Defence

SFC Sean Cooley and SPC Christopher Horton Congressional Gold Star Family Fellowship Program Resolution

United States · United States Congress · 17 March 2021

SFC Sean Cooley and SPC Christopher Horton Congressional Gold Star Family Fellowship Program Resolution This resolution establishes in the Senate the Congressional Gold Star Family Fellowship Program under which certain family members of a member of the Armed Forces who is a hostile casualty or died from a training-related injury may serve a 12-month fellowship in the office of a Senator.

VA Employee Fairness Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2021

VA Employee Fairness Act of 2021 This bill repeals provisions excluding any matter or question concerning professional conduct or competence; peer review; or the establishment, determination, or adjustment of employee compensation from the applicability of collective bargaining rights for Veterans Health Administration employees.

Citizenship for Essential Workers Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2021

Citizenship for Essential Workers Act This bill establishes a mechanism for eligible aliens who worked as essential workers during the declared COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency to apply for and obtain permanent resident status. The bill also narrows certain grounds for deportability and inadmissibility. To be eligible for permanent resident status under this bill, an alien must have earned income at any point during the COVID-19 emergency period doing work deemed essential by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or a state or local government. An alien may also be eligible if that alien is a parent, spouse, or child of (1) an eligible alien who died from COVID-19, or (2) a member of the Armed Forces. Certain aliens shall be ineligible, such as an alien who was a refugee on January 1, 2021. To obtain permanent resident status under this bill, an applying alien must satisfy additional requirements, including by passing a background check. Furthermore, the bill repeals provisions providing for three-year bars and permanent bars to admission into the United States. (Generally, these bars apply to aliens who were previously removed or unlawfully present in the United States.) The bill also narrows the scope of certain crime-based grounds for inadmissibility or deportability, such as by redefining the term conviction to exclude expunged convictions. The Department of Justice or DHS may waive certain grounds of inadmissibility or deportability (1) for humanitarian purposes, (2) to ensure family unity, or (3) for the public interest.

National Guard Housing Equity Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2021

National Guard Housing Equity Act This bill provides for an equal housing allowance for members of a reserve component who perform active service for more than 30 consecutive days under multiple calls or orders that are for 30 days or less. Specifically, such members must be paid the same basic housing allowance as members of a reserve component who are called or ordered to active service for a period of more than 30 days.

Guard the Border Act

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2021

Guard the Border Act This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to reassign 95% of National Guard members deployed to the National Capital Region on or after January 6, 2021, in response to the attacks on the U.S. Capitol building and grounds. Specifically, DOD must reassign such members to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection in (1) securing the southern land border of the country, and (2) management and care for migrants at the border. DOD must report on the results of a study assessing the effects of such reassignment.

Elaine M. Checketts Military Families Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2021

Elaine M. Checketts Military Families Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Defense to amend regulations to provide that approved parental leave shall not terminate upon the death of the child for whom the leave is taken.

Department of Veterans Affairs Employee Fairness Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2021

Department of Veterans Affairs Employee Fairness Act of 2021 This bill repeals provisions excluding any matter or question concerning professional conduct or competence; peer review; or the establishment, determination, or adjustment of employee compensation from the applicability of collective bargaining rights for Veterans Health Administration employees.

A resolution honoring Army chaplain Emil J. Kapaun.

United States · United States Congress · 16 March 2021

This resolution honors and recognizes Chaplain (Captain) Emil J. Kapaun for his heroic service to the country and expresses condolences to his family. The resolution also states that the Senate will never cease in the task of recovering and remembering all prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action.

Citizenship for Essential Workers Act

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2021

Citizenship for Essential Workers Act This bill establishes a mechanism for eligible aliens who worked as essential workers during the declared COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency to apply for and obtain permanent resident status. The bill also narrows certain grounds for deportability and inadmissibility. To be eligible for permanent resident status under this bill, an alien must have earned income at any point during the COVID-19 emergency period doing work deemed essential by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or a state or local government. An alien may also be eligible if that alien is a parent, spouse, or child of (1) an eligible alien who died from COVID-19, or (2) a member of the Armed Forces. Certain aliens shall be ineligible, such as an alien who was a refugee on January 1, 2021. To obtain permanent resident status under this bill, an applying alien must satisfy additional requirements, including by passing a background check. Furthermore, the bill repeals provisions providing for three-year bars and permanent bars to admission into the United States. (Generally, these bars apply to aliens who were previously removed or unlawfully present in the United States.) The bill also narrows the scope of certain crime-based grounds for inadmissibility or deportability, such as by redefining the term conviction to exclude expunged convictions. The Department of Justice or DHS may waive certain grounds of inadmissibility or deportability (1) for humanitarian purposes, (2) to ensure family unity, or (3) for the public interest.

