hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Free Speech Protection Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-1304
Sponsor: Rep. King, Peter T. [R-NY-3]
Introduced: 2009-03-04 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
First Amendment rights
Legal fees and court costs

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: 
Free Speech Protection Act of 2009 - Allows any U.S. person against whom a lawsuit for defamation is brought in a foreign country on the basis of the content of any speech by that person that has been published, uttered, or otherwise disseminated primarily in the United States to bring an action in a U.S. district court against any person who, or entity which, brought the suit, if the speech at issue in the foreign lawsuit does not constitute defamation under U.S. law.
 
Allows the award of treble damages if it is determined by a preponderance of the evidence that the person or entity bringing the foreign lawsuit intentionally engaged in a scheme to suppress rights under the First Amendment to the Constitution by discouraging publishers or other media from publishing, or by discouraging financial supporters from employing, retaining, or supporting the research, writing, or other speech of an individual.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-08-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy.
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
Perpetual Purple Heart Stamp Act

Bill: 111-hr-1305
Sponsor: Rep. King, Peter T. [R-NY-3]
Introduced: 2009-03-04 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Military personnel and dependents
Postal service

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: 
Perpetual Purple Heart Stamp Act - Directs the Postmaster General to provide for the issuance of a forever stamp (a stamp that meets first-class postage requirements even if postage rates increase) to honor the sacrifices of the men and women of the Armed Forces who have been awarded the Purple Heart.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
Peremptory Challenge Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-1306
Sponsor: Rep. Lungren, Daniel E. [R-CA-3]
Introduced: 2009-03-04 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Bankruptcy
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Federal appellate courts
Federal district courts
Judges
Judicial procedure and administration
Specialized courts

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: 

 
 
Peremptory Challenge Act of 2009 - Amends the federal judicial code to require: (1) reassignment to another appropriate judicial officer of any civil or criminal case to be tried in a federal district court, the United States Court of Federal Claims, or a bankruptcy court if all parties on one side file a reassignment request within 20 days (with certain exceptions) after initial assignment of a judicial officer; and (2) the chief judge of the court of appeals for the circuit in which the case is to be tried, or another judge designated by the chief judge, to determine any question arising as to which parties should be grouped together as a side for such purpose.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-08-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy.
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
Natomas Basin Flood Protection Improvements Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-1307
Sponsor: Rep. Matsui, Doris O. [D-CA-5]
Introduced: 2009-03-04 in the House
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: California
Floods and storm protection
Lakes and rivers
Water resources funding

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: 
Natomas Basin Flood Protection Improvements Act of 2009 - Modifies the project for flood damage reduction, American and Sacramento Rivers, California, to authorize improvements to flood damage reduction facilities adjacent to the American and Sacramento Rivers in the vicinity of Sacramento, California, substantially in accordance with the Plan Formulation Report, Natomas Levee Improvement Program, Early Implementation Project, February, 2009.
 
Requires the nonfederal interests to receive credit for expenses incurred, or in-kind contributions provided, in planning, engineering, design, construction, and acquisition of lands, easements, rights-of-way, relocations, and dredged material disposal areas for such work that is determined by the Secretary of the Army to be compatible with Corps of Engineers design and construction practices. 
 
Requires the nonfederal share of the cost of such work to be the same as the nonfederal share of the project's cost.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
Veterans Mental Health Screening and Assessment Act

Bill: 111-hr-1308
Sponsor: Rep. McMahon, Michael E. [D-NY-13]
Introduced: 2009-03-04 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Health information and medical records
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Mental health
Military personnel and dependents
Neurological disorders
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: 
Veterans Mental Health Screening and Assessment Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the increasing rate of suicide among veterans returning from Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom is a serious problem; and (2) the Secretary of Defense should conduct mandatory, face-to-face, and confidential mental health and traumatic brain injury screenings for each member of the Armed Forces (member) during the period beginning 90 days after the member completes a deployment in support of a contingency operation and ending 180 days thereafter.
 
Directs the Secretary to carry out such screenings. Prohibits the Secretary from prohibiting a member from returning to the United States due to any screening result or determination.
 
Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a joint protocol to share existing and future reports from confidential screenings conducted to help aid members in their transition from health care and treatment provided by the Department of Defense (DOD) to health care and treatment provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-31
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2009-03-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Referred to House Veterans' Affairs
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 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: 2009-03-04
text: Referred to House Armed Services
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
To codify the definition of terms used in subheading 1604.14 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States, relating to tuna products.

