hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Consolidating Veteran Employment Services for Improved Performance Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-4072
Sponsor: Rep. Miller, Jeff [R-FL-1]
Introduced: 2012-02-17 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Department of Labor
Department of Veterans Affairs
Disability assistance
Executive agency funding and structure
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: 
Consolidating Veteran Employment Services for Improved Performance Act of 2012 - Transfers, as of October 1, 2013, to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) specified veterans-related programs of the Department of Labor, including: (1) job counseling, training, employment, and placement services; (2) administration of employment and reemployment rights of members of the reserves; and (3) homeless veterans reintegration programs. Directs the President, for FY2014 and thereafter, to include in the budget request funding for the VA for such functions.
 
Establishes a Deputy Under Secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training, to formulate all VA policies and procedures with respect to veterans' employment, unemployment, and training programs.
 
Consolidates provisions establishing VA disabled veterans' outreach program specialists and local veterans' employment representatives into a single provision establishing veteran employment specialists, which shall perform both tasks. Provides similar eligibility and reporting requirements for such specialists.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-04-27
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2012-04-27
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2012-03-28
text: Forwarded by Subcommittee to Full Committee by Voice Vote .
action_date: 2012-03-28
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2012-03-08
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2012-02-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, 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: 2012-02-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Budget, 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: 2012-02-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Introduced in House
Freedom From Union Violence Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-4074
Sponsor: Rep. Broun, Paul C. [R-GA-10]
Introduced: 2012-02-17 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Crimes against property
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Labor-management relations
Organized crime
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Freedom From Union Violence Act of 2012 - Amends the Hobbs Act to authorize imposition of a fine of up to $100,000, 20 years' imprisonment, or both for: (1) obstructing, delaying, or affecting commerce or the movement of any article or commodity in commerce by robbery or extortion (or attempting or conspiring to do so); and (2) threatening physical violence to any person or property in furtherance of a plan or purpose to interfere with commerce by threats or violence. 
Makes provisions regarding any such interference inapplicable to conduct that: (1) is incidental to otherwise peaceful picketing during the course of a labor dispute; (2) consists solely of minor bodily injury, or minor damage to property, or threat or fear of such minor injury or damage; and (3) is not part of a pattern of violent conduct or of coordinated violent activity. Subjects such conduct to prosecution only by the appropriate state and local authorities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Introduced in House
Tax and Education Assistance for Children (TEACH) Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-4075
Sponsor: Rep. Turner, Robert L. [R-NY-9]
Introduced: 2012-02-17 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Elementary and secondary education
Income tax credits
Religion

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: 
Tax and Education Assistance for Children (TEACH) Act of 2012 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers a credit for the tuition expenses they incur in having their dependents attend a private or religious elementary or secondary school.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Truth in Lending Act to add a rule of construction relating to certain payments to an employee of a mortgage originator.

Bill: 112-hr-4076
Sponsor: Rep. Frank, Barney [D-MA-4]
Introduced: 2012-02-17 in the House
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Consumer affairs
Housing finance and home ownership
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: 
Amends the Truth in Lending Act to deny any construction of the prohibition against residential mortgage loan originator steering incentives as prohibiting a creditor or mortgage originator from reducing compensation to an employee mortgage originator if, after the employee mortgage originator has made the consumer an initial annual percentage rate (APR) offer, the employee mortgage originator makes a subsequent offer to the consumer that: (1) consists only of a reduction in the APR, and (2) is made in response to a lower APR offer to the consumer by another creditor or mortgage originator. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit.
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Introduced in House
Department of State Rewards Program Update and Technical Corrections Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-4077
Sponsor: Rep. Royce, Edward R. [R-CA-40]
Introduced: 2012-02-17 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arms control and nonproliferation
Computer security and identity theft
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Human rights
Human trafficking
Intellectual property
Organized crime
Smuggling and trafficking
War crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: 
Department of State Rewards Program Update and Technical Corrections Act of 2012 - Expresses the sense of Congress that the Department of State rewards program should be expanded to: (1) address the threat to U.S. interests from transnational criminal activity; and (2) target individuals indicted by international, hybrid, or mixed tribunals for genocide, war crimes, or crimes against humanity.
 
Amends the State Department Basic Authorities Act of 1956 to include in the program's purpose the prevention of acts of transnational organized crime and violations of international humanitarian law. Provides rewards for the arrest or conviction of persons involved in such activities.
 
