hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvements Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6527
Sponsor: Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2]
Introduced: 2012-09-21 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Child care and development
Department of Veterans Affairs
Government information and archives
Health care coverage and access
Mental health
Sex and reproductive health
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' medical care
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: 
Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvements Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to facilitate collaborative research to meet the long-term reproductive health care needs of veterans who have a service-connected genitourinary disability or a condition that was aggravated in the line of active duty, such as a spinal cord injury, that affects the veterans' ability to reproduce.
 
Includes fertility counseling and treatment within authorized VA medical services. Directs the Secretary to furnish such counseling and treatment, including the use of assisted reproductive technology, to a spouse or surrogate of a severely wounded veteran who has an infertility condition incurred or aggravated in the line of duty and who is enrolled in the VA health care system, as long as the spouse and veteran apply jointly for such counseling and treatment.
 
Requires the Secretary to enhance the capabilities of the VA women veterans call center: (1) to respond to requests for assistance with accessing VA health care and benefits, and (2) for referral to community resources to obtain assistance with services not furnished by the VA.
 
Amends the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010 relating to a pilot program of group retreat reintegration and readjustment counseling for women veterans recently separated from service to: (1) increase from at least 3 to at least 14 the number of locations for such counseling, and (2) extend the pilot program for an additional 2 years. Requires a pilot program under such Act relating to the provision of child care assistance for certain veterans receiving VA health care to be extended until two years after the program is established in the third Veterans Integrated Service Network. (Under current law, such program terminates two years after its original commencement.)
 
Directs the Secretary to carry out a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing child care assistance to veterans receiving or in need of VA readjustment counseling and related mental health services. Requires the program to continue until two years after it is begun at the last Readjustment Counseling Service Region chosen by the Secretary.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-10-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Introduced in House
Audit the Pentagon Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6528
Sponsor: Rep. Lee, Barbara [D-CA-9]
Introduced: 2012-09-21 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Budget deficits and national debt
Congressional oversight
Defense spending
Department of Defense
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Military medicine
Military personnel and dependents

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: 
Audit the Pentagon Act of 2012 - Requires, on March 2 of FY2013 and each subsequent fiscal year, a 5% reduction in the discretionary budget authority of a federal agency that is identified by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) as required to have an audited financial statement: (1) that has not submitted a financial statement for the previous fiscal year, or (2) whose statement has not received either an unqualified or a qualified audit opinion by an independent external auditor. Excludes from such reduction accounts for military, reserve and National Guard personnel and the Defense Health Program account of the Department of Defense (DOD). Authorizes the President to waive a reduction in discretionary budget authority if such reduction would harm national security or members of the Armed Forces who are in combat.
 
Requires a report to Congress listing required DOD reports that would no longer be necessary if the financial statements of DOD were audited with an unqualified opinion or that interfere with DOD's capacity to achieve an audit of its financial statements with an unqualified opinion.
 
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) congressional defense committees and DOD should not endanger the nation's troops by reducing wounded warrior accounts or vital protection for members of the Armed Forces in harm's way, (2) the valuation of legacy assets by DOD should be simplified without compromising essential controls or generally accepted government auditing standards, and (3) this Act should not be construed to require or permit the declassification of accounting details about classified defense programs and DOD should ensure financial accountability in such programs.
 
