Global Trade Accountability Act of 2021 This bill requires congressional approval of certain unilateral trade actions (i.e., restrictions on the importation of an article). Such actions may take effect without congressional approval for one 90-day period if the President determines that it is necessary because of a national emergency, because of an imminent threat to health or safety, for the enforcement of criminal laws, or for national security; and submits written notice of the determination to Congress. The U.S. International Trade Commission must report on the effects on the U.S. economy of any unilateral trade action taken pursuant to this bill.
Public Housing Fire Safety Act This bill creates a grant program, to be administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development, for public housing agencies to install automatic sprinkler systems in certain public housing projects.
This bill modifies the tax credit for carbon oxide sequestration. It increases the applicable dollar amount of such credit, repeals the placed-in-service deadline, expands the types of facilities to which the credit applies, and extends the credit period from 12 to 20 years.
PPP Second Draw Fairness Act of 2021 This bill allows applicants for second draw loans under the Paycheck Protection Program, established to support small businesses in response to COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), to select any consecutive 90-day period in 2020 from which to demonstrate a qualifying loss in revenue that makes them eligible for such loans. Currently, this qualification period must align with a corresponding calendar quarter from the previous year.
Concerns Over Nations Funding University Campus Institutes in the United States Act or the CONFUCIUS Act This bill addresses China's influence on postsecondary educational institutions through Confucius Institutes, which are cultural institutes directly or indirectly funded by the Chinese government. Specifically, the bill establishes requirements for postsecondary educational institutions that receive federal funding and that have contracts or agreements with Confucius Institutes. The contracts or agreements must include clear provisions that (1) protect the academic freedom of the institutions; (2) prohibit the application of foreign law on the institutions' campuses; and (3) grant full managerial authority of the institutes to the institutions, including full control over teaching plans, activities, research grants, and employment decisions.
Compressed Gas Cylinder Safety and Oversight Improvements Act of 2021 This bill expands requirements for foreign manufacturers of cylinders used for transporting hazardous materials in the United States (e.g., compressed gas cylinders). Current regulations require foreign manufacturers to apply for authorization from the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration for testing such cylinders outside of the United States. This bill requires that, to obtain an authorization, manufacturers must meet minimum levels of financial responsibility and answer in their applications specified questions, including whether the manufacturer is or has been subject to various civil or criminal penalties. The administration must publish each application in the Federal Register for public comment and must also annually publish a list of authorized manufacturers online. The bill limits an authorization to one year; however, the administration may extend an authorization for five years if the manufacturer (1) complies with applicable requirements for at least three years; and (2) meets conditions regarding the accuracy of its application, sufficiency of its financial responsibility, and other matters. The administration may suspend or terminate an authorization if a manufacturer impedes an inspection or knowingly or intentionally provides inaccurate application information. The administration must also establish a process whereby an interested party may petition for a reevaluation of an authorization if that party has evidence of inaccurate or fraudulent information in the manufacturer's application.
Colorectal Cancer Payment Fairness Act This bill eliminates Medicare coinsurance requirements with respect to colorectal cancer screening tests, regardless of the code billed for a resulting diagnosis or procedure, beginning in 2023 (rather than 2030).
FDA Modernization Act of 2021 This bill allows an applicant for market approval for a new drug to use methods other than animal testing to establish the drug's safety and effectiveness. Under this bill, these alternative methods may include cell-based assays, organ chips and microphysiological systems, sophisticated computer modeling, and other human biology-based test methods.
American Heritage Protection Act of 2021 This bill prohibits the Department of the Interior from changing the name of or altering in any way the Lincoln Memorial, the Jefferson Memorial, the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, the Theodore Roosevelt Island, or the Washington Monument; or moving, or altering in any way, any statue located on federal land related to the War of 1812, the Civil War, or the Revolutionary War.
This resolution designates April 17, 2021, through April 25, 2021, as National Park Week. The resolution also encourages the people of the United States and the world to responsibly visit, experience, and support the treasured national parks of the United States while protecting public health during the coronavirus pandemic.
This resolution recognizes the men and women of U.S. Customs and Border Protection for their work to defend American sovereignty, uphold law and order, and mitigate the threat at the southern border.
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that (1) clean water is a national priority, and (2) the 2020 final rule titled The Navigable Waters Protection Rule: Definition of "Waters of the United States" should not be withdrawn or vacated.
