hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Measuring American Poverty Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6941
Sponsor: Rep. McDermott, Jim [D-WA-7]
Introduced: 2008-09-18 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Access to health care
Census
Economics and Public Finance
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Government statistics
Income
Medically uninsured
Poverty
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: 
Measuring American Poverty Act of 2008 - Amends part A of title XI of the Social Security Act to direct the Bureau of the Census, in collaboration with the Bureau of Labor Statistics, to calculate modern poverty thresholds and modern poverty rates for each calendar year.
 
Declares that the modern poverty threshold for a reference family consisting of two adults and their two related children shall be an amount equal to the average of 120% of the 33rd percentile of the distribution of annual expenditures by such families on food, clothing, and shelter during each of the three most recent years for which data is available from the Consumer Expenditure Survey, a superior federal government source of data, or some combination of such sources. Prescribes requirements for determining modern poverty rates.
 
Directs the Bureau of the Census, in collaboration with the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), to contract with the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) to develop and publish methods of: (1) calculating a decent living standard threshold; and (2) measuring the extent to which the income of families in the United States is sufficient to meet it. 
 
Directs the Bureau of the Census, in collaboration with BLS, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to contract with NAS to develop and publish a method of: (1) measuring the extent of medical care risk in the United States; and (2) calculating the number and percentage of individuals in the United States who lack adequate health insurance, leaving them at risk of being unable to afford needed treatment. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
5-Cent Restoration Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6942
Sponsor: Rep. Lucas, Frank D. [R-OK-3]
Introduced: 2008-09-18 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Currency

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: 
5-Cent Restoration Act of 2008 - Revises the authority of the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue a five-cent coin to limit the design of such a coin to a clad half-dime based on the size and shape of the half-dime or five-cent coin produced in the 1870s.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide for a credit for algae derived fuels, and for other purposes.

Bill: 110-hr-6943
Sponsor: Rep. Bilbray, Brian P. [R-CA-50]
Introduced: 2008-09-18 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Income tax credits
Motor fuels
Sales and excise taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income and excise tax credit for the production of algae derived fuel and fuel mixtures. Defines &quot;algae derived fuel&quot; as a liquid hydrocarbon product that is derived from the biomass of algal organisms (single- or multi-cellular organisms that are inherently photosynthetic and aquatic). Terminates such credits after 2012. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
RECOVER Act (Restoring Essential Care for Our Veterans for Effective Recovery)

Bill: 110-hr-6945
Sponsor: Rep. Scalise, Steve [R-LA-1]
Introduced: 2008-09-18 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Natural disasters
Public contracts and procurement
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: 
RECOVER Act (Restoring Essential Care for Our Veterans for Effective Recovery) - Provides that, if a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility that would otherwise provide covered medical services to veterans residing in an area for which a major disaster is declared is unable to provide such services for at least 180 days due to such disaster, then the Secretary of Veterans Affairs shall contract with one or more non-VA facilities in that area to provide such services to veterans who reside within 150 miles of the VA facility that is unable to provide the services.
 
Makes such requirement inapplicable to a VA facility that is closed, or that the Secretary intends to close, as part of the Capital Asset Realignment for Enhanced Services (CARES) process.
 
Makes this Act applicable to any VA facility unable to provide covered services on or after August 29, 2005, by reason of a major disaster.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
To make a technical correction in the NET 911 Improvement Act of 2008.

Bill: 110-hr-6946
Sponsor: Rep. Dingell, John D. [D-MI-15]
Introduced: 2008-09-18 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Emergency Management
Emergency communication systems
Internet

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: 
Amends the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 to make a technical correction, to be effective on July 23, 2008, immediately after the enactment of the NET 911 Improvement Act of 2008.

action_date: 2008-10-08
text: 

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 
Amends the Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act of 1999 to make a technical correction, to be effective on July 23, 2008, immediately after the enactment of the NET 911 Improvement Act of 2008.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-10-08
text: Became Public Law No: 110-368.
action_date: 2008-10-08
text: Became Public Law No: 110-368.
action_date: 2008-10-08
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2008-10-08
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2008-09-30
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2008-09-30
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: Cleared for White House.
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S10019)
action_date: 2008-09-27
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S10019)
action_date: 2008-09-26
text: Received in the Senate, read twice.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H9926)
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.(text: CR H9926)
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Mr. Pallone asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H9926)
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
action_date: 2008-09-25
text: Committee on Energy and Commerce discharged.
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House

