Employee Retention Tax Credit Reinstatement Act This bill provides for a reinstatement of the employee retention tax credit through 2021. The credit was established to compensate employers whose businesses were negatively impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic for wages paid to their employees.
9/11 Memorial and Museum Act This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to award to the official organization that operates the National September 11 Memorial & Museum a one-time grant to be used solely for the purposes of the operation, security, and maintenance of the memorial and museum. As a condition on receipt of the grant, the organization must provide for free admission to all facilities and museums associated with the memorial and museum for active and retired members of the Armed Forces, individuals who were registered first responders to the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and family members of victims of such attacks; provide for dedicated free admission hours for the general public at least once a week; and allow for annual federal audits of its financial statements.
This resolution expresses that it is the sense of the Senate that the Department of State should lead a coordinated effort to extract U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents from Afghanistan, support Afghan citizens in their efforts to safely leave Afghanistan, and maintain open lines of contact and help with individuals remaining in Afghanistan under the Taliban. The resolution urges the United States to work with the United Nations (U.N.) to establish humanitarian corridors from and to countries bordering Afghanistan and work with such countries to ensure the efficient and safe reception and processing of Afghan refugees. The resolution urges the U.N. to appoint an independent, nongovernmental human rights monitor, who should have continued free access throughout Afghanistan to ensure the Taliban is not brutalizing individuals and families living in Afghanistan, and report to the U.N. Security Council in an ongoing fashion on the human rights and humanitarian situation on the ground in Afghanistan. The resolution urges the United States to convene a high-level summit to identify and consult with countries willing and able to receive Afghan refugees. Finally, the resolution discourages the U.S. government from engaging with the Taliban in any way that would grant the Taliban benefits typically afforded to legitimate governments or would otherwise legitimize the Taliban.
HRES 834 is a ceremonial resolution honoring the late Congresswoman Carrie Pittman Meek (1926-2021) for her congressional service and legacy. It commends her dedication to public service, her role as a trailblazer for Black women in politics, and her advocacy for communities in Florida. The resolution specifically recognizes her work securing hurricane relief funding after Hurricane Andrew and her service in the Florida State Senate and U.S. Congress. As a commemorative resolution, it contains no policy changes or funding provisions.
This bill repeals a specific tax provision related to chemical manufacturers. It reverses a change made by section 80201 of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which had modified an excise tax under the Superfund program. The repeal directly affects chemical manufacturers who were subject to this tax modification, restoring the previous tax treatment. The bill makes no new policy changes but specifically undoes this one tax-related amendment.
Patient Advocate Tracker Act This bill requires the Office of Patient Advocacy within the Veterans Health Administration to establish an information technology system that allows veterans or their representatives to electronically file a complaint with a patient advocate and review the status of a filed complaint.
21st Century Dyslexia Act This bill addresses the education of children with disabilities, with a particular focus on children with dyslexia. Currently, dyslexia is listed as one of the disabilities under the definition of specific learning disability in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). This bill instead removes dyslexia from the definition of specific learning disability and establishes a stand-alone definition for dyslexia within IDEA. Specifically, the bill defines dyslexia for purposes of IDEA as an unexpected difficulty in reading for an individual who has the intelligence to be a much better reader, most commonly caused by a difficulty in the phonological processing (the appreciation of the individual sounds of spoken language), which affects the ability of an individual to speak, read, and spell. Additionally, the bill requires a local educational agency or other agency, in determining eligibility for or providing an accommodation or service under IDEA, to provide equal access to (1) children from low-income families or from families with low socioeconomic status, and (2) other children.
No Double Debt for Disaster Survivors Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Education to discharge the outstanding federal student loan debt for a borrower who received, on or after January 1, 2020, a Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan. Further, the bill specifies that the amount of student loan debt discharged may not exceed the amount of the SBA disaster loan.
Haiti Economic Lift Program Extension Act of 2021 or the HELP Act of 2021 This bill extends through FY2035 the special duty-free rules for Haiti. It also extends through December 19, 2035, the duty-free treatment provided for apparel articles assembled in Haiti and imported from Haiti or the Dominican Republic.
HRES 826 is a procedural resolution formally electing Representative Carey to two House committees: the Committee on the Budget and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. It directly affects Representative Carey by assigning him to serve on these specific committees for the 117th Congress. The resolution contains no substantive policy changes or mechanisms - it solely names the member to fill committee positions. This type of resolution is routine and does not alter legislative procedures or create new laws.
Employee Privacy Act This bill prohibits employers from inquiring about the vaccination status of employees or prospective employees. Violations of this prohibition are subject to civil penalties, special damages, and injunctive relief as appropriate.
This resolution commemorates the 125th anniversary of the National Grain and Feed Association. It also recognizes the National Grain and Feed Association for 125 years of promoting the noble purpose of its members in transforming the American farmer's bounty into safe, nutritious, sustainable, and affordable human and animal food.
