hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Senior Citizens' Tax Relief Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6242
Sponsor: Rep. Musgrave, Marilyn N. [R-CO-4]
Introduced: 2008-06-11 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Appropriations
Congressional reporting requirements
Economics and Public Finance
Government trust funds
Health
Income tax
Labor and Employment
Medicare
Old age, survivors and disability insurance
Railroad retirement plans
Social Welfare
Social security beneficiaries
Tax rates
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Senior Citizens' Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal the 85 percent maximum tax rate on Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits enacted by the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993. Appropriates from the general fund to the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund amounts equal to the reduction in revenues resulting from this repeal.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Introduced in House
Ambulance Fuel Tax Relief Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6243
Sponsor: Rep. Ramstad, Jim [R-MN-3]
Introduced: 2008-06-11 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Ambulances
Emergency Management
Excise tax
Gasoline
Health
Tax exemption
Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: 
Ambulance Fuel Tax Relief Act of 2008 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exempt motor fuels used in providing medically necessary ambulance services from the excise tax on such fuels. Terminates such exemption after 2012. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue regulations that require that any award fee under a cost-plus-award-fee contract entered into by the Department of Homeland Security shall be determined and paid based on a successful acquisition outcome that is specified in the contract, and for other purposes.

Bill: 110-hr-6244
Sponsor: Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]
Introduced: 2008-06-11 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Cost plus contracts
Department of Homeland Security
Fees
Fringe benefits
Government Operations and Politics
Government contractors
Government procurement
Law
Performance measurement

Summary:
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: 
Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to issue regulations that require that any award fee under a cost-plus-award-fee contract entered into by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall be determined and paid based on a successful acquisition outcome that is specified in the contract in terms of cost, schedule, and performance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-29
text: Provisions of Measure incorporated into H.R. 2764.
action_date: 2008-09-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight.
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require a direct link on the website of the Department of Homeland Security to the website of the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Homeland Security, and for other purposes.

Bill: 110-hr-6245
Sponsor: Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]
Introduced: 2008-06-11 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Crime and Law Enforcement
Department of Homeland Security
Electronic government information
Fraud
Government Operations and Politics
Government ethics
Government publicity
Informers
Inspectors general
Law
Science, Technology, Communications
Waste in government spending
Web sites
Whistle blowing

Summary:
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: 
Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to require: (1) the Secretary of Homeland Security to establish and maintain on the website of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) a direct link to the website of DHS's Office of the Inspector General; and (2) the Inspector General to establish and maintain on the Office of Inspector General's website a direct link for individuals to anonymously report waste, fraud, or abuse relating to DHS.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-29
text: Provisions of measure incorporated into H.R. 2764.
action_date: 2008-09-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Management, Investigations, and Oversight.
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Introduced in House
To require the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security to establish an international registered traveler program that incorporates available technologies to expedite and enhance the security, screening, and processing of international travelers at United States borders, including United States citizens and lawful permanent residents, who enter and exit the United States, and for other purposes.

Bill: 110-hr-6246
Sponsor: Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]
Introduced: 2008-06-11 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Crime and Law Enforcement
Electronic data interchange
Electronic government information
Government Operations and Politics
Identification devices
Immigrants
Immigration
Passports
Science, Technology, Communications
Security measures
Terrorism
Travel

Summary:
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: 
Amends the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to require the international registered traveler program to expedite the screening and processing of international travelers entering or exiting the United States, including lawful permanent residents (current law specifically includes only U.S. citizens).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-29
text: Provisions of measure incorporated into H.R. 2764.
action_date: 2008-09-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection.
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to develop and acquire new technologies to inspect and screen air cargo on passenger aircraft to ensure transportation security, and for other purposes.

Bill: 110-hr-6247
Sponsor: Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2]
Introduced: 2008-06-11 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Air cargo
Airline passenger traffic
Airlines
Airports
Aviation safety
Crime and Law Enforcement
Emergency Management
Explosives
Government Operations and Politics
Government procurement
Research and development
Science, Technology, Communications
Security measures
Technological innovations
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: 
Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to research, develop, and procure new technologies to inspect and screen air cargo carried on passenger aircraft at the earliest date possible. Requires existing checked baggage explosive detection equipment and screeners to be used to screen air cargo carried on such aircraft to the greatest extent practicable at each airport until the new technologies are available.
 
