United States · United States Congress · 6 August 2021
Helping Kids Cope Act of 2021 This bill provides funding through FY2026 to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) for grants to enhance access to and provider training in pediatric behavioral health care. Specifically, HRSA must award grants to pediatricians, children's hospitals, and other providers to support pediatric behavioral health integration and coordination within communities. Grant-funded activities may include hiring community navigators to assist families in accessing appropriate services, incorporating behavioral health services in pediatric practices, and delivering services via telehealth. In addition, HRSA must award grants to children's hospitals to expand training for providers in the pediatric behavioral health workforce.
United States · United States Congress · 3 August 2021
This concurrent resolution recognizes the disparity in wages paid to Black women and its impact on women, families, and the nation, and reaffirms Congress' support for ensuring equal pay and closing the gender wage gap.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2021
District Court Judgeships Act of 2021 This bill requires the appointment of additional U.S. district court judges and converts certain temporary district court judgeships into permanent judgeships. Specifically, the bill requires the appointment of 203 district court judges in specified judicial districts in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin, and West Virginia. Additionally, the bill converts certain temporary district court judgeships to permanent judgeships in specified judicial districts in Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Kansas, Missouri, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Texas.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2021
Veterans' Prostate Cancer Treatment and Research Act This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish in its National Surgery Office an interdisciplinary clinical pathway for all stages of prostate cancer. Clinical pathways are health care management tools designed around research and evidence-based practices that provide direction for the care and treatment of a specific condition. The clinical pathway must include specified elements, such as a diagnosis pathway and a treatment pathway. The VA must consult with and incorporate feedback from (1) veterans who have received prostate cancer care at its medical facilities, and (2) experts in multidisciplinary cancer care and clinical research. Additionally, the VA must publish the clinical pathway on a public VA website and annually update the pathway as needed based on medical literature and evidence-based guidelines. The bill also requires the VA to submit a plan to establish a prostate cancer program using the comprehensive prostate cancer clinical pathway.
United States · United States Congress · 30 July 2021
Expanding Broadcast Ownership Opportunities Act of 2021 This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to take certain actions to increase diversity of ownership in the broadcasting industry and establishes a related tax incentive. Specifically, the bill requires the FCC to report to Congress regarding (1) recommendations for increasing the total number of broadcast stations that are owned or controlled by members of minority groups or women, (2) the total number of broadcast stations that are owned or controlled by members of minority groups or women, and (3) whether there is a nexus between diversity of ownership or control of broadcast stations and the diversity of the viewpoints expressed on the stations. In addition, the bill allows companies engaged in the qualifying sale of a broadcast station to receive favorable tax treatment by electing nonrecognition of the gain or loss resulting from the sale. To qualify for this treatment, the sale must result in or preserve ownership and control of a broadcast station by socially disadvantaged individuals.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2021
Higher Education Dream Act of 2021 This bill prohibits institutions of higher education that receive federal student aid from discriminating against Dreamer students (e.g., students who have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status) based on their immigration status, including charging out-of-state tuition to students who would qualify as residents of the state. The bill also makes Dreamer students eligible for federal financial aid. The bill prohibits the use or publication of certain identifiable information related to such students, subject to civil penalties.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2021
Unlawful Gun Buyer Alert Act This bill establishes a notification requirement following a firearms-related background check that results in a denial. Specifically, the bill requires the national instant criminal background check system to notify federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies if a firearms-related background check determines that an individual is ineligible to receive or possess a firearm. The notification requirement applies even if more than three business days have elapsed since the background check was initiated, and a firearm has already been transferred to the individual.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2021
This bill establishes the Advisory Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Veterans to consult with the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding the administration of benefits for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) veterans, reports and studies pertaining to LGBTQ veterans, and the needs of such veterans with respect to compensation, health care, rehabilitation, outreach, and other benefits and programs.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2021
Migratory Bird Protection Act of 2021 This bill prohibits the incidental taking (e.g., capturing or killing) of migratory birds by commercial activities unless the activity is authorized under a permit or is identified as posing de minimis risk to migratory birds. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) must regulate such incidental taking, including by (1) issuing general permits for certain industries, (2) creating a mitigation fee for any incidental taking of migratory birds, and (3) identifying categories of de minimis risk activities that are exempt from liability for the taking of migratory birds. In addition, the USFWS must establish and maintain a research program (1) to evaluate the impacts of commercial activities on birds, (2) to evaluate the effectiveness of best management practices and technologies to avoid or minimize such impacts, and (3) to develop new or improved best management practices and technologies.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2021
