[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 68 (Tuesday, April 20, 2021)]
[House]
[Pages H1979-H1994]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   MOTION TO SUSPEND THE RULES AND PASS CERTAIN BILLS AND AGREE TO A 
                               RESOLUTION

  Mr. HOYER. Madam Speaker, pursuant to section 6 of House Resolution 
330, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bills: H.R. 367, H.R. 
370, H.R. 396, H.R. 397, H.R. 408, H.R. 490, H.R. 965, H.R. 1251, H.R. 
1395, H.R. 1491, H.R. 1528, H.R. 1532, H.R. 1565, H.R. 1602, and H.R. 
2523, and agree to H. Res. 124.
  The Clerk read the title of the bills and the resolution.
  The text of the bills and the resolution are as follows:

[[Page H1980]]

  



     Homeland Security Acquisition Professional Career Program Act

                                H.R. 367

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Homeland Security 
     Acquisition Professional Career Program Act''.

     SEC. 2. AUTHORIZATION OF THE ACQUISITION PROFESSIONAL CAREER 
                   PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Title VII of the Homeland Security Act of 
     2002 (6 U.S.C. 341 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following new section:

     ``SEC. 711. ACQUISITION PROFESSIONAL CAREER PROGRAM.

       ``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the 
     Department an acquisition professional career program to 
     develop a cadre of acquisition professionals within the 
     Department.
       ``(b) Administration.--The Under Secretary for Management 
     shall administer the acquisition professional career program 
     established pursuant to subsection (a).
       ``(c) Program Requirements.--The Under Secretary for 
     Management shall carry out the following with respect to the 
     acquisition professional career program.
       ``(1) Designate the occupational series, grades, and number 
     of acquisition positions throughout the Department to be 
     included in the program and manage centrally such positions.
       ``(2) Establish and publish on the Department's website 
     eligibility criteria for candidates to participate in the 
     program.
       ``(3) Carry out recruitment efforts to attract candidates--
       ``(A) from institutions of higher education, including such 
     institutions with established acquisition specialties and 
     courses of study, historically Black colleges and 
     universities, and Hispanic-serving institutions;
       ``(B) with diverse work experience outside of the Federal 
     Government; or
       ``(C) with military service.
       ``(4) Hire eligible candidates for designated positions 
     under the program.
       ``(5) Develop a structured program comprised of acquisition 
     training, on-the-job experience, Department-wide rotations, 
     mentorship, shadowing, and other career development 
     opportunities for program participants.
       ``(6) Provide, beyond required training established for 
     program participants, additional specialized acquisition 
     training, including small business contracting and innovative 
     acquisition techniques training.
       ``(d) Reports.--Not later than December 31, 2021, and 
     annually thereafter through 2027, the Secretary shall submit 
     to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs of the Senate a report on the 
     acquisition professional career program. Each such report 
     shall include the following information:
       ``(1) The number of candidates approved for the program.
       ``(2) The number of candidates who commenced participation 
     in the program, including generalized information on such 
     candidates' backgrounds with respect to education and prior 
     work experience, but not including personally identifiable 
     information.
       ``(3) A breakdown of the number of participants hired under 
     the program by type of acquisition position.
       ``(4) A list of Department components and offices that 
     participated in the program and information regarding length 
     of time of each program participant in each rotation at such 
     components or offices.
       ``(5) Program attrition rates and post-program graduation 
     retention data, including information on how such data 
     compare to the prior year's data, as available.
       ``(6) The Department's recruiting efforts for the program.
       ``(7) The Department's efforts to promote retention of 
     program participants.
       ``(e) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Hispanic-serving institution.--The term `Hispanic-
     serving institution' has the meaning given such term in 
     section 502 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     1101a).
       ``(2) Historically black colleges and universities.--The 
     term `historically Black colleges and universities' has the 
     meaning given the term `part B institution' in section 322(2) 
     of Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1061(2)).
       ``(3) Institution of higher education.--The term 
     `institution of higher education' has the meaning given such 
     term in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 
     U.S.C. 1001).''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 
     1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by 
     inserting after the item relating to section 710 the 
     following new item:

``Sec. 711. Acquisition professional career program.''.


 Quadrennial Homeland Security Review Technical Corrections Act of 2021

                                H.R. 370

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Quadrennial Homeland 
     Security Review Technical Corrections Act of 2021''.

     SEC. 2. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS TO QUADRENNIAL HOMELAND 
                   SECURITY REVIEW.

       (a) In General.--Section 707 of the Homeland Security Act 
     of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 347) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a)(3)--
       (A) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``and'' after the 
     semicolon at the end;
       (B) by redesignating subparagraph (C) as subparagraph (D); 
     and
       (C) by inserting after subparagraph (B) the following new 
     subparagraph:
       ``(C) representatives from appropriate advisory committees 
     established pursuant to section 871, including the Homeland 
     Security Advisory Council and the Homeland Security Science 
     and Technology Advisory Committee, or otherwise established, 
     including the Aviation Security Advisory Committee 
     established pursuant to section 44946 of title 49, United 
     States Code; and'';
       (2) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (2), by inserting before the semicolon at 
     the end the following: ``based on the risk assessment 
     required pursuant to subsection (c)(2)(B)'';
       (B) in paragraph (3)--
       (i) by inserting ``, to the extent practicable,'' after 
     ``describe''; and
       (ii) by striking ``budget plan'' and inserting ``resources 
     required'';
       (C) in paragraph (4)--
       (i) by inserting ``, to the extent practicable,'' after 
     ``identify'';
       (ii) by striking ``budget plan required to provide 
     sufficient resources to successfully'' and inserting 
     ``resources required to''; and
       (iii) by striking the semicolon at the end and inserting 
     the following: ``, including any resources identified from 
     redundant, wasteful, or unnecessary capabilities or 
     capacities that may be redirected to better support other 
     existing capabilities or capacities, as the case may be; 
     and'';
       (D) in paragraph (5), by striking ``; and'' and inserting a 
     period; and
       (E) by striking paragraph (6);
       (3) in subsection (c)--
       (A) in paragraph (1), by striking ``December 31 of the 
     year'' and inserting ``60 days after the date of the 
     submission of the President's budget for the fiscal year 
     after the fiscal year'';
       (B) in paragraph (2)--
       (i) in subparagraph (B), by striking ``description of the 
     threats to'' and inserting ``risk assessment of'';
       (ii) in subparagraph (C), by inserting ``, as required 
     under subsection (b)(2)'' before the semicolon at the end;
       (iii) in subparagraph (D)--

       (I) by inserting ``to the extent practicable,'' before ``a 
     description''; and
       (II) by striking ``budget plan'' and inserting ``resources 
     required'';

       (iv) in subparagraph (F)--

       (I) by inserting ``to the extent practicable,'' before ``a 
     discussion''; and
       (II) by striking ``the status of'';

       (v) in subparagraph (G)--

       (I) by inserting ``to the extent practicable,'' before ``a 
     discussion'';
       (II) by striking ``the status of'';
       (III) by inserting ``and risks'' before ``to national 
     homeland''; and
       (IV) by inserting ``and'' after the semicolon at the end;

       (vi) by striking subparagraph (H); and
       (vii) by redesignating subparagraph (I) as subparagraph 
     (H);
       (C) by redesignating paragraph (3) as paragraph (4); and
       (D) by inserting after paragraph (2) the following new 
     paragraph:
       ``(3) Documentation.--The Secretary shall retain and, upon 
     request, provide to Congress the following documentation 
     regarding each quadrennial homeland security review:
       ``(A) Records regarding the consultation carried out 
     pursuant to subsection (a)(3), including the following:
       ``(i) All written communications, including communications 
     sent out by the Secretary and feedback submitted to the 
     Secretary through technology, online communications tools, 
     in-person discussions, and the interagency process.
       ``(ii) Information on how feedback received by the 
     Secretary informed each such quadrennial homeland security 
     review.
       ``(B) Information regarding the risk assessment required 
     pursuant to subsection (c)(2)(B), including the following:
       ``(i) The risk model utilized to generate such risk 
     assessment.
       ``(ii) Information, including data used in the risk model, 
     utilized to generate such risk assessment.
       ``(iii) Sources of information, including other risk 
     assessments, utilized to generate such risk assessment.
       ``(iv) Information on assumptions, weighing factors, and 
     subjective judgments utilized to generate such risk 
     assessment, together with information on the rationale or 
     basis thereof.'';
       (4) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
       (5) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(d) Review.--Not later than 90 days after the submission 
     of each report required under subsection (c)(1), the 
     Secretary shall provide to the Committee on Homeland Security 
     of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland 
     Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate information 
     on the degree to which the findings and recommendations 
     developed in the quadrennial homeland security review that is 
     the subject

[[Page H1981]]

     of such report were integrated into the acquisition strategy 
     and expenditure plans for the Department.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this Act shall 
     apply with respect to a quadrennial homeland security review 
     conducted after December 31, 2021.


             Transit Security Grant Program Flexibility Act

                                H.R. 396

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Transit Security Grant 
     Program Flexibility Act''.

     SEC. 2. ALLOWABLE USES OF FUNDS FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION 
                   SECURITY ASSISTANCE GRANTS.

       Subparagraph (A) of section 1406(b)(2) of the Implementing 
     Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 (6 U.S.C. 
     1135(b)(2); Public Law 110-53) is amended by inserting ``and 
     associated backfill'' after ``security training''.

     SEC. 3. PERIODS OF PERFORMANCE FOR PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION 
                   SECURITY ASSISTANCE GRANTS.

       Section 1406 of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/
     11 Commission Act of 2007 (6 U.S.C. 1135; Public Law 110-53) 
     is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (m) as subsection (n); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (l) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(m) Periods of Performance.--
       ``(1) In general.--Except as provided in paragraph (2), 
     funds provided pursuant to a grant awarded under this section 
     for a use specified in subsection (b) shall remain available 
     for use by a grant recipient for a period of not fewer than 
     36 months.
       ``(2) Exception.--Funds provided pursuant to a grant 
     awarded under this section for a use specified in 
     subparagraph (M) or (N) of subsection (b)(1) shall remain 
     available for use by a grant recipient for a period of not 
     fewer than 55 months.''.

     SEC. 4. GAO REVIEW.

       (a) In General.--The Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall conduct a review of the public transportation 
     security assistance grant program under section 1406 of the 
     Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 
     2007 (6 U.S.C. 1135; Public Law 110-53).
       (b) Scope.--The review required under paragraph (1) shall 
     include the following:
       (1) An assessment of the type of projects funded under the 
     public transportation security grant program referred to in 
     such paragraph.
       (2) An assessment of the manner in which such projects 
     address threats to public transportation infrastructure.
       (3) An assessment of the impact, if any, of this Act 
     (including the amendments made by this Act) on types of 
     projects funded under the public transportation security 
     assistance grant program.
       (4) An assessment of the management and administration of 
     public transportation security assistance grant program funds 
     by grantees.
       (5) Recommendations to improve the manner in which public 
     transportation security assistance grant program funds 
     address vulnerabilities in public transportation 
     infrastructure.
       (6) Recommendations to improve the management and 
     administration of the public transportation security 
     assistance grant program.
       (c) Report.--Not later than one year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act and again not later than five years 
     after such date of enactment, the Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall submit to the Committee on Homeland 
     Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a 
     report on the review required under this section.

     SEC. 5. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the Committee on the Budget of the House of 
     Representatives, provided that such statement has been 
     submitted prior to the vote on passage.


         CBRN Intelligence and Information Sharing Act of 2021

                                H.R. 397

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``CBRN Intelligence and 
     Information Sharing Act of 2021''.

     SEC. 2. CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL, AND NUCLEAR 
                   INTELLIGENCE AND INFORMATION SHARING.

       (a) In General.--Subtitle A of title II of the Homeland 
     Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 121 et seq.) is amended by 
     inserting after section 210G the following new section:

     ``SEC. 210H. CHEMICAL, BIOLOGICAL, RADIOLOGICAL, AND NUCLEAR 
                   INTELLIGENCE AND INFORMATION SHARING.

       ``(a) In General.--The Office of Intelligence and Analysis 
     of the Department of Homeland Security shall--
       ``(1) support homeland security-focused intelligence 
     analysis of terrorist actors, their claims, and their plans 
     to conduct attacks involving chemical, biological, 
     radiological, or nuclear materials against the United States, 
     including critical infrastructure;
       ``(2) support homeland security-focused intelligence 
     analysis of global infectious disease, public health, food, 
     agricultural, and veterinary issues;
       ``(3) support homeland security-focused risk analysis and 
     risk assessments of the homeland security hazards described 
     in paragraphs (1) and (2), including the transportation of 
     chemical, biological, nuclear, and radiological materials, by 
     providing relevant quantitative and nonquantitative threat 
     information;
       ``(4) leverage existing and emerging homeland security 
     intelligence capabilities and structures to enhance early 
     detection, prevention, protection, response, and recovery 
     efforts with respect to a chemical, biological, radiological, 
     or nuclear attack;
       ``(5) share information and provide tailored analytical 
     support on such threats to State, local, Tribal, and 
     territorial authorities, and other Federal agencies, as well 
     as relevant national biosecurity and biodefense stakeholders, 
     as appropriate; and
       ``(6) perform other responsibilities, as assigned by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(b) Coordination.--Where appropriate, the Office of 
     Intelligence and Analysis shall coordinate with other 
     relevant Department components, including the Countering 
     Weapons of Mass Destruction Office and the National 
     Biosurveillance Integration Center, agencies within the 
     intelligence community, including the National Counter 
     Proliferation Center, and other Federal, State, local, 
     Tribal, and territorial authorities, including officials from 
     high-threat urban areas, State and major urban area fusion 
     centers, and local public health departments, as appropriate, 
     and enable such entities to provide recommendations on 
     optimal information sharing mechanisms, including expeditious 
     sharing of classified information, and on how such entities 
     can provide information to the Department.
       ``(c) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Intelligence community.--The term `intelligence 
     community' has the meaning given such term in section 3(4) of 
     the National Security Act of 1947 (50 U.S.C. 3003(4)).
       ``(2) National biosecurity and biodefense stakeholders.--
     The term `national biosecurity and biodefense stakeholders' 
     means officials from Federal, State, local, Tribal, and 
     territorial authorities and individuals from the private 
     sector who are involved in efforts to prevent, protect 
     against, respond to, and recover from a biological attack or 
     other phenomena that may have serious health consequences for 
     the United States, including infectious disease outbreaks.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 
     1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by 
     inserting after the item relating to section 201E the 
     following new item:

``Sec. 210H. Chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear 
              intelligence and information sharing.''.
       (c) Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act and annually thereafter for each of 
     the following four years, the Secretary of Homeland Security 
     shall report to the appropriate congressional committees on 
     the following:
       (A) The intelligence and information sharing activities 
     under section 210H of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (as 
     added by subsection (a) of this section) and of all relevant 
     entities within the Department of Homeland Security to 
     counter the threat from attacks using chemical, biological, 
     radiological, or nuclear materials.
       (B) The Department's activities in accordance with relevant 
     intelligence strategies.
       (2) Assessment of implementation.--The reports required 
     under paragraph (1) shall include the following:
       (A) An assessment of the progress of the Office of 
     Intelligence and Analysis of the Department of Homeland 
     Security in implementing such section 210F.
       (B) A description of the methods established to carry out 
     such assessment.
       (3) Definition.--In this subsection, the term ``appropriate 
     congressional committees'' means the Committee on Homeland 
     Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate and 
     any committee of the House of Representatives or the Senate 
     having legislative jurisdiction under the rules of the House 
     of Representatives or Senate, respectively, over the matter 
     concerned.

