hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Federal and Military Retiree Health Care Equity Act

Bill: 111-hr-1203
Sponsor: Rep. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD-8]
Introduced: 2009-02-25 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Health care costs and insurance
Income tax deductions
Military personnel and dependents

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-25
text: Federal and Military Retiree Health Care Equity Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to permit: (1) federal civilian and military retirees to pay Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) and TRICARE supplemental premiums on a pretax basis (i.e., exclude premiums from gross income); and (2) a tax deduction (available to itemizers and nonitemizers) for TRICARE supplemental premiums or enrollment fees. 
Directs the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and the Secretary of Defense to ensure that the option of paying FEHBP and TRICARE supplemental premiums on a pretax basis is available to federal civilian and military retirees for the first open enrollment period beginning not less than 90 days after the enactment of this Act.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-06-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Post Office, and the District of Columbia.
action_date: 2009-03-31
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2009-02-25
text: Referred to House Armed Services
action_date: 2009-02-25
text: Referred to House Oversight and Government Reform
action_date: 2009-02-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform, and 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: 2009-02-25
text: Referred to House Ways and Means
action_date: 2009-02-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-02-25
text: Introduced in House
Community Pharmacy Fairness Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-1204
Sponsor: Rep. Weiner, Anthony D. [D-NY-9]
Introduced: 2009-02-25 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Competition and antitrust
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health facilities and institutions
Prescription drugs
Retail and wholesale trades

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-25
text: 
Community Pharmacy Fairness Act of 2009 - Entitles independent pharmacies negotiating contract terms with a health plan for the provision of health care items or services to the same treatment under the antitrust laws as the treatment to which bargaining units recognized under the National Labor Relations Act are entitled. Treats such a pharmacy as an employee engaged in concerted activities in connection with such negotiations. 
 
Exempts actions taken in good faith reliance on this Act from being subject to criminal sanctions or civil penalties beyond actual damages incurred. 
 
Provides that this Act does not exempt from application of antitrust laws any agreement or unlawful conspiracy that: (1) would have the effect of boycotting any independent pharmacy; (2) would exclude, limit the participation or reimbursement of, or otherwise limit the scope of services to be provided by any independent pharmacy or group of independent pharmacies with respect to the performance of services that are within their scope of practice as defined or permitted by relevant law or regulation; (3) allocates a market among competitors; (4) unlawfully ties the sale or purchase of one product or service to the sale or purchase of another product or service; or (5) monopolizes or attempts to monopolize a market.
 
Requires the Comptroller General to study the impact of this Act after five years.

Provides that this Act does not preclude the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or the Department of Justice (DOJ) from overseeing the conduct of independent pharmacies covered under this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Courts and Competition Policy.
action_date: 2009-02-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2009-02-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-02-25
text: Introduced in House
ABLE Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-1205
Sponsor: Rep. Crenshaw, Ander [R-FL-4]
Introduced: 2009-02-26 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Disability and paralysis
Income tax deductions
Income tax exclusion
Medicaid
Poverty and welfare assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: 
Achieving a Better Life Experience Act of 2009 or the ABLE Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to establish tax-exempt ABLE accounts for individuals with a disability to pay certain expenses of such individuals, including expenses for education, housing, transportation, employment support, medical care, and certain life necessities. Defines &quot;individual with a disability&quot; as an individual who is eligible to receive certain supplemental security income benefits under the Social Security Act.

Allows individual taxpayers a tax deduction, up to $2,000 per year, for contributions to an ABLE account. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to study and report to Congress on the use of ABLE accounts and the effect of the tax deduction for contributions to such accounts.

Requires ABLE accounts to be disregarded in determining eligibility for Medicaid benefits and for purposes of determining eligibility for other means-tested federal programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Referred to House Energy and Commerce
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2009-02-26
text: Referred to House Ways and Means
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Introduced in House
Syria Accountability and Liberation Act

Bill: 111-hr-1206
Sponsor: Rep. Ros-Lehtinen, Ileana [R-FL-18]
Introduced: 2009-02-26 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arms control and nonproliferation
Asia
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Energy revenues and royalties
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign and international banking
Foreign loans and debt
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Human rights
Immigration status and procedures
International monetary system and foreign exchange
International organizations and cooperation
Iraq
Lebanon
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
North Korea
Nuclear power
Nuclear weapons
Oil and gas
Public contracts and procurement
Rule of law and government transparency
Sanctions
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Syria
Terrorism
Trade restrictions
U.S. and foreign investments
United Nations
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: 
Syria Accountability and Liberation Act - Maintains U.S. restrictions against Syria until the President certifies that Syria: (1) has ceased support for terrorism; (2) has dismantled biological, chemical, or nuclear weapons programs and has committed to combat their proliferation; (3) respects the boundaries and sovereignty of all neighboring countries; and (4) upholds human rights and civil liberties. 
 