Requires the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration [TSA]) to work with air carriers and airports to increase incrementally each quarter the screening of air cargo carried on passenger aircraft.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-09-29
text: Provisions of measure incorporated into H.R. 2764.
action_date: 2008-09-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection.
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Introduced in House
Credit Card Interchange Fees Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6248
Sponsor: Rep. Welch, Peter [D-VT-At Large]
Introduced: 2008-06-11 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Commerce
Consumer protection
Contracts
Credit cards
Debit cards
Electronic funds transfers
Federal Trade Commission
Fees
Government Operations and Politics
Government paperwork
Government publicity
Independent regulatory commissions
Law
Restrictive trade practices
Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: 
Credit Card Interchange Fees Act of 2008 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit specified electronic payment system network practices, including the imposition of: (1) additional charges on merchants and consumers for premium payment cards; (2) certain restrictions on merchants, including chargebacks for transactions on point of sale terminals that exceed the allowable amount on such devices; (3) restrictions upon network routing; and (4) fees for failure of the merchant to provide a particular number of transactions. 
 
Requires an electronic payment system network to disclose its contract terms to the merchant, including its complete operating rules, without restricting the merchant's use of such information.
 
Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to prescribe regulations to: (1) ensure that the rules, terms, and conditions to which a merchant or consumer is subject under an agreement with an electronic payment system network are neither unfair nor deceptive to consumers and merchants, nor anticompetitive; (2) prohibit any unfair or deceptive act or practice or anticompetitive act or practice that may result from such rule, term, or condition; and (3) regularly review such rules, terms, and conditions.
 
Directs the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System to collect and disseminate to the public: (1) complete information on fees charged by each electronic payment system network in connection with consumer-initiated transactions; and (2) the rules, terms, and conditions to which a merchant or a consumer is subject under an agreement with an electronic payment system network for transactions using payment cards.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-06-11
text: Introduced in House
H-HOMERUN Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6249
Sponsor: Rep. Kuhl, John R. "Randy", Jr. [R-NY-29]
Introduced: 2008-06-12 in the House
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Economics and Public Finance
Energy
Energy conservation
Energy efficiency
Federally-guaranteed loans
Finance and Financial Sector
Government lending
Home repair and improvement
Housing finance
Mortgages
Single family housing

Summary:
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: 
Helping Home Owners Make Energy-Efficiency Residential Upgrades Now Act of 2008 or the H-HOMERUN Act of 2008 - Requires the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish a program to make direct loans for energy efficiency improvements for single family housing. Sets forth loan requirements.

Directs the Secretary to require that the total present value cost of such improvement is less than the total present value of the energy saved over the useful life of the improvement. Requires such cost and savings to be determined pursuant to a home energy rating report based upon a physical inspection of the property by a home energy rating system, or energy consultant, approved by the Secretary. 

Requires the aggregate outstanding principal balance of direct loans to not at any time exceed $100 billion.

Amends the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 to prohibit the Secretary from establishing a maximum limitation on the cost of the cost-effective energy efficiency improvements to be financed by an energy efficient mortgage provided under the Energy Efficient Mortgages Program. Requires a mortgagor to pay on account of the cost-effective energy efficiency improvements for which the mortgage is made at least 5% of the Secretary's estimate of the cost of acquisition and/or installation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: Introduced in House
To revise the short title of the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006.

Bill: 110-hr-6250
Sponsor: Rep. Jackson-Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18]
Introduced: 2008-06-12 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Agricultural labor
Agriculture and Food
Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Civil rights workers
Commemorations
Congress
Ex-Members of Congress
House of Representatives
Labor and Employment
Legislation
Names
Texas
Voting rights

Summary:
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: 
Amends the short title of the Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, and Coretta Scott King Voting Rights Act Reauthorization and Amendments Act of 2006 to add the names of Cesar E. Chavez, Barbara C. Jordan, William C. Velasquez, and Dr. Hector P. Garcia.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: Introduced in House
Responsible Federal Oil and Gas Lease Act

Bill: 110-hr-6251
Sponsor: Rep. Rahall, Nick J., II [D-WV-3]
Introduced: 2008-06-12 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Administrative procedure
Commerce
Continental shelf
Department of the Interior
Energy development
Fines (Penalties)
Gas in submerged lands
Gas industry
Government Operations and Politics
Law
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Oil and gas leases
Oil well drilling
Petroleum in submerged lands
Petroleum industry
Prospecting
Public Lands and Natural Resources
Rent

Summary:
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: 
Responsible Federal Oil and Gas Lease Act - Prohibits the Secretary of the Interior from authorizing any new lease for exploration or production of oil or natural gas unless the lessee: (1) certifies for each existing lease that the lessee has diligently developed the lands in order to produce oil or natural gas, or is producing oil or natural gas from such lands; or (2) has relinquished all federal oil and gas leases that are not being diligently developed.
 
