Sen. Ted Cruz

Preserving Accountability for National Assets Act of 2021 or the PANA Act This bill establishes the Venezuela Restoration Fund to strengthen democratic governance and institutions, defend human rights, support independent media outlets, and combat corruption and improve transparency in Venezuela. Any funds or assets forfeited to the United States by an individual or entity connected to the regimes of Hugo Chávez and Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela will be deposited into this fund.

Veterans Application Assistance Inefficiency Decrease Act of 2021 or the VA AID Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing claim enhancement assistance to individuals who are applying for certain VA pensions in order to reduce the backlog and expedite processing of claims. Specifically, the program applies to those applying for service pensions, non-service-connected disability pensions, or pensions to surviving spouses and children. The Government Accountability Office must complete a review of the pilot program and a study on the feasibility and advisability of permanently extending claim enhancement assistance to individuals and spouses applying for the specified VA pensions.

Veterans Burn Pits Exposure Recognition Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to concede, for the purposes of health care benefits and wartime disability compensation, that a veteran was exposed to certain toxic substances, chemicals, and hazards from burn pits if such veteran served on active duty in a covered location during a specified time frame (unless there is affirmative evidence to establish that the veteran was not exposed during such service). A burn pit is an area used for burning solid waste in open air without equipment. Specifically, the bill covers the following locations and corresponding time periods: Iraq between August 2, 1990, and February 28, 1991, as well as from March 19, 2003, until burn pits are no longer used in this location; Southwest Asia (including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Qatar) from August 2, 1990, until burn pits are no longer used in these locations; and Afghanistan, Syria, Jordan, Egypt, Lebanon, Yemen, and Djibouti from September 11, 2001, until burn pits are no longer used in these locations. Under the bill, if an exposed veteran submits insufficient evidence to establish a service-connection for purposes of disability compensation, the VA shall provide a medical examination and request a medical opinion regarding a causal link between the disability and a toxin, chemical, or hazard.

Disaster Assistance Simplification Act This bill addresses the interaction of disaster recovery relief assistance provided by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Small Business Administration (SBA). Specifically, the bill prohibits HUD and recipients of HUD disaster relief grants from (1) considering whether an applicant for assistance rejected a separate disaster loan from the SBA, or (2) reducing the amount of assistance by the amount of a rejected SBA loan.

This resolution commends the actions of Cuban democracy and human rights activist José Daniel Ferrer García, and it honors the humanitarian efforts of the Patriotic Union of Cuba for its work to defend fundamental freedoms and human rights in Cuba. Further, it condemns Cuba's communist dictatorship and the repression of Cuban activists, and it calls for the international community to stand with the Cuban people against the communist regime.

This resolution extends condolences to the family and friends of former Vice President Walter Mondale. The resolution acknowledges Mondale's lifetime service to the United States, including as a U.S. Senator and as the first presidential candidate from a major party to select a woman, Geraldine Ferraro, as his running mate.

Protecting Military Installations and Ranges Act of 2021 This bill places restrictions on the purchase of certain property by a foreign person who is owned or controlled by, is acting for or on behalf of, or receives subsidies from Russia, China, Iran, or North Korea. Specifically, the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States must review a purchase or lease by, or a concession to, any such foreign person of private or public real estate in the United States that is within (1) 100 miles of a military installation; or (2) 50 miles of a military training route, special use airspace, a controlled firing area, or a military operations area. Further, the Department of Defense and the Department of Transportation may not issue final determinations regarding specified projects (e.g., energy projects) that involve a transaction under review by the committee until the committee concludes its action.

Sunshine for Regulatory Decrees and Settlements Act of 2021 This bill establishes transparency and public accountability standards for federal agencies with respect to (1) certain civil actions seeking to compel agency action, and (2) related consent decrees and settlement agreements. For example, an agency must publish a complaint filed against it within 15 days. Additionally, settlement proceedings must be conducted through mediation or an alternative dispute resolution program of the court, and those proceedings must include intervening parties. The bill also creates a presumption in favor of a motion to intervene in settlement proceedings. Further, at least 60 days prior to entering a consent decree or settlement agreement, an agency must publish, and accept and respond to public comment on, the proposed agreement or decree. An agency also must provide the court with the administrative record, a summary of the public comments, and access to the record of any public hearings on the proposed decree or agreement. The Department of Justice, or the agency litigating a matter independently, must certify to the court its approval of certain terms included in an agreement or decree, including terms that convert a discretionary authority into a nondiscretionary duty. A court may not approve a consent decree or settlement agreement unless the agency has sufficient time and procedures to comply with federal administrative procedures, other rulemaking statutes, and applicable executive orders. Finally, courts must review a consent decree or settlement if an agency files a motion to modify the decree or agreement on the basis of changed facts or circumstances.

Iran Nuclear Deal Advice and Consent Act of 2021 This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to rejoin the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action—commonly known as the Iran nuclear deal—unless the President commits to submit any successor agreement to the Senate for advice and consent as a treaty.

This resolution congratulates the Bears of Baylor University on winning the 2021 National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I men's basketball championship and completing a successful 2020-2021 season.