Legislation

Summary: Private Prison Information Act of 2021 This bill specifies that a record related to a nonfederal prison, correctional, or detention facility must be considered a federal agency record for purposes of the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). A nonfederal prison, correctional, or detention facility must disclose information under FOIA unless the information is exempt from disclosure or the disclosure is prohibited by law. The term nonfederal prison, correctional, or detention facility means (1) a private prison, correctional, or detention facility; or (2) a state or local prison, jail, or other correctional or detention facility.

Summary: Medicaid Dental Benefit Act of 2021 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.

Summary: Witness Security and Protection Grant Program Act of 2021 This bill directs the Department of Justice to award competitive matching grants to state, local, and tribal governments to establish or maintain witness protection programs in cases involving (1) a homicide, serious violent felony, or serious drug offense; or (2) gangs or organized crime.

Summary: This bill requires the President to report to Congress a determination as to whether certain specified Russian persons meet the criteria to be subject to sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act. Russian persons specified in this bill include businessperson Roman Abramovich, Minister of Health Mikhail Murashko, and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

Summary: Burma Unified through Rigorous Military Accountability Act of 2021 or the BURMA Act of 2021 This bill imposes sanctions pertaining to Burma (Myanmar) and addresses related issues. The President must impose property- and visa-blocking sanctions on certain foreign persons (i.e., an individual or entity), including those that (1) knowingly operate in Burma's defense sector, (2) are responsible for or complicit in undermining Burma's democratic processes, or (3) are senior leaders in Burma's military or government. The Department of the Treasury must prohibit or impose strict conditions on certain accounts used to facilitate transactions for such sanctioned persons. The President may impose sanctions on Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise if such sanctions would support certain objectives, including reducing the Burmese military's ability to undermine democracy in Burma. The President may also prohibit imports of precious and semiprecious gemstones from Burma. Before removing certain foreign persons from a list of specially designated nationals and blocked persons (commonly known as the SDN list), the President must certify to Congress that the person in question has not knowingly engaged in certain activities, such as supporting terrorism. The bill authorizes Department of State and U.S. Agency for International Development activities in Burma and the surrounding region to support democracy activists, humanitarian assistance, and reconciliation efforts. The State Department may (1) continue to assist organizations supporting political prisoners in Burma, and (2) provide assistance to entities investigating crimes against humanity. The President must direct U.S. representatives to the United Nations to vote and advocate for certain actions related to Burma, such as cutting off assistance to Burma's government.

Summary: This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of National Retirement Security Month and acknowledges the need to raise public awareness of a variety of tax-preferred retirement vehicles.

Summary: This resolution designates the week beginning September 12, 2021, as National Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week and commends the contributions of direct support professionals who provide integral services to people with disabilities.

Summary: This resolution honors the contributions of small businesses in the United States and supports the designation of National Small Business Week.

Summary: Continuing Access to 504 Capital Act This bill authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA) to guarantee an additional $1 billion of loans made under the 504 Program. Such loans, made through SBA community partners and certified by the SBA, provide long-term, fixed rate financing for major fixed assets that promote business growth and job creation.

Summary: This joint resolution repeals the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force, effective one year after the date of enactment of the resolution. The 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force authorized the President to use all necessary and appropriate force against the nations, organizations, or persons determined to have taken part in carrying out the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Summary: This resolution honors the bravery and dedication of the Ritchie Boys and the importance of their contributions to the success of the Allied Forces during World War II.

Summary: Continuing Emergency Support for Restaurants Act This bill provides an additional $48 billion in FY2021 for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund and designates specified amounts for fund administrative expenses and audits of grants made from the fund. The fund was established in response to COVID-19 to make grants to eligible food and beverage purveyors for covering specified costs such as payroll, operational expenses, and paid sick leave. The bill designates the funding as emergency spending, which is exempt from discretionary spending limits.

Summary: Collegiate Housing and Infrastructure Act of 2021 This bill allows tax-exempt charitable or educational organizations to make collegiate housing and infrastructure grants to certain tax-exempt social clubs (e.g., college fraternities and sororities) that apply such grants to their collegiate housing property. A collegiate housing and infrastructure grant is a grant to provide, improve, operate, or maintain collegiate housing property that may involve more than incidental social, recreational, or private purposes. The grant must be for purposes that would be permissible for a dormitory or other residential facility of the college or university with which the collegiate housing property is associated. The grant may not be used to provide physical fitness facilities.