Finding Federal Savings Committee Resolution This resolution establishes the House Committee on the Elimination of Nonessential Federal Programs to analyze underperforming or nonessential federal programs and recommend actions to modify or eliminate those programs. The resolution also establishes expedited procedures for legislation reported by the committee to eliminate programs or rescind funding. The committee shall cease to exist at the end of the 119th Congress.
Social and Economic Equity Promotion Act This bill establishes the Division of Social and Economic Equity within the Congressional Budget Office to analyze the impact of legislation on equity. Under the bill, equity is the consistent and systematic fair, just, and impartial treatment of all individuals, including individuals who belong to underserved communities that have been denied such treatment.
Eliminating the Provider Relief Fund Tax Penalties Act of 2021 This bill excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, any grant or other assistance provided by the CARES Act Provider Relief Fund under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the CARES Act.
American Workforce Recovery Act This bill directs the Department of Labor to provide funding to states and local areas to expand their employment training programs for employed and unemployed individuals, displaced workers, and to meet particular employment needs of employers. Specifically, the bill gives states funding to broaden training options such as remote or virtual for employees and employers by eligible providers of training services. The bill also grants funds to local areas to establish a Pandemic Reskilling Fund for dislocated workers participating in specified training services and career services for adults and dislocated workers. Local areas may also establish individual training accounts to support on-the-job training and supportive services. These individual training accounts must pay for training provided by eligible entities. Any remaining funds in an individual's account may be paid in cash to the individual if such individual obtains full-time, unsubsidized employment within six weeks after completion of the training and has been so employed for six weeks. An individual who fails to meet these requirements must return such funds to the local government for redistribution. The Government Accountability Office must evaluate and report to Congress on (1) the flexibility provided through the individual training accounts; and (2) the overall effectiveness of the funds provided under this bill to promote the skill acquisition, employment, and retention of the individuals who were assisted with such funds, including individuals with barriers to employment.
IG Subpoena Authority Act This bill grants inspectors general subpoena authority to compel the attendance and testimony of witnesses. Inspectors general may not require by subpoena the attendance and testimony of any current federal employees, but they may use other authorized procedures. To be issued, such a subpoena (1) must be approved by a panel comprised of three inspectors general of the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, and (2) must not be objected to by the Department of Justice.
War Powers Act Enforcement Act This bill prohibits the use of federal funds in contravention of the War Powers Resolution. That resolution provides procedures for Congress and the President to participate in decisions to send the Armed Forces into hostilities.
Taxi Medallion Loan Forgiveness Debt Relief Act of 2021 This bill excludes from gross income, for income tax purposes, income of a taxpayer, other than a C corporation, attributable to the discharge of qualified taxi medallion indebtedness that is discharged before 2023.
Clean Corridors Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Transportation to award grants to certain governmental entities and planning organizations to install electric vehicle charging infrastructure and hydrogen fueling infrastructure along designated alternative fuel corridors.
Medicare Prescription Drug Price Negotiation Act of 2021 This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies regarding prices for drugs covered under the Medicare prescription drug benefit. Current law prohibits the CMS from doing so.
Improving Access to Mental Health Act of 2021 This bill increases the Medicare reimbursement rate for clinical social worker services. The bill excludes clinical social worker services from the prospective payment system in which predetermined amounts form the basis for payment under Medicare. Additionally, the bill alters the definition of clinical social worker services as it relates to Medicare. Under current law, such services (1) include services performed for the diagnosis and treatment of mental illnesses, and (2) exclude services furnished to an inpatient of a skilled nursing facility as a condition of the facility's participation in the Medicare program. The bill repeals these provisions and instead specifies that such services include certain types of health behavior assessment and intervention.
Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program Authorization Act or the BITMAP Authorization Act This bill provides statutory authority for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program (BITMAP). That program was established to address and reduce national security, border security, and terrorist threats before such threats reach the international border of the United States. Before carrying out BITMAP operations in a foreign country, DHS must enter into an agreement with the government of such country that sets forth program goals for such country and must provide the congressional homeland security committees with a copy of the agreement.
Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development and Generating Renewable Energy to Electrify the Nation's Infrastructure and Jobs Act or the BUILD GREEN Infrastructure and Jobs Act This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to establish a green transportation infrastructure program to provide competitive grants to states, local governments, and other entities for capital investments in electrified surface transportation infrastructure projects. DOT must select projects that maximize sustainability, including projects that (1) promote the electrification of all public transportation, (2) contribute to climate resilience and mitigation, (3) reduce air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and (4) achieve energy savings and reduce energy usage compared to other eligible projects. Additionally, DOT must prioritize projects that (1) serve a frontline, vulnerable, or disadvantaged community; (2) are located in an area that has experienced high adverse health and environmental impacts on minority and low-income populations; (3) require federal funds in order to complete an overall financing package; or (4) add a new green space or new state or local park units and outdoor recreational areas. Grants issued under the program may not be less than $2 million, with the exception of grants for project planning, preparation, or design, which are not subject to a minimum amount. The federal share of the cost of a project may not exceed 85% for planning, design, and construction purposes and 50% of the operation and maintenance costs of the project for its first 10 years.