Trade Security Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2021

Trade Security Act of 2021 This bill revises provisions related to the adjustment of U.S. imports due to a national security threat. The bill allows Congress to block a presidential import adjustment through a joint resolution. This provision retroactively applies to adjustments made on or after July 1, 2018. However, it shall not apply to specified steel and aluminum import adjustments. The Department of Defense (currently, the Department of Commerce) must investigate the national security threat of a U.S. import, and report to the President the results of that investigation. Commerce must provide recommendations regarding such imports upon request by the President.

A resolution designating March 29, 2021, as "Vietnam Veterans Day".

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2021

This resolution designates March 29, 2021, as Vietnam Veterans Day. The resolution also recognizes the contributions of veterans who served in Vietnam during war and peace.

A resolution designating April 5, 2021, as "Gold Star Wives Day".

United States · United States Congress · 15 March 2021

This resolution designates April 5, 2021, as Gold Star Wives Day. The resolution also recognizes the contributions of the members of the Gold Star Wives of America, Inc., and their dedication to the members and veterans of the Armed Forces.

Impact Aid Infrastructure Act

United States · United States Congress · 12 March 2021

Impact Aid Infrastructure Act This bill authorizes additional Impact Aid construction grants for FY2022. These grants provide infrastructure assistance to local educational agencies that have lost property tax revenue due to the presence of tax-exempt federal property or to those that have experienced increased expenditures due to enrollment of federally connected children (e.g., children living on Indian lands or military bases).

Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2021

Guard and Reserve GI Bill Parity Act of 2021 This bill expands eligibility for Post-9/11 GI Bill educational assistance. Specifically, the bill adjusts the type of service that entitles a member of the Armed Forces, reserves, or National Guard to such assistance. Under the bill, service by a reservist or National Guard member that is entitled to pay counts toward benefit eligibility. Such service includes training, active military service, inactive training, and general duty for which basic pay is warranted.

Department of Veterans Affairs Information Technology Reform Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2021

Department of Veterans Affairs Information Technology Reform Act of 2021 This bill addresses the management and implementation of information technology projects and investments of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Specifically, the bill prohibits the VA from obligating or expending funds for any major information technology project that begins after the date of enactment of this bill unless a report is submitted that includes information on the cost, schedule, and performance of the project. The information in the report must be used as a baseline against which changes or variances are measured and reported on during the life cycle of the project. Projects must be managed by an interdisciplinary team that includes a certified project manager, a functional lead, a technical lead, a contracting officer, and other appropriate personnel. The VA's Chief Information Officer must (1) exercise authority over the management, governance, and oversight processes relating to information technology of the VA's Financial Services Center; and (2) supervise the information technology employees and contractors of the center. The VA must ensure its annual budget justification materials include a list of its active information technology projects and specified information about such projects, projected funding needs for projects, a prioritized list of every proposed project that is unfunded, and information about the decommissioning of information technology systems and applications. Finally, the VA must assess all of its information technology investments to determine the suitability for migration to a cloud computing service.

CHAMPVA Children's Care Protection Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2021

CHAMPVA Children's Care Protection Act of 2021 This bill provides that a child shall be eligible for medical care under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) until the child's 26th birthday, regardless of the child's marital status.

CHAMPVA Children’s Care Protection Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2021

CHAMPVA Children's Care Protection Act of 2021 This bill provides that a child shall be eligible for medical care under the Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (CHAMPVA) until the child's 26th birthday, regardless of the child's marital status.

U.S. Military Right To Carry Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2021

U.S. Military Right to Carry Act This bill requires a state that receives funds under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to have implemented (1) a law or policy authorizing members of the Armed Forces who are outside of their state of residence under orders to renew a permit to carry a concealed firearm through the mail, and (2) a law or policy that treats members of the Armed Forces on active duty in the state as residents of the state for purposes of issuing a permit to carry a concealed firearm in the state. The Department of Justice must reduce by 5% the amount that a state would otherwise receive under the grant program if the state fails to comply with either requirement.