Protecting the Information of our Vulnerable Children and Youth Act or the Kids PRIVCY Act This bill expands the requirements for digital services when handling the personal information of children. Specifically, the bill (1) requires digital services to obtain express, affirmative consent that is specific, informed, and unambiguous before processing the personal information of a child or teenager under the age of 18; (2) prohibits certain targeted advertising; and (3) allows individuals to access, correct, or delete their personal information. The bill increases the civil penalty for violations of the children's online privacy protections and provides for enforcement by the Federal Trade Commission and a private right of action.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2021
Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act of 2021 This bill requires certain medical devices with a digital interface to meet nonvisual accessibility standards established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Specifically, the FDA must establish regulations to require a Class II or Class III medical device with a digital interface to provide a blind or low-vision user access to the same services and information, and generally the same ease of use, as provided to a user who is not low-vision or blind. (The FDA classifies medical devices in three classes. Class I devices are low-risk, Class II devices are moderate-risk, and Class III devices are high-risk.) A Class II or Class III medical device that does not meet the nonvisual accessibility standards established under this bill may not be sold.
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2021
Domestic Workers Bill of Rights Act This bill provides rights and protections for domestic workers (e.g., housekeepers, nannies, caretakers, personal assistants, and chauffeurs), including pay and leave rights, and health and safety protections. Specifically, the bill repeals the exemption of domestic live-in employees from certain minimum wage and maximum hour requirements. Employers must provide written notice of termination and provide at least 30 days of lodging and two weeks of severance pay to terminated live-in employees. Live-in employees also must be provided with reasonable access to telephone and internet service during their employment. The bill requires employers to provide domestic workers with a written agreement covering wages, sick leave, benefits, and other matters. Further, domestic workers may request and be granted changes to work schedules due to personal events. The bill also provides domestic workers with certain privacy rights, extends to domestic workers protections against discrimination in employment, and increases the federal medical assistance percentage (FMAP) for certain Medicaid-funded medical services provided by domestic workers. The Department of Labor must (1) award grants for a domestic worker national hotline for reporting emergencies, training on hazards facing domestic workers, and workforce investment activities for domestic workers; and (2) establish a Domestic Worker Wage and Standards Board to investigate standards in the domestic workers industry. Labor must publish online a document that describes the rights and protections for domestic workers under this bill.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2021
Improving Access for Afghan Refugees Act This bill requires the Department of State to provide priority refugee status to eligible habitual residents of Afghanistan. To be eligible for such priority status, a habitual resident of Afghanistan must also be a national of Afghanistan or stateless. Such an individual shall receive priority refugee status if the individual (1) has suffered persecution or has a well-founded fear of persecution and worked in a specified field that makes the individual a target of persecution on account of race, religion, or other characteristics; (2) was employed for at least one year in Afghanistan by U.S.-based media or nongovernmental entities or an entity that received a contract or grant from the U.S. government; or (3) is the beneficiary of a visa petition sponsored by a relative who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. The State Department may also provide priority status to other groups of individuals who are nationals and residents of Afghanistan. Certain annual numerical limits on refugee admissions shall not apply to individuals who receive priority status under this bill. For refugee applications under this bill, the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security shall ensure that all steps in the approval process in the U.S. government's control are completed within six months of an application's submission, with exceptions for cases that need more time to address national security concerns.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2021
This bill designates the the Federal Building and United States Courthouse located at 111 North Adams Street in Tallahassee, Florida, as the Joseph Woodrow Hatchett United States Courthouse and Federal Building.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2021
Refuge System Protection Act This bill authorizes the Department of Justice (DOJ), at the request of the Department of the Interior, to bring in a district court a civil action against any individual or entity that destroys, causes the loss of, causes Interior to make risk mitigation efforts with respect to, or injures any resource that is within the boundaries any land or water that is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The bill also authorizes DOJ, at the request of Interior, to bring in a district court an in rem action against any instrumentality (e.g., a vessel, vehicle, or aircraft) that destroys, causes the loss of, causes Interior to make risk mitigation efforts with respect to, or injures any such system resource. Among others, it shall be an affirmative defense in either type of action that the destruction of, loss of, risk mitigation regarding, or injury to a system resource was caused by an otherwise legal act or omission that occurred outside the boundaries of the resource. In either type of action, the court may award response costs and damages.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2021
Performing Artist Tax Parity Act of 2021 This bill modifies the tax deduction for the expenses of performing artists (including commissions paid to managers or agents) to provide for a phaseout of such deduction for taxpayers whose adjusted gross income exceeds $100,000 ($200,000 for joint return filers). The $100,000 phaseout threshold is adjusted for inflation annually for taxable years beginning after 2021.