Imposes specified trade, assistance, admissions, and military sanctions, as appropriate, on persons or countries that transfer goods or technology contributing to Syria's biological, chemical, nuclear, or advanced conventional weapons programs.
 
Imposes specified sanctions aimed at Syria's energy sector.
 
Sets forth diplomatic measures intended to isolate the government of Syria.
 
Authorizes the President to provide assistance to support a democratic transition in Syria.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-07-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Referred to House Judiciary
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Referred to House Oversight and Government Reform
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Referred to House Financial Services
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Referred to House Ways and Means
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Financial Services, Oversight and Government Reform, and 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: 2009-02-26
text: Referred to House Foreign Affairs
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Introduced in House
Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-1207
Sponsor: Rep. Paul, Ron [R-TX-14]
Introduced: 2009-02-26 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Federal Reserve System
Government studies and investigations
Monetary policy

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: 
Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2009 - Repeals the authority of the Comptroller General to carry out an onsite examination of an open insured bank or bank holding company only if the appropriate federal regulatory agency has consented in writing. (Retains the authority of the Comptroller General to audit a federal agency.)
 
Directs the Comptroller General to complete, before the end of 2010, an audit of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and of the federal reserve banks, followed by a detailed report to Congress.
 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-09-25
text: Committee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E502)
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to provide oversight of auditors of brokers and dealers by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board, and for other purposes.

Bill: 111-hr-1212
Sponsor: Rep. Kanjorski, Paul E. [D-PA-11]
Introduced: 2009-02-26 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Financial services and investments
Licensing and registrations
Securities

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: 
Amends the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 to extend the regulatory jurisdiction of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board to audit reports prepared by a domestic registered or foreign public accounting firm regarding issuers, brokers and dealers, and any companies subject to securities laws (currently only issuers and public companies).
 
Directs the Board to: (1) establish standards for independence to be used by a registered public accounting firm; and (2) conduct annual inspections to assess compliance of each registered public accounting firm that regularly provides audit reports for more than 100 brokers and dealers.
 
Declares it shall be unlawful for any person that is suspended or barred from being associated with a registered public accounting firm to willfully become, or remain associated with any broker or dealer (as well as, under current law, any issuer) in an accountancy or financial management capacity. 
 
Prescribes a formula for mandatory allocation among non-issuer brokers and dealers of accounting support fees due from them to fund the budget of the Board.
 
Authorizes the Board to: (1) refer an investigation to a self-regulatory organization if the investigation concerns an audit report for a broker or dealer subject to the organization's jurisdiction; and (2) make available to the organization documents or information related to such an investigation or an inspection.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Introduced in House
Screening Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Very Efficiently Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-1213
Sponsor: Rep. Green, Gene [D-TX-29]
Introduced: 2009-02-26 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Aging
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Health promotion and preventive care
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: 
Screening Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms Very Efficiently Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act with respect to Medicare coverage of ultrasound screening for abdominal aortic aneurysms.
 
Repeals the prerequisite of a referral resulting from an initial preventive physical exam.
 
Replaces such requirement with one requiring that the individual receiving the ultrasound screening be between the ages of 65 and 75.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Referred to House Ways and Means
action_date: 2009-02-26
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: 2009-02-26
text: Referred to House Energy and Commerce
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Introduced in House
Payday Loan Reform Act of 2009

Bill: 111-hr-1214
Sponsor: Rep. Gutierrez, Luis V. [D-IL-4]
Introduced: 2009-02-26 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Consumer affairs
Consumer credit
Interest, dividends, interest rates
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: 
 Payday Loan Reform Act of 2009 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require a creditor to make specified disclosures when making a payday loan to a consumer.
 