     SEC. 3. DISSEMINATION OF INFORMATION ANALYZED BY THE 
                   DEPARTMENT TO STATE, LOCAL, TRIBAL, 
                   TERRITORIAL, AND PRIVATE ENTITIES WITH 
                   RESPONSIBILITIES RELATING TO HOMELAND SECURITY.

       Paragraph (6) of section 201(d) of the Homeland Security 
     Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 121(d)) is amended by striking ``and to 
     agencies of State'' and all that follows through the period 
     at the end and inserting ``to State, local, tribal, 
     territorial, and private entities with such responsibilities, 
     and, as appropriate, to the public, in order to assist in 
     preventing, deterring, or responding to acts of terrorism 
     against the United States.''.

[[Page H1982]]

  



   Department of Homeland Security Mentor-Protege Program Act of 2021

                                H.R. 408

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Homeland 
     Security Mentor-Protege Program Act of 2021''.

     SEC. 2. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY MENTOR-PROTEGE 
                   PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Subtitle H of title VIII of the Homeland 
     Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 451 et seq.) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following new section:

     ``SEC. 890B. MENTOR-PROTEGE PROGRAM.

       ``(a) Establishment.--There is established in the 
     Department a mentor-protege program (in this section referred 
     to as the `Program') under which a mentor firm enters into an 
     agreement with a protege firm for the purpose of assisting 
     the protege firm to compete for prime contracts and 
     subcontracts of the Department.
       ``(b) Eligibility.--The Secretary shall establish criteria 
     for mentor firms and protege firms to be eligible to 
     participate in the Program, including a requirement that a 
     firm is not included on any list maintained by the Federal 
     Government of contractors that have been suspended or 
     debarred.
       ``(c) Program Application and Approval.--
       ``(1) Application.--The Secretary, acting through the 
     Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization of the 
     Department, shall establish a process for submission of an 
     application jointly by a mentor firm and the protege firm 
     selected by the mentor firm. The application shall include 
     each of the following:
       ``(A) A description of the assistance to be provided by the 
     mentor firm, including, to the extent available, the number 
     and a brief description of each anticipated subcontract to be 
     awarded to the protege firm.
       ``(B) A schedule with milestones for achieving the 
     assistance to be provided over the period of participation in 
     the Program.
       ``(C) An estimate of the costs to be incurred by the mentor 
     firm for providing assistance under the Program.
       ``(D) Attestations that Program participants will submit to 
     the Secretary reports at times specified by the Secretary to 
     assist the Secretary in evaluating the protege firm's 
     developmental progress.
       ``(E) Attestations that Program participants will inform 
     the Secretary in the event of a change in eligibility or 
     voluntary withdrawal from the Program.
       ``(2) Approval.--Not later than 60 days after receipt of an 
     application pursuant to paragraph (1), the head of the Office 
     of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization shall notify 
     applicants of approval or, in the case of disapproval, the 
     process for resubmitting an application for reconsideration.
       ``(3) Rescission.--The head of the Office of Small and 
     Disadvantaged Business Utilization may rescind the approval 
     of an application under this subsection if it determines that 
     such action is in the best interest of the Department.
       ``(d) Program Duration.--A mentor firm and protege firm 
     approved under subsection (c) shall enter into an agreement 
     to participate in the Program for a period of not less than 
     36 months.
       ``(e) Program Benefits.--A mentor firm and protege firm 
     that enter into an agreement under subsection (d) may receive 
     the following Program benefits:
       ``(1) With respect to an award of a contract that requires 
     a subcontracting plan, a mentor firm may receive evaluation 
     credit for participating in the Program.
       ``(2) With respect to an award of a contract that requires 
     a subcontracting plan, a mentor firm may receive credit for a 
     protege firm performing as a first tier subcontractor or a 
     subcontractor at any tier in an amount equal to the total 
     dollar value of any subcontracts awarded to such protege 
     firm.
       ``(3) A protege firm may receive technical, managerial, 
     financial, or any other mutually agreed upon benefit from a 
     mentor firm, including a subcontract award.
       ``(f) Reporting.--Not later than one year after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter, the head 
     of the Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization 
     shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs and the Committee on Small Business and 
     Entrepreneurship of the Senate and the Committee on Homeland 
     Security and the Committee on Small Business of the House of 
     Representatives a report that--
       ``(1) identifies each agreement between a mentor firm and a 
     protege firm entered into under this section, including the 
     number of protege firm participants that are--
       ``(A) small business concerns;
       ``(B) small business concerns owned and controlled by 
     veterans;
       ``(C) small business concerns owned and controlled by 
     service-disabled veterans;
       ``(D) qualified HUBZone small business concerns;
       ``(E) small business concerns owned and controlled by 
     socially and economically disadvantaged individuals;
       ``(F) small business concerns owned and controlled by 
     women;
       ``(G) historically Black colleges and universities; and
       ``(H) minority institutions of higher education;
       ``(2) describes the type of assistance provided by mentor 
     firms to protege firms;
       ``(3) identifies contracts within the Department in which a 
     mentor firm serving as the prime contractor provided 
     subcontracts to a protege firm under the Program; and
       ``(4) assesses the degree to which there has been--
       ``(A) an increase in the technical capabilities of protege 
     firms; and
       ``(B) an increase in the quantity and estimated value of 
     prime contract and subcontract awards to protege firms for 
     the period covered by the report.
       ``(g) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be 
     construed to limit, diminish, impair, or otherwise affect the 
     authority of the Department to participate in any program 
     carried out by or requiring approval of the Small Business 
     Administration or adopt or follow any regulation or policy 
     that the Administrator of the Small Business Administration 
     may promulgate, except that, to the extent that any provision 
     of this section (including subsection (h)) conflicts with any 
     other provision of law, regulation, or policy, this section 
     shall control.
       ``(h) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) Historically black college or university.--The term 
     `historically Black college or university' means any of the 
     historically Black colleges and universities referred to in 
     section 2323 of title 10, United States Code, as in effect on 
     March 1, 2018.
       ``(2) Mentor firm.--The term `mentor firm' means a for-
     profit business concern that is not a small business concern 
     that--
       ``(A) has the ability to assist and commits to assisting a 
     protege to compete for Federal prime contracts and 
     subcontracts; and
       ``(B) satisfies any other requirements imposed by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(3) Minority institution of higher education.--The term 
     `minority institution of higher education' means an 
     institution of higher education with a student body that 
     reflects the composition specified in section 312(b) of the 
     Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1058(b)).
       ``(4) Protege firm.--The term `protege firm' means a small 
     business concern, a historically Black college or university, 
     or a minority institution of higher education that--
       ``(A) is eligible to enter into a prime contract or 
     subcontract with the Department; and
       ``(B) satisfies any other requirements imposed by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(5) Small business act definitions.--The terms `small 
     business concern', `small business concern owned and 
     controlled by veterans', `small business concern owned and 
     controlled by service-disabled veterans', `qualified HUBZone 
     small business concern', `and small business concern owned 
     and controlled by women' have the meanings given such terms, 
     respectively, under section 3 of the Small Business Act (15 
     U.S.C. 632). The term `small business concern owned and 
     controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged 
     individuals' has the meaning given such term in section 
     8(d)(3)(C) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 
     637(d)(3)(C)).''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 
     1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by 
     inserting after the item relating to section 890A the 
     following new item:

``Sec. 890B. Mentor-protege program.''.


   Department of Homeland Security Morale, Recognition, Learning and 
                         Engagement Act of 2021

                                H.R. 490

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Department of Homeland 
     Security Morale, Recognition, Learning and Engagement Act of 
     2021'' or the ``DHS MORALE Act''.

     SEC. 2. CHIEF HUMAN CAPITAL OFFICER RESPONSIBILITIES.

       Section 704 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (6 U.S.C. 
     344) is amended--
       (1) in subsection (b)--
       (A) in paragraph (1)--
       (i) by inserting ``, including with respect to leader 
     development and employee engagement,'' after ``policies'';
       (ii) by striking ``and in line'' and inserting ``, in 
     line''; and
       (iii) by inserting ``and informed by best practices within 
     the Federal government and the private sector,'' after 
     ``priorities,'';
       (B) in paragraph (2), by striking ``develop performance 
     measures to provide a basis for monitoring and evaluating'' 
     and inserting ``use performance measures to evaluate, on an 
     ongoing basis,'';
       (C) in paragraph (3), by inserting ``that, to the extent 
     practicable, are informed by employee feedback'' after 
     ``policies'';
       (D) in paragraph (4), by inserting ``including leader 
     development and employee engagement programs,'' before ``in 
     coordination'';
       (E) in paragraph (5), by inserting before the semicolon at 
     the end the following: ``that is informed by an assessment, 
     carried out by the Chief Human Capital Officer, of the 
     learning and developmental needs of employees in supervisory 
     and non-supervisory roles across the Department and 
     appropriate workforce planning initiatives'';
       (F) by redesignating paragraphs (9) and (10) as paragraphs 
     (13) and (14), respectively; and
       (G) by inserting after paragraph (8) the following new 
     paragraphs:
       ``(9) maintain a catalogue of available employee 
     development opportunities, including

[[Page H1983]]

     the Homeland Security Rotation Program pursuant to section 
     844, departmental leadership development programs, 
     interagency development programs, and other rotational 
     programs;
       ``(10) ensure that employee discipline and adverse action 
     programs comply with the requirements of all pertinent laws, 
     rules, regulations, and Federal guidance, and ensure due 
     process for employees;
       ``(11) analyze each Department or Government-wide Federal 
     workforce satisfaction or morale survey not later than 90 
     days after the date of the publication of each such survey 
     and submit to the Secretary such analysis, including, as 
     appropriate, recommendations to improve workforce 
     satisfaction or morale within the Department;
       ``(12) review and approve all component employee engagement 
     action plans to ensure such plans include initiatives 
     responsive to the root cause of employee engagement 
     challenges, as well as outcome-based performance measures and 
     targets to track the progress of such initiatives;'';
       (2) by redesignating subsections (d) and (e) as subsections 
     (e) and (f), respectively;
       (3) by inserting after subsection (c) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(d) Chief Learning and Engagement Officer.--The Chief 
     Human Capital Officer may designate an employee of the 
     Department to serve as a Chief Learning and Engagement 
     Officer to assist the Chief Human Capital Officer in carrying 
     out this section.''; and
       (4) in subsection (e), as so redesignated--
       (A) by redesignating paragraphs (2), (3), and (4) as 
     paragraphs (5), (6), and (7), respectively; and
       (B) by inserting after paragraph (1) the following new 
     paragraphs:
       ``(2) information on employee development opportunities 
     catalogued pursuant to paragraph (9) of subsection (b) and 
     any available data on participation rates, attrition rates, 
     and impacts on retention and employee satisfaction;
       ``(3) information on the progress of Department-wide 
     strategic workforce planning efforts as determined under 
     paragraph (2) of subsection (b);
       ``(4) information on the activities of the steering 
     committee established pursuant to section 711(a), including 
     the number of meetings, types of materials developed and 
     distributed, and recommendations made to the Secretary;''.

     SEC. 3. EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT STEERING COMMITTEE AND ACTION 
                   PLAN.

       (a) In General.--Title VII of the Homeland Security Act of 
     2002 (6 U.S.C. 341 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end 
     the following new section:

     ``SEC. 711. EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT.

       ``(a) Steering Committee.--Not later than 120 days after 
     the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretary 
     shall establish an employee engagement steering committee, 
     including representatives from operational components, 
     headquarters, and field personnel, including supervisory and 
     non-supervisory personnel, and employee labor organizations 
     that represent Department employees, and chaired by the Under 
     Secretary for Management, to carry out the following 
     activities:
       ``(1) Identify factors that have a negative impact on 
     employee engagement, morale, and communications within the 
     Department, such as perceptions about limitations on career 
     progression, mobility, or development opportunities, 
     collected through employee feedback platforms, including 
     through annual employee surveys, questionnaires, and other 
     communications, as appropriate.
       ``(2) Identify, develop, and distribute initiatives and 
     best practices to improve employee engagement, morale, and 
     communications within the Department, including through 
     annual employee surveys, questionnaires, and other 
     communications, as appropriate.
       ``(3) Monitor efforts of each component to address employee 
     engagement, morale, and communications based on employee 
     feedback provided through annual employee surveys, 
     questionnaires, and other communications, as appropriate.
       ``(4) Advise the Secretary on efforts to improve employee 
     engagement, morale, and communications within specific 
     components and across the Department.
       ``(5) Conduct regular meetings and report, not less than 
     once per quarter, to the Under Secretary for Management, the 
     head of each component, and the Secretary on Department-wide 
     efforts to improve employee engagement, morale, and 
     communications.
       ``(b) Action Plan; Reporting.--The Secretary, acting 
     through the Chief Human Capital Officer, shall--
       ``(1) not later than 120 days after the date of the 
     establishment of the employee engagement steering committee 
     under subsection (a), issue a Department-wide employee 
     engagement action plan, reflecting input from the steering 
     committee and employee feedback provided through annual 
     employee surveys, questionnaires, and other communications in 
     accordance with paragraph (1) of such subsection, to execute 
     strategies to improve employee engagement, morale, and 
     communications within the Department; and
       ``(2) require the head of each component to--
       ``(A) develop and implement a component-specific employee 
     engagement plan to advance the action plan required under 
     paragraph (1) that includes performance measures and 
     objectives, is informed by employee feedback provided through 
     annual employee surveys, questionnaires, and other 
     communications, as appropriate, and sets forth how employees 
     and, where applicable, their labor representatives are to be 
     integrated in developing programs and initiatives;
       ``(B) monitor progress on implementation of such action 
     plan; and
       ``(C) provide to the Chief Human Capital Officer and the 
     steering committee quarterly reports on actions planned and 
     progress made under this paragraph.
       ``(c) Termination.--This section shall terminate on the 
     date that is five years after the date of the enactment of 
     this section.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 
     1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002 is amended by 
     inserting after the item relating to section 710 the 
     following new item:

``Sec. 711. Employee engagement.''.

       (c) Submissions to Congress.--
       (1) Department-wide employee engagement action plan.--The 
     Secretary of Homeland Security, acting through the Chief 
     Human Capital Officer of the Department of Homeland Security, 
     shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland 
     Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate the 
     Department-wide employee engagement action plan required 
     under subsection (b)(1) of section 711 of the Homeland 
     Security Act of 2002 (as added by subsection (a) of this 
     section) not later than 30 days after the issuance of such 
     plan under such subsection (b)(1).
       (2) Component-specific employee engagement plans.--Each 
     head of a component of the Department of Homeland Security 
     shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the 
     House of Representatives and the Committee on Homeland 
     Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate the 
     component-specific employee engagement plan of each such 
     component required under subsection (b)(2) of section 711 of 
     the Homeland Security Act of 2002 not later than 30 days 
     after the issuance of each such plan under such subsection 
     (b)(2).

     SEC. 4. ANNUAL EMPLOYEE AWARD PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Title VII of the Homeland Security Act of 
     2002 (6 U.S.C. 341 et seq.), as amended by section 3 of this 
     Act, is further amended by adding at the end the following 
     new section:

     ``SEC. 712. ANNUAL EMPLOYEE AWARD PROGRAM.