To amend title 10, United States Code, to ensure that certain TRICARE beneficiaries who reside in Puerto Rico may enroll in TRICARE Prime, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2021

This bill requires the Department of Defense to ensure that TRICARE beneficiaries whose health benefits are provided under contract, other than certain Medicare-eligible beneficiaries and certain beneficiaries in the active-duty family member category, may enroll in the TRICARE Prime managed care option in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, beginning not later than January 1, 2022.

RECRUIT Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2021

Reserve Employers Comprehensive Relief and Uniform Incentives on Taxes Act of 2021 or the RECRUIT Act of 2021 This bill allows employers with less than 500 employees a new tax credit for 40% of the wages paid to a member of the National Guard or a reserve component of the Armed Forces. The employer may elect to claim a payroll tax credit for wages paid to such service members.

GRUB Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2021

Guard Reimbursement for Unhealthy Bites Act or the GRUB Act This bill requires the Department of Defense to pay National Guard members a per diem for each day they performed duty between January 26, 2021, and March 15, 2021, in response to the attacks on January 6, 2021, on the U.S. Capitol building and grounds. The per diem rate must be equal to the proportional meal rate determined by the Defense Travel Management Office for the National Capital Region.

U.S. Military Right to Carry Act

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2021

U.S. Military Right to Carry Act This bill requires a state that receives funds under the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program to have implemented (1) a law or policy authorizing members of the Armed Forces who are outside of their state of residence under orders to renew a permit to carry a concealed firearm through the mail, and (2) a law or policy that treats members of the Armed Forces on active duty in the state as residents of the state for purposes of issuing a permit to carry a concealed firearm in the state. The Department of Justice must reduce by 5% the amount that a state would otherwise receive under the grant program if the state fails to comply with either requirement.

HUBS for Veterans Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2021

Helping Unleash Benefits and Services for Veterans Act of 2021 or the HUBS for Veterans Act of 2021 This bill establishes a grant program to assist the transition of military personnel to civilian life. It directs the Department of Labor to carry out a five-year program of grants to nonprofit organizations that assist the transition of the following persons from Armed Forces service to civilian life: members eligible for preseparation counseling, former members who are transitioning to civilian life, and spouses of such members or former members. Funds must be used for a broad range of supportive programs, such as job recruitment training.

A resolution condemning the coup in Burma and calling for measures to ensure the safety of the Burmese people, including Rohingya, who have been threatened and displaced by a campaign of genocide conducted by the Burmese military.

United States · United States Congress · 11 March 2021

This resolution condemns the February 1, 2021, military coup in Burma (Myanmar) and calls on Burmese authorities to allow journalists, human rights organizations, United Nations monitors, and humanitarian actors full and safe access to every part of the country. The resolution also asks neighboring countries to provide immediate and direct cross-border assistance to address the humanitarian needs of refugees.

To designate the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Facility Expansion of the Department of Veterans Affairs Alvin C. York Medical Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, as the "Sergeant John Toombs Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Facility".

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2021

This bill designates the Mental Health Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Facility Expansion of the Department of Veterans Affairs Alvin C. York Medical Center in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, as the Sergeant John Toombs Residential Rehabilitation Treatment Facility.

Home Defense and Competitive Shooting Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2021

Home Defense and Competitive Shooting Act of 2021 This bill removes short-barreled rifles (barrels of less than 16 inches in length) from the definition of firearms for purposes of the National Firearms Act. It also eliminates the prohibition on the transportation of such rifles in interstate commerce and treats persons who acquire or possess a short-barreled rifle as meeting the registration or licensing requirements for such rifle where such requirements are determined by reference to the National Firearms Act. The bill preempts state or local laws that impose a tax or recordkeeping requirements on short-barreled rifles. The Department of Justice must destroy records relating to the registration of  certain rifles within one year after the enactment of this bill.

Defending Veterans’ Second Amendment Rights Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2021

Defending Veterans' Second Amendment Rights Act This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs from transmitting personally identifiable information of veterans or their beneficiaries to the national instant criminal background check system utilized by licensed importers or dealers of firearms solely on the basis that a veteran has a service-connected disability.