Instructs the Secretary to promulgate diligent development regulations that: (1) include benchmarks for oil and gas development to ensure that leaseholders produce oil and gas from each lease within the five-year original term of the lease; and (2) require each leaseholder to submit a diligent development plan showing how the lessee will meet the benchmarks.
 
Establishes a civil penalty for noncompliance with this Act.
 
Amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, the Mineral Leasing Act, and the Mineral Leasing Act for Acquired Lands Act to set forth lease terms for an initial period of five years, renewable for additional one-year periods, subject to specified conditions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-06-26
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 223 - 195 (Roll no. 469). (text: CR H6110)
action_date: 2008-06-26
text: Failed of passage/not agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Failed by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 223 - 195 (Roll no. 469).(text: CR H6110)
action_date: 2008-06-26
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H6144-6145)
action_date: 2008-06-26
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2008-06-26
text: DEBATE - Ms. Fallin asked unanimous consent that debate on the motion to suspend the rules and pass H.R. 6251 be extended by 10 minutes, equally divided and controlled. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2008-06-26
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 6251.
action_date: 2008-06-26
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H6110-6121)
action_date: 2008-06-26
text: Mr. Rahall moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: Introduced in House
Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Acquisition Reform Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6252
Sponsor: Rep. Stark, Fortney Pete [D-CA-13]
Introduced: 2008-06-12 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Accreditation (Medical care)
Commerce
Competitive bidding
Congress
Congressional investigations
Congressional reporting requirements
Consumer complaints
Department of Health and Human Services
Diabetes
Executive reorganization
Government Operations and Politics
Government procurement
Medical supplies
Medical tests
Medicare
Ombudsman
Prosthesis
Quality of care
Quality of products
Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: 
Medicare DMEPOS Competitive Acquisition Reform Act of 2008 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to delay generally until after 2011 full implementation of the Medicare competitive acquisition program for the purchase of durable medical equipment (DME), prosthetics, orthotics, and supplies (DMEPOS).
 
Revises such program, dividing its implementation into two rounds, and specifying covered item updates for 2009-2014.
 
Prescribes requirements for application of accreditation in implementing quality standards.
 
Requires suppliers to disclose subcontractors.
 
Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide for a competitive acquisition ombudsman within the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to respond to complaints and inquiries by suppliers and individuals.
 
Specifies topics for the Comptroller General's required study and report to Congress on the impact of competitive acquisition of DME on suppliers, manufacturers, and patients.
 
Sets forth a special rule for the competitive acquisition program for diabetic testing strips.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-06-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2008-06-12
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2008-06-12
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2008-06-12
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1220-1222)
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: Introduced in House
Always Think Freedom Act

Bill: 110-hr-6253
Sponsor: Rep. Sali, Bill [R-ID-1]
Introduced: 2008-06-12 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Department of Justice
Forfeiture
Government Operations and Politics
Government procurement
Government property
Signs and symbols
Tools

Summary:
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: 
Always Think Freedom Act - Prohibits the Bureau of Alcohol, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) from purchasing, using, or distributing any hand tool or tool kit on which any reminder about forfeiture appears. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-07-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: Introduced in House
Temporary FHA Direct Endorsement Lender Participation Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6254
Sponsor: Rep. Miller, Gary G. [R-CA-42]
Introduced: 2008-06-12 in the House
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Economics and Public Finance
Federally-guaranteed loans
Finance and Financial Sector
Housing finance
Mortgage banks
Mortgage guaranty insurance
Mortgages
Single family housing

Summary:
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: 
Temporary FHA Direct Endorsement Lender Participation Act of 2008 - Amends the Economic Stimulus Act of 2008 to require the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to authorize the participation of mortgage brokers and lenders meeting certain criteria as direct endorsement mortgagees under the FHA single family mortgage insurance program for mortgages approved by the end of 2008.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: Introduced in House
Next Steps for Haiti Act of 2008

Bill: 110-hr-6255
Sponsor: Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-9]
Introduced: 2008-06-12 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Caribbean area
Economic development
Economic growth
Economics and Public Finance
Exchange of persons programs
Government Operations and Politics
Government publicity
Haiti
Hispanic Americans
Latin America
Minorities
Technical assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: 
Next Steps for Haiti Act of 2008 - Authorizes the Director of Foreign Assistance, in consultation with the government of Haiti and Haitian civil society organizations, to establish the Haiti Professional Exchange Program whose purpose shall be to assign qualified Haitian Americans and others to provide technical assistance to help Haiti improve in areas vital to its growth and development, including education, energy, environment, health care, infrastructure, security, transportation, and disaster preparedness.
 
Requires that the Director establish an outreach program to encourage Exchange Program participation. 
 
Sets forth Program provisions. 
 
Authorizes appropriations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2008-06-12
text: Introduced in House