       ``(a) In General.--The Secretary may establish an annual 
     employee award program to recognize Department employees or 
     groups of employees for significant contributions to the 
     achievement of the Department's goals and missions. If such a 
     program is established, the Secretary shall--
       ``(1) establish within such program categories of awards, 
     each with specific criteria, that emphasizes honoring 
     employees who are at the non-supervisory level;
       ``(2) publicize within the Department how any employee or 
     group of employees may be nominated for an award;
       ``(3) establish an internal review board comprised of 
     representatives from Department components, headquarters, and 
     field personnel to submit to the Secretary award 
     recommendations regarding specific employees or groups of 
     employees;
       ``(4) select recipients from the pool of nominees submitted 
     by the internal review board under paragraph (3) and convene 
     a ceremony at which employees or groups of employees receive 
     such awards from the Secretary; and
       ``(5) publicize such program within the Department.
       ``(b) Internal Review Board.--The internal review board 
     described in subsection (a)(3) shall, when carrying out its 
     function under such subsection, consult with representatives 
     from operational components and headquarters, including 
     supervisory and non-supervisory personnel, and employee labor 
     organizations that represent Department employees.
       ``(c) Rule of Construction.--Nothing in this section may be 
     construed to authorize additional funds to carry out the 
     requirements of this section or to require the Secretary to 
     provide monetary bonuses to recipients of an award under this 
     section.''.
       (b) Clerical Amendment.--The table of contents in section 
     1(b) of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, as amended by 
     section 3 of this Act, is further amended by inserting after 
     the item relating to section 711 the following new item:

``Sec. 712. Annual employee award program.''.

     SEC. 5. INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATION AND IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 120 days after the date of 
     the enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall investigate whether the application in 
     the Department of Homeland Security of discipline and adverse 
     actions are administered in an equitable and consistent 
     manner that results in the same or substantially similar 
     disciplinary outcomes across the Department for misconduct by 
     a non-supervisory or supervisor employee who engaged in the 
     same or substantially similar misconduct.
       (b) Consultation.--In carrying out the investigation 
     described in subsection (a), the Comptroller General of the 
     United States shall consult with the Under Secretary for 
     Management of the Department of Homeland Security and the 
     employee engagement steering committee established pursuant 
     to subsection (b)(1) of section 711 of the Homeland Security 
     Act of 2002 (as added by section 3(a) of this Act).

[[Page H1984]]

       (c) Action by Under Secretary for Management.--Upon 
     completion of the investigation described in subsection (a), 
     the Under Secretary for Management of the Department of 
     Homeland Security shall review the findings and 
     recommendations of such investigation and implement a plan, 
     in consultation with the employee engagement steering 
     committee established pursuant to subsection (b)(1) of 
     section 711 of the Homeland Security Act of 2002, to correct 
     any relevant deficiencies identified by the Comptroller 
     General of the United States in such investigation. The Under 
     Secretary for Management shall direct the employee engagement 
     steering committee to review such plan to inform committee 
     activities and action plans authorized under such section 
     711.

     SEC. 6. IMPACTS OF SHUTDOWN.

       Not later than 90 days after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall report to 
     the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of 
     Representatives and the Committee on Homeland Security and 
     Governmental Affairs of the Senate regarding the direct and 
     indirect impacts of the lapse in appropriations between 
     December 22, 2018, and January 25, 2019, on--
       (1) Department of Homeland Security human resources 
     operations;
       (2) the Department's ability to meet hiring benchmarks; and
       (3) retention, attrition, and morale of Department 
     personnel.


              Young African Leaders Initiative Act of 2021

                                H.R. 965

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Young African Leaders 
     Initiative Act of 2021'' or ``YALI Act of 2021''.

     SEC. 2. SENSE OF CONGRESS.

       It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the Young African Leaders Initiative, launched in 2010, 
     is a signature effort to invest in the next generation of 
     African leaders;
       (2) Africa is a continent of strategic importance and it is 
     vital for the United States to support strong and enduring 
     partnerships with the next generation of African leaders; and
       (3) the United States Government should prioritize 
     investments to build the capacity of emerging young African 
     leaders in sub-Saharan Africa, including through efforts to 
     enhance leadership skills, encourage entrepreneurship, 
     strengthen public administration and the role of civil 
     society, and connect young African leaders continentally and 
     globally across the private, civic, and public sectors.

     SEC. 3. YOUNG AFRICAN LEADERS INITIATIVE PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--There is established in the Department of 
     State the Young African Leaders Initiative (``YALI'') 
     program.
       (b) Purpose.--The YALI program shall seek to build the 
     capacity of young African leaders in sub-Saharan Africa in 
     the areas of business, civic engagement, or public 
     administration, including through efforts to--
       (1) support young African leaders by offering professional 
     development, training, and networking opportunities, 
     particularly in the areas of leadership, innovation, civic 
     engagement, elections, human rights, entrepreneurship, good 
     governance, and public administration; and
       (2) provide increased economic and technical assistance to 
     young African leaders to promote economic growth and 
     strengthen ties between United States and African businesses.
       (c) Fellowships.--The YALI program shall award fellowships 
     under the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African 
     Leaders program to young African leaders ages 18 to 35 who 
     have demonstrated strong capabilities in entrepreneurship, 
     innovation, public service, and leadership, and who have had 
     a positive impact in their communities, organizations, or 
     institutions.
       (d) Regional Leadership Centers.--The YALI program shall 
     seek to establish regional leadership centers in sub-Saharan 
     Africa to offer training to young African leaders ages 18 to 
     35 who have demonstrated strong capabilities in 
     entrepreneurship, innovation, public service and leadership, 
     and who have had a positive impact in their communities, 
     organizations, or institutions.
       (e) Activities.--
       (1) United states-based activities.--The Secretary of 
     State, in coordination with the Administrator for the United 
     States Agency for International Development and the heads of 
     other relevant Federal departments and agencies, shall 
     oversee all United States-based activities carried out under 
     the YALI program, including the following:
       (A) The participation of Mandela Washington fellows in a 
     six-week Leadership Institute at a United States university 
     or college in business, civic engagement, or public 
     management, including academic sessions, site visits, 
     professional networking opportunities, leadership training, 
     community service, and organized cultural activities.
       (B) The participation by Mandela Washington fellows in an 
     annual Mandela Washington Fellowship Summit, to provide such 
     Fellows the opportunity to meet with United States leaders 
     from the private, public, and non-profit sectors.
       (2) Africa-based activities.--The Secretary of State, in 
     coordination with the Administrator for the United States 
     Agency for International Development and the heads of other 
     relevant Federal departments and agencies, should continue to 
     support YALI programs in sub-Saharan Africa, including the 
     following:
       (A) Access to continued leadership training and other 
     professional development opportunities for Mandela Washington 
     Fellowship for Young African Leaders alumni upon their return 
     to their home countries, including online courses, technical 
     assistance, and access to funding.
       (B) Training for young African leaders at regional 
     leadership centers established in accordance with subsection 
     (d), and through online and in-person courses offered by such 
     centers.
       (C) Opportunities for networking and engagement with--
       (i) other alumni of the Mandela Washington Fellowship for 
     Young African Leaders;
       (ii) alumni of programs at regional leadership centers 
     established in accordance with subsection (d); and
       (iii) United States and like-minded diplomatic missions, 
     business leaders, and others as appropriate.
       (3) Implementation.--To carry out this subsection, the 
     Secretary of State, in coordination with the Administrator of 
     the United States Agency for International Development and 
     the heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies 
     shall seek to partner with the private sector to pursue 
     public-private partnerships, leverage private sector 
     expertise, expand networking opportunities, and identify 
     funding opportunities as well as fellowship and employment 
     opportunities for participants in the YALI program.
       (f) Implementation Plan.--Not later than 180 days after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State, in 
     coordination with the Administrator of the United States 
     Agency for International Development and the heads of other 
     relevant Federal departments and agencies, shall submit to 
     the appropriate congressional committees a plan for 
     implementing the YALI program, including the following:
       (1) A description of clearly defined program goals, 
     targets, and planned outcomes for each year and for the 
     duration of implementation of the program.
       (2) A strategy to monitor and evaluate the program and 
     progress made toward achieving such goals, targets, and 
     planned outcomes.
       (3) A strategy to ensure the program is promoting United 
     States foreign policy goals in Africa, including ensuring 
     that the program is clearly branded and paired with robust 
     public diplomacy efforts.
       (g) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act, and annually thereafter for 5 years, 
     the Secretary of State, in coordination with the 
     Administrator of the United States Agency for International 
     Development, shall submit to the appropriate congressional 
     committees and publish in a publicly accessible, internet-
     based form, a report on the following:
       (1) The progress made toward achieving the goals, targets, 
     and planned outcomes described in subsection (f)(1), 
     including an overview of the program implemented in the 
     previous year and an estimated number of beneficiaries.
       (2) An assessment of how the YALI program is contributing 
     to and promoting United States-Africa relations, particularly 
     in areas of increased private sector investment, trade 
     promotion, support to civil society, improved public 
     administration, and fostering entrepreneurship and youth 
     empowerment.
       (3) Recommendations for improvements or changes to the 
     program and implementation plan, if any, that would improve 
     their effectiveness during subsequent years of implementation 
     of the program.
       (h) Appropriate Congressional Committees Defined.--In this 
     section, the term ``appropriate congressional committees'' 
     means--
       (1) the Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the House of Representatives; and
       (2) the Committee on Foreign Relations and the Committee on 
     Appropriations of the Senate.
       (i) Sunset.--The requirements of this section shall 
     terminate on the date that is 5 years after the date of the 
     enactment of this Act.


                      Cyber Diplomacy Act of 2021

                               H.R. 1251

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

       (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Cyber 
     Diplomacy Act of 2021''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:
Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
Sec. 3. Definitions.
Sec. 4. United states international cyberspace policy.
Sec. 5. Department of state responsibilities.
Sec. 6. International cyberspace executive arrangements.
Sec. 7. International strategy for cyberspace.
Sec. 8. Annual country reports on human rights practices.
Sec. 9. Gao report on cyber diplomacy.
Sec. 10. Sense of congress on cybersecurity sanctions against north 
              korea and cybersecurity legislation in vietnam.

[[Page H1985]]

  


     SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

       Congress makes the following findings:
       (1) The stated goal of the United States International 
     Strategy for Cyberspace, launched on May 16, 2011, is to 
     ``work internationally to promote an open, interoperable, 
     secure, and reliable information and communications 
     infrastructure that supports international trade and 
     commerce, strengthens international security, and fosters 
     free expression and innovation . . . in which norms of 
     responsible behavior guide states' actions, sustain 
     partnerships, and support the rule of law in cyberspace''.
       (2) In its June 24, 2013, report, the Group of Governmental 
     Experts on Developments in the Field of Information and 
     Telecommunications in the Context of International Security 
     (referred to in this section as ``GGE''), established by the 
     United Nations General Assembly, concluded that ``State 
     sovereignty and the international norms and principles that 
     flow from it apply to States' conduct of [information and 
     communications technology] ICT-related activities and to 
     their jurisdiction over ICT infrastructure with their 
     territory''.
       (3) In January 2015, China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, 
     Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan proposed a troubling international 
     code of conduct for information security, which could be used 
     as a pretext for restricting political dissent, and includes 
     ``curbing the dissemination of information that incites 
     terrorism, separatism or extremism or that inflames hatred on 
     ethnic, racial or religious grounds''.
       (4) In its July 22, 2015, consensus report, GGE found that 
     ``norms of responsible State behavior can reduce risks to 
     international peace, security and stability''.
       (5) On September 25, 2015, the United States and China 
     announced a commitment that neither country's government 
     ``will conduct or knowingly support cyber-enabled theft of 
     intellectual property, including trade secrets or other 
     confidential business information, with the intent of 
     providing competitive advantages to companies or commercial 
     sectors''.
       (6) At the Antalya Summit on November 15 and 16, 2015, the 
     Group of 20 Leaders' communique--
       (A) affirmed the applicability of international law to 
     state behavior in cyberspace;
       (B) called on states to refrain from cyber-enabled theft of 
     intellectual property for commercial gain; and
       (C) endorsed the view that all states should abide by norms 
     of responsible behavior.
       (7) The March 2016 Department of State International 
     Cyberspace Policy Strategy noted that ``the Department of 
     State anticipates a continued increase and expansion of our 
     cyber-focused diplomatic efforts for the foreseeable 
     future''.
       (8) On December 1, 2016, the Commission on Enhancing 
     National Cybersecurity, which was established within the 
     Department of Commerce by Executive Order 13718 (81 Fed. Reg. 
     7441), recommended that ``the President should appoint an 
     Ambassador for Cybersecurity to lead U.S. engagement with the 
     international community on cybersecurity strategies, 
     standards, and practices''.
       (9) On April 11, 2017, the 2017 Group of 7 Declaration on 
     Responsible States Behavior in Cyberspace--
       (A) recognized ``the urgent necessity of increased 
     international cooperation to promote security and stability 
     in cyberspace'';
       (B) expressed commitment to ``promoting a strategic 
     framework for conflict prevention, cooperation and stability 
     in cyberspace, consisting of the recognition of the 
     applicability of existing international law to State behavior 
     in cyberspace, the promotion of voluntary, non-binding norms 
     of responsible State behavior during peacetime, and the 
     development and the implementation of practical cyber 
     confidence building measures (CBMs) between States''; and
       (C) reaffirmed that ``the same rights that people have 
     offline must also be protected online''.
       (10) In testimony before the Select Committee on 
     Intelligence of the Senate on May 11, 2017, Director of 
     National Intelligence Daniel R. Coats identified six cyber 
     threat actors, including--
       (A) Russia, for ``efforts to influence the 2016 U.S. 
     election'';
       (B) China, for ``actively targeting the U.S. Government, 
     its allies, and U.S. companies for cyber espionage'';
       (C) Iran, for ``leverag[ing] cyber espionage, propaganda, 
     and attacks to support its security priorities, influence 
     events and foreign perceptions, and counter threats'';
       (D) North Korea, for ``previously conduct[ing] cyber-
     attacks against U.S. commercial entities--specifically, Sony 
     Pictures Entertainment in 2014'';
       (E) terrorists, who ``use the Internet to organize, 
     recruit, spread propaganda, raise funds, collect 
     intelligence, inspire action by followers, and coordinate 
     operations''; and
       (F) criminals, who ``are also developing and using 
     sophisticated cyber tools for a variety of purposes including 
     theft, extortion, and facilitation of other criminal 
     activities''.
       (11) On May 11, 2017, President Donald J. Trump issued 
     Executive Order 13800 (82 Fed. Reg. 22391), entitled 
     ``Strengthening the Cybersecurity of Federal Networks and 
     Infrastructure'', which--
       (A) designates the Secretary of State to lead an 
     interagency effort to develop an engagement strategy for 
     international cooperation in cybersecurity; and
       (B) notes that ``the United States is especially dependent 
     on a globally secure and resilient internet and must work 
     with allies and other partners toward maintaining . . . the 
     policy of the executive branch to promote an open, 
     interoperable, reliable, and secure internet that fosters 
     efficiency, innovation, communication, and economic 
     prosperity, while respecting privacy and guarding against 
     disruption, fraud, and theft''.

     SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

       In this Act:
       (1) Appropriate congressional committees.--The term 
     ``appropriate congressional committees'' means the Committee 
     on Foreign Relations of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives.
       (2) Information and communications technology; ict.--The 
     terms ``information and communications technology'' and 
     ``ICT'' include hardware, software, and other products or 
     services primarily intended to fulfill or enable the function 
     of information processing and communication by electronic 
     means, including transmission and display, including via the 
     Internet.
       (3) Executive agency.--The term ``Executive agency'' has 
     the meaning given the term in section 105 of title 5, United 
     States Code.

     SEC. 4. UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL CYBERSPACE POLICY.

