hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Iran Human Rights Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1534
Sponsor: Sen. Brownback, Sam [R-KS]
Introduced: 2007-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Democracy
Government Operations and Politics
Human rights
Immigration
Iran
Middle East and North Africa
Negotiations
Nuclear nonproliferation
Nuclear weapons
Regionalism (International organization)
Terrorism
United Nations
Visas

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-25
text: 
Iran Human Rights Act of 2007 - Amends the Iran Freedom Support Act to direct the President to appoint a special envoy for human rights in Iran within the Department of State to coordinate efforts to improve respect for the fundamental human rights of the people of Iran and work with organizations committed to promoting democracy in Iran.
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) there is a direct relationship between the state of freedom and democracy within Iran and the efforts of the Iranian regime to acquire nuclear weapons and the long-term success of the global war on terror; (2) it is essential that the issue of human rights violations in Iran should remain a top U.S. foreign policy priority independent of efforts to address the nuclear threat in Iran; (3) the U.S. government should explore the possibility of a regional human rights dialogue with Iran; (4) the United Nations has a significant role to play in improving human rights in Iran; and (5) the commitment to human rights and democracy of an Iranian national who has applied for a U.S. entry visa should be considered when determining visa eligibility.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2007-05-25
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and the Foreign Trade Zones Act to simplify the tax and eliminate the drawback fee on certain distilled spirits used in nonbeverage products manufactured in a United States foreign trade zone for domestic use and export.

Bill: 110-s-1535
Sponsor: Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2007-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Agriculture and Food
Alcohol tax
Commerce
Drug industry
Finance and Financial Sector
Food additives
Food industry
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Free ports and zones
Health
Surety and fidelity
Tax penalties

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-25
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Foreign Trade Zones Act to permit the transfer of distilled spirits used in a foreign trade zone for the manufacture or production of nonbeverage products (i.e., medicines, medicinal preparations, food products, flavors, flavoring extracts, or perfume, which are unfit for beverage purposes) to an activated foreign trade zone without payment of applicable excise taxes. Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) require manufacturers and producers of such nonbeverage products to file an adequate bond and permit; and (2) examine records and compel testimony to enforce the provisions of this Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2007-05-25
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Jose Alberto Martinez Moreno, Micaela Lopez Martinez, and Adilene Martinez.

Bill: 110-s-1536
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2007-05-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Private Legislation
Subjects: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2007-05-25
text: Provides for the relief of Jose Alberto Martinez Moreno, Micaela Lopez Martinez, and Adilene Martinez.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-05-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6960)
action_date: 2007-05-25
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S6960)
action_date: 2007-05-25
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to designate the post office located at 309 East Linn Street, Marshalltown, Iowa, as the "Major Scott Nisely Post Office".

Bill: 110-s-1539
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2007-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Commemorations
Subjects: Armed Forces and National Security
Congressional tributes
Government Operations and Politics
Iowa
Names
Officer personnel
Postal facilities

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: 
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 309 East Linn Street, Marshalltown, Iowa, as the &quot;Major Scott Nisely Post Office.&quot;


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-09-28
text: Indefinitely postponed by Senate by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S12340)
action_date: 2007-08-01
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 296.
action_date: 2007-08-01
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2007-08-01
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Lieberman without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2007-08-01
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2007-07-13
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security.
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7073)
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Hunger Relief Trucking Tax Credit Act

Bill: 110-s-1540
Sponsor: Sen. Dole, Elizabeth [R-NC]
Introduced: 2007-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Agriculture and Food
Charitable contributions
Commerce
Food relief
Income tax
Tax credits
Transportation and Public Works
Trucking
Trucks

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: 
Hunger Relief Trucking Tax Credit Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for the cost of transporting food to assist hunger relief efforts of certain charitable organizations. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7073-7074)
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Providing for Commonsense Rebuilding Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1541
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2007-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Disaster relief
Economics and Public Finance
Home ownership
Housing and Community Development
Hurricanes
Louisiana

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: 
Providing for Commonsense Rebuilding Act of 2007 - Prohibits the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from prohibiting the use by Louisiana under its Road Home Program of amounts provided under FEMA's hazard mitigation grant program because of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita based upon the existence of a Program requirement that: (1) limits the amount made available to an eligible homeowner who does not agree to remain an owner and occupant of a home in Louisiana; or (2) waives the applicability of such limitation for homeowners who are elderly or senior citizens. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Investing for Tomorrow's Schools Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1542
Sponsor: Sen. Clinton, Hillary Rodham [D-NY]
Introduced: 2007-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Arts, Culture, Religion
Asbestos
Building construction
Child safety
Congress
Congressional oversight
Construction costs
Disabled
Economics and Public Finance
Educational facilities
Elementary and secondary education
Elementary education
Energy
Energy conservation
Energy efficiency
Environmental Protection
Environmental health
Families
Federal aid to education
Federal-state relations
Finance and Financial Sector
Government Operations and Politics
Government lending
Hazardous wastes
Health
Infrastructure
Infrastructure (Economics)
Interstate compacts
Libraries
Maintenance and repair
School buildings
School security
Secondary education
Special education
Students

