hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Christopher's Law

Bill: 113-s-2460
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2014-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Consumer credit
Disability and paralysis
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2014-06-10
text: 
Christopher Bryski Student Loan Protection Act or Christopher's Law - Amends the Truth in Lending Act to require lenders of private education loans to: 
 
 
 describe clearly and conspicuously, in writing, the cosigners' obligations regarding such loans, including the effect a borrower's or cosigner's death, disability, or inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity would have on such obligations;
 
require the borrower to designate an individual to have the legal authority to act on behalf of the borrower in the event of the borrower's death, disability, or inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity; and
 
ensure that the borrower, and any cosigner, receives comprehensive information on the loan's terms and conditions and the borrower's responsibilities with respect to such loan.
 
 
Directs the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) to publish a model form for describing a cosigner's obligations regarding private education loans.
 
Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 (HEA) to require institutions of higher education to provide borrowers of federal education loans information at their entrance counseling on:
 
 
 the effect their death, disability, or inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity would have on their federal and private education loans; 
 
any repayment, refinance, deferment, forbearance, or forgiveness opportunities available to the borrower, or cosigner, in the event of either individual's death, disability, or inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity; and
 
the effect their death, disability, or inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity would have on their obligations and any cosigner's obligations with respect to the loan.
 
 
Requires students applying for federal education loans to designate an individual who is to have the legal authority to act on their behalf with respect to such a loan in the event of their death, disability, or inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-07-31
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2014-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2014-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Safeguarding Classrooms Hurt by ObamaCare's Obligatory Levies

Bill: 113-s-2462
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2014-06-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Comprehensive health care
Elementary and secondary education
Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Higher education
Sales and excise taxes
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2014-06-11
text: 
Safeguarding Classrooms Hurt by ObamaCare's Obligatory Levies - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude any elementary or secondary school, state or local educational agency, and institution of higher education from the definition of "applicable large employer" for purposes of the employer mandate to provide health care coverage for employees.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-06-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2014-06-11
text: Introduced in Senate
National Bison Legacy Act

Bill: 113-s-2464
Sponsor: Sen. Johnson, Tim [D-SD]
Introduced: 2014-06-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Mammals
National symbols

Summary:
action_date: 2014-06-11
text: 
National Bison Legacy Act - Adopts the North American bison as the national mammal of the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-06-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2014-06-11
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to include the desecration of cemeteries among the many forms of violations of the right to religious freedom.

Bill: 113-s-2466
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2014-06-11 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Cemeteries and funerals
Crimes against property
Human rights
Religion

Summary:
action_date: 2014-06-11
text: 
Amends the International Religious Freedom Act of 1998 to include the desecration of cemeteries among the forms of violations of the right to religious freedom in many countries around the world.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-06-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2014-06-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Continuing Care for Veterans Act of 2014

Bill: 113-s-2467
Sponsor: Sen. Pryor, Mark L. [D-AR]
Introduced: 2014-06-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Health care coverage and access
Hospital care
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2014-06-12
text: 
Continuing Care for Veterans Act of 2014 - Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) from altering the health care available to a veteran who is enrolled in the VA health care system or the amount of time that veteran has to wait for an appointment for such care based solely on the length of time since he or she last received health care from the VA.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-06-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2014-06-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans Emergency Health Care Safety Net Expansion Act of 2014

Bill: 113-s-2468
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2014-06-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Disability and paralysis
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health care costs and insurance
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2014-06-12
text: 
Veterans Emergency Health Care Safety Net Expansion Act of 2014 - Eliminates the requirement limiting reimbursement for emergency treatment in a non-Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility to veterans who are active participants in the VA's health care system. Requires the veteran to be an enrollee in the VA's patient enrollment system.
 