       (a) In General.--It is the policy of the United States to 
     work internationally to promote an open, interoperable, 
     reliable, unfettered, and secure Internet governed by the 
     multi-stakeholder model, which--
       (1) promotes human rights, democracy, and rule of law, 
     including freedom of expression, innovation, communication, 
     and economic prosperity; and
       (2) respects privacy and guards against deception, fraud, 
     and theft.
       (b) Implementation.--In implementing the policy described 
     in subsection (a), the President, in consultation with 
     outside actors, including private sector companies, 
     nongovernmental organizations, security researchers, and 
     other relevant stakeholders, in the conduct of bilateral and 
     multilateral relations, shall pursue the following 
     objectives:
       (1) Clarifying the applicability of international laws and 
     norms to the use of ICT.
       (2) Reducing and limiting the risk of escalation and 
     retaliation in cyberspace, damage to critical infrastructure, 
     and other malicious cyber activity that impairs the use and 
     operation of critical infrastructure that provides services 
     to the public.
       (3) Cooperating with like-minded democratic countries that 
     share common values and cyberspace policies with the United 
     States, including respect for human rights, democracy, and 
     the rule of law, to advance such values and policies 
     internationally.
       (4) Encouraging the responsible development of new, 
     innovative technologies and ICT products that strengthen a 
     secure Internet architecture that is accessible to all.
       (5) Securing and implementing commitments on responsible 
     country behavior in cyberspace based upon accepted norms, 
     including the following:
       (A) Countries should not conduct, or knowingly support, 
     cyber-enabled theft of intellectual property, including trade 
     secrets or other confidential business information, with the 
     intent of providing competitive advantages to companies or 
     commercial sectors.
       (B) Countries should take all appropriate and reasonable 
     efforts to keep their territories clear of intentionally 
     wrongful acts using ICTs in violation of international 
     commitments.
       (C) Countries should not conduct or knowingly support ICT 
     activity that, contrary to international law, intentionally 
     damages or otherwise impairs the use and operation of 
     critical infrastructure providing services to the public, and 
     should take appropriate measures to protect their critical 
     infrastructure from ICT threats.
       (D) Countries should not conduct or knowingly support 
     malicious international activity that, contrary to 
     international law, harms the information systems of 
     authorized emergency response teams (also known as ``computer 
     emergency response teams'' or ``cybersecurity incident 
     response teams'') of another country or authorize emergency 
     response teams to engage in malicious international activity.
       (E) Countries should respond to appropriate requests for 
     assistance to mitigate malicious ICT activity emanating from 
     their territory and aimed at the critical infrastructure of 
     another country.
       (F) Countries should not restrict cross-border data flows 
     or require local storage or processing of data.
       (G) Countries should protect the exercise of human rights 
     and fundamental freedoms on the Internet and commit to the 
     principle that the human rights that people have offline 
     should also be protected online.
       (6) Advancing, encouraging, and supporting the development 
     and adoption of internationally recognized technical 
     standards and best practices.

     SEC. 5. DEPARTMENT OF STATE RESPONSIBILITIES.

       (a) In General.--Section 1 of the State Department Basic 
     Authorities Act of 1956 (22 U.S.C. 2651a) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating subsection (g) as subsection (h); and
       (2) by inserting after subsection (f) the following new 
     subsection:
       ``(g) Bureau of International Cyberspace Policy.--

[[Page H1986]]

       ``(1) In general.--There is established, within the 
     Department of State, a Bureau of International Cyberspace 
     Policy (referred to in this subsection as the `Bureau'). The 
     head of the Bureau shall have the rank and status of 
     ambassador and shall be appointed by the President, by and 
     with the advice and consent of the Senate.
       ``(2) Duties.--
       ``(A) In general.--The head of the Bureau shall perform 
     such duties and exercise such powers as the Secretary of 
     State shall prescribe, including implementing the policy of 
     the United States described in section 4 of the Cyber 
     Diplomacy Act of 2021.
       ``(B) Duties described.--The principal duties and 
     responsibilities of the head of the Bureau shall be--
       ``(i) to serve as the principal cyberspace policy official 
     within the senior management of the Department of State and 
     as the advisor to the Secretary of State for cyberspace 
     issues;
       ``(ii) to lead the Department of State's diplomatic 
     cyberspace efforts, including efforts relating to 
     international cybersecurity, Internet access, Internet 
     freedom, digital economy, cybercrime, deterrence and 
     international responses to cyber threats, and other issues 
     that the Secretary assigns to the Bureau;
       ``(iii) to coordinate cyberspace policy and other relevant 
     functions within the Department of State and with other 
     components of the United States Government, including through 
     the Cyberspace Policy Coordinating Committee described in 
     paragraph (6), and by convening other coordinating meetings 
     with appropriate officials from the Department and other 
     components of the United States Government on a regular 
     basis;
       ``(iv) to promote an open, interoperable, reliable, 
     unfettered, and secure information and communications 
     technology infrastructure globally;
       ``(v) to represent the Secretary of State in interagency 
     efforts to develop and advance the policy described in 
     section 4 of the Cyber Diplomacy Act of 2021;
       ``(vi) to act as a liaison to civil society, the private 
     sector, academia, and other public and private entities on 
     relevant international cyberspace issues;
       ``(vii) to lead United States Government efforts to 
     establish a global deterrence framework for malicious cyber 
     activity;
       ``(viii) to develop and execute adversary-specific 
     strategies to influence adversary decisionmaking through the 
     imposition of costs and deterrence strategies, in 
     coordination with other relevant Executive agencies;
       ``(ix) to advise the Secretary and coordinate with foreign 
     governments on external responses to national security-level 
     cyber incidents, including coordination on diplomatic 
     response efforts to support allies threatened by malicious 
     cyber activity, in conjunction with members of the North 
     Atlantic Treaty Organization and other like-minded countries;
       ``(x) to promote the adoption of national processes and 
     programs that enable threat detection, prevention, and 
     response to malicious cyber activity emanating from the 
     territory of a foreign country, including as such activity 
     relates to the United States' European allies, as 
     appropriate;
       ``(xi) to promote the building of foreign capacity relating 
     to cyberspace policy priorities;
       ``(xii) to promote the maintenance of an open and 
     interoperable Internet governed by the multistakeholder 
     model, instead of by centralized government control;
       ``(xiii) to promote an international regulatory environment 
     for technology investments and the Internet that benefits 
     United States economic and national security interests;
       ``(xiv) to promote cross-border flow of data and combat 
     international initiatives seeking to impose unreasonable 
     requirements on United States businesses;
       ``(xv) to promote international policies to protect the 
     integrity of United States and international 
     telecommunications infrastructure from foreign-based, cyber-
     enabled threats;
       ``(xvi) to lead engagement, in coordination with Executive 
     agencies, with foreign governments on relevant international 
     cyberspace and digital economy issues as described in the 
     Cyber Diplomacy Act of 2021;
       ``(xvii) to promote international policies to secure radio 
     frequency spectrum for United States businesses and national 
     security needs;
       ``(xviii) to promote and protect the exercise of human 
     rights, including freedom of speech and religion, through the 
     Internet;
       ``(xix) to promote international initiatives to strengthen 
     civilian and private sector resiliency to threats in 
     cyberspace;
       ``(xx) to build capacity of United States diplomatic 
     officials to engage on cyberspace issues;
       ``(xxi) to encourage the development and adoption by 
     foreign countries of internationally recognized standards, 
     policies, and best practices;
       ``(xxii) to consult, as appropriate, with other Executive 
     agencies with related functions vested in such Executive 
     agencies by law; and
       ``(xxiii) to conduct such other matters as the Secretary of 
     State may assign.
       ``(3) Qualifications.--The head of the Bureau should be an 
     individual of demonstrated competency in the fields of--
       ``(A) cybersecurity and other relevant cyberspace issues; 
     and
       ``(B) international diplomacy.
       ``(4) Organizational placement.--During the 1-year period 
     beginning on the date of the enactment of the Cyber Diplomacy 
     Act of 2021, the head of the Bureau shall report to the Under 
     Secretary for Political Affairs or to an official holding a 
     higher position in the Department of State than the Under 
     Secretary for Political Affairs. After the conclusion of such 
     period, the head of the Bureau may report to a different 
     Under Secretary or to an official holding a higher position 
     than Under Secretary if, not less than 15 days prior to any 
     change in such reporting structure, the Secretary of State 
     consults with and provides to the Committee on Foreign 
     Relations of the Senate and the Committee on Foreign Affairs 
     of the House of Representatives the following:
       ``(A) A notification that the Secretary has, with respect 
     to the reporting structure of the Bureau, consulted with and 
     solicited feedback from--
       ``(i) other relevant Federal entities with a role in 
     international aspects of cyber policy; and
       ``(ii) the elements of the Department of State with 
     responsibility over aspects of cyber policy, including the 
     elements reporting to--

       ``(I) the Under Secretary for Political Affairs;
       ``(II) the Under Secretary for Civilian Security, 
     Democracy, and Human Rights;
       ``(III) the Under Secretary for Economic Growth, Energy, 
     and the Environment;
       ``(IV) the Under Secretary for Arms Control and 
     International Security Affairs; and
       ``(V) the Under Secretary for Management.

       ``(B) A description of the new reporting structure for the 
     head of the Bureau, as well as a description of the data and 
     evidence used to justify such new structure.
       ``(C) A plan describing how the new reporting structure 
     will better enable the head of the Bureau to carry out the 
     responsibilities specified in paragraph (2), including the 
     security, economic, and human rights aspects of cyber 
     diplomacy.
       ``(5) Rule of construction.--Nothing in this subsection may 
     be construed to preclude the head of the Bureau from being 
     designated as an Assistant Secretary, if such an Assistant 
     Secretary position does not increase the number of Assistant 
     Secretary positions at the Department above the number 
     authorized under subsection (c)(1).
       ``(6) Coordination.--
       ``(A) Cyberspace policy coordinating committee.--In 
     conjunction with establishing the Bureau pursuant to this 
     subsection, there is established a senior-level Cyberspace 
     Policy Coordinating Committee to ensure that cyberspace 
     issues receive broad senior level-attention and coordination 
     across the Department of State and provide ongoing oversight 
     of such issues. The Cyberspace Policy Coordinating Committee 
     shall be chaired by the head of the Bureau or an official of 
     the Department of State holding a higher position, and 
     operate on an ongoing basis, meeting not less frequently than 
     quarterly. Committee members shall include appropriate 
     officials at the Assistant Secretary level or higher from--
       ``(i) the Under Secretariat for Political Affairs;
       ``(ii) the Under Secretariat for Civilian Security, 
     Democracy, and Human Rights;
       ``(iii) the Under Secretariat for Economic Growth, Energy 
     and the Environment;
       ``(iv) the Under Secretariat for Arms Control and 
     International Security;
       ``(v) the Under Secretariat for Management; and
       ``(vi) other senior level Department participants, as 
     appropriate.
       ``(B) Other meetings.--The head of the Bureau shall convene 
     other coordinating meetings with appropriate officials from 
     the Department of State and other components of the United 
     States Government to ensure regular coordination and 
     collaboration on crosscutting cyber policy issues.
       ``(b) Sense of Congress.--It is the sense of Congress that 
     the Bureau of International Cyberspace Policy established 
     under section 1(g) of the State Department Basic Authorities 
     Act of 1956, as added by subsection (a), should have a 
     diverse workforce composed of qualified individuals, 
     including such individuals from traditionally under-
     represented groups.
       ``(c) United Nations.--The Permanent Representative of the 
     United States to the United Nations should use the voice, 
     vote, and influence of the United States to oppose any 
     measure that is inconsistent with the policy described in 
     section 4.''.

     SEC. 6. INTERNATIONAL CYBERSPACE EXECUTIVE ARRANGEMENTS.

       (a) In General.--The President is encouraged to enter into 
     executive arrangements with foreign governments that support 
     the policy described in section 4.
       (b) Transmission to Congress.--Section 112b of title 1, 
     United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in subsection (a) by striking ``International 
     Relations'' and inserting ``Foreign Affairs'';
       (2) in subsection (e)(2)(B), by adding at the end the 
     following new clause:
       ``(iii) A bilateral or multilateral cyberspace 
     agreement.'';
       (3) by redesignating subsection (f) as subsection (g); and
       (4) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new 
     subsection:

[[Page H1987]]

       ``(f) With respect to any bilateral or multilateral 
     cyberspace agreement under subsection (e)(2)(B)(iii) and the 
     information required to be transmitted to Congress under 
     subsection (a), or with respect to any arrangement that seeks 
     to secure commitments on responsible country behavior in 
     cyberspace consistent with section 4(b)(5) of the Cyber 
     Diplomacy Act of 2021, the Secretary of State shall provide 
     an explanation of such arrangement, including--
       ``(1) the purpose of such arrangement;
       ``(2) how such arrangement is consistent with the policy 
     described in section 4 of such Act; and
       ``(3) how such arrangement will be implemented.''.
       (c) Status Report.--During the 5-year period immediately 
     following the transmittal to Congress of an agreement 
     described in clause (iii) of section 112b(e)(2)(B) of title 
     1, United States Code, as added by subsection (b)(2), or 
     until such agreement has been discontinued, if discontinued 
     within 5 years, the President shall--
       (1) notify the appropriate congressional committees if 
     another country fails to adhere to significant commitments 
     contained in such agreement; and
       (2) describe the steps that the United States has taken or 
     plans to take to ensure that all such commitments are 
     fulfilled.
       (d) Existing Executive Arrangements.--Not later than 180 
     days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
     Secretary of State shall brief the appropriate congressional 
     committees regarding any executive bilateral or multilateral 
     cyberspace arrangement in effect before the date of enactment 
     of this Act, including--
       (1) the arrangement announced between the United States and 
     Japan on April 25, 2014;
       (2) the arrangement announced between the United States and 
     the United Kingdom on January 16, 2015;
       (3) the arrangement announced between the United States and 
     China on September 25, 2015;
       (4) the arrangement announced between the United States and 
     Korea on October 16, 2015;
       (5) the arrangement announced between the United States and 
     Australia on January 19, 2016;
       (6) the arrangement announced between the United States and 
     India on June 7, 2016;
       (7) the arrangement announced between the United States and 
     Argentina on April 27, 2017;
       (8) the arrangement announced between the United States and 
     Kenya on June 22, 2017;
       (9) the arrangement announced between the United States and 
     Israel on June 26, 2017;
       (10) the arrangement announced between the United States 
     and France on February 9, 2018;
       (11) the arrangement announced between the United States 
     and Brazil on May 14, 2018; and
       (12) any other similar bilateral or multilateral 
     arrangement announced before such date of enactment.

     SEC. 7. INTERNATIONAL STRATEGY FOR CYBERSPACE.

       (a) Strategy Required.--Not later than one year after the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the President, acting 
     through the Secretary of State, and in coordination with the 
     heads of other relevant Federal departments and agencies, 
     shall develop a strategy relating to United States engagement 
     with foreign governments on international norms with respect 
     to responsible state behavior in cyberspace.
       (b) Elements.--The strategy required under subsection (a) 
     shall include the following:
       (1) A review of actions and activities undertaken to 
     support the policy described in section 4.
       (2) A plan of action to guide the diplomacy of the 
     Department of State with regard to foreign countries, 
     including--
       (A) conducting bilateral and multilateral activities to--
       (i) develop norms of responsible country behavior in 
     cyberspace consistent with the objectives specified in 
     section 4(b)(5); and
       (ii) share best practices and advance proposals to 
     strengthen civilian and private sector resiliency to threats 
     and access to opportunities in cyberspace; and
       (B) reviewing the status of existing efforts in relevant 
     multilateral fora, as appropriate, to obtain commitments on 
     international norms in cyberspace.
       (3) A review of alternative concepts with regard to 
     international norms in cyberspace offered by foreign 
     countries.
       (4) A detailed description of new and evolving threats in 
     cyberspace from foreign adversaries, state-sponsored actors, 
     and private actors to--
       (A) United States national security;
       (B) Federal and private sector cyberspace infrastructure of 
     the United States;
       (C) intellectual property in the United States; and
       (D) the privacy and security of citizens of the United 
     States.
       (5) A review of policy tools available to the President to 
     deter and de-escalate tensions with foreign countries, state-
     sponsored actors, and private actors regarding threats in 
     cyberspace, the degree to which such tools have been used, 
     and whether such tools have been effective deterrents.
       (6) A review of resources required to conduct activities to 
     build responsible norms of international cyber behavior.
       (7) A plan of action, developed in consultation with 
     relevant Federal departments and agencies as the President 
     may direct, to guide the diplomacy of the Department of State 
     with regard to inclusion of cyber issues in mutual defense 
     agreements.
       (c) Form of Strategy.--
       (1) Public availability.--The strategy required under 
     subsection (a) shall be available to the public in 
     unclassified form, including through publication in the 
     Federal Register.
       (2) Classified annex.--The strategy required under 
     subsection (a) may include a classified annex, consistent 
     with United States national security interests, if the 
     Secretary of State determines that such annex is appropriate.
       (d) Briefing.--Not later than 30 days after the completion 
     of the strategy required under subsection (a), the Secretary 
     of State shall brief the appropriate congressional committees 
     on the strategy, including any material contained in a 
     classified annex.
       (e) Updates.--The strategy required under subsection (a) 
     shall be updated--
       (1) not later than 90 days after any material change to 
     United States policy described in such strategy; and
       (2) not later than one year after the inauguration of each 
     new President.