Bill: 111-hr-1309
Sponsor: Rep. Napolitano, Grace F. [D-CA-38]
Introduced: 2009-03-04 in the House
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Seafood
Tariffs

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: 
Amends the U.S. Notes to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States to codify the terms &quot;in airtight containers&quot; and &quot;in bulk or in immediate containers weighing with their contents over 6.8 kg each&quot; as they relate to imported ready tuna products to reflect existing practice and promote public health and safety.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E549)
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
Clean Water Protection Act

Bill: 111-hr-1310
Sponsor: Rep. Pallone, Frank, Jr. [D-NJ-6]
Introduced: 2009-03-04 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Lakes and rivers
Navigation, waterways, harbors
Solid waste and recycling
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: 
Clean Water Protection Act - Amends the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to define "fill material" to mean any pollutant that replaces portions of waters of the United States with dry land or that changes the bottom elevation of a water body for any purpose and to exclude any pollutant discharged into the water primarily to dispose of waste. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
Unemployment Assistance Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-1311
Sponsor: Rep. Paul, Ron [R-TX-14]
Introduced: 2009-03-04 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Employment and training programs
Health care costs and insurance
Higher education
Income tax exclusion
Student aid and college costs
Unemployment
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: 
Unemployment Assistance Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from gross income amounts distributed from tax-exempt retirement plans, health savings accounts, Roth individual retirement accounts (IRAs), and qualified tuition programs to pay for certain living, health care and education or job training expenses of a taxpayer during a period of unemployment not exceeding two years.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E548)
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
Unemployed Tax Relief Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-1312
Sponsor: Rep. Paul, Ron [R-TX-14]
Introduced: 2009-03-04 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employment taxes
Income tax exclusion
Unemployment
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: 
Unemployed Tax Relief Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude from the gross income of an employee who is separated from employment due to a reduction in force the last regular payment of wages prior to such separation and any severance pay received in connection with such separation. Exempts such wages and severance pay from employment-related taxation. 
 
Requires transfers from the Treasury to employment-related trust funds to compensate for revenues lost by such trust funds due to this Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E548)
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
Troops to Teachers Improvement Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-1313
Sponsor: Rep. Petri, Thomas E. [R-WI-6]
Introduced: 2009-03-04 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Higher education
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: 
Troops to Teachers Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends the Troops-to-Teachers program of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (which provides veterans with teacher certification stipends in exchange for three years of service in a high-need local educational agency (LEA) or public charter school) to make any LEA that is receiving school improvement funds eligible to participate in such program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness.
action_date: 2009-04-27
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Referred to House Armed Services
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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: 2009-03-04
text: Referred to House Education and Labor
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E546-547)
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide for compensation to States incarcerating undocumented aliens charged with a felony or two or more misdemeanors.

Bill: 111-hr-1314
Sponsor: Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-39]
Introduced: 2009-03-04 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Foreign labor
Law enforcement administration and funding
State and local finance

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to allow states to be compensated for incarcerating undocumented aliens who are charged with, or convicted of, a felony or two or more misdemeanors. (Current law requires a conviction.)

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
Terrorist Detainees Procedures Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-1315
Sponsor: Rep. Schiff, Adam B. [D-CA-29]
Introduced: 2009-03-04 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Cuba
Detention of persons
International law and treaties
International organizations and cooperation
Judicial review and appeals
Latin America
Military facilities and property
Military law
Specialized courts
Terrorism
United Nations

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: 
Terrorist Detainees Protection Act of 2009 - Directs the President to ensure that by the end of calendar 2009 no person alleged to be an unlawful enemy combatant is detained at Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
 
Requires a status review by a panel of three military judges of any Guantanamo detainee suspected of being an unlawful enemy combatant.
 
Requires that any person determined, pursuant to such a review, to be an unlawful enemy combatant to be: (1) transferred to a military or civilian detention facility in the United States, charged with a violation of U.S. or international law, and tried by courts-martial or in a district court; (2) transferred to an international tribunal operating under the authority of the United Nations with jurisdiction to hold trials of such a person; (3) transferred to a NATO-run detention facility, or to a different country, provided there are adequate assurances that the person will not be subject to torture in that country; or (4) held in accordance with the law of armed conflict. Provides for the disposition of other detainees after status reviews, including possible release. 
 
Repeals the prohibition on habeaus corpus for detainees at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that the judicial review of all applications for writs of habeas corpus brought by detainees that are pending as of the date of enactment of this Act should be suspended until the completion of the status reviews.
 
Repeals the Military Commissions Act of 2006.
 