Eliminates program references to the reward for the capture or death of Osama bin Laden.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-05-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Terrorism, Nonproliferation, and Trade.
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Introduced in House
Safe Housing for Homeless Veterans Act

Bill: 112-hr-4079
Sponsor: Rep. McKinley, David B. [R-WV-1]
Introduced: 2012-02-17 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Housing industry and standards
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: 
Safe Housing for Homeless Veterans Act - Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) from making a grant or providing other assistance to any entity for the provision of housing or housing services to homeless veterans unless such entity submits to the Secretary a certification that the building proposed for such housing or services is in compliance with all local codes relevant to operations and level of care provided, as well as any other local requirements regarding the condition of the structure and the operation of the supportive housing or service center.
 
Directs the Secretary, in awarding such grants, to give priority to entities seeking a grant or assistance for a project that includes making improvements to a building to ensure that the building meets such codes and other requirements.
 
Requires entities receiving grants or assistance for the fiscal year during which this Act is enacted to submit such a certification within two years after enactment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-06-29
text: Subcommittee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2012-04-16
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2012-02-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Introduced in House
To direct the Architect of the Capitol to acquire a statue of "The Unknown Slave" for permanent display in Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-hr-4080
Sponsor: Rep. Ackerman, Gary L. [D-NY-5]
Introduced: 2012-02-17 in the House
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Art, artists, authorship
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
Public contracts and procurement
Racial and ethnic relations
Travel and tourism
U.S. Capitol

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: 
Requires the Architect of the Capitol to solicit bids and enter into an agreement for the creation of a statue of &quot;The Unknown Slave&quot; and to acquire and permanently display it in Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on House Administration.
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Introduced in House
Social Security Administration Accountability Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-4082
Sponsor: Rep. Higgins, Brian [D-NY-27]
Introduced: 2012-02-17 in the House
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Social Security Administration
Social security and elderly assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: 
Social Security Administration Accountability Act of 2012 - Amends title VII (Administration) of the Social Security Act to require the Commissioner of Social Security to submit an annual budget estimate of the Social Security Administration (SSA) (instead of a budget) directly to Congress and the President (instead of first to the President, who would submit it to Congress).
 
Revises requirements for the general contents of the SSA budget, requiring inclusion of the number of cases pending at each hearing office and the average processing time.
 
Prohibits the Commissioner from closing or consolidating SSA field or hearing offices, or otherwise limiting public access to one, until 180 days after submitting to specified congressional committees a detailed report outlining and justifying the process for selecting field offices to be closed, consolidated, or otherwise have limited access.
 
Prohibits the Commissioner from closing an SSA field or hearing office, consolidating two or more such offices, or otherwise imposing any new limitation on public access to any such office unless the Commissioner follows certain administrative procedures.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Introduced in House
To amend title V of the Social Security Act to extend funding for family-to-family health information centers to help families of children with disabilities or special health care needs make informed choices about health care for their children.

Bill: 112-hr-4083
Sponsor: Rep. Pallone, Frank, Jr. [D-NJ-6]
Introduced: 2012-02-17 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Disability and paralysis
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: 
Amends title V (Maternal and Child Health Centers) of the Social Security Act to extend through FY2015 funding for family-to-family health information centers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Introduced in House
Restoring America's Commitment to Consumers Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-4084
Sponsor: Rep. Tierney, John F. [D-MA-6]
Introduced: 2012-02-17 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Consumer affairs
Consumer credit
Economic performance and conditions
Federal Reserve System
Interest, dividends, interest rates
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: 
Restoring America's Commitment to Consumers Act of 2012 - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to prohibit the annual percentage rate (APR) applicable to an extension of credit on a credit card account under an open end consumer credit plan from exceeding 16%.
 
Includes in an APR any compensation fee (including a membership fee or an annual fee) for: (1) opening or maintaining the account; (2) granting an extension of credit; or (3) making available a line of credit.
 
Authorizes the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System (Board) to make adjustments to the maximum APR limitation; but creates the presumption that any increase by the Board to the maximum limitation is not in the public interest unless severe economic conditions justify the increase.
 
Prohibits construction of this Act as an endorsement by Congress of a 16% APR.
 
Declares the intention of Congress that: (1) such maximum APR limitation should merely serve as a ceiling on consumer credit cards and few, if any, consumer credit card accounts would ever bear the maximum rate; and (2) consumer credit card issuers should strive to maintain APRs most advantageous to borrowers.
 
Treats as an unfair or deceptive act or practice a credit card account which, as of February 8, 2012, bears an APR that is less than 16%, and subsequently increases it between February 8, 2012, and 60 days after enactment of this Act. 
 