Enacted as: number: 110-368
Mental Health on Campus Improvement Act

Bill: 110-hr-6948
Sponsor: Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]
Introduced: 2008-09-18 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Access to health care
Community health services
Economics and Public Finance
Education
Emergency Management
Emergency medicine
Federal advisory bodies
Federal aid to education
Federal aid to health facilities
Government Operations and Politics
Health education
Higher education
Mental health services
Psychiatry
Public-private partnerships
School health programs

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: 
Mental Health on Campus Improvement Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services, acting through the Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, to award grants to eligible institutions of higher education to improve mental and behavioral health services and outreach on college and university campuses.
 
Directs the Secretary to give special consideration to programs that: (1) demonstrate the greatest need; (2) propose effective approaches for initiating or expanding campus services; (3) target underserved and at-risk populations; (4) coordinate with a community mental health center or other community mental health resources; (5) identify how the college or university will address psychiatric emergencies; and (6) demonstrate the greatest potential for replication and dissemination.
 
Allows the Secretary to provide technical assistance to grantees.
 
Requires the Secretary, acting through the Administrator, to convene an interagency, public-private sector working group to plan, establish, and begin coordinating and evaluating a targeted public education campaign that is designed to focus on mental and behavioral health on college campuses.
 
Requires the Secretary to establish the College Campus Task Force to discuss mental and behavioral health concerns on college and university campuses. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act

Bill: 110-hr-6949
Sponsor: Rep. Farr, Sam [D-CA-17]
Introduced: 2008-09-18 in the House
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Commerce
Dogs
Law
Licenses
Pets
Protection of animals
Retail trade
Standards

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: 
Puppy Uniform Protection and Safety Act - Amends the Animal Welfare Act to define &quot;retail pet store&quot; as a person that: (1) sells an animal directly to the public for use as a pet; and (2) does not breed or raise more than 50 dogs for use as pets during any one-year period.

Exempts from requirements to obtain a license as an animal dealer or exhibitor under such Act any retail pet store or other person who: (1) does not breed or raise more than 50 dogs for use as pets during any one-year period; and (2) derives less than a substantial portion of their income from the breeding and raising of dogs or cats on their own premises and sells such dogs or cats to a dealer or research facility.

Requires: (1) a dealer to provide each dog it holds that is 12 weeks or older with a minimum of two exercise periods during each day for a total of no less than one hour of exercise; (2) such exercise to include removing the dog from the dog's primary enclosure and allowing the dog to walk for the entire exercise period; and (3) such exercise to not include use of a treadmill, catmill, jenny mill, slat mill, or similar device, unless prescribed by a doctor of veterinary medicine. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-11-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Department Operations, Oversight, Nutrition and Forestry.
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
TACT in Iran Act

Bill: 110-hr-6951
Sponsor: Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-9]
Introduced: 2008-09-18 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Appropriations
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Congressional oversight
Defense spending
Department of Defense
Executive agency funding and structure
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Iran
Middle East
Military operations and strategy
War and emergency powers

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: 
Transparent Actions over Covert Tactics in Iran Act of 2008 or TACT in Iran Act - Prohibits any appropriated funds from being obligated or expended by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) or Department of Defense (DOD) to provide covert or clandestine support for the purpose of overthrowing the government of Iran.
 