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: 
Investing for Tomorrow's Schools Act of 2007 - Authorizes the Secretary of Education to enter into cooperative agreements with states under which: (1) they establish state and multistate infrastructure banks for education; and (2) the Secretary awards grants to states for initial capital to make loans through such banks to local educational agencies and public libraries for construction, reconstruction, or renovation of public elementary or secondary schools and public library facilities.
 
Grants congressional consent to states for interstate compacts to establish multistate infrastructure banks.
 
Requires states to contribute from nonfederal sources at least 25% of the amount of each federal grant for an infrastructure bank.
 
Lists types of projects eligible for such bank loans.
 
Directs the Secretary to establish Healthy, High Performance School Guidelines for the construction and renovation of schools, educational facilities, and libraries relating to energy efficiency, renewable energy, water use, building materials, indoor environmental quality, and other appropriate matters.
 
Requires any local educational agency or public library using a loan under this Act to fund a new construction or renovation project to ensure that the project conforms, to the maximum extent practicable, to such Healthy, High Performance School Guidelines.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7074-7075)
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
National Geothermal Initiative Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1543
Sponsor: Sen. Bingaman, Jeff [D-NM]
Introduced: 2007-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Africa (Sub-Saharan)
Electric power production
Energy research
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Geothermal resources
International Affairs
Research and development
Science, Technology, Communications
West (U.S.)

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: 
National Geothermal Initiative Act of 2007 - Declares a national goal to achieve 20% of total electrical energy production in the United States from geothermal resources by 2030.
 
Establishes a national geothermal initiative under which the federal government shall seek to achieve the national goal.

Requires each federal agency to give priority to programs and efforts necessary to achieve such national goal.
 
Specifies goals for the Secretaries of Energy and of the Interior.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Instructs the Secretary of Energy to implement a geothermal research and development program to achieve such goals, and the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a related comprehensive nationwide geothermal resource assessment.
 
Amends the Energy Policy Act of 2005 to authorize appropriations for the Intermountain West Geothermal Consortium.
 
Directs the U.S. Agency for International Development to support international and regional development to promote the use of geothermal resources, including the African Rift Geothermal Development Facility.
 
Directs the U.S. Trade and Development Agency to: (1) support the national geothermal initiative; and (2) provide grants and other financial support for feasibility and resource assessment studies.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-09-26
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 110-246.
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7075-7076)
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7075)
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicare Quality Enhancement Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1544
Sponsor: Sen. Gregg, Judd [R-NH]
Introduced: 2007-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Commerce
Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional reporting requirements
Consumer education
Data banks
Demography
Drugs
Federal advisory bodies
Government Operations and Politics
Health information systems
Medical records
Medicare
Performance measurement
Prescription pricing
Quality of care
Right of privacy
Science, Technology, Communications
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: 
Medicare Quality Enhancement Act of 2007 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) to provide for the development of reports, based on Medicare and private data that is publicly available or is provided by the entity requesting the report, concerning national, regional, and service provider- and supplier-specific performance, which may be in a provider- or supplier-identifiable format. Requires specified reporting procedures to provide for secure disclosure of Medicare data to Medicare Quality Reporting Organizations meeting certain requirements under contract with the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

Directs the Secretary to establish a Quality Advisory Board to: (1) coordinate existing collaborative efforts identifying quality and efficiency health care measures; (2) provide the Secretary with recommendations for development of model quality health care measures; (3) request Medicare Quality Reporting Organizations for reports on existing recommended model quality and efficiency health care measures; and (4) examine how clinical registries can be linked to Medicare data in order to develop reports on the quality and efficiency of service providers and suppliers.

Directs the Secretary to permit researchers that meet existing criteria for appropriate release of Centers for Medicaid and Medicaid Services data to: (1) have access to all Medicare data; and (2) report on the performance of service providers and suppliers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7076)
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Fair Treatment for Precious Metals Investors Act

Bill: 110-s-1546
Sponsor: Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]
Introduced: 2007-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Capital gains tax
Coins and coinage
Finance and Financial Sector
Gold
Income tax
Law
Platinum
Precious metals
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Silver
Tax rates
Trusts and trustees

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: 
Fair Treatment for Precious Metals Investors Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to treat bullion (e.g., gold, silver, platinum, and palladium) as a long-term capital asset (currently, treated as a collectible), eligible for preferential capital gains tax rates. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to authorize the Administrator of General Services to convey a parcel of real property to the Alaska Railroad Corporation.