United States · United States Congress · 28 July 2021
Grace Hopper Code for Us Act This bill establishes a program through which the Department of Education must award grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) to develop and implement courses of instruction related to critical legacy computer languages (e.g., COBOL, Assembly, and PL/I). In addition, the Government Accountability Office must report on the critical legacy computer languages that (1) are used by the federal government, and (2) are not commonly taught in a course at an IHE.
United States · United States Congress · 27 July 2021
Mature Technology Node Resiliency and Manufacturing Act of 2021 This bill provides $2 billion in FY2022 funds for the Department of Commerce to give financial assistance that incentivizes investment in semiconductor facilities and equipment at mature technology nodes. (A technology node is a specific semiconductor manufacturing process and its design rules.) This assistance shall be provided to certain entities with a demonstrated ability to substantially finance, construct, expand, or modernize a semiconductor facility. Such entities must also (1) provide equipment or materials or operate at mature technology nodes, and (2) commit to using federal financial assistance received pursuant to the bill to increase semiconductor production at such nodes. Commerce must prioritize entities that support the resiliency of the semiconductor supply chain for critical manufacturing industries in the United States.
United States · United States Congress · 26 July 2021
Robert Cleckler Bowden Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Robert Bowden, in recognition of his achievements both on and off the football field.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2021
Passport Backlog Elimination Act This bill requires the Department of State to submit and implement a plan containing specified actionable strategies to eliminate the backlog of passport applications that is due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2021
Rebuilding Economies and Creating Opportunities for More People Everywhere To Excel Act or the RECOMPETE Act This bill establishes a grant program to assist economically distressed local communities and labor markets that meet specified economic criteria, including employment criteria. The Economic Development Administration (EDA) must award 10-year grants to a local government, tribal government, economic development district, or consortium of local government units located in such areas. Each grant recipient must develop and implement a comprehensive strategy to address the economic challenges specific to the area. The grants may be used to increase employment opportunities, increase local per capita income, support economic development, and develop infrastructure and housing. Additionally, the EDA must periodically evaluate each grant recipient based on certain benchmark criteria and annually report on the implementation of the program. The bill specifies formulas for determining the grant amount for each community or market and the federal share of the cost of each program or activity conducted under the program.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2021
Recognizing and Ensuring Taxpayer Access to Infrastructure Necessary for GPS and Satellite Communications Act of 2021 or the RETAIN GPS and Satellite Communications Act of 2021 This bill places conditions on entities that deploy commercial terrestrial operations in the 1525-1559 megahertz (MHz) band or the 1626.5-1660.6 MHz band of the electromagnetic spectrum. These frequency bands are traditionally used for satellite operations, including the global positioning system (GPS). On April 19, 2020, the Federal Communications Commission approved an application for a low-power 5G wireless network in such bands despite concerns about the network interfering with GPS and other operations on adjacent bands. In its application, the entity committed to update, repair, or replace federal devices, platforms, or systems affected by its operations. This bill requires an entity (including the previously approved entity) that deploys terrestrial operations in the designated bands to reimburse a federal agency or a person for certain costs if the entity's operations interfere with or otherwise affect the operations of the agency or person. These costs may include necessary upgrades, repairs, or replacements to satellite communication devices and related equipment, as well as expenses for engineering studies and labor. Reimbursable costs owed by the entity transfer to any assignee, successor, or purchaser of its license to deploy terrestrial operations in the designated bands. The bill also expressly authorizes federal agencies to directly accept from the entity reimbursements for incurred costs.
