hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
IDEA Full Funding Act

Bill: 111-s-88
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2009-01-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Appropriations
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Special education

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: 
IDEA Full Funding Act - Amends the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) to reauthorize and make appropriations for the grant program to assist states and outlying areas to provide special education and related services to children with disabilities. Decreases the amount authorized and makes appropriations for FY2010-FY2011, authorizes and makes specified appropriations for FY2012-FY2017, and sets forth a formula for determining the authorization of, and makes, appropriations for FY2018 and thereafter.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Moving to Work Charter Program Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-89
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2009-01-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Housing and community development funding
Low- and moderate-income housing
Public contracts and procurement
Public housing

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: 
Moving to Work Charter Program Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to enter into charter contracts, beginning in FY2010, with up to 250 public housing agencies administering the public housing program or the section 8 housing assistance program under the United States Housing Act of 1937. 
 
States that such charter contracts shall: (1) supersede and have a term commensurate with any annual contributions contract between a public housing agency and the Secretary; and (2) provide that a participating public housing agency shall receive capital and operating assistance allocated to it under specified laws.
 
Exempts charter contracts from the requirements of the United States Housing Act of 1937, except those for payment of wages prevailing in the community and the demolition and disposition of public housing.
 
Requires a charter contract to provide that a public housing agency: (1) may combine section 8 low-income assistance and Public Housing Capital and Operating Fund assistance and use it for housing assistance and related services for activities under this Act; (2) shall ensure that at least 75% of the families assisted are very low-income families; (3) shall establish a reasonable rent policy designed to encourage employment, self-sufficiency, and home ownership by participating families; and (4) meet specified additional requirements.
 
Directs the Secretary to appoint a federal advisory committee to assess and develop a demonstration program to test standards, criteria, and practices for a national public housing agency accreditation system or other evaluation system.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Government Neutrality in Contracting Act

Bill: 111-s-90
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2009-01-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Labor-management relations
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: 
Government Neutrality in Contracting Act - Directs the head of any federal agency that awards or obligates funds for any construction contract, or that awards grants, provides financial assistance, or enters into cooperative agreements for construction projects, to ensure that bid specifications, project agreements, or other controlling documents do not: (1) require or prohibit a bidder, offeror, contractor, or subcontractor from entering into, or adhering to, agreements with a labor organization, with respect to that construction project or another related construction project; or (2) otherwise discriminate against such a party because it did or did not become a signatory or otherwise adhere to such an agreement. 
 
Allows exemptions to avert an imminent threat to public health or safety or to serve national security. Allows additional exemptions for certain projects. 
Directs the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation to implement this Act with respect to the applicable federal contracts.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to reduce the amount of financial assistance provided to the Government of Mexico in response to the illegal border crossings from Mexico into the United States, which serve to dissipate the political discontent with the higher unemployment rate within Mexico.

Bill: 111-s-91
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2009-01-06 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Foreign aid and international relief
Latin America
Mexico
Military education and training

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: 
 Directs the Secretary of State to: (1) annually estimate the number of illegal border crossings along the southern U.S. land border; and (2) reduce financial assistance to the government of Mexico by a total of $1,000 for each illegal border crossing from Mexico to the United States during the previous fiscal year.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to not reduce appropriations for the government of Mexico from the International Military Education and Training Fund, the International Narcotics Control and Law Enforcement Fund, and the fund to carry out nonproliferation, anti-terrorism, demining, and related programs and activities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Imported Seafood Safety Enhancement Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-92
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2009-01-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Consumer affairs
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Seafood
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: 
Imported Seafood Safety Enhancement Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to: (1) issue an order refusing admission into the United States of all imports of seafood or seafood products originating from a country or exporter which the Secretary determines do not meet food safety requirements under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act or which are not likely to meet food safety requirements of any other federal law; and (2) notify all U.S. ports of entry of such refusal within five days. Requires shipments denied admission to be clearly marked &quot;Refused Entry by the United States Government.&quot; 
 
Requires the importer of such a rejected shipment headed for its country of origin to notify the appropriate authority of such country of the reasons admission was refused before the shipment may be released to the importer. 