Bill: 110-s-1552
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2007-06-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Alaska
Government Operations and Politics
Land transfers
Railroads
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: 
 
Requires the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) to convey all right, title, and interest of the United States in and to the GSA Fleet Management Center (located in Anchorage, Alaska) to the Alaska Railroad Corporation in exchange for: (1) suitable replacement property and such other consideration as agreed to; or (2) payment of fair market value. Requires any proceeds received to be deposited into the Federal Buildings Fund.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7077)
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7076-7077)
action_date: 2007-06-05
text: Introduced in Senate
HIV Prevention Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1553
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2007-06-06 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: AIDS (Disease)
Health
Human immunodeficiency viruses
Preventive medicine
Sexual abstinence
World health

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: 
HIV Prevention Act of 2007 - Amends the United States Leadership Against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Act of 2003 to eliminate the HIV/AIDS abstinence-until marriage funding set-aside.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7181)
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7180-7181)
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Access to Birth Control Act

Bill: 110-s-1555
Sponsor: Sen. Lautenberg, Frank R. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2007-06-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Commerce
Confidential communications
Consumer education
Contraceptives
Fines (Penalties)
Law
Pharmacies
Physician-patient privilege

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: 
Access to Birth Control Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require pharmacies to comply with certain rules related to contraceptives, including: (1) providing a customer a contraceptive without delay if it is in stock; (2) immediately informing a customer if the contraceptive is not in stock and either transferring the prescription to a pharmacy that has the contraceptive in stock or expediting the ordering of the contraceptive and notifying the customer when it arrives, based on customer preference; and (3) ensuring that pharmacy employees do not take certain actions relating to a request for contraception, including intimidating, threatening, or harassing customers, interfering with or obstructing the delivery of services, intentionally misrepresenting or deceiving customers about the availability of contraception or its mechanism of action, breaching or threatening to breach medical confidentiality, or refusing to return a valid, lawful prescription.

Provides that a pharmacy is not prohibited from refusing to provide a contraceptive to a customer if: (1) it is unlawful to dispense the contraceptive to the customer without a valid, lawful prescription and no such prescription is presented; (2) the customer is unable to pay for the contraceptive; or (3) the employee of the pharmacy refuses to provide the contraceptive on the basis of a professional clinical judgment.

Provides that this Act does not preempt state law or any professional obligation of a state board that provides greater protections for customers.

Sets forth civil penalties and establishes a a private cause of action for violations of this Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Tax Equity for Domestic Partner and Health Plan Beneficiaries Act

Bill: 110-s-1556
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Gordon H. [R-OR]
Introduced: 2007-06-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Accident insurance
Child health
Domestic partners
Employee health benefits
Families
Finance and Financial Sector
Flexible benefit plans
Health
Health insurance
Income tax
Insurance premiums
Labor and Employment
Medical savings accounts
Tax deductions
Tax exclusion

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: 
Tax Equity for Domestic Partner and Health Plan Beneficiaries Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) extend the exclusion from gross income for employer-provided health care coverage to certain eligible beneficiaries and their dependent children; (2) revise the definition of &quot;dependent&quot; for purposes of the tax deductions for the health insurance costs of self-employed individuals and for contributions to health savings accounts; and (3) extend voluntary employees' beneficiary association sick and accident benefits to eligible beneficiaries and their dependents. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to issue guidance on reimbursements of medical expenses from flexible spending and health reimbursement arrangements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: Introduced in Senate
21st Century Community Learning Centers Act of 2007

Bill: 110-s-1557
Sponsor: Sen. Dodd, Christopher J. [D-CT]
Introduced: 2007-06-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Agriculture and Food
Child health
Child nutrition
Community and school
Economics and Public Finance
Educational accountability
Elementary and secondary education
Elementary education
Families
Federal aid to education
Health
Physical education and training
Physical fitness
Recreation
School-age child care
Secondary education
Service learning
Sports and Recreation

Summary:
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: 
21st Century Community Learning Centers Act of 2007 - Amends the 21st Century Community Learning Centers program under title IV of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to include the provision of service learning and nutrition education and, in place of recreation programs, physical fitness and wellness programs, among the activities for which community learning centers will receive funding.
 
Raises from 3% to 5% the percentage of program funds a state may use for monitoring, evaluating, and providing training and technical assistance to community learning center grantees.
 
Makes community learning center grants renewable for a period of between three and five years.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S7184-7185)
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S7184)
action_date: 2007-06-06
text: Introduced in Senate