EITC Modernization Act This bill extends the earned income tax credit to taxpayers with certain dependents, including children and aged dependents, and to qualifying students. It also establishes a matching grant program for tax return preparation assistance for low-income taxpayers.
Care Packages for Our Heroes Act of 2021 This bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to establish rates of postage for packages shipped by priority mail from the United States to a foreign Army Post Office, Fleet Post Office, or Diplomatic Post Office address that limit the charge for distance traveled.
Child Tax Credit Equity for Puerto Rico Act of 2019 This bill (1) allows residents of Puerto Rico to claim the refundable portion of the child tax credit on the same basis as U.S. taxpayers, and (2) allows such residents with one or two children to claim the refundable portion of the credit on the same basis as residents with three or more children.
Reenergized Economic Sustainability for Community and Urban Entities Act for Black and Community Banks or the RESCUE Act for Black and Community Banks This bill establishes programs and requirements related to minority banks, Black banks, community banks, women's banks, and low-income credit unions. The bill establishes the Office of Black and Community Banks in the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to oversee Black and community banks. The OCC and the Securities and Exchange Commission must exempt these banks from specified securities and federal banking regulations in certain circumstances. The bill also establishes the Minority Bank Deposit Program. The Department of the Treasury must certify a depository institution or credit union upon successful application as a minority bank, a women's bank, or a low-income credit union. Every federal department and agency is directed to implement standards and procedures to ensure the use of such institutions to serve the financial needs of the department or agency. The Government Accountability Office must study the use of the new markets tax credit, lower-value home mortgages, and blockchain investments.
Ensuring Homeowner and Occupant Monetary Encouragement and Stability Act or the Ensuring HOMES Act This bill sets forth additional housing protections during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency period. Mortgage holders and lenders are prohibited from requiring payment on a mortgage deferred during the COVID-19 emergency period until the later of (1) the last day of the loan term, or (2) the end of the deferral period. The bill establishes the Tenant Protection Program that provides loans to landlords who waive rent during the COVID-19 emergency period. The bill also provides for forgiveness of these loans if the landlord provides lease extensions and agrees not to evict tenants. This bill applies retroactively to the beginning of the COVID-19 emergency period and applies to any future declared COVID-19 emergency period.
Bonuses for Cost-Cutters Act of 2021 This bill expands the awards program for cost-saving identifications by federal employees of fraud, waste, or mismanagement to include identifications of certain operational expenses that are wasteful. An agency must propose any such identified wasteful expenses for rescission. The bill also doubles the maximum cash award that may be made under the program.
This bill authorizes the Maritime Administrator of the Department of Transportation to purchase duplicate medals for U.S. merchant mariners who engaged in qualified service during World War II. To be eligible, a merchant mariner must submit an application to the Maritime Administrator. The bill sets forth what constitutes qualified service, including time frame of service and licensing requirements.
Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2021 This bill establishes requirements regarding audits of certain financial agencies performed by the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Specifically, the bill directs the GAO to complete, within 12 months, an audit of the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve banks. In addition, the bill allows the GAO to audit the Federal Reserve Board and Federal Reserve banks with respect to (1) international financial transactions; (2) deliberations, decisions, or actions on monetary policy matters; (3) transactions made under the direction of the Federal Open Market Committee; and (4) discussions or communications among Federal Reserve officers, board members, and employees regarding any of these matters.
Introduced in House
This concurrent resolution continues the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, created to make arrangements for the inauguration of the President-elect and the Vice President-elect of the United States, and it authorizes the use of the rotunda and Emancipation Hall of the U.S. Capitol for the proceedings and ceremonies of the inauguration.
This concurrent resolution provides for the two houses of Congress to meet on January 6, 2021, to count the electoral votes and declare the persons elected President and Vice President of the United States.
This resolution establishes a Senate committee to join with a corresponding House of Representatives committee, which shall notify the President that a quorum of each chamber has assembled.
