hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Prioritize Spending Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-2402
Sponsor: Rep. Webster, Daniel [R-FL-8]
Introduced: 2011-06-24 in the House
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Appropriations
Budget deficits and national debt
Coast guard
Congressional oversight
Defense spending
Department of Defense
Department of Homeland Security
Executive agency funding and structure
Medicare
Military personnel and dependents
Social security and elderly assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2011-06-24
text: 
Prioritize Spending Act of 2011 - Requires amounts necessary for incurred federal obligations, in the event that the public debt reaches the statutory limit, to be made available to certain obligations, in prioritized order, before all other obligations. 
 
Prioritizes such obligations in the following descending order: (1) amounts necessary to carry out the authority of the Department of the Treasury to pay with legal tender the principal and interest on public debt; (2) amounts determined by the Secretary of Defense (DOD) (and the Secretary of Homeland Security [DHS] in the case of the Coast Guard) to be necessary to continue to provide pay and allowances (without interruption) to members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, including their reserve components, who perform active service; (3) amounts certified to Congress by the President as necessary to carry out vital national security priorities; (4) amounts necessary to carry out the authority of the Commissioner of Social Security to pay monthly old-age, survivors', and disability insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (SSA); and (5) amounts necessary to make payments under the Medicare program under SSA title XVIII.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-06-24
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2011-06-24
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-06-24
text: Introduced in House
National Guard Outreach Act

Bill: 112-hr-2403
Sponsor: Rep. Welch, Peter [D-VT-At Large]
Introduced: 2011-06-24 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Defense spending
Military operations and strategy
Military personnel and dependents
National Guard and reserves

Summary:
action_date: 2011-06-24
text: 
National Guard Outreach Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to assist a state National Guard in providing pre- and post-deployment outreach, reintegration, and readjustment program services to: (1) reserve component Armed Forces members residing in the state or National Guard members of the state regardless of place of residence who are ordered to active duty in support of a contingency operation and such members upon returning from such active duty, (2) veterans, and (3) dependents of such members and veterans.
 
 
Requires: (1) supported programs to use direct person-to-person outreach and other relevant activities ensuring that eligible persons receive all the available services and support; and (2) a decision to commit, obligate, or expend funds with or to a specific National Guard to be based on certain merit-based or competitive procedures.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2011-06-24
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2011-06-24
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-06-24
text: Introduced in House
Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-2404
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Introduced: 2011-06-28 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Department of Health and Human Services
Department of State
Executive Office of the President
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign aid and international relief
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Legal fees and court costs
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Mental health
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
War crimes, genocide, crimes against humanity

Summary:
action_date: 2011-06-28
text: 
Torture Victims Relief Reauthorization Act of 2011 - Amends the Torture Victims Relief Act of 1998 to authorize FY2012-FY2013 appropriations for: (1) the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for grants to domestic treatment centers for the costs of services provided in the rehabilitation of victims of torture (including treatment of the physical and psychological effects of torture), social and legal services, and research and training of health care providers outside of treatment centers or programs; and (2) the President for grants to foreign treatment centers and programs for activities designed to treat victims for the physical and psychological effects of torture. 
 
Directs the Secretary of State to report to Congress annually regarding: (1) Foreign Service officer training about torture victims, and (2) the percentage and number of torture victims who are approved for refugee entry into the United States. 
 
Directs the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide support for indigenous foreign treatment centers and programs for torture victims in order to increase such centers' capacities to train other local health care providers. Authorizes FY2012-FY2013 appropriations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-10-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Human Rights.
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2011-06-28
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, 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: 2011-06-28
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, 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: 2011-06-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-06-28
text: Introduced in House
To authorize the Administrator of General Services to convey a parcel of real property in Tracy, California, to the City of Tracy.

Bill: 112-hr-2406
Sponsor: Rep. McNerney, Jerry [D-CA-11]
Introduced: 2011-07-06 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: California
Land transfers

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: 
 
Authorizes the Administrator of General Services (GSA) to offer to enter into a binding agreement with the city of Tracy, California, under which the Administrator may convey to the city any reversionary interest retained by the United States in a specified parcel of land conveyed to the city for educational or recreational purposes and all other terms, conditions, reservations, and restrictions imposed in connection with the conveyance of such parcel. 
 
Requires the city to pay to the Administrator not less than the appraised fair market value of the parcel, as determined by the Administrator pursuant to an appraisal, based on the highest and best use of the parcel. Makes such determination regarding the value of such parcel final.
 
