hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Veterans Health Equity Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6629
Sponsor: Rep. Shea-Porter, Carol [D-NH-1]
Introduced: 2008-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Access to health care
Government Operations and Politics
Government procurement
Health
Hospital care
Veterans' hospitals
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: 
Veterans Health Equity Act of 2008 - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, with respect to each of the 48 contiguous states, to ensure that veterans eligible for hospital care and medical services through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) have access to: (1) at least one full-service hospital of the Veterans Health Administration in the state; or (2) hospital care and medical services comparable to that provided in full-service hospitals through contract with other health providers in the state.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Parimutuel Conformity and Equality Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6631
Sponsor: Rep. Boustany, Charles W., Jr. [R-LA-7]
Introduced: 2008-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Gambling
Income tax
Sports and Recreation
Withholding tax

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: 
Parimutuel Conformity and Equality Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate withholding of tax requirements on certain proceeds in a parimutuel pool.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow dyed diesel to be sold in rural areas for use in highway vehicles.

Bill: 110-hr-6634
Sponsor: Rep. Hill, Baron P. [D-IN-9]
Introduced: 2008-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Motor fuels
Rural conditions and development
Sales and excise taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt from the excise tax on diesel fuel and special motor fuels sales of such fuels in a rural area to any operator of a diesel-powered highway vehicle with a gross vehicle weight of less than 25,000 pounds.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act

Bill: 110-hr-6636
Sponsor: Rep. Kucinich, Dennis J. [D-OH-10]
Introduced: 2008-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Consumer affairs
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Genetics

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: 
Genetically Engineered Food Right to Know Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA), Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA), and the Poultry Products Inspection Act (PPIA) to deem a food misbranded if it contains or was produced with a genetically engineered material unless its labeling contains statements meeting specified requirements. Requires the periodic testing of such foods transferred along a chain of distribution to assure accuracy of labels, subject to specified exceptions. Excludes, in all three Acts, food: (1) served in restaurants; or (2) prepared primarily in a retail establishment, ready for human consumption, but not offered for sale for immediate consumption in the establishment. 
 
Excludes, for the FDCA, a medical food as defined in the Orphan Drug Act.
 
Subjects violators to civil monetary penalties, exempting recipients who accept a guarantee of the absence of genetically engineered material in good faith or producers whose food inadvertently becomes contaminated by genetically engineered material. Authorizes citizen suits as specified.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-10-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Specialty Crops, Rural Development, and Foreign Agriculture.
action_date: 2008-10-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
action_date: 2008-07-30
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1596-1597)
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Federal Efficiency and Performance Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6638
Sponsor: Rep. Jordan, Jim [R-OH-4]
Introduced: 2008-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Budget deficits
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Economics and Public Finance
Executive reorganization
Federal budgets
Government spending reductions
Inspectors general
Legislation
Productivity in government
Waste in government spending

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: 
Federal Efficiency and Performance Act of 2008 - Requires the President to recommend to Congress, with proposed legislation, which existing federal programs and agencies should be modernized, consolidated, reprioritized, and where necessary, terminated in order to: (1) reduce federal expenditures; (2) increase efficiency and effectiveness of government operations; (3) eliminate overlap and duplication in federal programs and offices; (4) abolish agencies, programs, and activities that no longer serve an important governmental purpose; and (5) identify reductions in amounts of discretionary budget authority or direct spending that can be dedicated to federal deficit reduction.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Federal Agency Performance Review and Efficiency Act

Bill: 110-hr-6639
Sponsor: Rep. Jordan, Jim [R-OH-4]
Introduced: 2008-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Budget deficits
Congress
Congressional reporting requirements
Economics and Public Finance
Executive reorganization
Federal budgets
Government spending reductions
Inspectors general
Legislation
Productivity in government
Waste in government spending