     SEC. 8. ANNUAL COUNTRY REPORTS ON HUMAN RIGHTS PRACTICES.

       The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is amended--
       (1) in section 116 (22 U.S.C. 2151n), by adding at the end 
     the following new subsection:
       ``(h)(1) The report required under subsection (d) shall 
     include an assessment of freedom of expression with respect 
     to electronic information in each foreign country, which 
     information shall include the following:
       ``(A) An assessment of the extent to which government 
     authorities in the country inappropriately attempt to filter, 
     censor, or otherwise block or remove nonviolent expression of 
     political or religious opinion or belief through the 
     Internet, including electronic mail, and a description of the 
     means by which such authorities attempt to inappropriately 
     block or remove such expression.
       ``(B) An assessment of the extent to which government 
     authorities in the country have persecuted or otherwise 
     punished, arbitrarily and without due process, an individual 
     or group for the nonviolent expression of political, 
     religious, or ideological opinion or belief through the 
     Internet, including electronic mail.
       ``(C) An assessment of the extent to which government 
     authorities in the country have sought, inappropriately and 
     with malicious intent, to collect, request, obtain, or 
     disclose without due process personally identifiable 
     information of a person in connection with that person's 
     nonviolent expression of political, religious, or ideological 
     opinion or belief, including expression that would be 
     protected by the International Covenant on Civil and 
     Political Rights, adopted at New York December 16, 1966, and 
     entered into force March 23, 1976, as interpreted by the 
     United States.
       ``(D) An assessment of the extent to which wire 
     communications and electronic communications are monitored 
     without due process and in contravention to United States 
     policy with respect to the principles of privacy, human 
     rights, democracy, and rule of law.
       ``(2) In compiling data and making assessments under 
     paragraph (1), United States diplomatic personnel should 
     consult with relevant entities, including human rights 
     organizations, the private sector, the governments of like-
     minded countries, technology and Internet companies, and 
     other appropriate nongovernmental organizations or entities.
       ``(3) In this subsection--
       ``(A) the term `electronic communication' has the meaning 
     given the term in section 2510 of title 18, United States 
     Code;
       ``(B) the term `Internet' has the meaning given the term in 
     section 231(e)(3) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 
     U.S.C. 231(e)(3));
       ``(C) the term `personally identifiable information' means 
     data in a form that identifies a particular person; and
       ``(D) the term `wire communication' has the meaning given 
     the term in section 2510 of title 18, United States Code.''; 
     and
       (2) in section 502B (22 U.S.C. 2304)--
       (A) by redesignating the second subsection (i) (relating to 
     child marriage) as subjection (j); and
       (B) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(k)(1) The report required under subsection (b) shall 
     include an assessment of freedom of expression with respect 
     to electronic information in each foreign country, which 
     information shall include the following:
       ``(A) An assessment of the extent to which government 
     authorities in the country inappropriately attempt to filter, 
     censor, or otherwise block or remove nonviolent expression of 
     political or religious opinion or belief through the 
     Internet, including electronic mail, and a description of the 
     means by which such authorities attempt to inappropriately 
     block or remove such expression.
       ``(B) An assessment of the extent to which government 
     authorities in the country have persecuted or otherwise 
     punished, arbitrarily and without due process, an individual 
     or group for the nonviolent expression of political, 
     religious, or ideological opinion or belief through the 
     Internet, including electronic mail.
       ``(C) An assessment of the extent to which government 
     authorities in the country have

[[Page H1988]]

     sought, inappropriately and with malicious intent, to 
     collect, request, obtain, or disclose without due process 
     personally identifiable information of a person in connection 
     with that person's nonviolent expression of political, 
     religious, or ideological opinion or belief, including 
     expression that would be protected by the International 
     Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, adopted at New York 
     December 16, 1966, and entered into force March 23, 1976, as 
     interpreted by the United States.
       ``(D) An assessment of the extent to which wire 
     communications and electronic communications are monitored 
     without due process and in contravention to United States 
     policy with respect to the principles of privacy, human 
     rights, democracy, and rule of law.
       ``(2) In compiling data and making assessments under 
     paragraph (1), United States diplomatic personnel should 
     consult with relevant entities, including human rights 
     organizations, the private sector, the governments of like-
     minded countries, technology and Internet companies, and 
     other appropriate nongovernmental organizations or entities.
       ``(3) In this subsection--
       ``(A) the term `electronic communication' has the meaning 
     given the term in section 2510 of title 18, United States 
     Code;
       ``(B) the term `Internet' has the meaning given the term in 
     section 231(e)(3) of the Communications Act of 1934 (47 
     U.S.C. 231(e)(3));
       ``(C) the term `personally identifiable information' means 
     data in a form that identifies a particular person; and
       ``(D) the term `wire communication' has the meaning given 
     the term in section 2510 of title 18, United States Code.''.

     SEC. 9. GAO REPORT ON CYBER DIPLOMACY.

       Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act, the Comptroller General of the United States shall 
     submit a report and provide a briefing to the appropriate 
     congressional committees that includes--
       (1) an assessment of the extent to which United States 
     diplomatic processes and other efforts with foreign 
     countries, including through multilateral fora, bilateral 
     engagements, and negotiated cyberspace agreements, advance 
     the full range of United States interests in cyberspace, 
     including the policy described in section 4;
       (2) an assessment of the Department of State's 
     organizational structure and approach to managing its 
     diplomatic efforts to advance the full range of United States 
     interests in cyberspace, including a review of--
       (A) the establishment of a Bureau in the Department of 
     State to lead the Department's international cyber mission;
       (B) the current or proposed diplomatic mission, structure, 
     staffing, funding, and activities of the Bureau;
       (C) how the establishment of the Bureau has impacted or is 
     likely to impact the structure and organization of the 
     Department; and
       (D) what challenges, if any, the Department has faced or 
     will face in establishing such Bureau; and
       (3) any other matters determined relevant by the 
     Comptroller General.

     SEC. 10. SENSE OF CONGRESS ON CYBERSECURITY SANCTIONS AGAINST 
                   NORTH KOREA AND CYBERSECURITY LEGISLATION IN 
                   VIETNAM.

       It is the sense of Congress that--
       (1) the President should designate all entities that 
     knowingly engage in significant activities undermining 
     cybersecurity through the use of computer networks or systems 
     against foreign persons, governments, or other entities on 
     behalf of the Government of North Korea, consistent with 
     section 209(b) of the North Korea Sanctions and Policy 
     Enhancement Act of 2016 (22 U.S.C. 9229(b));
       (2) the cybersecurity law approved by the National Assembly 
     of Vietnam on June 12, 2018--
       (A) may not be consistent with international trade 
     standards; and
       (B) may endanger the privacy of citizens of Vietnam; and
       (3) the Government of Vietnam should work with the United 
     States and other countries to ensure that such law meets all 
     relevant international standards.


                 Housing Financial Literacy Act of 2021

                               H.R. 1395

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Housing Financial Literacy 
     Act of 2021''.

     SEC. 2. DISCOUNT ON MORTGAGE INSURANCE PREMIUM PAYMENTS FOR 
                   FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS WHO COMPLETE FINANCIAL 
                   LITERACY HOUSING COUNSELING PROGRAMS.

       The second sentence of subparagraph (A) of section 
     203(c)(2) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 
     1709(c)(2)(A)) is amended--
       (1) by inserting before the comma the following: ``and such 
     program is completed before the mortgagor has signed an 
     application for a mortgage to be insured under this title or 
     a sales agreement''; and
       (2) by striking ``not exceed 2.75 percent of the amount of 
     the original insured principal obligation of the mortgage'' 
     and inserting ``be 25 basis points lower than the premium 
     payment amount established by the Secretary under the first 
     sentence of this subparagraph''.


         Fair Debt Collection Practices for Servicemembers Act

                               H.R. 1491

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Fair Debt Collection 
     Practices for Servicemembers Act''.

     SEC. 2. ENHANCED PROTECTION AGAINST DEBT COLLECTOR HARASSMENT 
                   OF SERVICEMEMBERS.

       (a) Communication in Connection With Debt Collection.--
     Section 805 of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (15 
     U.S.C. 1692c) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(e) Communications Concerning Servicemember Debts.--
       ``(1) Definition.--In this subsection, the term `covered 
     member' means--
       ``(A) a covered member or a dependent as defined in section 
     987(i) of title 10, United States Code; and
       ``(B)(i) an individual who was separated, discharged, or 
     released from duty described in such section 987(i)(1), but 
     only during the 365-day period beginning on the date of 
     separation, discharge, or release; or
       ``(ii) a person, with respect to an individual described in 
     clause (i), described in subparagraph (A), (D), (E), or (I) 
     of section 1072(2) of title 10, United States Code.
       ``(2) Prohibitions.--A debt collector may not, in 
     connection with the collection of any debt of a covered 
     member--
       ``(A) threaten to have the covered member reduced in rank;
       ``(B) threaten to have the covered member's security 
     clearance revoked; or
       ``(C) threaten to have the covered member prosecuted under 
     chapter 47 of title 10, United States Code (the Uniform Code 
     of Military Justice).''.
       (b) Unfair Practices.--Section 808 of the Fair Debt 
     Collection Practices Act (15 U.S.C. 1692f) is amended by 
     adding at the end the following:
       ``(9) The representation to any covered member (as defined 
     under section 805(e)(1)) that failure to cooperate with a 
     debt collector will result in--
       ``(A) a reduction in rank of the covered member;
       ``(B) a revocation of the covered member's security 
     clearance; or
       ``(C) prosecution under chapter 47 of title 10, United 
     States Code (the Uniform Code of Military Justice).''.

     SEC. 3. GAO STUDY.

       The Comptroller General of the United States shall conduct 
     a study and submit a report to Congress on the impact of this 
     Act on--
       (1) the timely delivery of information to a covered member 
     (as defined in section 805(e) of the Fair Debt Collection 
     Practices Act, as added by this Act);
       (2) military readiness; and
       (3) national security, including the extent to which 
     covered members with security clearances would be impacted by 
     uncollected debt.

     SEC. 4. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such 
     statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.


       Promoting Transparent Standards for Corporate Insiders Act

                               H.R. 1528

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Promoting Transparent 
     Standards for Corporate Insiders Act''.

     SEC. 2. SEC STUDY.

       (a) Study.--
       (1) In general.--The Securities and Exchange Commission 
     shall carry out a study of whether Rule 10b5-1 (17 CFR 
     240.10b5-1) should be amended to--
       (A) limit the ability of issuers and issuer insiders to 
     adopt a plan described under paragraph (c)(1)(i)(A)(3) of 
     Rule 10b5-1 (``trading plan'') to a time when the issuer or 
     issuer insider is permitted to buy or sell securities during 
     issuer-adopted trading windows;
       (B) limit the ability of issuers and issuer insiders to 
     adopt multiple trading plans;
       (C) establish a mandatory delay between the adoption of a 
     trading plan and the execution of the first trade pursuant to 
     such a plan and, if so and depending on the Commission's 
     findings with respect to subparagraph (A)--
       (i) whether any such delay should be the same for trading 
     plans adopted during an issuer-adopted trading window as 
     opposed to outside of such a window; and
       (ii) whether any exceptions to such a delay are 
     appropriate;
       (D) limit the frequency that issuers and issuer insiders 
     may modify or cancel trading plans;
       (E) require issuers and issuer insiders to file with the 
     Commission trading plan adoptions, amendments, terminations 
     and transactions; or
       (F) require boards of issuers that have adopted a trading 
     plan to--

[[Page H1989]]

       (i) adopt policies covering trading plan practices;
       (ii) periodically monitor trading plan transactions; and
       (iii) ensure that issuer policies discuss trading plan use 
     in the context of guidelines or requirements on equity 
     hedging, holding, and ownership.
       (2) Additional considerations.--In carrying out the study 
     required under paragraph (1), the Commission shall consider--
       (A) how any such amendments may clarify and enhance 
     existing prohibitions against insider trading;
       (B) the impact any such amendments may have on the ability 
     of issuers to attract persons to become an issuer insider;
       (C) the impact any such amendments may have on capital 
     formation;
       (D) the impact any such amendments may have on an issuer's 
     willingness to operate as a public company; and
       (E) any other consideration that the Commission considers 
     necessary and appropriate for the protection of investors.
       (b) Report.--Not later than the end of the 1-year period 
     beginning on the date of the enactment of this Act, the 
     Commission shall issue a report to the Committee on Financial 
     Services of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
     Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of the Senate containing 
     all findings and determinations made in carrying out the 
     study required under section (a).
       (c) Rulemaking.--After the completion of the study required 
     under subsection (a), the Commission shall, subject to public 
     notice and comment, revise Rule 10b5-1 consistent with the 
     results of such study.


      Improving FHA Support for Small-Dollar Mortgages Act of 2021

                               H.R. 1532

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Improving FHA Support for 
     Small-Dollar Mortgages Act of 2021''.

     SEC. 2. REVIEW OF FHA SMALL-DOLLAR MORTGAGE PRACTICES.

       (a) Congressional Findings.--The Congress finds that--
       (1) affordable homeownership opportunities are being 
     hindered due to the lack of financing available for home 
     purchases under $70,000;
       (2) according to the Urban Institute, small-dollar mortgage 
     loan applications in 2017 were denied by lenders at double 
     the rate of denial for large mortgage loans, and this 
     difference in denial rates cannot be fully explained by 
     differences in the applicants' credit profiles;
       (3) according to data compiled by Attom Data solutions, 
     small-dollar mortgage originations have decreased 38 percent 
     since 2009, while there has been a 65-percent increase in 
     origination of mortgages for more than $150,000;
       (4) the FHA's mission is to serve creditworthy borrowers 
     who are underserved and, according to the Urban Institute, 
     the FHA serves 24 percent of the overall market, but only 19 
     percent of the small-dollar mortgage market; and
       (5) the causes behind these variations are not fully 
     understood, but merit study that could assist in furthering 
     the Department of Housing and Urban Development's mission, 
     including meeting the housing needs of borrowers the program 
     is designed to serve and reducing barriers to homeownership, 
     while protecting the solvency of the Mutual Mortgage 
     Insurance Fund.
       (b) Review.--The Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 
     shall conduct a review of its FHA single-family mortgage 
     insurance policies, practices, and products to identify any 
     barriers or impediments to supporting, facilitating, and 
     making available mortgage insurance for mortgages having an 
     original principal obligation of $70,000 or less. Not later 
     than the expiration of the 12-month period beginning on the 
     date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit 
     a report to the Congress describing the findings of such 
     review and the actions that the Secretary will take, without 
     adversely affecting the solvency of the Mutual Mortgage 
     Insurance Fund, to remove such barriers and impediments to 
     providing mortgage insurance for such mortgages.