Makes the city responsible for reimbursing the Administrator for costs associated with the implementation of this Act, including the costs of each applicable appraisal and survey.
 
Requires the net proceeds from such conveyance to be deposited into the Federal Buildings Fund and made available for expenditure for any lawful purpose consistent with the Administrator's authority.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management.
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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: 2011-07-06
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, 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: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
PARA

Bill: 112-hr-2407
Sponsor: Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4]
Introduced: 2011-07-06 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Mexico
Motor carriers
Trade restrictions
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: 
Protecting America's Roads Act or PARA - Prohibits the Secretary of Transportation (DOT), unless expressly authorized by Congress, from granting authority to Mexico-domiciled motor carriers to operate beyond U.S. municipalities and commercial zones on the U.S.-Mexico border except under a pilot program meeting certain requirements, including that: (1) it not exceed a period of three years, (2) it be carried out for period sufficient to generate statistically valid findings on the safety impacts of the pilot program, and (3) certain other program requirements are met.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
Geothermal Tax Parity Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-2408
Sponsor: Rep. Reichert, David G. [R-WA-8]
Introduced: 2011-07-06 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Business investment and capital
Income tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: 
Geothermal Tax Parity Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow through 2016 a 30% energy tax credit for investment in geothermal energy property. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
To decrease the statutory limit on the public debt.

Bill: 112-hr-2409
Sponsor: Rep. Broun, Paul C. [R-GA-10]
Introduced: 2011-07-06 in the House
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: 
Decreases the statutory limit on the public debt from $14.294 trillion to $13 trillion.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4686)
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
College Debt Swap Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-2410
Sponsor: Rep. Towns, Edolphus [D-NY-10]
Introduced: 2011-07-06 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: 
College Debt Swap Act of 2011 - Amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow certain borrowers to consolidate their private education loans as Direct Consolidation Loans.
 
Limits such borrowers to those who: (1) are not in default on a loan made, insured, or guaranteed under title IV, except in certain instances of economic hardship; (2) were enrolled, between July 1, 1994, and July 1, 2010, as students eligible for unsubsidized Stafford loans or PLUS loans under the Federal Family Education Loan or Direct Loan programs; (3) borrowed at least one private education loan during such enrollment period; (4) are repaying their private education loan or are in a grace period preceding such repayment; (5) do not have an adverse credit history with respect to Direct Plus loans; and (6) have not previously obtained a Direct Consolidated Loan under title IV.
 
Makes the program applicable only to private education loans disbursed to borrowers between July 1, 1994, and July 1, 2010.
 
Directs the Secretary of Education to inform and educate students and their families about this loan consolidation program.
 
Terminates the authority to make Consolidation loans under such program on June 30, 2012.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-09-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
Reduce America's Debt Now Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-2411
Sponsor: Rep. Crawford, Eric A. "Rick" [R-AR-1]
Introduced: 2011-07-06 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Employment taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: 
Reduce America's Debt Now Act of 2011 - Authorizes an employee to elect for an employer to deduct and withhold upon the payment of his or her wages amounts to be used to reduce the public debt.
 
Disallows an itemized deduction under the Internal Revenue Code for such withholding.
 
Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) modify withholding exemption certificates (Form W-4) to include such an election, and (2) include on the certificate a reasonably conspicuous statement that any amounts deducted and withheld from such wages are not deductible as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.
 
Amends the Code to redefine &quot;wages&quot; to exclude any amount deducted and withheld pursuant to an election under this Act for purposes of employment taxes and collection of income taxes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
Commuter Benefits Equity Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-2412
Sponsor: Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-3]
Introduced: 2011-07-06 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Commuting
Employee benefits and pensions
Income tax exclusion
Transportation costs

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: 
Commuter Benefits Equity Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to equalize and increase to $230, with a cost-of-living adjustment after 2012, the tax exclusion for both transportation and parking fringe benefits. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
Farmers' Freedom Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-2414
Sponsor: Rep. Lankford, James [R-OK-5]
Introduced: 2011-07-06 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Agricultural equipment and machinery
Motor carriers
Motor vehicles
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: 
Farmers' Freedom Act of 2011 - Exempts certain farm vehicles (including the individual operating the vehicle) from certain federal requirements (for a commercial driver's license, drug testing, medical certificates, and hours of service) governing the operation of motor vehicles.
 
