This resolution offers the condolences of the Senate regarding the death of Senator David Henry Gambrell and honors his life and legacy.
This resolution designates May 2021 as Older Americans Month.
Unwavering Support for our Coast Guard Act or the USCG Act This bill addresses the funding, pay, and duties of the Coast Guard. During a funding gap, the Department of the Treasury shall make available to the Department of Homeland Security such amounts necessary to continue to provide, without interruption, pay and allowances to members of the Coast Guard, including its reserve components, who perform active service during the funding gap. The Coast Guard must conduct an updated fleet mix analysis that provides for a fleet mix sufficient to carry out the missions of the Coast Guard and to address national security threats. The Coast Guard must develop an updated shore infrastructure investment plan that includes the construction of additional facilities to accommodate the updated fleet mix and improvements to ensure existing facilities meet requirements and remain operational for the lifespan of such fleet mix. The Cost Guard shall establish a program to increase the number of underrepresented minorities in the enlisted ranks of the Coast Guard.
Clean Ocean And Safe Tourism Anti-Drilling Act or the COAST Anti-Drilling Act This bill prohibits the Department of the Interior from authorizing the exploration, development, or production (i.e., offshore drilling) of oil or natural gas in specified planning areas of the Outer Continental Shelf along the Atlantic Coast, including the Straits of Florida.
John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act This bill prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or religion in the provision of child welfare programs and services by entities receiving federal funding. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must provide technical assistance to help states follow this requirement, including (1) guidance for bringing state laws into compliance, (2) developing training to increase cultural competency related to social identity, and (3) training for judges and attorneys involved in child welfare cases, among other supports. Additionally, HHS must establish the National Resource Center on Safety, Well-Being, Placement Stability, and Permanency for LGBTQ Children and Youth Involved with Child Welfare Services to provide training, technical assistance, and guidance to applicable state and local agencies and service providers. Further, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act may not be the basis for challenging the application or enforcement of this bill. The Government Accountability Office must study and report on states' compliance with the requirements of the bill no later than three years after enactment.
Rights for the Transportation Security Administration Workforce Act of 2021 or the Rights for the TSA Workforce Act of 2021 This bill modifies the workplace rights, protections, and benefits applicable to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) personnel. Specifically, the bill within 180 days, eliminates personnel authorities of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Transportation governing the conditions of employment for TSA employees, thus making TSA employees subject to the personnel management system applicable to other federal employees; sets forth transition rules that protect the pay rates, leave rights, and other rights of TSA and Federal Air Marshal Service employees; and requires DHS to consult with the labor organization certified by the Federal Labor Relations Authority to carry out the conversion of such positions. The bill also directs the TSA to implement in-person or remote mental health programs at each field office of the Federal Air Marshal Service and consult with labor associations to address concerns regarding federal air marshals, including mental health and suicide rates; requires DHS to prioritize the hiring of veterans, including disabled veterans; and directs the TSA to ensure its employees are provided proper guidance regarding prevention and protections against the coronavirus.
National Guard and Reserve Incentive Pay Parity Act This bill requires the military department concerned to pay members of the reserve components a special bonus or incentive pay in the same monthly amount that is paid to members in the regular component of the service for performing comparable work requiring comparable skills.
Stop Corporations and High Earners from Avoiding Taxes and Enforce the Rules Strictly Act or the Stop CHEATERS Act This bill provides additional appropriations through FY2031 for the enforcement activities of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) and for taxpayer services and operations support. It establishes enforcement goals of annual audits of certain high-income tax returns, beginning in 2025, and each year thereafter. The bill establishes new reporting requirements for certain banks or other financial institutions and increases enforcement penalties for accuracy-related underpayments of tax up to a maximum of 40% of the underpayment for taxpayers with taxable incomes greater than $5 million. The IRS must report to Congress biennially on plans to shift more of its enforcement assets toward high-income tax filers and on an estimate of revenue losses from offshore tax evasion.
Motorcyclist Advisory Council Act of 2021 This bill provides statutory authority for the establishment or designation of a Motorcyclist Advisory Council whose duties are to advise the Department of Transportation, the National Highway Safety Administration, and the Federal Highway Administration on transportation safety issues of concern to motorcyclists, including (1) motorcycle safety; (2) barrier and road design, construction, and maintenance practices; and (3) the architecture and implementation of intelligent transportation system technologies. The bill also sets forth the membership of the council, member terms, and reporting requirements.
Stamp Out Lyme Disease Act This bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to issue a Lyme Disease Research Semipostal Stamp, with all proceeds being transferred to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
John Lewis Every Child Deserves a Family Act This bill prohibits discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, or religion in the provision of child welfare programs and services by entities receiving federal funding. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) must provide technical assistance to help states follow this requirement, including (1) guidance for bringing state laws into compliance, (2) developing training to increase cultural competency related to social identity, and (3) training for judges and attorneys involved in child welfare cases, among other supports. Additionally, HHS must establish the National Resource Center on Safety, Well-Being, Placement Stability, and Permanency for LGBTQ Children and Youth Involved with Child Welfare Services to provide training, technical assistance, and guidance to applicable state and local agencies and service providers. Further, the Religious Freedom Restoration Act may not be the basis for challenging the application or enforcement of this bill. The Government Accountability Office must study and report on states' compliance with the requirements of the bill no later than three years after enactment.
Increasing Access to Osteoporosis Testing for Medicare Beneficiaries Act of 2021 This bill specifies that certain Medicare payment rules applicable to imaging services shall apply to dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry services used in bone mass scans beginning in 2022. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must establish national minimum payment amounts for such services.
