Cornyn Highlights Bills Signed Into Law in 2021

I released the following statement after multiple bills I introduced became law during the first year of the 117^th Congress:

Even at times when we seem irreparably polarized, the truth of the matter is there are real opportunities to address some of the biggest challenges facing our country in a bipartisan way.

Bills I sponsored that were enacted into law as standalone bills or part of other legislation include:

• Legislation to make Juneteenth a federal holiday: Made Juneteenth, the anniversary of the day slaves in Texas were first informed of the news that they were free, a federal holiday. I also again passed a resolution designating June 19 as Juneteenth Independence Day.
• Servicemember Safety and Security Act: Strengthens the reporting and review policies and procedures for members of the Armed Forces that are reported absent without leave or missing and improves information sharing between local and federal law enforcement agencies. (Awaiting President Biden's signature)
• Jaime Zapata and Victor Avila Federal Law Enforcement Protection Act: Ensures that individuals who harm or attempt to harm U.S. federal officers and employees serving abroad can be prosecuted in the United States and brought to justice.
• HOPE for Afghan SIVs Act: Helped improve the process by which Afghan interpreters and translators who assisted US troops during the War on Terror can immigrate to the United States and avoid persecution.
• Cross-Border Trade Enhancement Act reauthorization: Promotes public-private partnerships to boost staffing and make infrastructure improvements at U.S. ports of entry without adding to the national deficit. Originally introduced by me and signed into law in 2016. (Awaiting President Biden's signature)
• Debt Bondage Repair Act: Protects the victims of human trafficking as they regain their financial freedom and rebuild their lives after enduring the horrors of abuse, including financial exploitation. (Awaiting President Biden's signature)
• Texas provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act:
  • Authorizes $362.4 million for military construction projects in Texas, including a new barracks at Fort Hood and an Ambulatory Care Center and an Aircraft Corrosion Control facility at Joint Base San Antonio.
  • Raised troops’ pay by 2.7 percent.
  • Authorizes 85 new F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, which are built by Texans in Fort Worth.
  • Invests in Texas students with $42 million for the Department of Defense’s STARBASE program in Austin, Houston, San Angelo, and San Antonio, which encourages students to explore STEM opportunities with military personnel.
  • Funds the B-21 Long Range Strike Bomber, which will be flown out of Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene.
  • Prioritizes the safety of our troops by authorizing $183 million for vehicle rollover mitigation kits that are installed at the Red River Army Depot.
  • Increases funding for Impact Aid by $70 million to support schools educating military children, and especially those with severe disabilities.
  • Supports family readiness by ensuring access to high-quality childcare on military bases.
• National Medal of Honor Monument Act: Authorizes the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation (NMOHMF) in Arlington, Texas to establish a monument on federal land in Washington, D.C honoring Medal of Honor recipients. (Awaiting President Biden's signature)
• Ensuring Compliance Against Drug Diversion Act: Helps prevent bad actors from creating shell entities or using registration loopholes to continue to distribute opioids at alarming rates and provide more transparency and accountability for pharmacies seeking to distribute controlled substances.
• Debarment Enforcement of Bad Actor Registrants Act: Gives the Drug Enforcement Administration debarment authority, conditionally or unconditionally, to prohibit bad actors from reapplying to obtain a registration to manufacture, distribute, or dispense a controlled substance.
• Trevor Reed Resolution: Calls for the immediate release of Trevor Reed, a U.S. citizen who was unjustly found guilty and sentenced to nine years in a Russian prison.

Legislation I sponsored that has passed the Senate and awaits action in the House of Representatives includes:

• $52 billion in funding for the CHIPS for America Act, my law that would help restore semiconductor manufacturing back to American soil. 
• State, Local, Tribal, and Territorial Fiscal Recovery, Infrastructure, and Disaster Relief Flexibility Act: Would make several categories of infrastructure investments and disaster relief eligible for unspent COVID-19 relief dollars and extend the deadline to utilize relief funding if budgeted for eligible infrastructure projects.
• Donna M. Doss Memorial Act: Would rename the U.S. Border Patrol Station in Rocksprings, Texas in honor of her more than 15 years of service in the Border Patrol. Agent Doss was killed in the line of duty on February 2, 2019 after she was struck by a vehicle in Tye, Texas.
• Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Act: Would expand access to important substance use treatments in jails and prisons around the country and help those exiting correctional facilities continue their treatment in the community.
• National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium Act: Would authorize the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to work with the National Cybersecurity Preparedness Consortium (NCPC) to help prepare for and respond to cybersecurity risks at the national, state, and local levels.
• Providing Adequate Resources to Enhance Needed Time with Sons and Daughters (PARENTS) Act: Would ensure children of separated or divorced parents have a set schedule that will allow them to spend frequent quality time with both of their parents.