Prohibits federal transportation funding to a state from being terminated, limited, or otherwise interfered with as a result of the state's exempting a covered farm vehicle (including the individual operating that vehicle, but excluding any farm vehicle transporting hazardous materials requiring a placard) from any state requirements governing the operation of that vehicle.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
Monroe County HUBZone Extension Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-2416
Sponsor: Rep. Barletta, Lou [R-PA-11]
Introduced: 2011-07-06 in the House
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Economic development
Pennsylvania
Public contracts and procurement
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: 
Monroe County HUBZone Act of 2011 - Provides that, for purposes of the Small Business Act, Monroe County, Pennsylvania, shall be a HUBZone (historically underutilized business zone) during the three-year period beginning on October 1, 2011. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
National Future Farmers of America Commemorative Coin Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-2418
Sponsor: Rep. Braley, Bruce L. [D-IA-1]
Introduced: 2011-07-06 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural education
Currency

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: 
National Future Farmers of America Commemorative Coin Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to mint and issue gold and silver coins in commemoration of the National Future Farmers of America Organization and the 85th anniversary of such Organization.
 
Authorizes the issuance of coins under this Act only for a one year period, beginning on January 1, 2014. 
 
Requires all sales of coins minted under this Act to include a surcharge of $25 per gold coin and $10 per silver coin. 
 
Requires all of the surcharges received from the sale of such coins to be paid to the National FFA Foundation in Indianapolis, Indiana, for the creation of an endowment to enhance and expand programs that encourage the development of leadership skills, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education and the Future Farmers of America. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Domestic Monetary Policy and Technology.
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
COMBAT PTSD Act

Bill: 112-hr-2419
Sponsor: Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]
Introduced: 2011-07-06 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Disability assistance
Mental health
Military operations and strategy
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: 
Compensation Owed for Mental Health Based on Activities in Theater Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Act or COMBAT PTSD Act - Defines &quot;combat with the enemy,&quot; for purposes of proof of service-connection for veterans' disability compensation, as service on active duty: (1) in a theater of combat operations during a period of war, or (2) in combat against a hostile force during a period of hostilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
Colorado Wilderness Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-2420
Sponsor: Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1]
Introduced: 2011-07-06 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Colorado
Land transfers
Water use and supply
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: 
Colorado Wilderness Act of 2011 - Amends the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1993 to add specified lands in Colorado managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) (proposed as the Powderhorn Wilderness Addition) to the Powderhorn Wilderness. 
 
Designates specified lands in Colorado managed by the BLM or the U.S. Forest Service as wilderness and as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS).
 
Designates specified lands in Colorado administered by the BLM, Forest Service, and Bureau of Reclamation as wilderness and as components of the NWPS. Incorporates such lands into the West Elk Wilderness. 
 
Authorizes the Colorado Army National Guard, through the High-Altitude Army National Guard Aviation Training Site, to conduct aerial navigation training maneuver exercises over the wilderness areas designated by this Act. 
 
Allows the Secretary to continue authorizing competitive running events currently permitted in the Redcloud Peak Wilderness and Handies Peak Wilderness Areas. 
 
Provides for the securing, adjudication, and use of U.S. water rights for certain of the wilderness areas designated by this Act. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands.
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
Layoff Prevention Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-2421
Sponsor: Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3]
Introduced: 2011-07-06 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Employment and training programs
Intergovernmental relations
State and local government operations
Unemployment
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: 
Layoff Prevention Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to set forth requirements relating to short-time compensation programs to allow employers to reduce the workweek of their employees in lieu of layoffs.
 
Provides for federal financing of state short-time compensation programs. Requires the Secretary of Labor to: (1) award grants to states that enact such programs; (2) develop model legislative language for use by states in developing, enacting, and implementing such programs; and (3) report to Congress and the President on their implementation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-12
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Human Resources.
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
Buy American Enhancement Act of 2011

Bill: 112-hr-2423
Sponsor: Rep. Hinchey, Maurice D. [D-NY-22]
Introduced: 2011-07-06 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Buy American requirements
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: 
Buy American Enhancement Act of 2011 - Defines "substantially all" for purposes of Buy American requirements to mean that articles, materials, or supplies shall be treated as made substantially all from articles, materials, or supplies mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States if the cost of the domestic components of such items exceeds 75% of the total cost of all such items. 
 
Requires the head of each federal agency to ensure that certain contracts awarded by such agency include a provision requiring compliance with Buy American requirements.
 
Defines &quot;waiver&quot; for purposes of Buy American requirements. Requires the head of each federal agency to publish on the agency website a list of each waiver of such requirements within 30 days after it is granted. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2011-07-06
text: Introduced in House