Strengthening American Nuclear Competitiveness Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2021

Strengthening American Nuclear Competitiveness Act This bill requires expedited consideration of certain nuclear technology exports, and it requires the Department of Energy (DOE), the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to author specified reports. Specifically, DOE must expedite consideration of authorization requests regarding the transfer of technology that involves specified low-proliferation-risk reactors to certain foreign countries. The bill also lifts the prohibition on licensing domestic nuclear projects in which U.S. allies invest if license issuance is not detrimental to common defense and security or the health and safety of the public. DOE must report on U.S. civilian nuclear commerce, including (1) an assessment of practices with respect to the civilian nuclear industry and the impacts of such practices on the industry in domestic and foreign commerce, (2) a comparison of U.S. practices to the practices of foreign countries with respect to their own civilian nuclear industry, and (3) recommendations to improve the competitiveness of U.S. civilian nuclear commerce. The NRC must report on (1) licensing issues or requirements relating to the use of nuclear energy for nonelectric applications, and (2) advanced manufacturing and construction techniques for nuclear energy projects. The GAO must report on actions by DOE regarding the retrospective risk pooling program that requires nuclear suppliers to help cover the contingent cost of certain nuclear incidents.

Advanced Nuclear Deployment Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2021

Advanced Nuclear Deployment Act This bill sets forth requirements to provide for the rapid deployment of new nuclear reactors. Specifically, the bill excludes from Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) fees preapplication activities and review of an application for an early site permit to demonstrate an advanced nuclear reactor on a Department of Energy (DOE) or Department of Defense site. The NRC must also develop and implement (1) risk-informed and performance-based strategies and guidance to license and regulate micro-reactors, and (2) schedules to complete review activities applicable to the licensing of micro-reactors within two years. In addition, the NRC must establish and carry out an expedited procedure for issuing a combined license to construct a new nuclear reactor on or adjacent to a site that already has an existing reactor. Finally, the bill establishes a pilot program that allows DOE to make long-term power purchase agreements for power generated by commercial nuclear reactors.

Support Our Military Working Dogs Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2021

Support Our Military Working Dogs Act This bill addresses provisions regarding the care and study of military working dogs. First, the bill authorizes the Department of Defense (DOD) to accept donations for the purpose of providing long-term care for retired military working dogs that have been adopted. The bill authorizes DOD to enter into a multi-year agreement with a veterans service organization or nonprofit entity to solicit, accept, and transfer funds to provide long-term care for adopted military working dogs. The bill prohibits charging a fee for the adoption of a military animal. The bill updates the duties of the Joint Trauma Education and Training Directorate. Specifically, the bill requires the directorate to develop a comprehensive trauma care registry with respect to military working dogs. Additionally, the directorate must inform and advise the conduct of research on the leading causes of morbidity and mortality of military working dogs in combat. Finally, DOD must establish a personnel management plan for veterinary care.

DLI Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2021

Defense Language Improvement Act or the DLI Act This bill adds authority for the Defense Language Institute to confer a Bachelor of Arts degree in a foreign language—in addition to the currently authorized Associate degree—upon a graduate of the Institute's Foreign Language Center.

Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2021

Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2021 This bill generally prohibits the federal government, states, tribal nations, or localities from discriminating or taking adverse action against a child welfare provider that declines to provide services due to the provider's sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions. However, government entities may still take adverse action against a provider that declines to provide adoption or foster care services based on race, color, or national origin. The Department of Health and Human Services must withhold a portion of federal funding for family services and child welfare activities from a government entity that discriminates against a child welfare provider in violation of this bill. Child welfare providers may also sue the government entity for such discrimination. A prevailing provider may recover reasonable attorney's fees and costs. Furthermore, government entities that accept certain federal funding for family services and child welfare activities must waive sovereign immunity as a defense to lawsuits brought under this bill. (In many cases, sovereign immunity shields states, territories, tribal nations, and some localities against private suits.)

Passports for Purple Hearts Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2021

Passports for Purple Hearts Act This bill exempts Purple Heart recipients from fees associated with obtaining a passport.