.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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: 2012-09-21
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, 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: 2012-09-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Introduced in House
Bottle Recycling Climate Protection Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6531
Sponsor: Rep. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA-7]
Introduced: 2012-09-21 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Civil actions and liability
Consumer affairs
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Retail and wholesale trades
Solid waste and recycling
State and local government operations
State and local taxation
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: 
Bottle Recycling Climate Protection Act of 2012 - Amends the Solid Waste Disposal Act to prohibit retailers and distributors from selling beverages in containers that do not display a statement of a refund value of five cents. Defines &quot;beverage&quot; as an alcoholic or non-alcoholic, carbonated or uncarbonated liquid that is intended for human consumption. 
Requires: (1) distributors to collect the refund value for each beverage sold to retailers by a deposit initiator, and (2) retailers to collect the refund value for each beverage sold to consumers. Requires: (1) retailers to pay the refund on returned unbroken containers of brands sold for up to a specified number of containers per day based on the square footage of the retailer's space (excluding any container contaminated by a hazardous waste), and (2) distributors to pay the refund on returned containers of brands sold, plus at least three cents per container for handling costs. 
Directs each deposit initiator to pay to a state, quarterly, unclaimed refund amounts, which shall be available to the state for programs designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 
Prohibits distributors and retailers from intentionally disposing of containers subject to this Act or any metal, glass, or plastic from such containers (other than the top or seal) in landfills or solid waste disposal facilities. 
Exempts states that have implemented laws requiring beverage container deposits or that have demonstrated achievement of specified recycling, reuse, or recovery rates for beverage containers. 
Prohibits states or political subdivisions that impose taxes on the sale of beverage containers from imposing any tax on the amount attributable to the refund value of such containers. 
Provides for the adjustment for inflation of the refund amounts at ten-year intervals. 
Prescribes civil penalties for violations of this Act.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-26
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy.
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Introduced in House
To provide for the conveyance of certain Federal land under the administrative jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management in El Dorado County, California, to the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-hr-6532
Sponsor: Rep. McClintock, Tom [R-CA-4]
Introduced: 2012-09-21 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: California
Federal-Indian relations
Indian lands and resources rights
Land transfers

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: 
Directs the Secretary of the Interior, at the request of the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians, to convey to such Indians all interest of the United States in approximately 40.852 acres of specified federal land in El Dorado County, California, under the administrative jurisdiction of the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). 
 
Requires the Shingle Springs Band of Miwok Indians to pay to the Secretary an amount equal to the market value of the conveyed federal land.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-10-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee Indian and Alaska Native Affairs.
action_date: 2012-10-05
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Introduced in House
To establish minimum levels of assistance for certain States under the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-hr-6533
Sponsor: Rep. Michaud, Michael H. [D-ME-2]
Introduced: 2012-09-21 in the House
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Appropriations
Energy assistance for the poor and aged
Energy prices
Lighting, heating, cooling

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: 
Amends the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981 to require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), from any appropriations for a fiscal year containing a qualifying winter season, to allot to each qualifying state, at least 25% of whose households use heating oil as the primary heating fuel, an amount that is at least the same as that allotted to the state for FY2010. Requires that allotments to states that do not qualify under this Act be ratably reduced if necessary to ensure the allotments to qualifying states.
 
Defines a &quot;qualifying winter season&quot; as one occurring after enactment of this Act for which the projected average price of heating oil is greater than the average price for the winter of 2011-2012.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, 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: 2012-09-21
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Education and the Workforce, 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: 2012-09-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Introduced in House
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a registry of certain veterans who were stationed at or underwent training at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, New Brunswick, Canada, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-hr-6534
Sponsor: Rep. Michaud, Michael H. [D-ME-2]
Introduced: 2012-09-21 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Canada
Disability assistance
Government information and archives
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Health care coverage and access
Health information and medical records
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Military facilities and property
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: 
 Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and maintain a special record to be known as the Canadian Forces Base Gagetown Health Registry containing the name of each individual who, while serving in the Armed Forces, was stationed at or underwent training at Canadian Forces Base Gagetown, New Brunswick, Canada (Gagetown), during the period beginning on January 1, 1956, and ending on December 31, 2005, and who: (1) applies for care or services from the VA; (2) files a claim for compensation on the basis of any disability which may be associated with such service; (3) dies and is survived by a spouse, child, or parent who files a claim for dependency and indemnity compensation on the basis of such service; (4) requests a health examination from the VA; or (5) receives such health examination and requests inclusion in the Registry. Requires the Secretary, upon request, to provide such health examination, as well as consultation and counseling with respect to examination results. 
 
Directs the Secretary to: (1) notify individuals in the Registry of significant developments in research on the health consequences of potential exposure to a toxic substance or environmental hazard related to service at Gagetown; and (2) carry out appropriate outreach activities with respect to such health examinations, consultation, and counseling.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-10-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2012-10-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 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: 2012-09-21
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 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: 2012-09-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Introduced in House
Save America's National Economy Act

Bill: 112-hr-6535
Sponsor: Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-8]
Introduced: 2012-09-21 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Appropriations
Budget process
Capital gains tax
Conflicts and wars
Defense spending
Income tax rates
Military operations and strategy

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: 
Save America's National Economy Act - Repeals provisions of the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985, as added by the Budget Control Act of 2011, that require automatic reductions in discretionary spending (sequestration) between FY2013 and FY2021.
 