Requires the President to report to Congress any recommendations for statutory changes necessary to implement a comprehensive federal policy governing the apprehension, detention, trial, transfer, release, or other disposition of individuals captured or apprehended in connection with armed conflicts and counterterrorism operations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Referred to House Judiciary
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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: 2009-03-04
text: Referred to House Armed Services
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
Flood Elevation Notification Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-1316
Sponsor: Rep. Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr. [R-WI-5]
Introduced: 2009-03-04 in the House
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Disaster relief and insurance
Floods and storm protection
Government information and archives

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: 
Flood Elevation Notification Act of 2009 - Amends the National Flood Insurance Act of 1968 to require the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), when establishing projected flood elevations for land use purposes, to first propose such determinations by: (1) providing the chief executive officer of each affected community notice of the elevations, including a copy of the pertinent maps and an explanation of the process to appeal for changes in the elevations; (2) causing notice of the elevations to be published in the Federal Register; (3) publishing the elevations in a prominent local newspaper, as well as a description of the flood determination appeals process, and contact information related to initiating an appeal; and (4) providing specified written notification, by first class mail, to each owner of real property affected by the proposed elevations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide a tax credit to individuals who pay their mortgages on time.

Bill: 111-hr-1317
Sponsor: Rep. Shuster, Bill [R-PA-9]
Introduced: 2009-03-04 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Housing finance and home ownership
Income tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers who are liable for one or more principal residence mortgage payments which are due in 2008 or 2009 a $5,000 tax credit for making such payments on time. Requires a statement from the mortgage lender that the taxpayer was not delinquent in making any payments. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
Afghanistan-Pakistan Security and Prosperity Enhancement Act

Bill: 111-hr-1318
Sponsor: Rep. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD-8]
Introduced: 2009-03-04 in the House
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Afghanistan
Asia
Congressional oversight
Economic development
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Foreign aid and international relief
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Human rights
Pakistan
Rule of law and government transparency
Smuggling and trafficking
Tariffs
Terrorism
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: 
Afghanistan-Pakistan Security and Prosperity Enhancement Act - Authorizes the President to designate Reconstruction Opportunity Zones within Afghanistan or Pakistan, provided certain eligibility criteria are met, including that: (1) such countries establish, or make progress toward establishing, a market-based economy, instituting rule of law, protecting core labor standards, and eliminating barriers to trade and investment; (2) such countries can be designated as a beneficiary developing country; and (3) the designation of a Reconstruction Opportunity Zone is appropriate taking into account certain qualifying factors.
 
Provides for the duty-free treatment of certain textile and apparel products, as well as nontextile and nonapparel products, from a Reconstruction Opportunity Zone through September 30, 2024.
 
Sets forth requirements to prevent the unlawful transshipment of such products.
 
Continues the duty-free treatment of such products from a Reconstruction Opportunity Zone in Afghanistan or Pakistan only if the President certifies to Congress that such countries have met certain requirements, including: (1) designation of a labor official; and (2) have agreed to require textile or apparel exporting enterprises to participate in a technical assistance, capacity building, compliance assessment, and remediation program.
 
Authorizes the President to withdraw, suspend, or limit the application of duty-free treatment under this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E556)
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-03-04
text: Introduced in House
Emergency Retiree Health Benefits Protection Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-1322
Sponsor: Rep. Tierney, John F. [D-MA-6]
Introduced: 2009-03-05 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Aging
Civil actions and liability
Department of Labor
Employee benefits and pensions
Executive agency funding and structure
Government lending and loan guarantees
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access

Summary:
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: 
Emergency Retiree Health Benefits Protection Act of 2009 - Amends the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) to add a program for emergency retiree health benefit protections. 
 
Prohibits group health plans from reducing retiree health benefits after the retirement of a plan beneficiary. Requires such plans to adopt provisions barring post-retirement reductions in retiree health benefits.

Requires group health plan sponsors to grant retired plan participants the option of benefit restoration. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to waive or vary requirements for benefit restoration if compliance with such requirements would: (1) be adverse to the interests of plan participants in the aggregate; (2) not be administratively feasible; and (3) cause substantial business hardship to plan sponsors.
 
Establishes the Emergency Retiree Health Loan Guarantee Program. Authorizes the Program to guarantee loans provided by private financial institutions to assist plan sponsors in meeting benefit restoration obligations under this Act. Terminates loan guarantee authority after 2015.
 
Authorizes the Secretary to assess civil penalties for violations of this Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-03-05
text: Introduced in House