Taiwan Peace and Stability Act This bill requires various reports to Congress related to Taiwan. The Department of State must report on (1) a strategy to advance Taiwan's meaningful participation in certain international organizations, and (2) a plan for strengthening Taiwan's community of civilian defense professionals. (China has taken actions to block Taiwan's participation in certain international organizations, such as opposing Taiwan's attendance at World Health Assembly meetings as an observer.) The U.S. Agency for International Development must report on cooperation with Taiwan on trilateral and multilateral development initiatives. The U.S. Trade Representative must report a legal template for establishing trade and investment agreements with Taiwan that is consistent with U.S.-Taiwan relations. The President must report a whole-of-government strategy to enhance deterrence over a military conflict between China and Taiwan. Among other matters, the strategy must include an examination of the present and future capabilities of the United States and Taiwan to respond to potential actions by China's military, such as a naval blockade. The Department of Defense must report on options for (1) supporting Taiwan's defense budgeting and procurement process in a way that is consistent with Taiwan's asymmetric defense strategy, and (2) strengthening Taiwan's implementation of its territorial defense force concept.
Manufacturing API, Drugs, and Excipients in America Act or the MADE in America Act This bill establishes a tax credit for taxpayers engaged in medical production activities in certain areas and contains other provisions related to pharmaceuticals. An eligible taxpayer may claim a tax credit equal to 25% of qualified expenditures related to the production of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, or other related items in a designated qualified opportunity zone with a poverty rate higher than 30%. The bill provides for increases to this tax credit in certain situations, such as if a substantial portion of the employees reside in areas with certain poverty levels. In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must continue programs to facilitate the development and review of new drug or biological products that are manufactured using certain advanced manufacturing technologies. The bill imposes various requirements on these programs, including deadlines for evaluating such a technology. Furthermore, the Department of Health and Human Services must ensure timely and effective internal coordination and alignment between FDA field investigators and the staff of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research's Office of Compliance and Drug Shortage Program regarding reports and feedback related to facility inspections.
Reopening to address Every COmplete Record request for Devoted Servicemembers Act of 2021 or the RECORDS Act of 2021 This bill directs the Office of the Archivist of the United States to take specified steps to address record request backlogs. Specifically, the office must take actions to ensure that (1) the number of individuals employed by the National Personnel Records Center is equal to or exceeds the number of such individuals employed on March 2, 2020, and (2) the percentage of such individuals regularly reporting to work in person is equal to or exceeds the percentage of such individuals regularly reporting to work in person on that date. The office shall submit to specified congressional committees a report that provides a comprehensive plan to address the record request backlog of the National Personnel Records Center and improve the efficiency and responsiveness of operations at the center, identifies measurable goals with respect to the comprehensive plan and metrics for tracking progress toward such goals, and describes strategies to prevent future record request backlogs.
This resolution recognizes the historical significance to the nation of Juneteenth Independence Day (commemorating the end of slavery in the United States).
Taiwan Defense Act of 2021 This bill establishes that it shall be U.S. policy to maintain the ability of the U.S. Armed Forces to defeat attempts by China to invade and seize control of Taiwan before U.S. forces can respond effectively.
This bill extends the 400 Years of African-American History Commission through July 1, 2023.
Local Journalism Sustainability Act This bill allows individual and business taxpayers tax credits for the support of local newspapers and media. Specifically, individual taxpayers may claim an income tax credit up to $250 for a local newspaper subscription. The bill also allows local newspaper employers a payroll tax credit for wages paid to an employee for service as a local news journalist and certain small businesses a tax credit for local newspaper and media advertising expenses.
Support UNFPA Funding Act This bill authorizes annual contributions to support the core functions and programs of the United Nations Population Fund for the five fiscal years following the bill's enactment.
Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act This bill requires the Department of Labor to train relevant personnel on how to effectively detect and assist law enforcement in preventing human trafficking.
Defending Domestic Produce Protection Act This bill establishes a process by which a core seasonal industry may petition for countervailing and antidumping duties. A core seasonal industry means the producers (1) of a domestic like product that is a raw agricultural product, (2) whose collective output constitutes a majority of the total production in any state or group of states that accounts for a major portion of the total production during a discrete season or cyclical period of time, and (3) that make substantially all of their sales during that season or time period. The bill also provides that this process shall apply with respect to goods from Canada and Mexico.
Informed Electorate Act This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 and otherwise revises the American History for Freedom grant program. In particular, the bill allows eligible institutions of higher education to use grant funds to establish academic centers or programs that promote the importance of civic engagement and the First Amendment to the Constitution. The bill prohibits the use of grant funds to promote, endorse, teach, or distribute material related to (1) the 1619 Project, which is an initiative that addresses the beginning of slavery in the United States; or (2) critical race theory.
Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2021 This bill makes various changes to the Federal Pell Grant program, including by expanding student eligibility for Pell Grants. The bill also revises student eligibility for federal student-aid programs. Specifically, the bill provides funding to increase the maximum Pell Grant award for each eligible student. Further, the bill requires the award amount to be adjusted for inflation. Next, the bill allows students who receive means-tested federal benefits (e.g., Medicaid) to automatically qualify for the maximum Pell Grant award plus an additional award amount. In addition, the bill moves the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant program into the Pell Grant program. Next, the bill raises from 12 to 18 the total number of semesters during which a student may receive a Pell Grant. The bill makes Dreamer students (i.e., students who have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status) who entered the United States before the age of 18 and who meet certain educational criteria eligible for federal financial aid. The bill also revises satisfactory academic progress requirements for federal student-aid programs, including by allowing a student who has not been enrolled in an institution of higher education for two years to regain eligibility for federal student aid.