Treats the VA as a participating provider for purposes of allowing the VA to recover the costs it incurs in providing care to a veteran for a non-service connected disability that is covered under the veteran's health plan contract.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-06-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2014-06-12
text: Introduced in Senate
GSA Act

Bill: 113-s-2469
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2014-06-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Government buildings, facilities, and property
Public contracts and procurement
Public transit

Summary:
action_date: 2014-06-12
text: 
Government Services Accessibility Act or the GSA Act - Prohibits the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) from leasing a building for a federal agency unless the Administrator determines that the building to be leased would satisfy requirements relating to access to public transportation, including any requirement that the building is located not greater than a certain distance from public transportation that operates regularly throughout the building's normal business hours.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-06-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2014-06-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2014

Bill: 113-s-2471
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2014-06-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Bankruptcy
Health care costs and insurance
Military operations and strategy
Military personnel and dependents
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2014-06-12
text: 
Medical Bankruptcy Fairness Act of 2014 - Amends federal bankruptcy law to cite circumstances under which a medically distressed debtor may elect to exempt from the property of the estate in bankruptcy up to $250,000 of the debtor's aggregate interest in: (1) specified real or personal property that the debtor (or debtor's dependent) uses as a residence, (2) a cooperative that owns the property used as a residence by the debtor or a dependent of the debtor, or (3) a burial plot for the debtor or debtor's dependent.
 
Applies the same election to certain other property of a medically distressed debtor, including certain retirement funds held in a tax-exempt account.
 
Declares inapplicable to a medically distressed debtor: (1) certain presumptions that granting relief under Chapter 7 would constitute abuse of Chapter 7, and (2) mandatory court disapproval of a debtor's plan under chapter 13 upon objection by the trustee or the holder of an allowed unsecured claim.
 
Waives the credit counseling prerequisite for filing for debt relief in the case of a medically distressed debtor.
 
Permits a medically distressed debtor to discharge in bankruptcy debts for certain educational loans. 
Requires a debtor who seeks relief as a medically distressed debtor to attest in writing, and under penalty of perjury, that debtor's medical expenses are genuine, and are not specifically incurred to bring the debtor within the meaning of &quot;medically distressed debtor.&quot;


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-06-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2014-06-12
text: Introduced in Senate
International Human Rights Defense Act of 2014

Bill: 113-s-2472
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2014-06-12 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of State
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign aid and international relief
HIV/AIDS
Human rights
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Violent crime
World health

Summary:
action_date: 2014-06-12
text: 
International Human Rights Defense Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of State to establish in the Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor a Special Envoy for the Human Rights of LGBT Peoples who shall: (1) direct U.S. government efforts regarding human rights abuses against the LGBT community internationally and the advancement of human rights for LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender) people in U.S. foreign policy, and (2) represent the United States internationally in bilateral and multilateral engagement on these matters.
 
Directs the Special Envoy to develop or update annually for six years a U.S. global strategy to prevent and respond to discrimination and violence against LGBT people.
 
Authorizes the Secretary and the Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide assistance to prevent and respond to discrimination and violence against LGBT people.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-06-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2014-06-12
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill for the relief of Meriam Yahya Ibrahim, Martin Wani, and Maya Wani.

Bill: 113-s-2474
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2014-06-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2014-06-12
text: Provides for the relief of Meriam Yahya Ibrahim, Martin Wani, and Maya Wani.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-06-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2014-06-12
text: Introduced in Senate
Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act of 2014

Bill: 113-s-2476
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2014-06-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media

Summary:
action_date: 2014-06-17
text: 
Online Competition and Consumer Choice Act of 2014 - Directs the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to promulgate regulations that prohibit broadband providers, in transmitting network traffic over the broadband Internet access service of an end user, from: (1) entering an agreement with an edge provider (a provider of Internet content, applications, services, or access devices) to give preferential treatment or priority to the traffic of such edge provider in exchange for consideration (commonly referred to as &quot;paid prioritization&quot;); and (2) giving preferential treatment or priority to content, applications, services, or devices that are provided or operated by such broadband provider or an affiliate of such broadband provider.
 
Prohibits this Act from superseding any obligation or authorization of a broadband provider to address the needs of emergency communications, law enforcement, public safety, or national security authorities.
 