            National Senior Investor Initiative Act of 2021

                               H.R. 1565

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``National Senior Investor 
     Initiative Act of 2021'' or the ``Senior Security Act of 
     2021''.

     SEC. 2. SENIOR INVESTOR TASKFORCE.

       Section 4 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 
     78d) is amended by adding at the end the following:
       ``(k) Senior Investor Taskforce.--
       ``(1) Establishment.--There is established within the 
     Commission the Senior Investor Taskforce (in this subsection 
     referred to as the `Taskforce').
       ``(2) Director of the taskforce.--The head of the Taskforce 
     shall be the Director, who shall--
       ``(A) report directly to the Chairman; and
       ``(B) be appointed by the Chairman, in consultation with 
     the Commission, from among individuals--
       ``(i) currently employed by the Commission or from outside 
     of the Commission; and
       ``(ii) having experience in advocating for the interests of 
     senior investors.
       ``(3) Staffing.--The Chairman shall ensure that--
       ``(A) the Taskforce is staffed sufficiently to carry out 
     fully the requirements of this subsection; and
       ``(B) such staff shall include individuals from the 
     Division of Enforcement, Office of Compliance Inspections and 
     Examinations, and Office of Investor Education and Advocacy.
       ``(4) No compensation for members of taskforce.--All 
     members of the Taskforce appointed under paragraph (2) or (3) 
     shall serve without compensation in addition to that received 
     for their services as officers or employees of the United 
     States.
       ``(5) Minimizing duplication of efforts.--In organizing and 
     staffing the Taskforce, the Chairman shall take such actions 
     as may be necessary to minimize the duplication of efforts 
     within the divisions and offices described under paragraph 
     (3)(B) and any other divisions, offices, or taskforces of the 
     Commission.
       ``(6) Functions of the taskforce.--The Taskforce shall--
       ``(A) identify challenges that senior investors encounter, 
     including problems associated with financial exploitation and 
     cognitive decline;
       ``(B) identify areas in which senior investors would 
     benefit from changes in the regulations of the Commission or 
     the rules of self-regulatory organizations;
       ``(C) coordinate, as appropriate, with other offices within 
     the Commission, other taskforces that may be established 
     within the Commission, self-regulatory organizations, and the 
     Elder Justice Coordinating Council; and
       ``(D) consult, as appropriate, with State securities and 
     law enforcement authorities, State insurance regulators, and 
     other Federal agencies.
       ``(7) Report.--The Taskforce, in coordination, as 
     appropriate, with the Office of the Investor Advocate and 
     self-regulatory organizations, and in consultation, as 
     appropriate, with State securities and law enforcement 
     authorities, State insurance regulators, and Federal 
     agencies, shall issue a report every 2 years to the Committee 
     on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and the Special 
     Committee on Aging of the Senate and the Committee on 
     Financial Services of the House of Representatives, the first 
     of which shall not be issued until after the report described 
     in section 3 of the National Senior Investor Initiative Act 
     of 2021 has been issued and considered by the Taskforce, 
     containing--
       ``(A) appropriate statistical information and full and 
     substantive analysis;
       ``(B) a summary of recent trends and innovations that have 
     impacted the investment landscape for senior investors;
       ``(C) a summary of regulatory initiatives that have 
     concentrated on senior investors and industry practices 
     related to senior investors;
       ``(D) key observations, best practices, and areas needing 
     improvement, involving senior investors identified during 
     examinations, enforcement actions, and investor education 
     outreach;
       ``(E) a summary of the most serious issues encountered by 
     senior investors, including issues involving financial 
     products and services;
       ``(F) an analysis with regard to existing policies and 
     procedures of brokers, dealers, investment advisers, and 
     other market participants related to senior investors and 
     senior investor-related topics and whether these policies and 
     procedures need to be further developed or refined;
       ``(G) recommendations for such changes to the regulations, 
     guidance, and orders of the Commission and self-regulatory 
     organizations and such legislative actions as may be 
     appropriate to resolve problems encountered by senior 
     investors; and
       ``(H) any other information, as determined appropriate by 
     the Director of the Taskforce.
       ``(8) Request for reports.--The Taskforce shall make any 
     report issued under paragraph (7) available to a Member of 
     Congress who requests such a report.
       ``(9) Sunset.--The Taskforce shall terminate after the end 
     of the 10-year period beginning on the date of the enactment 
     of this subsection.
       ``(10) Senior investor defined.--For purposes of this 
     subsection, the term `senior investor' means an investor over 
     the age of 65.
       ``(11) Use of existing funds.--The Commission shall use 
     existing funds to carry out this subsection.''.

     SEC. 3. GAO STUDY.

       (a) In General.--Not later than 2 years after the date of 
     enactment of this Act, the Comptroller General of the United 
     States shall submit to Congress and the Senior Investor 
     Taskforce the results of a study of financial exploitation of 
     senior citizens.
       (b) Contents.--The study required under subsection (a) 
     shall include information with respect to--
       (1) economic costs of the financial exploitation of senior 
     citizens--
       (A) associated with losses by victims that were incurred as 
     a result of the financial exploitation of senior citizens;
       (B) incurred by State and Federal agencies, law enforcement 
     and investigatory agencies, public benefit programs, public 
     health programs, and other public programs as a result

[[Page H1990]]

     of the financial exploitation of senior citizens;
       (C) incurred by the private sector as a result of the 
     financial exploitation of senior citizens; and
       (D) any other relevant costs that--
       (i) result from the financial exploitation of senior 
     citizens; and
       (ii) the Comptroller General determines are necessary and 
     appropriate to include in order to provide Congress and the 
     public with a full and accurate understanding of the economic 
     costs resulting from the financial exploitation of senior 
     citizens in the United States;
       (2) frequency of senior financial exploitation and 
     correlated or contributing factors--
       (A) information about percentage of senior citizens 
     financially exploited each year; and
       (B) information about factors contributing to increased 
     risk of exploitation, including such factors as race, social 
     isolation, income, net worth, religion, region, occupation, 
     education, home-ownership, illness, and loss of spouse; and
       (3) policy responses and reporting of senior financial 
     exploitation--
       (A) the degree to which financial exploitation of senior 
     citizens unreported to authorities;
       (B) the reasons that financial exploitation may be 
     unreported to authorities;
       (C) to the extent that suspected elder financial 
     exploitation is currently being reported--
       (i) information regarding which Federal, State, and local 
     agencies are receiving reports, including adult protective 
     services, law enforcement, industry, regulators, and 
     professional licensing boards;
       (ii) information regarding what information is being 
     collected by such agencies; and
       (iii) information regarding the actions that are taken by 
     such agencies upon receipt of the report and any limits on 
     the agencies' ability to prevent exploitation, such as 
     jurisdictional limits, a lack of expertise, resource 
     challenges, or limiting criteria with regard to the types of 
     victims they are permitted to serve;
       (D) an analysis of gaps that may exist in empowering 
     Federal, State, and local agencies to prevent senior 
     exploitation or respond effectively to suspected senior 
     financial exploitation; and
       (E) an analysis of the legal hurdles that prevent Federal, 
     State, and local agencies from effectively partnering with 
     each other and private professionals to effectively respond 
     to senior financial exploitation.
       (c) Senior Citizen Defined.--For purposes of this section, 
     the term ``senior citizen'' means an individual over the age 
     of 65.


              Eliminate Barriers to Innovation Act of 2021

                               H.R. 1602

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Eliminate Barriers to 
     Innovation Act of 2021''.

     SEC. 2. WORKING GROUP TO SUPPORT INNOVATION WITH RESPECT TO 
                   DIGITAL ASSETS.

       (a) Establishment.--Not later than 90 days after the date 
     of the enactment of this section, the Securities and Exchange 
     Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission shall 
     jointly establish a working group (to be known as the ``SEC 
     and CFTC Working Group on Digital Assets'') to carry out the 
     report required under subsection (c)(1).
       (b) Membership.--
       (1) In general.--The Working Group shall be composed of 
     members appointed in accordance with paragraph (2).
       (2) Appointment of members.--
       (A) Representatives of commissions.--The Securities and 
     Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading 
     Commission shall each appoint an equal number of employees of 
     each such Commission to serve as members of the Working 
     Group.
       (B) Representatives of nongovernmental stakeholders.--
       (i) Appointment.--The Securities and Exchange Commission 
     and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission shall each 
     appoint an equal number of nongovernmental representatives to 
     serve as members of the Working Group, except that such 
     number of members may not be greater than or equal to the 
     number of members appointed under subparagraph (A).
       (ii) Required members.--The members of the Working Group 
     appointed under clause (i) shall include at least one 
     representative from each of the following:

       (I) Financial technology companies that provide products or 
     services involving digital assets.
       (II) Financial firms under the jurisdiction of the 
     Securities and Exchange Commission or the Commodity Futures 
     Trading Commission.
       (III) Institutions or organizations engaged in academic 
     research or advocacy relating to digital asset use.
       (IV) Small businesses engaged in financial technology.
       (V) Investor protection organizations.
       (VI) Institutions and organizations that support investment 
     in historically-underserved businesses.

       (C) No compensation for members of the working group.--
       (i) Federal employee members.--All members of the Working 
     Group appointed under subparagraph (A) shall serve without 
     compensation in addition to that received for their services 
     as officers or employees of the United States.
       (ii) Non-federal members.--All members of the Working Group 
     appointed under subparagraph (B) shall serve without 
     compensation.
       (c) Report.--
       (1) In general.--Not later than 1 year after the date of 
     the enactment of this section, the Working Group shall submit 
     to the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Commodity 
     Futures Trading Commission, and the relevant committees a 
     report that contains--
       (A) an analysis of--
       (i) the legal and regulatory framework and related 
     developments in the United States relating to digital assets, 
     including--

       (I) the impact that lack of clarity in such framework has 
     on primary and secondary markets in digital assets; and
       (II) how the domestic legal and regulatory regimes relating 
     to digital assets impact the competitive position of the 
     United States; and

       (ii) developments in other countries related to digital 
     assets and identification of how these developments impact 
     the competitive position of the United States; and
       (B) recommendations--
       (i) for the creation, maintenance, and improvement of 
     primary and secondary markets in digital assets, including 
     for improving the fairness, orderliness, integrity, 
     efficiency, transparency, availability, and efficacy of such 
     markets;
       (ii) for standards concerning custody, private key 
     management, cybersecurity, and business continuity relating 
     to digital asset intermediaries; and
       (iii) for best practices to--

       (I) reduce fraud and manipulation of digital assets in 
     cash, leveraged, and derivatives markets;
       (II) improve investor protections for participants in such 
     markets; and
       (III) assist in compliance with anti-money laundering and 
     countering the financing of terrorism obligations under the 
     Bank Secrecy Act.

       (2) Report limited to sec and cftc authorities.--The 
     analysis and recommendations provided under subparagraphs (A) 
     and (B) of paragraph (1) may only relate to the laws, 
     regulations, and related matters that are under the primary 
     jurisdiction of the Securities and Exchange Commission or the 
     Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
       (d) Nonapplicability of FACA.--The Federal Advisory 
     Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.) shall not apply to the Working 
     Group.
       (e) Termination.--
       (1) In general.--The Working Group shall terminate on the 
     date that is 1 year after the date of the enactment of this 
     section, except that the Chairman of the Securities and 
     Exchange Commission and the Chairman of the Commodity Futures 
     Trading Commission may, jointly, extend the Working Group for 
     a longer period, not to exceed one year.
       (2) Second report in the case of extension.--In the case of 
     an extension of the Working Group under paragraph (1), the 
     Working Group shall, not later than the last day of such 
     extension, submit to the Securities and Exchange Commission, 
     the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and the relevant 
     committees a report that contains an update to the analysis 
     and recommendations required under subparagraphs (A) and (B) 
     of subsection (c)(1).
       (f) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Bank secrecy act.--The term ``Bank Secrecy Act'' 
     means--
       (A) section 21 of the Federal Deposit Insurance Act (12 
     U.S.C. 1829b);
       (B) chapter 2 of title I of Public Law 91-508 (12 U.S.C. 
     1951 et seq.); and
       (C) subchapter II of chapter 53 of title 31, United States 
     Code.
       (2) Historically-underserved businesses.--The term 
     ``historically-underserved businesses'' means women-owned 
     businesses, minority-owned businesses, and rural businesses.
       (3) Relevant committees.--The term ``relevant committees'' 
     means--
       (A) the Committee on Financial Services of the House of 
     Representatives;
       (B) the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs of 
     the Senate;
       (C) the Committee on Agriculture of the House of 
     Representatives; and
       (D) the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry 
     of the Senate.
       (4) Working group.--The term ``Working Group'' means the 
     working group established under subsection (a).


    Training in High-demand Roles to Improve Veteran Employment Act

                               H.R. 2523

       Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
     the United States of America in Congress assembled,

     SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

       This Act may be cited as the ``Training in High-demand 
     Roles to Improve Veteran Employment Act'' or the ``THRIVE 
     Act''.

     SEC. 2. IMPROVEMENTS TO COVID-19 VETERAN RAPID RETRAINING 
                   ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.

       (a) In General.--Section 8006 of the American Rescue Plan 
     Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-2) is amended--
       (1) by striking paragraph (3) of subsection (c) and 
     inserting the following new paragraph (3):
       ``(3) Determination of high-demand occupations.--

[[Page H1991]]

       ``(A) Initial implementation.--In carrying out this 
     section, the Secretary shall use the list of high-demand 
     occupations prepared in conjunction with the Secretary of 
     Labor.
       ``(B) Modifications.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs may 
     add and remove occupations from the list under subparagraph 
     (A) as the Secretary determines appropriate.'';
       (2) in subsection (d)(3)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting 
     ``(other than such a program pursued solely through distance 
     learning on a half-time basis or less)'' after ``a covered 
     program of education under the retraining assistance program 
     under this section''; and
       (B) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``less than a half-
     time basis'' and inserting ``a half-time basis or less'';
       (3) by redesignating subsections (f), (g), and (h) as 
     subsections (k), (l), and (m), respectively;
       (4) by inserting after subsection (e) the following new 
     subsections:
       ``(f) Employee Assistance.--The Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall 
     contact each veteran who pursues a covered program of 
     education under this section--
       ``(1) not later than 30 days after the date on which the 
     veteran begins the program of education to notify the veteran 
     of the availability of employment placement services upon 
     completion of the program; and
       ``(2) not later than 14 days after the date on which the 
     veteran completes, or terminates participation in, such 
     program to facilitate the provision of employment placement 
     services to such veteran.
       ``(g) Nonprofit Organization.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall 
     seek to enter into a memorandum of understanding with one or 
     more qualified nonprofit organizations for the purpose of 
     facilitating the employment of veterans who participate in 
     the retraining assistance program under this section.
       ``(2) Qualified nonprofit organization.--For purposes of 
     this subsection, a qualified nonprofit organization is a 
     nonprofit organization that--
       ``(A) is an association of businesses; and
       ``(B) has at least two years of experience providing job 
     placement services for veterans.
       ``(h) Follow up Outreach.--The Secretary of Veterans 
     Affairs, in coordination with the Secretary of Labor, shall 
     contact each veteran who completes a covered program of 
     education under the retraining assistance program under this 
     section 30, 60, 90, and 180 days after the veteran completes 
     such program of education to ask the veteran about the 
     experience of the veteran in the retraining assistance 
     program and the veteran's employment status.
       ``(i) Quarterly Reports.--Not later than the date that is 
     one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, and 
     quarterly thereafter, the Secretary of Labor shall submit to 
     the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House 
     of Representatives a report containing the following 
     information about veterans who participate in the retraining 
     assistance program under this section:
       ``(1) The percentage of such veterans who found employment 
     before the end of the second calendar quarter after exiting 
     the program.
       ``(2) The percentage of such veterans who found employment 
     before the end of the fourth calendar quarter after exiting 
     the program.
       ``(3) The median earnings of all such veterans for the 
     second quarter after exiting the program.
       ``(4) The percentage of such veterans who attain a 
     recognized postsecondary credential during the 12-month 
     period after exiting the program.
       ``(j) Comptroller General Report.--Not later than 180 days 
     after the termination of the retraining assistance program 
     under subsection (l), the Comptroller General shall submit to 
     the Committees on Veterans' Affairs of the Senate and House 
     of Representatives a report on the outcomes and effectiveness 
     of the program.'';
       (5) in subsection (l), as so redesignated, by striking ``No 
     retraining assistance may be paid under this section after 
     the date that is 21 months after the date of the enactment of 
     this Act'' and inserting ``No retraining assistance may be 
     paid under this section for a covered program of education 
     that begins on or after December 11, 2022'';
       (6) in subsection (m), as so redesignated, by striking the 
     period at the end and inserting the following: ``, which 
     shall be carried out as if such section were authorized for 
     the payment of readjustment and rehabilitation benefits to or 
     on behalf of veterans under chapters 30, 31, and 41 of title 
     38, United States Code. Not more than $386,000,000 may be 
     obligated or expended to carry out this section.''; and
       (7) by adding at the end the following new subsection:
       ``(n) Definitions.--In this section:
       ``(1) The term `covered public health emergency' means the 
     declaration--
       ``(A) of a public health emergency, based on an outbreak of 
     COVID-19 by the Secretary of Health and Human Services under 
     section 319 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
     247d); or
       ``(B) of a domestic emergency, based on an outbreak of 
     COVID-19 by the President, the Secretary of Homeland 
     Security, or State, or local authority.
       ``(2) The term `veteran' means--
       ``(A) a person who served in the active military, naval, or 
     air service, and who was discharged or released therefrom 
     under conditions other than dishonorable; or
       ``(B) a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces 
     who performs active service for a period of 30 days or longer 
     by reason of the covered public health emergency.
       ``(3) The term `active service' has the meaning given such 
     term in section 101 of title 10, United States Code.''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply as if included in the enactment of the American 
     Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (Public Law 117-2).

