Rep. Mark Pocan

Electric Vehicles for Underserved Communities Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to support the deployment of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in underserved or disadvantaged communities. Specifically, DOE must establish an EV Charging Equity Program. Under the program, DOE must provide technical assistance and award grants to increase the deployment and accessibility of electric vehicle charging infrastructure in such communities. If practicable, DOE must ensure that relevant programs promote electric vehicle charging infrastructure, support clean and multimodal transportation, provide improved air quality and emissions reductions, and prioritize the needs of such communities.

Assuring You Uniform Dietary Assistance (AYUDA) Act of 2021 This bill makes the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands eligible to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program).

This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to James Megellas for acts of valor on January 28, 1945, during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.

Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research Act of 2021 or the FASTER Act of 2021 This bill expands the definition of major food allergen for purposes of certain food-labeling requirements to specifically include sesame. In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services must report on certain information related to food allergy research and data collection activities.

This resolution supports the designation of Public Schools Week.

Renewable Fuel Standard Integrity Act of 2021 This bill revises requirements for exemptions from the renewable fuel standard (RFS) given to small refineries of crude oil. The existing RFS requires transportation fuel to contain a minimum volume of renewable fuel. The bill establishes an annual deadline for petitions by small refineries for exemptions from the RFS. In addition, the bill subjects information in the petition to public disclosure requirements.

Stop Arctic Ocean Drilling Act of 2021 This bill prohibits the Department of the Interior from issuing or renewing a lease or any other authorization for the exploration, development, or production of oil, natural gas, or any other mineral in the Arctic Ocean, including the Beaufort Sea and Chukchi Sea Planning Areas.

This resolution congratulates and honors the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association on the celebration of its 100th anniversary.

Accurate Workplace Injury and Illness Records Restoration Act This bill expands the authority of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) to cite employers for workplace safety violations and requires OSHA to issue a rule on record keeping related to workplace injuries. Under current law OSHA may cite employers only during the six-month period following a violation. This bill provides that, for a violation that occurs over a period of time, the six-month period does not begin until the violation has ended. The bill also requires OSHA to issue a rule on maintaining records of workplace injuries and illnesses. Congress nullified a similar rule on April 3, 2017. In the rule required by the bill, OSHA must clarify that an employer's duty to make and maintain accurate records is an ongoing obligation, continues for as long as the employer is required to keep records of the recordable injury or illness (typically five years under current OSHA rules), and does not expire solely because the employer fails to create the necessary records when first required to do so.

This resolution expresses support for (1) the designation of International Flower Workers' Day to demonstrate the U.S. commitment to practices that respect labor rights in other countries, and (2) the elimination of exploitative labor practices as a key U.S. policy goal. Further, the resolution urges the governments of Colombia and other flower-producing countries to investigate and respond to the social and environmental impacts of the flower-producing industry, and it notes that the Colombian Action Plan Related to Labor Rights has not adequately strengthened or improved working conditions in Colombia. The resolution also encourages the development and implementation of new measures to uphold and fulfill the strong labor commitments made under the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement.