America the Beautiful: An American Political RP (Congress)

[Velahor]

United States House of Representatives
Congresswoman Diane Paulson [R-ME-2]

Paulson: "Aye"

[The Sarangtus Lands]

Representative Everson Boyd
[Democratic - 3rd District of Wisconsin]

"Aye."

[Yaruqo]

Representative Oliver Miller
[Democratic - 3rd District of the State of Kansas

“Aye.”

[Louisianan]

United States House of Representatives
Representative Linda Lazare
[Democratic - 7th District of the State of Texas]

"Aye."

[Madrinpoor]

United States House of Representatives
Representative Frank Loloma
[Democratic - 7th District of the State of Arizona]

"Aye."

[Gordano and Lysandus]

United States Senate
Senator Eugene Obradovic
[Democratic - State of Illinois]
{President pro tempore of the United States Senate|NOT PRESIDING}

"Mr. President, I move to vote on the amendment from the gentleman from Montana."

[New Cobastheia]

United States Senate
Senator Benjamin Hertzog [D-MI]
{Senate Majority Leader}

"I second the motion from the Senator from Illinois."

[The Sarangtus Lands]

United States House of Representatives
Representative Everson Boyd
[Democratic - 3rd District of the State of Wisconsin]

"I motion to add the following amendment."

Amendment 2 to the American Recovery Act

Section 1 is amended thus:

1. Subsection A is amended by striking '$1,400' and inserting '$2,000'
2. Subsection C is amended by striking '$403,000,000,000' and inserting '$570,000,000,000'

Section 2 is amended thus:

1. Subsection A is amended by striking 'through September 6, 2021' and inserting 'through April 6, 2022'

Section 4 is amended thus:

1. Subsection G is created, and will read as follows: 'Hereby amends the National School Lunch Act to repeal the existing $14,200,000,000 National School Lunch Program and instead forms a new program known as the National School Meals Program, which is to be provided $75,000,000,000 per annum of funding for free school meals - including breakfasts and lunches - for all American students.'

Section 6 is amended thus:

1. Subsection M is amended by striking '$20,000,000,000' and inserting '$25,000,000,000'

Section 7 is amended thus:

1. Subsection Q is created, and will read as follows 'A $50,000,000,000 temporary farm relief grant known as the Federal Rural Aid Program is to be set up, in order to assist small, family farms - namely farms with less than 200 employees - and to give emergency relief and bailouts to recipients, along with assisting in the further improvement and strengthening of family farms in America.'

[Newne Carriebean7]

United States House of Representatives
Representative Maxine Caroline Durant [R-MS-3]

"I object to the Representative from Wisconsin's motion!"

[Gordano and Lysandus]

United States Senate
Senator ???
[Democratic - State of Connecticut]
{Acting President pro tempore of the United States Senate}

"Hearing no objections on the floor to going to a vote on the amendment, the Senate will now vote on the amendment from the gentleman from Montana. The clerk will call the roll."

[Greater Arab State]

United States House of Representatives
Representative Everson Boyd
[Democratic - 3rd District of the State of Wisconsin]

"I motion to add the following amendment."

(Image)
Amendment 3 to the American Recovery Act

Section 1 is amended thus:

1. Subsection A is amended by striking '$1,400' and inserting '$2,000'
2. Subsection C is amended by striking '$403,000,000,000' and inserting '$570,000,000,000'

Section 2 is amended thus:

1. Subsection A is amended by striking 'through September 6, 2021' and inserting 'through April 6, 2022'

Section 4 is amended thus:

1. Subsection G is created, and will read as follows: 'Hereby amends the National School Lunch Act to repeal the existing $14,200,000,000 National School Lunch Program and instead forms a new program known as the National School Meals Program, which is to be provided $75,000,000,000 per annum of funding for free school meals - including breakfasts and lunches - for all American students.'

Section 6 is amended thus:

1. Subsection M is amended by striking '$20,000,000,000' and inserting '$25,000,000,000'

Section 7 is amended thus:

1. Subsection Q is created, and will read as follows 'A $50,000,000,000 temporary farm relief grant known as the Federal Rural Aid Program is to be set up, in order to assist small, family farms - namely farms with less than 200 employees - and to give emergency relief and bailouts to recipients, along with assisting in the further improvement and strengthening of family farms in America.'

United States House of Representatives

Representative (Generic Republican)
(Republican- 4th Congressional District of Alabama)
Speaker pro Tempore of the United States House of Representatives

“The Representative from Wisconsin’s motion is currently out of order due to the House currently voting on Amendment Number One.”

[Gordano and Lysandus]

United States Senate
Senator ???
[Democratic - State of Connecticut]
{Acting President pro tempore of the United States Senate}

"Hearing no objections on the floor to going to a vote on the amendment, the Senate will now vote on the amendment from the gentleman from Montana. The clerk will call the roll."

Senator Eugene Obradovic
[Democratic - State of Illinois]
{President pro tempore of the United States Senate|NOT PRESIDING}

"Aye."

[Greater Arab State]

United States House of Representatives
Representative Maxine Caroline Durant [R-MS-3]

"I object to the Representative from Wisconsin's motion!"

United States House of Representatives

Representative (Generic Republican)
(Republican- 4th Congressional District of Alabama)
Speaker pro Tempore of the United States House of Representatives

“The Representative from Mississippi’s motion is currently out of order due to the House currently voting on Amendment Number One.”

[Greater Arab State]

United States House of Representatives

Representative (Generic Republican)
(Republican- 4th Congressional District of Alabama)
Speaker pro Tempore of the United States House of Representatives

“With all votes counted, Amendment Number One is adopted to the American Recovery Act. The House is open for motions or debate.”

[The Sarangtus Lands]

United States House of Representatives

Representative (Generic Republican)
(Republican- 4th Congressional District of Alabama)
Speaker pro Tempore of the United States House of Representatives

“With all votes counted, Amendment Number One is adopted to the American Recovery Act. The House is open for motions or debate.”

United States House of Representatives
Representative Everson Boyd
[Democratic - 3rd District of the State of Wisconsin]

"I motion to add the following amendment."

Amendment 2 to the American Recovery Act

Section 1 is amended thus:

1. Subsection A is amended by striking '$1,400' and inserting '$2,000'
2. Subsection C is amended by striking '$403,000,000,000' and inserting '$570,000,000,000'

Section 2 is amended thus:

1. Subsection A is amended by striking 'through September 6, 2021' and inserting 'through April 6, 2022'

Section 4 is amended thus:

1. Subsection G is created, and will read as follows: 'Hereby amends the National School Lunch Act to repeal the existing $14,200,000,000 National School Lunch Program and instead forms a new program known as the National School Meals Program, which is to be provided $75,000,000,000 per annum of funding for free school meals - including breakfasts and lunches - for all American students.'

Section 6 is amended thus:

1. Subsection M is amended by striking '$20,000,000,000' and inserting '$25,000,000,000'

Section 7 is amended thus:

1. Subsection Q is created, and will read as follows 'A $50,000,000,000 temporary farm relief grant known as the Federal Rural Aid Program is to be set up, in order to assist small, family farms - namely farms with less than 200 employees - and to give emergency relief and bailouts to recipients, along with assisting in the further improvement and strengthening of family farms in America.'

[Gordano and Lysandus]

United States House of Representatives
Representative Everson Boyd
[Democratic - 3rd District of the State of Wisconsin]

"I motion to add the following amendment."

Representative Caroline Simone
[Democratic - 12th District of the State of New York]

"Mr. Speaker, I second the motion from the congressman from Wisconsin."

[The Orion Islands]

Senator Everitt Colbert (R-UT)
"Mr. President, I vote aye."

[Kargintinia]

United States House of Representatives
House Majority Whip Earl Tenson (R-MT-At-Large)

"Mr. Speaker, I object."

[New Cobastheia]

United States Senate
Senator Benjamin Hertzog [D-MI]
{Senate Majority Leader}

"Aye."

[Louisianan]

United States Senate
Senator Hypolite Gaspard
[Republican - State of Louisiana]

"I vote Aye on this amendment."

[Louisianan]

United States House of Representatives
Representative Linda Lazare
[Democratic - 7th District of the State of Texas]

Linda quietly slips the PDPD Act and the HPPSOAR Act into the hooper,

Healthcare Protection of Public Safety Officers After Retirement (HPPSOAR)

A BILL
To double the amount of money retired public service employees are allowed to allocate from their pensions toward health or long-term care insurance premiums

Sponsor: Rep. Linda D. Lazare (D-TX-7)
Senate Sponsors: Sen. Eugene Obradovic (D-IL), Sen. William Rogers III (D-MT)
House Sponsors: Rep. Caroline Simone (D-NY-12), Rep. Oliver Miller (D-KS-03), Rep. Diane Paulson (R-ME-02)

SECTION 1: SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the "HPPSOAR Act".

SECTION 2: AMENDMENTS

Increase in amount excluded from gross income by reason of distributions from governmental retirement plans for health and long-term care insurance for public safety officers
(a)In general
Paragraph (2) of section 402(l) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by striking $3,000 and inserting $6,000.

SECTION 3: EFFECTIVE DATE

The amendment made by paragraph (1) shall apply to distributions in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2020.

Public Divulgence of Prescription Discounts and Real-Time Recipient Prescription Expense Act (PDPD Act)

A BILL
To amend titles XI and XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide more comprehensive transparency for reductions rendered by manufacturers, to incorporate real-time benefits data as part of a prescription drug plan’s electronic prescription program under the Medicare program, and for other purposes.

Sponsor: Rep. Linda D. Lazare (D-TX-7)
Senate Sponsors: Sen. Eugene Obradovic (D-IL), Sen. William Rogers III (D-MT)
House Sponsors: Rep. Caroline Simone (D-NY-12), Rep. Oliver Miller (D-KS-03), Rep. Diane Paulson (R-ME-02)

SECTION 1: SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the "PDPD Act".

SECTION 2: AMENDMENTS

ection 1150A of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1320b–2342 U.S.C. 1320b–2342 U.S.C. 1320b–2342 U.S.C. 1320b–2342 U.S.C. 1320b–23) is amended—

(1)in subsection (c), in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by inserting (other than as permitted under subsection (e)) after disclosed by the Secretary; and
(2)by adding at the end the following new subsection:
(e)Public availability of certain data
(1)In general
To allow the comparison of PBMs’ ability to negotiate rebates, discounts, direct and indirect remuneration fees, administrative fees, and price concessions and the number of such rebates, discounts, direct and indirect remuneration fees, administrative fees, and price concessions that are passed through to plan sponsors, beginning January 1, 2022, the Secretary shall make available on the Internet website of the Department of Health and Human Services the information concerning the second preceding calendar year provided to the Secretary on generic dispensing rates (as described in paragraph (1) of subsection (b)) and information provided to the Secretary under paragraphs (2) and (3) of such subsection that, as determined by the Secretary, is concerning each PBM.

SECTION 2A: AVAILABILITY OF DATA

(2)Availability of data
In carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall ensure the following:

(A)Confidentiality
The data represented in such paragraph is presented in a manner that restricts the disclosure of information, concerning an individual prescription or an individual plan, on rebates, discounts, direct and indirect remuneration fees, administrative fees, and price concessions.

(B)Class of drug
The data expressed in such paragraph is made open by class of drug, using an existing classification system, but only if the class contains such number of drugs, as designated by the Secretary (but not fewer than three drugs), to guarantee the confidentiality of exclusive knowledge or other data that is restricted to be disclosed under subparagraph (A).

SECTION 3: REQUIRING PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN SPONSORS TO INCORPORATE REAL-TIME BENEFITS DATA AS PART OF SUCH SPONSOR'S ELECTRONIC PRESCRIPTION PROGRAM UNDER THE MEDICARE PROGRAM

Section 1860D–4(e)(2) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1395w–104(e)(2)42 U.S.C. 1395w–104(e)(2)42 U.S.C. 1395w–104(e)(2)42 U.S.C. 1395w–104(e)(2)42 U.S.C. 1395w–104(e)(2)) is amended—

(1)in subparagraph (D), by striking To the extent and inserting Except as provided in subparagraph (F), to the extent; and
(2)by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
(F)Real-time benefit data
(i)In general
Not later than January 1, 2022, the program shall implement real-time benefit tools that are able of combining with a prescribing health care professional’s electronic prescribing or electronic health record system for the release of formulary and benefit data in real-time to prescribing health care specialists. Concerning a covered part D drug, such tools shall be able to transmit such information specific to an individual registered in a prescription drug plan. Such information shall include the following:

(I)A list of any clinically appropriate options to such drugs included in the formulary of such plan.
(II)Cost-sharing data for such drug and such alternatives, including a description of any variance in cost-sharing based on the pharmacy dispensing such drug or such alternatives.
(III)Data relating to whether such drug is included in the formulary of such plan and any prior authorization or other utilization management specifications applicable to such drug and such alternatives so included.
(ii)Electronic transmission
The provisions of subclauses (I) and (II) of clause (ii) of subparagraph (E) shall apply to an electronic transmission described in clause (i) in the same manner as such provisions apply concerning an automated release described in clause (i) of such subparagraph.

(iii)Special rule for 2022
The program shall be deemed in compliance with clause (i) for 2021 if the program complies with the prerequisites of section 423.160(b)(7) of title 42, Code of Federal Regulations (or a successor ordinance), for such year.

(iv)Rule of composition
Nothing in this subparagraph shall be interpreted as to allow a real-time benefits tool to direct an individual, without the acquiescence of the individual, to a particular pharmacy or pharmacy setting over their preferred pharmacy setting nor prohibit the indication of a preferred pharmacy under such tool.

SECTION 4: SENSE OF CONGRESS CONCERNING THE NEED TO GROW COMMERCIALLY OBTAINABLE DRUG PRICE MATCHING PLATFORMS

Congress senses that—

(1)commercially obtainable prescription price matching platforms can, at no cost, help patients find the lowest price for their prescriptions at their local pharmacy;
(2)such platforms should be combined, to the maximum extent possible, in the health care distribution ecosystem; and
(3)pharmacy benefit managers should work to publish generic and brand name drug prices to such platforms to ensure that—
(A)patients can benefit from the most economical possible price available to them; and
(B)overall prescription prices can be reduced as more educated purchasing choices are made based on price transparency.

[Sarenium]

Modern Labor Standards Act 2021

A BILL
To protect the right of blue-collar Americans to organize and voluntarily enter into a trade or industrial union.

Sponsor: Jackson Vichter (D-IA)
Senate Sponsors: Eugene Obradovic (D-IL), Benjamin Hertzog (D-MI)
House Sponsors: Caroline Simone (D-NY12), Oliver Miller (D-KS3), Dan Ziegler (D-CO1)

SECTION 1: SHORT TITLE

This Act may be cited as the "Modern Labor Standards Act 2021".

SECTION 2: REFORMING RIGHT-TO-WORK LAWS

(1) List of Acts of Congress Amended or Impacted by this and other Sections:

(a) National Labor Relations Act of 1935
(b) Taft-Hartley Act of 1947
(c) Landrum–Griffin Act of 1959

(2) All Unions shall henceforth be permitted to collect union dues, bargaining fees or commonly called 'fair share' fees.

(a) Fees collected by a union shall be federally tax deductible, this shall be known as the Blue Collar Tax Credit section of IRS Code.

SECTION 3: REFORMING JOINT, CLASS, AND COLLECTIVE ACTIONS AND ARBITRATION AGREEMENTS

(1) Agreements where an employer requires an employee to waive the right to pursue joint, class, or collective claims in court, thereby banning mandatory arbitration agreements for such claims; are henceforth prohibited.

(2) As enumerated in Section 3, Paragraph 1 of this Act, such prohibition shall impact existing contractual obligations and all parties shall be granted a six month grace period to enter alignment with the tenants of Section 3, Paragraph 1.

(3) Labor unions may encourage participation in strikes organized by other union entities, commonly called secondary strikes.

SECTION 4: EMPLOYEE, EMPLOYER AND THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD

(1) An individual performing any service shall be considered an employee and not an independent contractor, unless—

(a) the individual is free from control and direction in connection with the performance of the service, both under the contract for the performance of service and in fact;
(b) the service is performed outside the usual course of the business of the employer; and
(c) the individual is customarily engaged in an independently established trade, occupation, profession, or business of the same nature as that involved in the service performed."

(2) In relation to the joint employer standard previously adopted by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), with two or more persons being considered employers if each such person codetermines or shares control over an employee’s essential terms and conditions of employment. In determining whether such control exists, the NLRB and courts are to consider direct control and indirect control, reserved authority to exercise such control, and control exercised in fact.

(3) Employees shall be granted right to civil action via the ordinary court system, and no longer obliged to pursue all claims and damages via the NLRB.

(4) The NLRB shall have the authority to assess damages and penalties against employers for violations of the NLRA, including back pay (without any reduction, including for an employee’s interim earnings or failure to earn interim earnings), front pay, consequential damages, liquidated damages equal to two times the amount of damages awarded, and civil monetary penalties.

(5) Employers shall not be permitted to—

(a) require or coerce employees to attend or participate in meetings designed to dissuade employees from joining unions or persuade them to participate in anti-union activities; and
(b) litigate against unions which encourage, ferment or authorize secondary strikes.
(c) take adverse action against an employee who provides information about a potential violation of labor law, participates in an enforcement proceeding, initiates a proceeding concerning an alleged violation or assisting in such a proceeding, or refuses to participate in an activity the employee reasonably believes is a violation of labor laws.

SECTION 5: UNION ELECTIONS

(1) In the event of an NLRB sanctioned exercise of workplace democracy, employers shall be obliged to turn over employees’ information, including jobs, shift information, and cellphone numbers.

(a) This information must not be stored, retained or maintained by a labor union for more than one week after the result of the election is released.

(2) During workplace elections and exercises of democracy, employees may be able to vote remotely with all employees receiving mail-in ballots authorized by the NLRB and handled by the United States Postal Service (USPS) in accordance with existing laws surrounding ballots handled by the USPS. The union involved in said democratic exercise, may request to have the election conducted with an in-person ballot box, and over the telephone as well as or instead of a mail-in format.

Vichter staffers placed the Modern Labor Standards Act of 2021 on the docket.

All Democratic Senators and Representatives received merch being sold via the AFL-CIO with the writing "I Support the Blue Collar Tax Credit. I support the Modern Labor Standards Act of 2021." The shirt's writing was formatted to emphasize blue collar tax credit, and draw attention to that, making it easy to read.

[Lavan Tiri]

Senator Max O'Halloran
Senate Minority Leader
Republican|Wyoming

A note was distributed from O'Hallorans desk to the 48 other GOP Senators.

My friends,

Until such a time as the Endless Frontier Act a d the American Relief Act are passed through this chamber, I strongly advise you to vote Nay on BUILD.

It wasn't a Whip. It was barely even a gentle smack. But it would get the message across.

[The Orion Islands]

Senator Max O'Halloran
Senate Minority Leader
Republican|Wyoming

A note was distributed from O'Hallorans desk to the 48 other GOP Senators.

My friends,

Until such a time as the Endless Frontier Act a d the American Relief Act are passed through this chamber, I strongly advise you to vote Nay on BUILD.

It wasn't a Whip. It was barely even a gentle smack. But it would get the message across.

Colbert sends a note back

What purpose does a vote of nay serve? The BUILD Act is currently being discussed and will soon be voted upon. Endless frontier and the ARA will pass in due time.

[Alozia]

United States House of Representatives
Representative Noam Joseph Abrahms [D-NJ-12]

Joe returned to the House Chamber following a brief restroom break.