     SEC. 3. INFORMATION PROVIDED BY DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS 
                   AFFAIRS ABOUT POSTSECONDARY EDUCATIONAL 
                   INSTITUTIONS.

       (a) Additional Information To Be Provided.--Subsection (c) 
     of section 3698 of title 38, United States Code, is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)(C)--
       (A) in clause (xi), by striking ``and'' at the end;
       (B) in clause (xii), by striking the period and inserting a 
     semicolon; and
       (C) by adding at the end the following new clauses:
       ``(xiii) whether the institution is listed on the College 
     Navigator website as affiliated with a religion and, if so, 
     which religious denomination;
       ``(xiv) whether the Secretary of Education or other head of 
     a department or agency of the Federal Government has 
     determined that the institution is a minority serving 
     institution and, if so, which one or more types of minority 
     serving institutions; and
       ``(xv) whether the institution is gender specific.''; and
       (2) in paragraph (2), by adding at the end the following 
     new sentence: ``To the extent practicable, the Secretary 
     shall ensure that such information is provided in a 
     searchable format.''.
       (b) Definition.--Subsection (f) of such section is amended 
     by adding at the end the following new paragraphs:
       ``(3) The term `College Navigator website' has the meaning 
     given that term in section 132 of the Higher Education Act 
     (20 U.S.C. 1015a).
       ``(4) The term `minority serving institution' means any of 
     the following:
       ``(A) A part B institution, as such term is defined in 
     section 322(2) of the Higher Education Act (20 U.S.C. 
     1061(2)).
       ``(B) A Hispanic-serving institution, as such term is 
     defined in section 502(a)(5) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 
     1101a(5)).
       ``(C) A Tribal College or University, as such term is 
     defined in section 316(b)(3) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 
     1059c(b)(3)).
       ``(D) A predominantly Black institution, as such term is 
     defined in section 318(b)(6) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 
     1059e(b)(6)).
       ``(E) A Native American-serving, nontribal institution, as 
     such term is defined in section 319(b)(2) of such Act (20 
     U.S.C. 1059f(b)(6)).
       ``(F) An Alaska Native-serving institution or Native 
     Hawaiian-serving institution, as such terms are defined in 
     section 317(b) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1059d(b)).
       ``(G) An Asian American and Native American Pacific 
     Islander-serving institution, as such term is defined in 
     section 320(b) of such Act (20 U.S.C. 1059g(b)).''.
       (c) Application.--The amendments made by this section shall 
     apply with respect to the information provided under section 
     3698 of title 38, United States Code, beginning on the date 
     that is two years after the date of the enactment of this 
     Act.

     SEC. 4. DELAY OF EFFECTIVE DATE FOR LIMITATION ON COLOCATION 
                   AND ADMINISTRATION OF STATE APPROVING AGENCIES.

       Section 1024 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. 
     Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 
     (Public Law 116-315) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 1024. LIMITATION ON COLOCATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF 
                   STATE APPROVING AGENCIES.

       ``(a) In General.--Section 3671 of title 38, United States 
     Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new 
     subsection:
       `` `(c) The Secretary may not recognize a State department 
     or agency as the State approving agency for a State for 
     purposes of this chapter if such department or agency is 
     administered at, or colocated with, a university or 
     university system that offers courses or programs of 
     education that are subject to approval under this chapter by 
     the State approving agency for that State.'.
       ``(b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall take effect on the date that is one year after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act.''.

     SEC. 5. CLARIFICATION OF APPLICABILITY OF TREATMENT OF 
                   CERTAIN FOR-PROFIT EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.

       (a) Clarification.--Section 1022(c) of the Johnny Isakson 
     and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits 
     Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315) is amended by 
     inserting ``, or the conversion of a for-profit educational 
     institution to a public educational institution,'' after 
     ``nonprofit educational institution''.
       (b) Effective Date.--The amendment made by subsection (a) 
     shall apply as if included in the enactment of the Johnny 
     Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and 
     Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315).

[[Page H1992]]

  


     SEC. 6. CLARIFICATIONS REGARDING REQUIREMENTS FOR EDUCATIONAL 
                   INSTITUTIONS PARTICIPATING IN THE EDUCATIONAL 
                   ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF 
                   VETERANS AFFAIRS.

       Subsection (f) of section 3679 of title 38, United States 
     Code, as added by section 1018 of the Johnny Isakson and 
     David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits 
     Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315), is amended--
       (1) in paragraph (1)(E), by inserting ``, to the maximum 
     extent practicable,'' after ``including'';
       (2) in paragraph (2)--
       (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by inserting 
     ``, or any person with whom the institution has an agreement 
     to provide educational programs, marketing, advertising, 
     recruiting or admissions services,'' after ``educational 
     institution'';
       (B) in paragraph (A)(ii), by striking ``1-month'' and 
     inserting ``one-month''; and
       (C) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the 
     following new subparagraph (B):
       ``(B) Provides a commission, bonus, or other incentive 
     payment based directly or indirectly on success in securing 
     enrollments or financial aid to any persons or entities 
     engaged in any student recruiting or admission activities or 
     in making decisions regarding the award of student financial 
     assistance.'';
       (3) in paragraph (4)(A), by striking clause (ii) and 
     inserting the following new clauses:
       ``(ii) Suspending the approval of the courses and programs 
     of education offered by the educational institution by 
     disapproving new enrollments of eligible veterans and 
     eligible persons in each course or program of education 
     offered by that educational institution.
       ``(iii) Revoking the approval of the courses and programs 
     of education offered by the educational institution by 
     disapproving all enrollments of eligible veterans and 
     eligible persons in each course or program of education 
     offered by that educational institution''; and
       (4) in paragraph (5)(A), by striking ``1-academic-year 
     period'' and inserting ``one-academic-year period''.

     SEC. 7. TECHNICAL CORRECTIONS.

       (a) Title 38.--Title 38, United States Code, is amended as 
     follows:
       (1) The second section 1164, as added by section 5501 the 
     Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care 
     and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315), is 
     redesignated as section 1166 and transferred so as to appear 
     after section 1165 (and the table of sections at the 
     beginning of chapter 11 of such title is conformed 
     accordingly).
       (2) Subsection (l) of section 3313, as added by section 
     1010 of such Act (as effective on August 1, 2021), is amended 
     to read as follows:
       ``(l) Verification of Enrollment.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall require--
       ``(A) each educational institution to submit to the 
     Secretary verification of each individual who is enrolled in 
     a course or program of education at the educational 
     institution and is receiving educational assistance under 
     this chapter--
       ``(i) not later than such time as the Secretary determines 
     reasonable after the date on which the individual is 
     enrolled; and
       ``(ii) not later than such time as the Secretary determines 
     reasonable after the last date on which a student is able to 
     withdraw from the course or program of education without 
     penalty; and
       ``(B) each individual who is enrolled in a course or 
     program of education and is receiving educational assistance 
     under this chapter to submit to the Secretary verification of 
     such enrollment for each month during which the individual is 
     so enrolled and receiving such educational assistance.
       ``(2) Form of verification.--Verification under this 
     subsection shall be in an electronic form prescribed by the 
     Secretary.
       ``(3) Failure to submit verification.--If an individual 
     fails to submit the verification required under paragraph 
     (1)(B) for two consecutive months, the Secretary may not make 
     a monthly housing stipend payment to the individual under 
     this section until the individual submits such 
     verification.''.
       (3) Section 3673A, as added by section 1013 of such Act, is 
     amended--
       (A) in subsection (a), by striking ``searchable''; and
       (B) in subsection (c), by inserting ``searchable'' before 
     ``database''.
       (4) The subsection (f) of section 3679, as added by section 
     1017 of such Act, is redesignated as paragraph (3) of 
     subsection (a) of such section 3679 and is transferred so as 
     to appear after paragraph (2) of such subsection.
       (5) Section 3696(g)(4)(A)(iii)(III), as amended by section 
     1020 of such Act, is amended by striking ``paragraph (3)(B) 
     of this subsection'' and inserting ``paragraph (3)''.
       (b) Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health 
     Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020.--The Johnny 
     Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and 
     Benefits Improvement Act of 2020 (Public Law 116-315) is 
     amended as follows:
       (1) In section 1013(a)(1), by inserting ``of title 38'' 
     after ``of chapter 36''.
       (2) In section 2205(c)--
       (A) in the heading, by striking ``Effective Date'' and 
     inserting ``Applicability''; and
       (B) by striking ``the date that is two years after the date 
     of the enactment of this Act'' and inserting ``the date of 
     the enactment of this Act and shall apply with respect to 
     grants applications submitted on or after the date that is 
     two years after the date of the enactment of this Act.''
       (3) In section 4101(b), by striking ``subchapter'' and 
     inserting ``chapter''.
       (4) In section 5501--
       (A) in subsection (a)(1), by striking ``of such title'' and 
     inserting ``of title 38, United States Code''; and
       (B) in subsection (b), by striking ``section 1164'' each 
     place it appears and inserting ``section 1166''.

     SEC. 8. DETERMINATION OF BUDGETARY EFFECTS.

       The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of 
     complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, shall 
     be determined by reference to the latest statement titled 
     ``Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation'' for this Act, 
     submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the 
     Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such 
     statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.


   Supporting People of Belarus and Their Democratic Aspirations and 
   Condemning Election Rigging and Subsequent Violent Crackdowns on 
                          Peaceful Protesters

                              H. Res. 124

       Whereas the Republic of Belarus held a presidential 
     election on August 9, 2020, that was neither free nor fair;
       Whereas the presidential election took place without 
     appropriate observation from local independent groups and 
     international delegations;
       Whereas since the presidential election, Belarusians have 
     demonstrated their strong desire and commitment to a 
     democratic future by organizing peaceful protests in Minsk 
     and across the country;
       Whereas Belarusian civil society, led by Sviatlana 
     Tsikhanouskaya, has called for the resignation of Alyaksandr 
     Lukashenka, the peaceful transition of power, the 
     organization of new, free, and fair elections and the release 
     of all political prisoners;
       Whereas Belarusian opposition leaders have faced 
     intimidation, harassment, and detention, including direct 
     threats leading to the forced exile of Sviatlana 
     Tsikhanouskaya in Lithuania as well as the kidnapping and 
     imprisonment of Maria Kalesnikava and other opposition 
     leaders;
       Whereas in the months since the election, Belarusian 
     authorities have arbitrarily detained and brutally assaulted 
     tens of thousands of peaceful protesters, journalists, and 
     opposition figures, of which hundreds remain in detention;
       Whereas human rights groups have documented hundreds of 
     horrific accounts of torture, including sexual violence and 
     rape, along with other instances ill-treatment and excessive 
     force used against detainees arrested for peaceful protest;
       Whereas on August 13 and 14, 2020, relatives of detainees 
     held in the infamous ``Akrestsina'' detention facility in 
     Minsk recorded the sounds of ``incessant beatings which were 
     clearly audible in the street, and numerous voices screaming 
     out in agony with some begging for mercy'';
       Whereas thousands of Belarusians have fled to neighboring 
     countries seeking political asylum;
       Whereas independent journalists and the free media have 
     faced intimidation, violence, mass arrests and prosecution, 
     with many foreign journalists being stripped of their 
     accreditation;
       Whereas Katsyaryna Andreyeva and Darya Chultsovatwo, two 
     journalists who work for Belsat, an independent Polish-based 
     satellite television station aimed at Belarus, have each been 
     sentenced to two years in prison simply for reporting live 
     from a rally in Minsk in November 2020;
       Whereas Ihar Losik, a popular Belarusian blogger on 
     Telegram, went on a hunger strike for 6 weeks to protest the 
     politically-motivated charges that he helped organize riots 
     after the fraudulent presidential election;
       Whereas member states of the Organization for Security and 
     Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), of which the United States and 
     Belarus are members, invoked paragraph 12 of the 1991 Moscow 
     Document of the Conference on the Human Dimension of the OSCE 
     (Moscow Mechanism) to establish a mission of experts to 
     review allegations of human rights violations;
       Whereas the OSCE Rapporteur's Report under the Moscow 
     Mechanism on Alleged Human Rights Violations related to the 
     presidential elections of August 9, 2020, in Belarus, 
     published November 5, 2020, concluded that there was 
     ``overwhelming evidence that the presidential elections of 9 
     August 2020 [had] been falsified and that massive and 
     systematic human rights violations [had] been committed by 
     the Belarusian security forces in response to peaceful 
     demonstrations and protests'';
       Whereas women have played a leading role in peaceful 
     demonstrations across the country, protesting the police 
     brutality and mass detentions by wearing red and white, 
     carrying flowers, and forming ``solidarity chains'';
       Whereas the information technology (IT) industry in Belarus 
     has played a prominent role in the democratic movement by 
     demanding an end to violent oppression, as well as creating 
     safe platforms for demonstrators to communicate and track 
     people who have been detained or went missing during mass 
     detentions;

[[Page H1993]]