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: 
Federal Agency Performance Review and Efficiency Act - Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to make it the principal duty and responsibility of each Inspector General to review annually the operations, efficiency, and effectiveness of all federal programs within his or her establishment and to report to Congress and the President any recommendations, along with proposed legislation, on whether an abolishment, reorganization, consolidation, or transfer of existing federal programs and agencies is necessary to: (1) reduce federal expenditures; (2) increase efficiency of government operations; (3) eliminate overlap and duplication in federal programs and offices; (4) abolish agencies or programs that no longer serve an important governmental purpose; and (5) identify reductions in amounts of discretionary budget authority or direct spending that can be dedicated to federal deficit reduction.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-31
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Government Management, Organization, and Procurement.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Fair Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6640
Sponsor: Rep. Kind, Ron [D-WI-3]
Introduced: 2008-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Disaster relief and insurance
Housing finance and home ownership
Income tax deductions
Securities

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: 
Fair Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide special tax rules for individuals affected by a federally declared disaster, including: (1) allowance of all personal casualty losses incurred in a federally declared disaster in excess of $500; (2) an increase in the standard tax deduction for disaster losses; (3) full expensing of business-related disaster cleanup expenses; (4) extension of the net operating loss carryback period from two to five years for disaster-related losses; and (5) allowance of tax-exempt bond financing of low-interest loans for principal residences damaged in a federally declared disaster. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Small Business Owner Disaster Relief Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6641
Sponsor: Rep. King, Steve [R-IA-5]
Introduced: 2008-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Commerce
Disaster relief
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: 
Small Business Owner Disaster Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act to authorize the President to provide contributions to a person who owns or operates a private business damaged or destroyed by a major disaster for the repair, restoration, reconstruction, or replacement of the facility and for associated expenses, if the business employed an average of 25 or fewer employees during the 12-month period preceding the disaster.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act Amendments of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6642
Sponsor: Rep. Maloney, Carolyn B. [D-NY-14]
Introduced: 2008-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Community development banking
Cooperative societies
Nonprofit organizations
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: 
National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act Amendments of 2008 - Amends the National Consumer Cooperative Bank Act to declare that a nonprofit corporation (established to succeed the abolished Office of Self-Help Development and Technical Assistance) shall be deemed to be a community development financial institution, unless the National Consumer Cooperative Bank or any of its affiliates participates in certain depository institution incentives under the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-16
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2008-09-16
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2008-07-30
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1599-1600)
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Accuracy in Fuel Economy Standards Act

Bill: 110-hr-6643
Sponsor: Rep. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA-7]
Introduced: 2008-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Automobiles
Cost effectiveness
Energy
Energy prices
Finance and Financial Sector
Fuel consumption
Gasoline
Standards

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: 
Accuracy in Fuel Economy Standards Act - Requires the Secretary of Transportation to calculate maximum feasible fuel economy standards for passenger automobiles and non-passenger automobiles based on the most recent high gasoline price projection issued by the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Defines the &quot;applicable high gasoline price projection&quot; as the greatest of a range of estimated gasoline prices that the EIA issues as part of its annual energy outlook, short-term energy outlook, or similar analyses for: (1) the year (or years) corresponding to the model year (or model years) for which the Secretary is prescribing an average fuel economy standard; and (2) the range of years considered by the Secretary in determining the costs and benefits associated with such standard.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to require Members of Congress to include information on the value of any personal residence and on the balance of any mortgage secured by a personal residence in the annual financial disclosure reports required to be filed under such Act.

Bill: 110-hr-6644
Sponsor: Rep. Moran, Jerry [R-KS-1]
Introduced: 2008-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Congressional ethics
Finance and Financial Sector
Financial disclosure
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Housing and Community Development
Members of Congress
Mortgages
Real estate appraisal

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: 
Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to require Members of Congress to include in mandatory annual financial disclosure reports information on the balance of any mortgage secured by a personal residence and on the property's value.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Filipino Veterans Assistance Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6645
Sponsor: Rep. Rohrabacher, Dana [R-CA-46]
Introduced: 2008-07-29 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
Foreign aid and international relief
Philippines
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: 
Filipino Veterans Assistance Act of 2008 - Authorizes the President to provide assistance to the Republic of the Philippines to provide benefits to persons (and certain dependents thereof) who served: (1) before July 1, 1946, in the organized military forces of the government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines, while in the service of the Armed Forces of the United States; or (2) in the Philippine Scouts.
 