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2021
This bill repeals the limitation on the amount of distilled spirits excise tax covered over (paid) to the treasuries of the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. The bill requires certain amounts of the excise tax paid to the treasury of Puerto Rico to be transferred to the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust Fund.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2021
Restoring Brand USA Act This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to make $250 million available (out of unobligated balances remaining from certain fees collected by Treasury) for the Corporation for Travel Promotion, also known as Brand USA.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2021
This resolution condemns the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise on July 7, 2021, and extends condolences to his family and the people of Haiti.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2021
This resolution condemns acts of violence against Afghan women and girls and any effort to limit the ability of women and girls to participate in the civic affairs of Afghanistan. It also urges the President to ensure that Afghan women, youth, and other marginalized groups are meaningfully participating and engaging in all peace talks.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2021
Medicaid Saves Lives Act This bill requires and provides funds for the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a program that provides health benefits to the Medicaid expansion population in states that have not expanded Medicaid. Specifically, the program must provide coverage for individuals who are newly eligible for Medicaid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (i.e., the Medicaid expansion population) without premiums and in accordance with Medicaid cost-sharing and other requirements. The bill also extends and increases the temporarily enhanced Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (i.e., federal matching rate) for states that elect to participate in Medicaid expansion if they have not already done so.
United States · United States Congress · 21 July 2021
United States Call Center Worker and Consumer Protection Act of 2021 This bill establishes restrictions on businesses that relocate call centers or redirect customer service calls to locations outside the United States. Specifically, a business must notify the Department of Labor that it intends to move its customer service call center overseas and Labor must maintain a publicly available list of such businesses. Subject to narrow exceptions, a business appearing on such list is ineligible to receive federal grants or guaranteed loans for five years after the business is added to the list. Further, agencies must condition the awarding of government contracts on the requirement that any call center activity pursuant to the contract must be performed in the United States. Additionally, the bill requires call center employees to disclose their physical location at the beginning of each call initiated or received, unless all employees of the business participating in the communication are located in the United States, among other exceptions.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2021
Freedom and Right to Emancipate from Exploitation (FREE) Act This bill establishes rights for individuals who are subject to legal guardianship or conservatorship. Specifically, these individuals have the right to petition the court to replace their private legal guardian or conservator with a state guardian or other designated individual; and communicate with a caseworker employed by the state, without the interference or objection of the individual's legal guardian or conservator. Furthermore, the bill creates a private right of action for individuals whose rights have been violated. The bill also authorizes the Department of Health and Human Services to provide grants to states to hire state-employed caseworkers, legal guardians, and conservators for legally incompetent adults.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2021
Care That's Fair Act This bill authorizes and provides funds for a grant program to analyze racial and ethnic disparities or other factors that may affect health outcomes for Medicaid enrollees. Specifically, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services may award grants to states to analyze (1) variations in health care outcomes and utilization that are related to race and ethnicity for clinically similar enrollees, or (2) clinical and social factors that contribute to poor infant and maternal health outcomes for enrollees.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2021
Energy Prices Require Including Climate Externalities Act of 2021 or the Energy PRICE Act of 2021 This bill requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to direct electric utilities to take greenhouse gas emissions into account when they set their rates for the wholesale sale of electricity. Specifically, if FERC determines that the rates do not incorporate the cost of such emissions to public health, safety, or welfare, then FERC must find that the rates are unjust, unreasonable, unduly discriminatory, or preferential.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2021
Value in Health Care Act of 2021 This bill makes a series of changes to certain methodologies and components used in the Medicare Shared Savings Program. The program enables accountable care organizations (ACOs) to receive payments for savings stemming from care coordination and management. Among other changes, the bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to increase the shared savings rate for participating ACOs, as specified, and to establish a program that assists ACOs with start-up and operational costs of participation. The bill also extends certain incentive payments for health professionals who participate in eligible alternative payment models. The Government Accountability Office must report on health outcomes and racial disparities among beneficiaries who receive care from providers under alternative payment models compared to beneficiaries who receive care from providers under the traditional fee-for-service system.