Allied Burden Sharing Report Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2021

Allied Burden Sharing Report Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to report to Congress on the contributions of allies to the common defense. Specifically, DOD must report on (1) the defense spending and military activities of certain countries with cooperative defense agreements with the United States, (2) whether a country places limits on the use of funds contributed to the common defense, and (3) any U.S. actions to minimize such limitations. The report shall cover each North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member state, each Gulf Cooperation Council member state, each country party to the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (Rio Treaty), and other specified countries.

Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2021

Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021 This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal in honor of the female telephone operators of the Army Signal Corps, commonly known as the Hello Girls , in recognition of their military service, devotion to duty, and 60-year struggle for veterans' benefits and recognition as soldiers.

Allied Burden Sharing Report Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2021

Allied Burden Sharing Report Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to report to Congress on the contributions of allies to the common defense. Specifically, DOD must report on (1) the defense spending and military activities of certain countries with cooperative defense agreements with the United States, (2) whether a country places limits on the use of funds contributed to the common defense, and (3) any U.S. actions to minimize such limitations. The report shall cover each North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member state, each Gulf Cooperation Council member state, each country party to the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance (Rio Treaty), and other specified countries.

A bill to modify the presumption of service connection for veterans who were exposed to herbicide agents while serving in the Armed Forces in Thailand during the Vietnam era, and for other purposes.

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2021

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure that, if it creates a presumption of service-connection between the occurrence of a disease and exposure to an herbicide agent while serving in the Armed Forces between January 9, 1962, and June 30, 1976, at a military base in Thailand, such presumption must also apply to exposure at any military base in Thailand, regardless of where on the base the veteran was located or what military job specialty the veteran performed.

Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2021

Child Welfare Provider Inclusion Act of 2021 This bill generally prohibits the federal government, states, tribal nations, or localities from discriminating or taking adverse action against a child welfare provider that declines to provide services due to the provider's sincerely held religious beliefs or moral convictions. However, government entities may still take adverse action against a provider that declines to provide adoption or foster care services based on race, color, or national origin. The Department of Health and Human Services must withhold a portion of federal funding for family services and child welfare activities from a government entity that discriminates against a child welfare provider in violation of this bill. Child welfare providers may also sue the government entity for such discrimination. A prevailing provider may recover reasonable attorney's fees and costs. Furthermore, government entities that accept certain federal funding for family services and child welfare activities must waive sovereign immunity as a defense to lawsuits brought under this bill. (In many cases, sovereign immunity shields states, territories, tribal nations, and some localities against private suits.)

SAVE LIVES Act

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2021

Strengthening and Amplifying Vaccination Efforts to Locally Immunize all Veterans and Every Spouse Act or the SAVE LIVES Act This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish a COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) vaccine to covered individuals during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Under the bill, covered individuals are veterans who are not eligible to enroll in the VA health care system; specified veterans who are eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care abroad; beneficiaries who are eligible for care due to a specified disability or death of a veteran; family caregivers of veterans who are participating in the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers; caregivers of veterans participating in the VA's Program of General Caregiver Support Services; caregivers of veterans participating in the VA's Medical Foster Home Program, Bowel and Bladder Program, Home Based Primary Care Program, or Veteran Directed Care Program; and the spouses of veterans. The VA must prioritize the vaccination of (1) veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system, (2) veterans who fail to enroll but receive hospital care and medical services for specified disabilities in their first 12 months of separation from service, and (3) caregivers accompanying such prioritized veterans. Under the bill, the VA is authorized to offer a vaccine to the spouse of a veteran near the same time the veteran receives the vaccine.

A resolution condemning military aggression and use of force by the Chinese Coast Guard against peaceful foreign vessels that purportedly violate the unlawful maritime sovereignty of China.

United States · United States Congress · 10 March 2021

This resolution condemns the Chinese Coast Guard's military aggression against foreign vessels and the government of China's unlawful claims to the South China Sea. It also applauds the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Coast Guard for their continued efforts to conduct freedom of navigation operations.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION REQUEST FOR FISCAL YEAR 2022 AND THE FUTURE YEARS DEFENSE PROGRAM

United States · United States Senate · 9 March 2021

A resolution calling on the Government of Ethiopia, the Tigray People's Liberation Front, and other belligerents in the conflict in the Tigray Region of Ethiopia to cease all hostilities, protect human rights, allow unfettered humanitarian access, and cooperate with independent investigations of credible atrocity allegations.