       Whereas Belarusian authorities have continually disrupted 
     internet channels in an attempt to limit communication among 
     demonstrators and targeted lead technology companies and 
     their employees advocating for democracy;
       Whereas Belarusian state-owned television channels have 
     encouraged violence against peaceful demonstrators;
       Whereas a recent survey of IT specialists found that 15 
     percent of IT specialists working in Belarus have already 
     relocated to neighboring countries, and over 40 percent of IT 
     specialists no longer want to work in Belarus, resulting in a 
     devastating loss of talent for Belarus, possibly permanently 
     damaging the Belarusian technology industry along with the 
     Belarusian economy;
       Whereas hundreds of former law enforcement officers in 
     Belarus who have defected in defiance of illegal orders to 
     commit human rights violations and cover up crimes against 
     civilians and those who have assisted law enforcement 
     officers in defecting have faced harassment, financial 
     penalties, arrest, detention, and other punitive measures;
       Whereas several peaceful demonstrators have died as a 
     result of police violence, including 31-year-old Roman 
     Bondrenko who was violently beaten by plainclothes police 
     officers and, as a result, suffered head injuries that 
     resulted in his death;
       Whereas Belarusian universities continue to expel students 
     and dismiss educators and researchers for participating in 
     peaceful protests;
       Whereas child protective services have threatened multiple 
     civic activists with termination of parental rights for 
     bringing minor children to peaceful protests;
       Whereas factory workers at state-owned enterprises have 
     been continuously harassed for trying to organize independent 
     trade unions and have been forced to sign political letters 
     opposing sanctions by the European Union under threat of 
     termination of their employment;
       Whereas a transatlantic community of legislators has 
     emerged in support of uplifting the democratic aspirations of 
     the Belarusian people;
       Whereas international advocacy, including by co-host 
     Latvia, succeeded in preventing the illegitimate Government 
     of Belarus from hosting the 2021 Ice Hockey World 
     Championship;
       Whereas the United States, the European Union, the United 
     Kingdom, and Canada have enacted sanctions and other punitive 
     measures against dozens of individuals and entities found 
     responsible for the perpetration of violence against peaceful 
     demonstrators, opposition members, and journalists, among 
     others;
       Whereas Alyaksandr Lukashenka continues to undermine the 
     sovereignty and independence of Belarus through efforts to 
     integrate Belarus into a so-called ``Union States'' under the 
     control of Russia;
       Whereas the House of Representatives passed the Belarus 
     Democracy, Human Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2020 with 
     unanimous consent, sending a clear message of overwhelming, 
     bipartisan support for the democratic movement in Belarus;
       Whereas the Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and 
     Sovereignty Act of 2020 was signed into law via the fiscal 
     year 2021 omnibus spending bill, expanding the President's 
     authority to impose sanctions related to Belarus, including 
     on Russian individuals who have undermined Belarus' 
     sovereignty, as well as authorizing increased assistance to 
     counter internet censorship and surveillance technology, 
     support women advocating for freedom and human rights, and 
     support political refugees fleeing the crackdown in Belarus, 
     among other things; and
       Whereas the Belarusian opposition, led by Sviatlana 
     Tsikhanouskaya, organized a Day of Solidary on February 7, 
     2020, where countries, cities, and political and elected 
     leaders, as well as everyday citizens around the world 
     demonstrated their support for the six months of historic 
     peaceful protests since the fraudulent presidential election 
     that took place on August 9, 2020: Now, therefore, be it
       Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
       (1) finds that the August 9, 2020, presidential election in 
     Belarus was neither free nor fair and, therefore, does not 
     recognize the government-announced results or Alyaksandr 
     Lukashenka as the legitimate President of Belarus;
       (2) calls for new free and fair elections under 
     Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe 
     observation;
       (3) affirms that the people of Belarus have the right to 
     determine the future of Belarus without unwelcome 
     intervention from the Russian Federation or any outside 
     actors in violation of Belarusian independence and 
     sovereignty;
       (4) condemns the human rights violations committed by 
     Belarusian authorities, including against peaceful 
     demonstrators, civil society activists, opposition leaders, 
     students, educators, employees at state-owned enterprises, 
     medical personnel, and journalists, and calls for such 
     authorities to halt any further acts of violence against 
     civilians;
       (5) calls for the immediate release of all political 
     prisoners and those unlawfully detained in connection with 
     the peaceful demonstrations including independent journalists 
     and family members of United States citizens;
       (6) recognizes the sacrifices and bravery of the Belarusian 
     people and the incredible organization by Belarusian women to 
     peacefully demand a free and fair democratic process while 
     enduring the state-sponsored violence that followed the 
     August 9, 2020, election;
       (7) calls on Alyaksandr Lukashenka and Belarusian 
     authorities to engage in an open and constructive dialogue 
     with the opposition members and other stakeholders to bring 
     about a peaceful transition of power;
       (8) calls for the protection of civil society actors and 
     members of the opposition against arbitrary arrest and 
     violence while conducting peaceful discussions relating to 
     the peaceful transition of power in Belarus;
       (9) recognizes the Coordination Council established by 
     Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya as a legitimate institution to 
     participate in a dialogue on a peaceful transition of power;
       (10) urges continued cooperation among the United States 
     and its transatlantic allies and partners to explore avenues 
     in support of the democratic movement in Belarus;
       (11) calls for further targeted sanctions coordinated 
     between the United States, the European Union, the United 
     Kingdom, Canada, and other allies and partners against 
     Belarusian authorities who committed human rights violations 
     and engaged in activities that resulted in the falsification 
     of the August 9, 2020, election results;
       (12) encourages when considering, in coordination with 
     transatlantic partners, the sanctioning of Belarusian state-
     owned companies that have directly violated the rights of 
     their workers as a result of their participation in or in 
     connection to the ongoing democratic movement in Belarus that 
     the Administration take into consideration the potential 
     implications of making these companies more vulnerable to 
     takeovers by Russian or Chinese state-owned companies;
       (13) calls on the transatlantic community to review and 
     consider reassessing any financial assistance that supports 
     the Lukashenka regime, including participation in state debt 
     issuances or procurement contracts;
       (14) supports increasing funds available for foreign 
     assistance to Belarusian civil society groups as well as 
     legal assistance for activists and independent journalists, 
     among others, as called for in the Belarus Democracy, Human 
     Rights, and Sovereignty Act of 2020;
       (15) urges the President to provide the United States 
     Agency for Global Media with a surge capacity (as such term 
     is defined in section 316 of the United States International 
     Broadcasting Act of 1994 (22 U.S.C. 6216)) for programs and 
     activities in Belarus, including to protect the brave 
     independent journalists reporting from within Belarus as 
     called for in the Belarus Democracy, Human Rights, and 
     Sovereignty Act of 2020;
       (16) calls for an international investigation into the 
     human rights abuses committed during and after the August 9, 
     2020, presidential election; and
       (17) continues to support the aspirations of the people of 
     Belarus for democracy, human rights, and the rule of law, and 
     reaffirms that the fulfillment of such aspirations is 
     critical to ensuring the continued strength of Belarusian 
     sovereignty and territorial integrity.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore (Ms. Craig). Pursuant to section 6 of House 
Resolution 330, the ordering of the yeas and nays on postponed motions 
to suspend the rules with respect to such measures is vacated to the 
end that all such motions are considered as withdrawn.
  The question is on the motion offered by the gentleman from Maryland 
(Mr. Hoyer) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bills and the 
resolution.
  The question was taken.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds 
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
  Mr. ROY. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution 
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
  The vote was taken by electronic device, and there were--yeas 355, 
nays 69, not voting 5, as follows:

                             [Roll No. 125]

                               YEAS--355

     Adams
     Aderholt
     Aguilar
     Allred
     Amodei
     Auchincloss
     Axne
     Bacon
     Baird
     Balderson
     Barr
     Barragan
     Bass
     Beatty
     Bentz
     Bera
     Bergman
     Beyer
     Bice (OK)
     Bilirakis
     Bishop (GA)
     Blumenauer
     Blunt Rochester
     Bonamici
     Bost
     Bourdeaux
     Bowman
     Boyle, Brendan F.
     Brady
     Brown
     Brownley
     Buchanan
     Bucshon
     Burgess
     Bustos
     Butterfield
     Calvert
     Carbajal
     Cardenas
     Carl
     Carson
     Cartwright
     Case
     Casten
     Castor (FL)
     Castro (TX)
     Cawthorn
     Chabot
     Cheney
     Chu
     Cicilline
     Clark (MA)
     Clarke (NY)
     Cleaver
     Clyburn
     Cohen
     Cole
     Comer
     Connolly
     Cooper
     Correa
     Costa
     Courtney
     Craig
     Crawford
     Crenshaw
     Crist
     Crow
     Cuellar
     Curtis
     Davids (KS)
     Davis, Danny K.
     Davis, Rodney
     Dean
     DeFazio
     DeGette
     DeLauro
     DelBene
     Delgado
     Demings
     DeSaulnier
     DesJarlais

[[Page H1994]]


     Deutch
     Diaz-Balart
     Dingell
     Doggett
     Doyle, Michael F.
     Dunn
     Emmer
     Escobar
     Eshoo
     Espaillat
     Evans
     Feenstra
     Ferguson
     Fischbach
     Fitzgerald
     Fitzpatrick
     Fleischmann
     Fletcher
     Fortenberry
     Foster
     Foxx
     Frankel, Lois
     Gallagher
     Gallego
     Garamendi
     Garbarino
     Garcia (CA)
     Garcia (IL)
     Garcia (TX)
     Gimenez
     Golden
     Gomez
     Gonzales, Tony
     Gonzalez (OH)
     Gonzalez, Vicente
     Gottheimer
     Graves (LA)
     Graves (MO)
     Green, Al (TX)
     Grijalva
     Grothman
     Guthrie
     Hagedorn
     Harder (CA)
     Harshbarger
     Hartzler
     Hayes
     Herrera Beutler
     Higgins (LA)
     Higgins (NY)
     Hill
     Himes
     Hollingsworth
     Horsford
     Houlahan
     Hoyer
     Hudson
     Huffman
     Issa
     Jackson Lee
     Jacobs (CA)
     Jacobs (NY)
     Jayapal
     Jeffries
     Johnson (GA)
     Johnson (OH)
     Johnson (SD)
     Johnson (TX)
     Jones
     Joyce (OH)
     Joyce (PA)
     Kahele
     Kaptur
     Katko
     Keating
     Keller
     Kelly (IL)
     Kelly (PA)
     Khanna
     Kildee
     Kilmer
     Kim (CA)
     Kim (NJ)
     Kind
     Kinzinger
     Kirkpatrick
     Krishnamoorthi
     Kuster
     Kustoff
     LaHood
     LaMalfa
     Lamb
     Langevin
     Larsen (WA)
     Larson (CT)
     Latta
     LaTurner
     Lawrence
     Lawson (FL)
     Lee (CA)
     Lee (NV)
     Leger Fernandez
     Lesko
     Letlow
     Levin (CA)
     Levin (MI)
     Lieu
     Lofgren
     Long
     Lowenthal
     Lucas
     Luetkemeyer
     Luria
     Mace
     Malinowski
     Malliotakis
     Maloney, Carolyn B.
     Maloney, Sean
     Manning
     Matsui
     McBath
     McCarthy
     McCaul
     McClain
     McCollum
     McEachin
     McGovern
     McHenry
     McKinley
     McNerney
     Meeks
     Meijer
     Meng
     Meuser
     Mfume
     Miller (WV)
     Miller-Meeks
     Moolenaar
     Moore (UT)
     Moore (WI)
     Morelle
     Moulton
     Mrvan
     Mullin
     Murphy (FL)
     Murphy (NC)
     Nadler
     Napolitano
     Neal
     Neguse
     Nehls
     Newhouse
     Newman
     Norcross
     Nunes
     O'Halleran
     Obernolte
     Ocasio-Cortez
     Owens
     Palazzo
     Pallone
     Panetta
     Pappas
     Pascrell
     Payne
     Pence
     Perlmutter
     Peters
     Pfluger
     Phillips
     Pingree
     Pocan
     Porter
     Pressley
     Price (NC)
     Quigley
     Raskin
     Reed
     Reschenthaler
     Rice (NY)
     Rice (SC)
     Rodgers (WA)
     Rogers (AL)
     Rogers (KY)
     Ross
     Roybal-Allard
     Ruiz
     Ruppersberger
     Rush
     Rutherford
     Ryan
     Salazar
     Sanchez
     Sarbanes
     Scalise
     Scanlon
     Schakowsky
     Schiff
     Schneider
     Schrader
     Schrier
     Schweikert
     Scott (VA)
     Scott, David
     Sewell
     Sherman
     Sherrill
     Simpson
     Sires
     Slotkin
     Smith (MO)
     Smith (NJ)
     Smith (WA)
     Smucker
     Soto
     Spanberger
     Spartz
     Speier
     Stanton
     Stauber
     Steel
     Stefanik
     Steil
     Stevens
     Stewart
     Stivers
     Strickland
     Suozzi
     Swalwell
     Takano
     Taylor
     Tenney
     Thompson (CA)
     Thompson (MS)
     Thompson (PA)
     Timmons
     Titus
     Tlaib
     Tonko
     Torres (CA)
     Torres (NY)
     Trahan
     Trone
     Turner
     Underwood
     Upton
     Valadao
     Van Drew
     Van Duyne
     Vargas
     Veasey
     Vela
     Velazquez
     Wagner
     Walberg
     Walorski
     Waltz
     Wasserman Schultz
     Waters
     Watson Coleman
     Welch
     Wenstrup
     Westerman
     Wexton
     Wild
     Williams (GA)
     Wilson (FL)
     Wilson (SC)
     Wittman
     Womack
     Yarmuth
     Young
     Zeldin

                                NAYS--69

     Allen
     Armstrong
     Arrington
     Babin
     Banks
     Biggs
     Bishop (NC)
     Boebert
     Brooks
     Budd
     Burchett
     Bush
     Cammack
     Carter (GA)
     Carter (TX)
     Cline
     Cloud
     Davidson
     Donalds
     Duncan
     Estes
     Fallon
     Franklin, C. Scott
     Fulcher
     Gaetz
     Gohmert
     Good (VA)
     Gooden (TX)
     Gosar
     Granger
     Green (TN)
     Greene (GA)
     Griffith
     Guest
     Harris
     Hern
     Herrell
     Hice (GA)
     Hinson
     Huizenga
     Jackson
     Johnson (LA)
     Jordan
     Kelly (MS)
     Lamborn
     Loudermilk
     Mann
     Massie
     Mast
     McClintock
     Miller (IL)
     Mooney
     Moore (AL)
     Norman
     Omar
     Palmer
     Perry
     Posey
     Rose
     Rosendale
     Rouzer
     Roy
     Scott, Austin
     Sessions
     Steube
     Tiffany
     Weber (TX)
     Webster (FL)
     Williams (TX)

                             NOT VOTING--5

     Buck
     Clyde
     Gibbs
     Lynch
     Smith (NE)

                              {time}  1808

  Mr. BURGESS changed his vote from ``nay'' to ``yea.''
  So (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the rules were suspended, 
the bills were passed, and the resolution was agreed to.
  The result of the vote was announced as above recorded.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Without objection, a motion to reconsider is 
laid on the table.
  Mr. BIGGS. Madam Speaker, I object.
  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Objection is heard.


    members recorded pursuant to house resolution 8, 117th congress

     Allred (Wexton)
     Barragan (Beyer)
     Cardenas (Gallego)
     Costa (Correa)
     Crenshaw (Fallon)
     Donalds (Cammack)
     Grijalva (Garcia (IL))
     Kirkpatrick (Stanton)
     Langevin (Lynch)
     Lawson (FL) (Evans)
     Leger Fernandez (Jacobs (CA))
     Lieu (Beyer)
     Lowenthal (Beyer)
     Meng (Clark (MA))
     Mfume (Connolly)
     Moulton (Perlmutter)
     Napolitano (Correa)
     Omar (Bush)
     Palazzo (Fleischmann)
     Payne (Pallone)
     Porter (Wexton)
     Rush (Underwood)
     Sewell (DelBene)
     Stefanik (Katko)
     Trahan (Lynch)
     Watson Coleman (Pallone)
     Welch (McGovern)
     Wilson (FL) (Hayes)
     Wilson (SC) (Timmons)

                          ____________________