United States · United States Congress · 20 July 2021
Health Insurance Marketplace Affordability Act of 2021 This bill modifies the refundable tax credit for health care premium assistance to require an age rate adjustment to the applicable percentage used to determine the amount of such credit. The age rate adjustment for any individual shall be determined using a single national age rating curve specified in guidance by the Department of Health and Human Services and shall reflect market patterns in the individual health care market.
United States · United States Congress · 19 July 2021
Home for the Brave Act of 2021 This bill excludes from income veterans' service-connected disability or death benefits for purposes of determinations made in connection with the Department of Housing and Urban Development's housing assistance programs.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2021
Daniel Anderl Judicial Security and Privacy Act of 2021 This bill generally prohibits federal agencies and private businesses from publicly posting the personally identifiable information (e.g., home addresses) of federal judges and their immediate family members. It also (1) requires information to be removed upon written request from the federal judge concerned, (2) prohibits data brokers from purchasing or selling such information, and (3) establishes programs to protect such information at the state and local level and to enhance security for judges.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2021
Ending Homelessness Act of 2021 This bill expands the housing choice voucher program and provides assistance to homeless individuals and families. Specifically, the bill provides FY2022-2025 funding for the expansion of the housing choice voucher program for certain extremely low income families. Furthermore, beginning in FY2026, the bill creates and funds an entitlement to housing choice vouchers for certain extremely low income families. Eligibility for the entitlement expands annually, extending to low-income families by FY2030. The bill also reduces the geographic area used to calculate an area's fair market rent for purposes of voucher payment standards and prohibits the use of criminal history in determining eligibility for certain housing assistance. Additionally, the bill prohibits housing discrimination on the basis of a renter's source of income or a renter's veteran status. The bill also provides additional FY2022-FY2026 funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to assist the homeless, including to award emergency relief grants in jurisdictions with the highest need and award grants to provide outreach and coordinate services. Furthermore, the bill provides additional FY2022-FY2026 funding for the Housing Trust Fund, which provides affordable housing for extremely low-income and very low-income families. While this additional funding is available, HUD must ensure that priority for occupancy in assisted units is given to individuals and families who are homeless. Finally, the bill permanently reauthorizes certain homeless assistance grants and makes permanent the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2021
Housing is Infrastructure Act of 2021 This bill generally addresses housing affordability and infrastructure. The bill authorizes the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide grants, programs, and other support related to public housing, affordable housing preservation and construction, and mortgage access. The bill also establishes and funds the National Investment Authority (NIA) which must design, finance, and implement a strategy of long-term national economic growth and development. The NIA must select projects that coordinate investment of public and private capital in equitable, inclusive, and sustainable growth of the economy. Furthermore, the bill establishes the National Infrastructure Bank (NIB) to implement the strategy by engaging in credit market activities that support public and private investment in critical public infrastructure projects. The bill gives the NIA bond issuing authority and authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to purchase these bonds. The Federal Reserve must lend funds on a short-term basis upon the request of the NIB and other subsidiaries. Additionally, the Department of the Treasury must provide for a line of credit not to exceed 100% of the NIA's total assets. Finally, the bill (1) authorizes HUD to provide support for fair housing organizations, and (2) requires consultation with a fair housing enforcement organization as part of an application for certain housing grants or funds.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2021
Reconciliation in Place Names Act This bill directs the Department of the Interior to establish the Advisory Committee on Reconciliation in Place Names to advise the Board on Geographic Names with regard to renaming geographic features with offensive place names. The board shall rename a geographic feature with an offensive name in accordance with a recommendation of the committee unless the board determines that (1) there is a compelling reason and substantial public interest in rejecting the recommendation, or (2) approving the recommendation would violate federal law. The board shall accept or reject a recommendation within three years of receiving the recommendation.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2021
Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2021 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to permit a Member of Congress (upon request) to use a VA facility to meet with constituents. The VA and the General Services Administration must jointly identify available spaces in VA facilities for such purposes. The VA must prescribe regulations regarding such use of a VA facility by a Member of Congress.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2021