Requires the importer of such a rejected shipment bound for a third party country to notify such country's appropriate authority about such refusal, and requires such authority to notify the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that it accepts such shipment, before the shipment may be released to the importer. Requires the shipment to be destroyed if such authority's notification of acceptance is not made within 45 days after it is notified of the rejection.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Business Empowerment Act

Bill: 111-s-93
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2009-01-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Executive agency funding and structure
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government trust funds
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health promotion and preventive care
Insurance industry and regulation
Self-employed
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: 
Small Business Empowerment Act - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a national program to make quality, affordable health insurance available to small employers and self-employed individuals in a manner that will spread risk on a national basis, modeled on the federal employees health benefit program.

Requires the Secretary to enter into a contract with an eligible entity for administration of the program. Authorizes such entity to provide health insurance coverage to employees of participating employers and individuals. Directs such entity to: (1) establish a pilot program to provide for the offering by carriers of a model health benefits plan; and (2) contract with the Institute of Medicine to assess the impact of the program on health care coverage costs and access.

Continues state mandated benefit laws for plans under this Act.

Sets minimum standards for program health benefits plans. Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations providing for employer participation.

Establishes the National Health Coverage Commission. Includes among Commission duties: (1) developing a model that ensures adequate coverage for medically necessary services, promotes disease and chronic disease management, and provides incentives for health provider compliance with best practices protocols; and (2) developing model cost sharing mechanisms that do not discriminate and that accommodate lower income individuals.

Directs the Secretary and the administrative entity to implement an educational campaign concerning the program.

Requires the Secretary to establish a program to provide reinsurance to qualified carriers offering plans under this Act. Establishes the Small Business Health Coverage Trust Fund. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Long-Term Care Family Accessibility Act

Bill: 111-s-94
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2009-01-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Health care costs and insurance
Income tax credits
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: 
Long-Term Care Family Accessibility Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow an income-based tax credit for 50% of the first $4,000 of premiums paid for long-term care insurance coverage of a taxpayer or a taxpayer's family member or dependent.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to prohibit appropriated funds from being used in contravention of section 642(a) of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996.

Bill: 111-s-95
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2009-01-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Appropriations
Border security and unlawful immigration
Citizenship and naturalization
Law enforcement administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: 
Prohibits the use of community oriented policing services funds in contravention of provisions of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 that restrict a government entity or official from preventing any government entity or official from sending to, or receiving from, the responsible federal immigration agency information regarding an individual's citizenship or immigration status.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Abortion Non-Discrimination Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-96
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2009-01-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Abortion
Disability and health-based discrimination
Health care costs and insurance
Health facilities and institutions
Health programs administration and funding
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: 
Abortion Non-Discrimination Act of 2009 - Amends the Public Health Service Act to include a health care entity's refusal to provide coverage of, or pay for, induced abortions among the bases for which the federal government or any state or local government that receives federal financial assistance may not discriminate against such an entity. Expands the definition of &quot;health care entity&quot; to include a hospital, a provider sponsored organization, a health maintenance organization, a health insurance plan, and any other kind of health care facility, organization, or plan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Drug Free Families Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-97
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2009-01-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Poverty and welfare assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: 
Drug Free Families Act of 2009 - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)) of title IV of the Social Security Act to require state TANF programs to implement a program to test TANF applicants and recipients for illegal drug use.
 
Requires state TANF programs to deny assistance to individuals who test positive for illegal drugs and individuals convicted of drug-related crimes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Pregnant Women Health and Safety Act

Bill: 111-s-98
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2009-01-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Abortion
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Licensing and registrations
Medicare
State and local government operations
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: 
Pregnant Women Health and Safety Act - Subjects any physician who knowingly performs an abortion in violation of this Act to fines and/or imprisonment. Requires a physician who performs an abortion to: (1) have admitting privileges at a local hospital; and (2) notify the patient of the location of the hospital where the patient can receive follow-up care by the physician if complications arise. Provides for an exception for an abortion that is necessary to save the life of a mother whose life is endangered by a physical disorder, physical illness, or physical injury, including a life-endangering physical condition caused by or arising from the pregnancy itself.
 
Prohibits a woman upon whom an abortion is performed from being prosecuted for conspiracy to violate this Act.
 