Prohibits a creditor from making a payday loan to any consumer unless: (1) specified notices are posted conspicuously in English and Spanish in the creditor's public lending area, or, if the loan is made using the Internet, fax or other means, posted conspicuously on the creditor's public internet site relating to any such payday loan; and (2) the creditor offers the consumer an extended repayment plan that meets specified requirements.
 
Sets forth prohibited lender practices, including: (1) requiring a consumer to pay interest and fees that, combined, total more than 15 cents for every dollar loaned in connection with a payday loan; (2) threatening or seeking to have the consumer prosecuted in criminal court to collect the loan; and (3) taking or attempting to take an interest in any of the consumer's personal property to secure the loan.
 
Authorizes a consumer to cancel future payment obligations on a payday loan, without cost or finance charges, by: (1) informing the creditor in writing within two days after executing the loan agreement that the consumer wants to rescind the loan; and (2) returning to the creditor the cash amount of the loan principal.
 
Empowers state attorneys general to enforce this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E493-494)
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Introduced in House
Immigration Oversight and Fairness Act

Bill: 111-hr-1215
Sponsor: Rep. Roybal-Allard, Lucille [D-CA-34]
Introduced: 2009-02-26 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Advisory bodies
Border security and unlawful immigration
Child safety and welfare
Crimes against women
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Homeland Security
Detention of persons
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Immigrant health and welfare
Immigration status and procedures
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Sex offenses

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: 
Immigration Oversight and Fairness Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to require live training of all Department of Homeland Security (DHS) personnel who come into contact with unaccompanied alien children. 

Sets forth detention standards for immigration detention facilities.

Directs the Secretary to: (1) convene a detention advisory committee; (2) promulgate regulations regarding detainee care and custody; (3) implement secure alternatives to detention programs under which eligible aliens are released under supervision, assistance, and monitoring that ensure their appearance at all immigration interviews, appointments, and hearings; and (4) provide protective detention alternatives for specified categories of vulnerable aliens.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and International Law.
action_date: 2009-03-02
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border, Maritime, and Global Counterterrorism.
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Referred to House Homeland Security
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Homeland Security, 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: 2009-02-26
text: Referred to House Judiciary
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H2866)
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Introduced in House
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1100 Town and Country Commons in Chesterfield, Missouri, as the "Lance Corporal Matthew P. Pathenos Post Office Building".

Bill: 111-hr-1216
Sponsor: Rep. Akin, W. Todd [R-MO-2]
Introduced: 2009-02-26 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Military personnel and dependents
Missouri
Postal service

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 1100 Town and Country Commons in Chesterfield, Missouri, as the "Lance Corporal Matthew P. Pathenos Post Office Building."

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-04-23
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security.
action_date: 2009-03-19
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2009-03-19
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2009-03-19
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR 3/17/2009 H3467)
action_date: 2009-03-19
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR 3/17/2009 H3467)
action_date: 2009-03-19
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3674)
action_date: 2009-03-17
text: At the conclusion of debate, the chair put the question on the motion to suspend the rules. Mr. Clay objected to the vote on the grounds that a quorum was not present. Further proceedings on the motion were postponed. The point of no quorum was withdrawn.
action_date: 2009-03-17
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1216.
action_date: 2009-03-17
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3467-3468)
action_date: 2009-03-17
text: Mr. Clay moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2009-03-10
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2009-03-10
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Introduced in House
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15455 Manchester Road in Ballwin, Missouri, as the "Specialist Peter J. Navarro Post Office Building".

Bill: 111-hr-1217
Sponsor: Rep. Akin, W. Todd [R-MO-2]
Introduced: 2009-02-26 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Military personnel and dependents
Missouri
Postal service

Summary:
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15455 Manchester Road in Ballwin, Missouri, as the "Specialist Peter J. Navarro Post Office Building."

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2009-03-20
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs referred to Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, Federal Services, and International Security.
action_date: 2009-03-17
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2009-03-16
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2009-03-16
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 384 - 0 (Roll no. 126). (text: CR H3408)
action_date: 2009-03-16
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 384 - 0 (Roll no. 126).(text: CR H3408)
action_date: 2009-03-16
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H3411-3412)
action_date: 2009-03-16
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: 2009-03-16
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1217.
action_date: 2009-03-16
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H3408-3409)
action_date: 2009-03-16
text: Mr. Lynch moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2009-03-10
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2009-03-10
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2009-02-26
text: Introduced in House