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2021

This resolution strongly disapproves of the escalation of political tensions between the government of Ethiopia and the Tigray People's Liberation Front into armed conflict, and it condemns all violence against civilians. Further, the resolution calls on Eritrea to withdraw its military forces from Ethiopia, and it urges all parties to the conflict to cease hostilities and work to protect human rights. The resolution also calls on relevant U.S. agencies to take specified actions that encourage an end to the conflict and provide humanitarian support.

IDEA Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2021

Inventor Diversity for Economic Advancement Act of 2021 or the IDEA Act This bill requires the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to request demographic information from the inventor on each patent application submitted to the USPTO. Inventors shall not be required to provide the requested information, which shall include gender, race, and military or veteran status. The USPTO shall (1) publish an annual public report about the collected data, including the collected data broken down by the types of technology covered by the patent applications; and (2) make the underlying data publicly available.

IDEA Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2021

Inventor Diversity for Economic Advancement Act of 2021 or the IDEA Act This bill requires the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) to request demographic information from the inventor on each patent application submitted to the USPTO. Inventors shall not be required to provide the requested information, which shall include gender, race, and military or veteran status. The USPTO shall (1) publish an annual public report about the collected data, including the collected data broken down by the types of technology covered by the patent applications; and (2) make the underlying data publicly available.

TRICARE Reserve Select Improvement Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2021

TRICARE Reserve Select Improvement Act This bill expands TRICARE Reserve Select eligibility to include members of the Selected Reserve who are enrolled or eligible to enroll in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program.

American Patriots of WWII through Service with the Canadian and British Armed Forces Gold Medal Act of 2021

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2021

American Patriots of WWII through Service with the Canadian and British Armed Forces Gold Medal Act of 2021 This bill directs the award of a Congressional Gold Medal in honor of the dedicated service of U.S. nationals who voluntarily joined the Canadian and British armed forces during World War II. Following the award, the medal shall be given to the Smithsonian Institution for display and research. The U.S. Mint may strike duplicates in bronze.

Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2021

Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act This bill restricts the Department of Defense (DOD) from transferring certain surplus military property to federal, state, or local law enforcement agencies. Specifically, DOD may not transfer to such agencies specified property such as controlled firearms, ammunition, grenade launchers, explosives, certain vehicles or trucks, armored or weaponized drones, certain controlled aircraft, silencers, or long-range acoustic devices. DOD may waive this limitation and transfer certain vehicles or trucks if DOD determines that the transfer is necessary for disaster or rescue purposes or for another purpose where life and public safety are at risk. As a condition for a transfer of allowable property, DOD must require the federal or state agency that receives the property to return the property if the agency is investigated by the Department of Justice for civil liberties violations or is otherwise found to have engaged in widespread abuses of civil liberties. DOD must also periodically submit certain transfer-related information and certifications to Congress. Furthermore, as a condition for transfer, the recipient must receive the approval of its local governing body, provide specified notice to the local community, and submit specified information and certifications to DOD. A federal or state agency that receives controlled property under such a transfer may never take ownership of the property. The bill also eliminates the requirement for DOD to give preference to transfers of property that will be used in counter-drug, counterterrorism, disaster-related emergency preparedness, or border security activities.

COVID–19 Medical Production Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2021

COVID-19 Medical Production Act This bill provides additional funding for FY2021 to acquire medical supplies, vaccines, and other equipment to combat COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) using authorities under the Defense Production Act of 1950. That act confers on the President a broad set of authorities to influence domestic industry to provide essential materials and goods for the national defense. This funding is available through FY2025. Beginning in FY2023, it may be used to meet public health needs to address any pathogen determined by the President to have the potential to create a public health emergency.

Honoring Army Chaplain Emil J. Kapaun.

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2021

This resolution honors and recognizes Chaplain (Captain) Emil J. Kapaun for his heroic service to the country and expresses condolences to his family. The resolution also states that the House of Representatives will never cease in the task of recovering and remembering all prisoners of war and soldiers missing in action.

TRICARE Select Restoration Act

United States · United States Congress · 9 March 2021

TRICARE Select Restoration Act This bill eliminates the TRICARE Select annual enrollment fee for beneficiaries who retired from the uniformed services before January 1, 2018.