Requires each abortion clinic that receives federal funds or assistance to: (1) be licensed by the state; and (2) be in compliance with the requirements for ambulatory surgery centers under title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act, except for the requirement of a certificate of public need. Allows a state board of health to waive the application of certain structural requirements for licensing purposes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Ethical Stem Cell Research Tax Credit Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-99
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2009-01-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Cell biology and embryology
Health promotion and preventive care
Income tax credits
Medical research

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: 
Ethical Stem Cell Research Tax Credit Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a tax credit for 30% of qualified stem cell research expenses paid or incurred in a taxable year. Defines &quot;qualified stem cell research expenses&quot; as expenses for carrying out basic and applied research to develop techniques for the isolation, derivation, production, testing, and human clinical use of stem cells that may result in improved understanding of or treatments for diseases and other adverse health conditions. Prohibits a tax credit for any research expenses that may involve: (1) the creation of a human embryo for research purposes; (2) the destruction of or discarding of, or risk of injury to, a human embryo; or (3) the use of any stem cell for prohibited purposes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Home School Opportunities Make Education Sound Act of 2009

Bill: 111-s-100
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2009-01-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Elementary and secondary education
Income tax deductions

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: 
Home School Opportunities Make Education Sound Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow all taxpayers, including taxpayers who do not itemize their deductions, a tax deduction for expenses relating to the home schooling of their children at the elementary or secondary school level.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow expenses relating to all home schools to be qualified education expenses for purposes of a Coverdell education savings account.

Bill: 111-s-101
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2009-01-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Elementary and secondary education
Income tax exclusion

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow payment of home school expenses from Coverdell education savings accounts.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to repeal the provision of law that provides automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress.

Bill: 111-s-102
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2009-01-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Legislative rules and procedure
Members of Congress

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: 
Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to eliminate automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress. 
 
Makes it out of order in the Senate to consider a bill, amendment, resolution, or conference report containing any provision that adjusts the pay of Members of Congress, unless that provision has been subject to a roll call in the Senate.
 
Permits waiver or suspension of such requirements, or successful appeals from rulings of the Chair, only by an affirmative vote of three-fifths (60) of the Senate. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require disclosure and payment of noncommercial air travel in the Senate.

Bill: 111-s-103
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2009-01-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Congressional officers and employees
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Legislative rules and procedure
Members of Congress
Senate
Transportation costs

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: 
Amends Rule XXXV (Gifts) of the Standing Rules of the Senate to require a Member, officer, or employee of the Senate to: (1) disclose a flight taken in connection with official duties on an aircraft that is not licensed by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to operate for compensation or hire (unless it is owned, operated, or leased by a governmental entity); (2) reimburse the aircraft's owner or lessee for the pro rata share of the flight's fair market value; and (3) report to the Secretary of the Senate specified information about the trip, including its purpose and the persons on it (other than the pilot).
 
Declares that the fair market value of noncommercial air travel is the fair market value of the normal and usual charter fare or rental charge for a comparable plane of appropriate size.
 
Amends Rule XXXVIII (Prohibition of Unofficial Office Accounts) to prescribe the value for reimbursement purposes of the use of an aircraft that is not licensed by the FAA to operate for compensation or hire.
 
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) to require a principal campaign committee disclosure report of such a flight by a federal office candidate (other than one for President or Vice President).
 
Excludes from the FECA definition of &quot;contribution&quot; any travel expense for such a flight if within seven days the candidate (or the candidate's authorize committee) pays the owner, lessee, or other individual providing the airplane the pro rata share of the flight's fair market value.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to prohibit authorized committees and leadership PACs from employing the spouse or immediate family members of any candidate or Federal office holder connected to the committee.

Bill: 111-s-104
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2009-01-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Members of Congress
Public participation and lobbying

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: 
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit any authorized committee of a candidate or any other political committee established, maintained, or controlled by a candidate or person who holds a federal office from employing the spouse or any immediate family member of such candidate or federal office holder.
 
Amends the federal criminal code to subject to specified criminal and civil penalties any spouse of a Member of Congress who: (1) was not a registered lobbyist at least one year before the Member's election to Congress; but (2) knowingly lobbies any Member of Congress on behalf of a client for compensation; or (3) is associated with any such lobbying activity by his or her employer.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to establish criminal penalties for knowingly and willfully falsifying or failing to file or report certain information required to be reported under that Act.

Bill: 111-s-105
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2009-01-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives

Summary:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: 
Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to impose a fine and/or prison term of up to one year for knowingly and willfully falsifying, or failing to file or report, financial information required to be filed or reported under such Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2009-01-06
text: Introduced in Senate