Includes within the benefits to be provided: (1) compensation for service-connected disabilities; (2) dependency and indemnity compensation; (3) medical care; (4) education benefits; and (5) death pensions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
To require the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of Defense, to provide detailed briefings to Congress on any recent discussions conducted between United States Government and the Government of Taiwan and any potential transfer of defense articles or defense services to the Government of Taiwan.

Bill: 110-hr-6646
Sponsor: Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-18]
Introduced: 2008-07-29 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Taiwan

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: 
Directs the Secretary of State to provide detailed briefings to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs and the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations respecting: (1) any discussions conducted between any executive branch agency and the government of Taiwan during a covered period (as defined by this Act); and (2) any potential transfer of defense articles or defense services to Taiwan.

action_date: 2008-09-23
text: 
Directs the Secretary of State, not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act and not later than 120 days thereafter, to provide detailed briefings to Congress respecting: (1) any discussions conducted between any executive branch agency and the government of Taiwan during a covered period (as defined by this Act); and (2) any potential transfer of defense articles or defense services to Taiwan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2008-09-24
text: Received in the Senate.
action_date: 2008-09-23
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2008-09-23
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H8630)
action_date: 2008-09-23
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H8630)
action_date: 2008-09-23
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6646.
action_date: 2008-09-23
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H8628-8630)
action_date: 2008-09-23
text: Mr. Scott (GA) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Energy Fraud and Fairness Reform Act

Bill: 110-hr-6647
Sponsor: Rep. Ruppersberger, C. A. Dutch [D-MD-2]
Introduced: 2008-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Commodities markets
Congressional oversight
Energy prices
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Georgia
Government studies and investigations
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Income tax credits
Motor fuels
Oil and gas

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: 
Energy Fraud and Fairness Reform Act - Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate and report to Congress on whether the price of gasoline is being artificially manipulated by speculation in the oil markets, specifically at the Intercontinental Exchange in Atlanta, Georgia.
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the alternative fuel vehicle refueling property credit from 30% to 50% of the cost of such a property placed in service by a taxpayer during the year.
 
Allows a tax credit for conversion of gas and diesel propelled motor vehicles to vehicles propelled by alternative fuel, clean fuel, or fuel cells.
 
Requires the Comptroller General of the United States to study and report to Congress on the refinery capacity of the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Air Quality.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
FERA Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6648
Sponsor: Rep. Sali, Bill [R-ID-1]
Introduced: 2008-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Energy
Energy prices
Income tax
Tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: 
Family Energy Relief Act of 2008 or the FERA Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an individual taxpayer a $500 tax credit ($1,000 in the case of a joint return). Allows an additional $250 tax credit for each dependent of the taxpayer.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Foster Children Opportunity Act

Bill: 110-hr-6649
Sponsor: Rep. Stark, Fortney Pete [D-CA-13]
Introduced: 2008-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Adoption and foster care
Child safety and welfare
Immigration status and procedures
Judges
Judicial procedure and administration
Lawyers and legal services

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: 
Foster Children Opportunity Act - Amends part E (Federal Payments for Foster Care and Adoption Assistance) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require state plans to have procedures to help alien children in the child welfare system achieve special immigrant juvenile status and lawful permanent resident status.
 
Requires state child welfare agencies to document their efforts to pursue special immigrant juvenile status and legal immigrant status for eligible alien foster children.
 
 Requires the permanency hearing for an alien child who will not be returned to a parent to determine: (1) whether petitions for special immigrant juvenile status and lawful permanent resident status have been filed on the child's behalf; and (2) if no petition has been filed, whether it is in the best interests of the child to have such a petition filed or to have immigration counsel appointed.
 
Authorizes the use of court improvement program grant funds to educate and train judges and lawyers to assist alien children in achieving special immigrant juvenile status and lawful permanent resident status.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-30
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1603-1604)
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
To authorize appropriations for certain provisions of the Workforce Investment Act of 1998.

Bill: 110-hr-6650
Sponsor: Rep. Weiner, Anthony D. [D-NY-9]
Introduced: 2008-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Adult education
Authorization
Dislocated workers
Economics and Public Finance
Families
Job hunting
Occupational retraining
Youth employment

Summary:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: 
Amends the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 to authorize appropriations for FY2010-FY2017 for activities under the youth employment, adult employment and training, and dislocated worker employment and training programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-07-29
text: Introduced in House