrity Committee Transparency Act of 2021 This bill addresses issues regarding inspectors general (IGs) and the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE) Integrity Committee. The committee is charged with investigating allegations of wrongdoing against office of IG officials. The committee must notify Congress when an allegation of wrongdoing made by a Member of Congress is closed without referral for investigation. The bill requires CIGIE to report semiannually to Congress and the President on the activities of the committee. The bill requires the appointment of a former IG to the committee. An IG must refer to the committee any allegation of wrongdoing against that IG.
Enhance Access To SNAP Act of 2021 or the EATS Act of 20 21 This bill expands eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to students attending institutions of higher education.
Safe Line Speeds in COVID-19 Act This bill directs the Food Safety and Inspection Service of the Department of Agriculture (USDA), for the duration of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency period, to suspend any waivers and not issue new waivers related to line speeds in meat and poultry establishments and inspection staffing requirements for such establishments. Additionally, the implementation of, and conversion to, the New Swine Slaughter Inspection System must be suspended. No funds made available to USDA during the COVID-19 emergency period shall be used to develop, propose, finalize, issue, amend, or implement any policy, regulation, directive, constituent update, or any other agency program that would increase line speeds at meat and poultry establishments. Upon termination of the COVID-19 emergency period, the Government Accountability Office shall conduct a review of actions taken by specific federal agencies, including USDA, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic to determine the effectiveness of such actions in protecting animal, food, and worker safety.
Improving Access to Nutrition Act of 20 21 This bill repeals certain work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program). The requirements apply to able-bodied adults who are ages 18-49 and have no dependent children. Individuals who do not meet certain work requirements are generally prohibited from receiving more than 3 months of SNAP benefits over a 36-month period. Under current law, some of the work requirements under SNAP are temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019).
This resolution congratulates the National Association of Chemical Distributors on its 50th anniversary and commends the association for its commitment to economic growth, education, safety, and ensuring the safety of chemical handling and distribution.
Flood Mapping Modernization and Homeowner Empowerment Pilot Program Act of 2021 This bill directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to carry out a pilot program to make grants to local governments to (1) enhance the production of maps relating to urban flooding and associated property damage; and (2) increase the availability of such maps to homeowners, businesses, and localities to enable them to minimize urban flooding risk. The grants may only be made to local governments in urbanized areas with populations greater than 50,000 or to stormwater management authorities in those localities.
Citizenship for Essential Workers Act This bill establishes a mechanism for eligible aliens who worked as essential workers during the declared COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency to apply for and obtain permanent resident status. The bill also narrows certain grounds for deportability and inadmissibility. To be eligible for permanent resident status under this bill, an alien must have earned income at any point during the COVID-19 emergency period doing work deemed essential by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or a state or local government. An alien may also be eligible if that alien is a parent, spouse, or child of (1) an eligible alien who died from COVID-19, or (2) a member of the Armed Forces. Certain aliens shall be ineligible, such as an alien who was a refugee on January 1, 2021. To obtain permanent resident status under this bill, an applying alien must satisfy additional requirements, including by passing a background check. Furthermore, the bill repeals provisions providing for three-year bars and permanent bars to admission into the United States. (Generally, these bars apply to aliens who were previously removed or unlawfully present in the United States.) The bill also narrows the scope of certain crime-based grounds for inadmissibility or deportability, such as by redefining the term conviction to exclude expunged convictions. The Department of Justice or DHS may waive certain grounds of inadmissibility or deportability (1) for humanitarian purposes, (2) to ensure family unity, or (3) for the public interest.
Preventing Endless Armed Conflict and Engagement Act This bill establishes requirements related to an authorization for the use of military force. Specifically, the bill provides for the termination of any specific statutory authorization (or reauthorization thereof) not later than two years after the enactment of the authorization (or reauthorization). Further, a specific statutory authorization must specify (1) each nation, organization, or force engaged in active hostilities against the United States; (2) each country in which military force is authorized; and (3) the objective for such authorization. The Department of Defense must submit an annual report that includes (1) a list of each authorization for the use of military force, and (2) specified information related to each authorization (e.g., the number of military personnel deployed and the expected scope and duration of operations).
Small Business Child Care Investment Act This bill deems certain nonprofit child care providers to be small business concerns so that they may participate in loan programs administered by the Small Business Administration.
Buyback Our Safety Act This bill directs the Office of Justice Programs within the Department of Justice to establish a gun buyback grant program for state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies.
Combating Racist Teaching in Schools Act or the CRT Act This bill prohibits federal funds from being awarded to elementary or secondary schools or institutions of higher education that promote certain race-based theories or compel teachers or students to affirm belief in such theories in a manner that discriminates on the basis of race, color, or national origin.