Imposes a $15 cap upon certain credit card account fees, including fees (such as late fees, overdraft fees, or over-the-limit transaction fees) for borrower default or breach of any condition upon which credit was extended.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit.
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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: 2012-02-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, 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: 2012-02-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Introduced in House
MILC Continuation Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-4085
Sponsor: Rep. Welch, Peter [D-VT-At Large]
Introduced: 2012-02-17 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural marketing and promotion
Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: 
MILC Continuation Act of 2012 - Amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 to extend, for one year, the milk income loss contract program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-04-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-02-17
text: Introduced in House
Prescription Drug Labeling Promotion Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-4087
Sponsor: Rep. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA-7]
Introduced: 2012-02-24 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Consumer affairs
Disability and paralysis
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health information and medical records
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-24
text: 
Prescription Drug Labeling Promotion Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a working group to develop best practices on access to prescription drug labeling for the visually impaired.
 
Requires the working group to: (1) include equal representation of consumer and industry advocates; (2) promulgate guidance on best practices for pharmacies to ensure that blind and visually impaired individuals have safe, consistent, reliable, and independent access to the information in the labeling of prescription drugs; (3) consider the use of Braille, specified auditory means, and enhanced visual means to provide such access; and (4) consider whether there are technical, financial, manpower, or other factors that may fundamentally impact the ability of pharmacies with 20 or fewer retail locations to implement the best practices.
 
Directs the Commissioner of Food and Drugs (FDA) to conduct an informational and educational program to inform the public and pharmacists about such guidance and practices. 
 
Directs the Comptroller General: (1) 18 months after such guidance and practices are published, to review pharmacy compliance and the extent to which access barriers continue; and (2) by September 30, 2016, to report on such review, including recommendations for reducing such barriers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-24
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2012-02-24
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-02-24
text: Introduced in House
Capital Expansion Act

Bill: 112-hr-4088
Sponsor: Rep. Quayle, Benjamin [R-AZ-3]
Introduced: 2012-02-24 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Government information and archives
Securities
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-24
text: 
Capital Expansion Act - Amends the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 regarding registration of securities to modify the registration threshold for an issuer that is either a bank or a bank holding company as well as for an issuer that is neither a bank nor a bank holding company. 
Raises from $1 million to $10 million the threshold for total assets of an issuer that requires registration of a certain class of equity security. Divides the holding threshold that requires registration of such a class of equity security, however, into: (1) 2,000 holders of record if the issuer is a bank or a bank holding company, and (2) 500 holders of record if the issuer is neither. 
Requires termination of a security registration in the case of a bank or a bank holding company if the number of holders of record of the class of security is reduced to less than 1,200. 
Directs the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to issue final regulations to implement this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-24
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2012-02-24
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-02-24
text: Introduced in House
Dam Safety Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-4090
Sponsor: Rep. Carnahan, Russ [D-MO-3]
Introduced: 2012-02-27 in the House
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Dams and canals
Government information and archives
Research administration and funding
Water resources funding

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-27
text: 
Dam Safety Act of 2011 [
sic
] - Amends the National Dam Safety Program Act to authorize appropriations for the national dam safety program for FY2012-FY2015. 
 
Requires the head of a federal agency, at the request of a state dam safety agency with respect to any dam the failure of which would affect the state, to provide information to that agency on the dam's condition and on its provisions for emergency operations.
 
Includes as a program objective to develop and implement a comprehensive dam safety hazard education and public awareness program to assist the public in mitigating against, preparing for, responding to, and recovering from dam incidents.
 
Permits the Administrator, in consultation with the National Dam Safety Review Board, to invite representatives from nongovernmental organizations to participate in Board meetings.
 
Prohibits the amount of funds allocated to a state to carry out the dam safety program from exceeding the amount committed by the state to implement program activities (currently, 50% of the reasonable cost of implementing the state dam safety program).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2012-02-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2012-02-27
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-02-27
text: Introduced in House
Coordination of Pro Bono Medically Recommended Dental Care Act

Bill: 112-hr-4091
Sponsor: Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1]
Introduced: 2012-02-27 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Dental care
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Medicaid
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2012-02-27
text: 
Coordination of Pro Bono Medically Recommended Dental Care Act - Amends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award competitive grants to, or enter into contracts with, eligible entities to maximize the number of eligible low-income individuals receiving dental care.
 
Requires an entity to use amounts received under a grant or contract to fund the employment costs of a program to: (1) coordinate the provision of free, medically recommended dental care to eligible low-income individuals by volunteer dentists in a manner consistent with state licensing laws; and (2) verify the medical, dental, and financial needs of individuals who may be eligible for such dental services.
 
Requires an eligible: (1) entity to be tax exempt and provide for the participation of eligible individuals in a free dental services program; and (2) individual to be entitled to benefits or be enrolled under Medicare, Medicaid, or a state plan or waiver under the State Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP, formerly known as SCHIP).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-02-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2012-02-27
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-02-27
text: Introduced in House