Medicaid Dental Benefit Act This bill requires state Medicaid programs to cover dental and oral health services for adults. It also increases the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (i.e., federal matching rate) for such services. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must develop oral health quality and equity measures and conduct outreach relating to such coverage. Additionally, the Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Payment and Access Commission must report on specified information relating to adult oral health care.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2021
Facilitating Innovative Nuclear Diagnostics Act of 2021 This bill establishes separate payment requirements for diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals under the Medicare prospective payment system for hospital outpatient department services. The bill's requirements apply to diagnostic radiopharmaceuticals that have an average daily cost of $500 or more in 2022 and as adjusted based on a specified fee schedule factor in each year thereafter.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2021
Better Empowerment Now to Enhance Framework and Improve Treatments Act of 2021 or the BENEFIT Act of 2021 This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to consider relevant patient-focused drug development data, such as data from patient preference studies and patient-reported outcome data, in the risk-benefit assessment framework used in the process for approving new drugs. After a new drug application has been approved, the FDA's public statement about how it used patient experience data shall include a description of how such data was considered in the risk-benefit assessment framework.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2021
End Double Taxation of Successful Consumer Claims Act This bill allows a deduction from gross income (above-the-line deduction) for attorney fees and court costs in connection with a claim of a consumer protection violation.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2021
Securities Clarity Act This bill excludes an investment contract asset as being considered a security, including for disclosure and registration purposes. An investment contract asset as defined by the bill is a tangible or intangible asset sold pursuant to an investment contract that is not otherwise considered a security.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2021
Pathways to Health Careers Act This bill provides funding for, reauthorizes through FY2026, and makes a variety of changes to certain grants administered by the Department of Health and Human Services that provide education and training to low-income individuals for health care occupations, including by establishing a new competitive grant for projects designed to train low-income individuals in allied health professions.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2021
Veterans Entrepreneurship Act of 2021 This bill requires the Small Business Administration to carry out a pilot program assessing the feasibility and advisability of making grants to eligible veterans to start or acquire a small business concern, a franchise business enterprise, or any other appropriate category of business enterprise. Eligible veterans are those veterans or members of the Armed Forces who (1) are currently retiring or separating from the Armed Forces or have been honorably discharged from active duty, (2) have completed a specified minimum period of active duty, and (3) are entitled to certain educational assistance programs. Grant recipients must complete an entrepreneurship readiness program and prepare a business plan, and they may use grant funds for purposes such as purchasing goods or services, funding a project that is directed toward economic development objectives, and acquiring a business enterprise.
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2021
Downpayment Toward Equity Act of 2021 This bill establishes a grant program through the Department of Housing and Urban Development for states and other entities to provide qualifying assistance to certain first-time, first-generation home buyers in purchasing their first homes. Qualifying assistance includes assistance for mortgage down payments, mortgage closing costs, reduction of mortgage interest rates, subsidies for shared equity homes, or for certain preoccupancy modifications to a home to accommodate persons with disabilities. The bill also establishes grant requirements regarding home buyer income, types of housing, homeowner occupancy, types of mortgages, and home buyer counseling.
United States · United States Congress · 13 July 2021
Supporting Medicaid in the U.S. Territories Act of 2021 This bill extends, increases, and otherwise modifies Medicaid funding for U.S. territories. Specifically, the bill extends (1) the temporarily increased Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (i.e., federal matching rate), and (2) a higher cap on Medicaid funding. Such provisions apply to Puerto Rico through FY2026 and to other territories through FY2029. The bill also requires Puerto Rico to implement an asset verification program and to report on its ability to comply with certain reporting requirements, procurement standards, and other Medicaid program integrity measures.
![Official portrait of Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]](https://www.congress.gov/img/member/115_rp_fl_9_soto_darren_200.jpg)