Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to take various actions to address transparency in pricing and contract terms in the cattle industry. Among these requirements, USDA must (1) establish regional minimum percentages of cattle that meat packers must procure through negotiated purchases or negotiated grid purchases (i.e., transactions where the price is known and negotiated at the time of the transaction), and (2) maintain a publicly available catalog of contracts offered by meat packers to livestock producers for the purchase of fed cattle.
SRES 451 is a commemorative Senate resolution honoring the late Senator Max Cleland (D-GA), who died November 9, 2021. The resolution recognizes his service as a Vietnam War veteran (losing both legs and an arm in combat), his 50+ years of public service including roles as Georgia State Senator, Secretary of State, U.S. Senator, and Administrator of the Veterans Administration, and his advocacy for veterans. It formally expresses the Senate’s "profound sorrow" and "deep regret" over his death, commemorates his legacy of service to Georgia and veterans, and requests the Secretary of the Senate transmit the resolution to his family. This is a ceremonial resolution with no policy changes or legal effect.
Credit Union Governance Modernization Act of 2021 This bill revises the procedure for expelling members from a federal credit union. Specifically, a member may be expelled for cause pursuant to a policy adopted by a majority vote of a quorum of the directors of a credit union. Currently, a member may be expelled by a two-thirds vote of the credit union membership present at a special meeting. The member may request a hearing from the board of directors. After the hearing, the board shall hold a vote on expelling the member. The expelled member may request reinstatement through a two-thirds vote of the members present at a meeting. Member conduct that may be cause for expulsion includes a material loss to the credit union, a violation of the credit union membership agreement, a substantial disruption to the operations of a credit union, fraud or attempted fraud, and other illegal or inappropriate behavior.
HRES 790 is a symbolic resolution expressing the House of Representatives' support for designating November 2021 as "Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month." It does not create new laws or allocate funding but aims to raise public awareness about pancreatic cancer, which has high mortality rates and disproportionately affects communities of color. The resolution highlights the need for increased research funding and early detection initiatives, referencing prior legislative actions that secured $15 million for pancreatic cancer research. It directly supports advocacy efforts to educate the public and encourage further research.
This bill removes a temporary expiration date for telehealth coverage in health insurance plans. It amends two sections of the Internal Revenue Code to permanently allow health plans to cover telehealth services without the prior deadline of December 31, 2021. The key change makes existing telehealth coverage rules permanent for health insurance plans under federal tax law. This directly affects health insurance plans that provide telehealth benefits, ensuring they can continue covering these services without needing to renew temporary provisions. The bill does not change what telehealth services are covered, only makes the coverage rules permanent.
Provider Relief Fund Improvement Act This bill extends deadlines, expands the uses of, and makes other changes pertaining to the Provider Relief Fund. The fund reimburses health care providers for increased expenses or lost revenue attributable to COVID-19. Specifically, the bill extends the deadline by which providers must use any reimbursements they received in 2020 from the fund to the end of the COVID-19 emergency. Providers must use reimbursements received in the first half of 2021 by the end of the emergency or June 30, 2022, whichever is later. Additionally, the Department of Health and Human Services must distribute the remaining provider relief funds by March 31, 2022. Providers must use these funds by June 30, 2023. The bill also allows the use of the funds for workplace safety activities, such as hiring additional security personnel.
This resolution expresses support for activities to ensure that health professional training programs (e.g., medical schools, residencies, and fellowships) incorporate substantive training in nutrition and diet.
This resolution supports the designation of National Microtia and Atresia Awareness Day. Microtia is a congenital condition affecting the outer ear; it is often accompanied by aural atresia (the absence or closure of the external ear canal resulting in hearing loss).
This concurrent resolution declares that Congress should not impose any new performance fee, tax, royalty, or other charge relating to the public performance of sound recordings on a local radio station for broadcasting sound recordings over the air, or on any business for such public performance of sound recordings.
HRES 386 is a symbolic resolution introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives that expresses support for recognizing "National Police Week" each year. The resolution acknowledges law enforcement officers' sacrifices, particularly during the pandemic, and encourages the public to honor their service. As a non-binding statement, this resolution does not create new law or change policy but serves as a formal expression of support for law enforcement officers across the United States.
Veterans' Preference Parity Act This bill modifies the eligibility criteria for certain veterans to qualify for a preference in the federal hiring process. Specifically, an individual who is honorably discharged from active duty service is eligible for a veterans' preference, if the active duty service was performed for more than 180 total days (currently, consecutive days). Additionally, a retired member of the Armed Forces is eligible for a veterans' preference, even if the retiree (1) is not a disabled veteran and (2) retired at or above the rank of major or its equivalent.
Honoring Our Commitment to Elevate America's Neighbor Islands and Allies Act of 2021 or the Honoring OCEANIA Act This bill requires various actions and programs related to the Oceania region, which includes Fiji, French Polynesia, Papua New Guinea, and Vanuatu. The bill requires the Department of State to take actions in the region to develop a program to strengthen resilience to disasters; develop a program to help countries protect against threats to critical infrastructure; provide grants and assistance to build public health capacity; support efforts to address dangers from unexploded ordnance, submerged maritime vessels, and related hazards; provide financial and technical assistance to governments and organizations to combat corruption; and take steps to ensure U.S. capacity to support residents of Oceania countries who may become permanently displaced by severe weather. Furthermore, the Department of Defense and the Department of Homeland Security must carry out a program to support regional maritime security partnerships. In addition, the President must impose sanctions on foreign individuals and entities that engage in corruption in Oceania. The Department of Veterans Affairs must commence a demonstration program to provide medical and extended care services to U.S. veterans residing in the freely associated states (i.e., Palau, the Marshall Islands, and Micronesia). The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation must establish a strategy for using market-based private investment to support the development goals of Oceania countries. The bill also requires reports on topics related to Oceania, including (1) a strategy to expand the presence of the Peace Corps, (2) the use of technology to address illegal fishing, and (3) the Department of the Treasury's financial intelligence resources.
