Protect and Serve Act of 2021 This bill establishes a new criminal offense for knowingly assaulting a law enforcement officer and causing serious bodily injury (or attempting to do so) in circumstances that affect interstate commerce. It imposes criminal penalties—a prison term, a fine, or both—on a violator.
Back the Blue Act of 2021 This bill establishes new criminal offenses for killing, assaulting, and fleeing to avoid prosecution for killing a judge, law enforcement officer, or public safety officer. Additionally, the bill expands the list of statutory aggravating factors in death penalty determinations to also include the killing or attempted killing of a law enforcement officer, judge, prosecutor, or firefighter or other first responder; broadens the authority of federal law enforcement officers to carry firearms; and limits federal court review of challenges to state court convictions for killing a public safety officer or judge. Finally, it directs the Department of Justice to make grants to law enforcement agencies and nongovernmental organizations to promote trust and improve relations between law enforcement agencies and the communities they serve.
Fiscal State of the Nation Resolution This concurrent resolution requires the congressional budget committees to conduct an annual joint hearing to receive a presentation from the Comptroller General regarding (1) the Government Accountability Office's audit of the financial statement of the executive branch, and (2) the financial position and condition of the federal government.
Public Health Workforce Loan Repayment Act of 2021 This bill establishes a student loan repayment program for public health professionals. As a condition of participation, recipients must agree to complete a period of full-time employment with a state, tribal, or local public health agency. Individuals eligible for this program include those with public health or health professions degrees, as well as those with degrees in statistics, computer science, or related information technology fields.
No Vaccine Mandate Act This bill prohibits certain funding made available for the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education and related agencies from being used for implementing or enforcing a rule that requires a COVID-19 vaccine.
Stop the Spread of Invasive Mussels Act of 2021 This bill directs the Bureau of Reclamation to provide federal assistance to states with certain reclamation projects to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. Such assistance shall include financial assistance to purchase, establish, operate, or maintain watercraft inspection and decontamination stations. In providing financial assistance, Reclamation must prioritize projects such as watercraft inspections and decontamination stations that have the highest likelihood of preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species at reservoirs of reclamation projects; or projects that prevent the spread of an aquatic invasive species to waters under the jurisdiction of Reclamation, including irrigation, reclamation, or other water projects. This bill provides authority for each federal agency on the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force, along with state partners, to (1) conduct mandatory inspections and decontamination of recreational vessels; and (2) if necessary, impound, quarantine, or otherwise prevent entry of a recreational vessel. In addition, it expands the membership to include the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Reclamation.
This resolution recognizes the ultimate sacrifice of the unknown soldiers interred at Arlington National Cemetery and expresses gratitude and appreciation of all the members of the Armed Forces who have served during wars and peacetime. Additionally, the resolution commends all members of the 3d Infantry Regiment, specifically those who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Solider.
Gun Rights And Marijuana Act or the GRAM Act This bill removes federal firearms-related restrictions on certain individuals who use or are addicted to marijuana. Currently, federal firearms law prohibits the sale or disposition of a firearm or ammunition to persons who are unlawful users of or addicted to a controlled substance. This bill exempts from the prohibition an adult whose use of or addiction to marijuana is lawful in the state or on the tribal lands where the person resides.
COVID-19 Border Protection (CBP) Act This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to devise and implement a strategy to ensure that no alien with COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) in DHS or Department of Health and Human Services custody may be released into the community during a public health emergency related to COVID-19. Funds previously provided to the Department of State for supporting international efforts to help migrants and refugees respond to COVID-19 shall be transferred to DHS to implement this strategy.
Stabilizing Medicare Access to Rehabilitation and Therapy Act or the SMART Act This bill modifies the application of a certain Medicare payment methodology for outpatient physical therapy services and outpatient occupational therapy services that are furnished by a therapy assistant. Under current law, effective January 1, 2022, payment for such services is 85% of the otherwise applicable rate. The bill delays this effective date by one year and excludes services that are furnished in rural or medically underserved areas from this payment methodology. The bill also specifies that supervision requirements for outpatient physical therapy services that are furnished through private practice may not be more stringent for purposes of Medicare coverage than under state law.