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) increase individual income tax rates for taxpayers whose taxable income exceeds $1 million, and (2) provide for an adjustment in the capital gains tax of taxpayers whose taxable income is subject to the 45% tax bracket. 
 
Establishes caps on funding levels for overseas contingency operations and related activities for FY2013-FY2021.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Referred to the Committee on the Budget, 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: 2012-09-21
text: Referred to the Committee on the Budget, 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: 2012-09-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Introduced in House
To authorize the President to seek to conduct negotiations with the European Union for purposes of entering into a trade agreement with the European Union, and for other purposes.

Bill: 112-hr-6536
Sponsor: Rep. Nunes, Devin [R-CA-21]
Introduced: 2012-09-21 in the House
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Europe
European Union
Tariffs
Trade agreements and negotiations
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: 
Grants the President authority to seek negotiations with the European Union (EU) for a trade agreement to reduce existing EU or U.S. duties or other import restrictions unduly burdening and restricting U.S. foreign trade.
 
Subjects such authority to all applicable congressional notification and consultation requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Introduced in House
Generalized System of Preferences Improvement Act

Bill: 112-hr-6537
Sponsor: Rep. Nunes, Devin [R-CA-21]
Introduced: 2012-09-21 in the House
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Agricultural trade
Animal and plant health
Congressional oversight
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Normal trade relations, most-favored-nation treatment
Trade agreements and negotiations
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: 
Generalized System of Preferences Improvement Act - Amends the Trade Act of 1974 to revise the prohibition against the President's designation of a beneficiary developing country for purposes of duty-free treatment of its products under the generalized system of preferences. 
 
Prohibits the President from designating a country a beneficiary developing country if it: (1) enters into an agreement to afford preferential treatment to the products of a developed country other than the United States, unless the President certifies to Congress that it is in the U.S. national interests to make such designation; and (2) improperly uses sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, or other non-tariff trade barriers in a manner to negatively affect trade between the country and the United States.
 
Adds as one of the factors the President must take into account in determining whether to designate a country as a beneficiary developing country the extent, if any, to which such country adopts and follows international sanitary or phytosanitary standards and provides scientific justifications for deviations from such standards.
 
Requires the President to report annually to Congress on the status of market access within each covered beneficiary developing country, including findings with respect to whether or not it has adopted and followed international sanitary and phytosanitary standards and provides scientific justifications for any deviations from such standards.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Introduced in House
United States-Brazil Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade Act

Bill: 112-hr-6539
Sponsor: Rep. Nunes, Devin [R-CA-21]
Introduced: 2012-09-21 in the House
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Brazil
Free trade and trade barriers
International organizations and cooperation
Latin America
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: 
United States-Brazil Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade Act - Establishes the United States-Brazil Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade to address bilateral trade matters, seek removal of trade barriers, and promote commercial opportunities between the United States and Brazil.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Introduced in House
Common Sense USA Act

Bill: 112-hr-6540
Sponsor: Rep. Posey, Bill [R-FL-15]
Introduced: 2012-09-21 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Florida
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Land transfers
Space flight and exploration

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: 
Common Sense Utilization of Spaceport Assets Act or the Common Sense USA Act - Authorizes the Director of the Kennedy Space Center in Florida to convey excess real property to a state, or a subdivision of a state, for the development and operation of a spaceport.
 
Prohibits the involvement of the Administrator of General Services Administration (GSA) in any such conveyance.
 
Permits such conveyance to be made only after specific conveyance requirements have been met, including that the Director has received and approved a development plan that assures that the conveyed land will be developed and operated as a spaceport. 
 
Requires the deed of conveyance to provide that all of the property will be used and maintained in perpetuity for the purpose for which it was conveyed.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-10-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics.
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Introduced in House
Maximize Our Highways Act of 2012

Bill: 112-hr-6541
Sponsor: Rep. Reed, Tom [R-NY-29]
Introduced: 2012-09-21 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Roads and highways
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: 
Maximize Our Highways Act of 2012 - Directs the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to study the economically beneficial uses of rights-of-way associated with federal-aid highways, including: (1) the identification of economically beneficial activities that may be carried out to ensure those rights-of-way are used in the most economically beneficial manner; and (2) an analysis of the costs and benefits of, barriers to, and revenue generated by carrying out such activities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2012-09-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2012-09-21
text: Introduced in House