Provides an exception in the case of a congressional declaration of war against Iran.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Intelligence (Permanent Select), 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: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
People Resolved to Obtain an Understanding of Democracy (P.R.O.U.D.) Act

Bill: 110-hr-6952
Sponsor: Rep. Baca, Joe [D-CA-43]
Introduced: 2008-09-18 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Citizenship
Civics education
Curricula
Democracy
Economics and Public Finance
Educational tests
Elementary and secondary education
English language
Federal aid to education
Foreign students
Government Operations and Politics
History
Immigration
Naturalization
Secondary education

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: 
People Resolved to Obtain an Understanding of Democracy (P.R.O.U.D.) Act - Amends part D (Fund for the Improvement of Education) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to authorize the funding of demonstration or pilot programs to assist high school students who seek U.S. citizenship in satisfying the requirements that they understand the English language, fundamentals of our history, and principles and form of our government.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
GREEN Act

Bill: 110-hr-6953
Sponsor: Rep. Bachmann, Michele [R-MN-6]
Introduced: 2008-09-18 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Energy
Energy development
Federal preemption
Gas in submerged lands
Government Operations and Politics
Governmental investigations
Injunctions
Judicial review
Law
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Oil and gas leases
Petroleum in submerged lands

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: 
Getting Resources Efficiently and Effectively Now Act or the GREEN Act - Directs the President (or a designee) to review all projects for the exploration, development, or production of oil and gas resources under federal leases for lands (or submerged lands) located onshore or offshore to determine whether the projects comply with federal laws. 
 
Requires the projects to be approved and authorized to proceed upon a written finding by the President (or the designee) that they serve the public interest in responsible domestic oil and gas development and comply with federal laws.
 
Shields decisions of the President from further administrative or judicial review, stay, or injunction, except with respect to an appeal filed by the applicant or permittee.
 
Declares that the President's (or designee's) determinations pre-empt any state law.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-22
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
Senior Financial Empowerment Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6954
Sponsor: Rep. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI-2]
Introduced: 2008-09-18 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Aging
Commemorative events and holidays
Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Crime victims
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Law enforcement administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: 
Senior Financial Empowerment Act of 2008 - Directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to: (1) review and amend its sentencing guidelines to include the age of a crime victim in its criteria for determining whether a sentencing enhancement is appropriate; and (2) report to Congress on issues relating to the age of crime victims. 

Directs the Attorney General to establish and administer a competitive grant program for mail, telemarketing, and Internet fraud prevention education programs for senior citizens. 

Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to public awareness of the impact of mail, telemarketing, and Internet fraud on senior citizens.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
Taxpayer Reimbursement Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6955
Sponsor: Rep. Barrett, J. Gresham [R-SC-3]
Introduced: 2008-09-18 in the House
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Bankruptcy
Corporate finance and management
Financial services and investments
Government corporations and government-sponsored enterprises
Government lending and loan guarantees
Housing finance and home ownership
Securities

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: 
 Taxpayer Reimbursement Act of 2008 - Amends the Federal Housing Enterprises Financial Safety and Soundness Act of 1992, as amended by the Federal Housing Finance Regulatory Reform Act of 2008, to require the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency to suspend temporarily any allocations by the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) or the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) upon: (1) the appointment of a conservator or receiver, and for the duration of a conservatorship or receivership; or (2) a finding that the federal government has not been fully reimbursed for the costs of such a conservatorship.
 
Repeals the reduced percentages for calendar years 2010 and 2011 to require the use of 100% of certain Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac allocations to reimburse the Treasury for payments on bonds of the HOPE for Homeowners Program for calendar 2009-2001.
 
Suspends the annual goals and duties established for Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac during any period it is in conservatorship or receivership. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 12877 Broad Street in Sparta, Georgia, as the "Yvonne Ingram-Ephraim Post Office Building".

Bill: 110-hr-6956
Sponsor: Rep. Barrow, John [D-GA-12]
Introduced: 2008-09-18 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Georgia
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Postal service

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 12877 Broad Street in Sparta, Georgia, as the "Yvonne Ingram-Ephraim Post Office Building."

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
Microfinance Capacity-Building Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6957
Sponsor: Rep. Boozman, John [R-AR-3]
Introduced: 2008-09-18 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Africa (Sub-Saharan)
Commerce
Developing countries
Development credit institutions
Economic assistance
Financial services
Foreign Trade and International Finance
Foreign exchange
Foreign loans
Insurance
Nonprofit organizations
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: 
Microfinance Capacity-Building Act of 2008 - Amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to direct the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide grants to eligible private non-profit microfinance institution networks that provide direct financial services (including credit, savings, insurance, remittances and cash transfers) to the poor and very poor in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan African countries.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1848-1849)
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-09-18
text: Introduced in House