Sets forth enforcement authority under the Communications Act of 1934, with modified forfeiture standards.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-09-17
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-845.
action_date: 2014-06-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3721)
action_date: 2014-06-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3720-3721)
action_date: 2014-06-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Egyptian Military Coup Act of 2014

Bill: 113-s-2477
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2014-06-17 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Egypt
Foreign aid and international relief
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Sanctions
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status

Summary:
action_date: 2014-06-17
text: 
Egyptian Military Coup Act of 2014 - Prohibits U.S. government assistance to Egypt pursuant to the coup d'etat restriction under the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Act, 2012. 
 
Suspends the provision of specified defense articles and services, and the processing of letters of offer and acceptance for future arms sales, until the President certifies to Congress that democratic national elections have taken place in Egypt followed by a peaceful transfer of power.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-06-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2014-06-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Short Line Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2014

Bill: 113-s-2478
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2014-06-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Oil and gas
Railroads
Transportation employees
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2014-06-17
text: 
Short Line Railroad Safety Enhancement Act of 2014 - Authorizes the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to award grants to private or nonprofit organizations involved in, or affiliated with, transportation by regional (Class II) railroads and shortline (Class III) railroads for research, development, evaluation, and training efforts to enhance rail safety practices and safety culture.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-06-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2014-06-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3721-3722)
action_date: 2014-06-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Moapa Band of Paiutes Land Conveyance Act

Bill: 113-s-2479
Sponsor: Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV]
Introduced: 2014-06-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Indian lands and resources rights
Land transfers
Nevada

Summary:
action_date: 2014-06-17
text: 
Moapa Band of Paiutes Land Conveyance Act - Directs that approximately 26,565 acres of land in Nevada administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Bureau of Reclamation be: (1) held in trust for the benefit of the Moapa Band of Paiutes, and (2) made part of the Tribe's reservation. 
 
Restricts gaming on the land. 
 
Requires the Tribe to use the land for traditional and customary uses, stewardship conservation for the benefit of the Tribe, residential or recreational development, or renewable energy development. Requires the Tribe to pay the Secretary fair market value for any portion of the land used for another purpose.

action_date: 2014-08-26
text: 
Moapa Band of Paiutes Land Conveyance Act - Directs that approximately 25,977 acres of land in Nevada administered by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Bureau of Reclamation be: (1) held in trust for the benefit of the Moapa Band of Paiutes, and (2) be made part of the Tribe's reservation. 
 
Restricts gaming on the land. 
 
Directs that approximately 88 acres of land held in fee by the Tribe be: (1) held in trust for the benefit of the Tribe, and (2) made part of the Tribe's reservation. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-12-01
text: By Senator Tester from Committee on Indian Affairs filed written report. Report No. 113-277.
action_date: 2014-12-01
text: By Senator Tester from Committee on Indian Affairs filed written report. Report No. 113-277.
action_date: 2014-08-26
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 544.
action_date: 2014-08-26
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Tester under authority of the order of the Senate of 08/05/2014 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2014-08-26
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Reported by Senator Tester under authority of the order of the Senate of 08/05/2014 with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2014-07-30
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2014-07-10
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S4394-4395)
action_date: 2014-07-09
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 113-419.
action_date: 2014-06-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3722)
action_date: 2014-06-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Women's Small Business Procurement Parity Act

Bill: 113-s-2481
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2014-06-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Public contracts and procurement
Small business
Women in business

Summary:
action_date: 2014-06-17
text: 
Women's Small Business Procurement Parity Act - Amends the Small Business Act to revise procurement program requirements for women-owned small businesses.
 
Authorizes a contracting officer to award a sole source contract under this Act to small businesses owned and controlled by women if each of the businesses is at least 51% owned by one or more women who are economically disadvantaged (and such ownership is determined without regard to any community property law), and if:
 
 
the small business is in an industry in which it is underrepresented, as determined by the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA);
 
 the contracting officer determines that it is a responsible contractor;
 
 the anticipated award price of the contract, including options, is not more than: (1) $6.5 million, in the case of a contract opportunity assigned a North American Industry Classification System code for manufacturing; or (2) $4 million, in the case of any other contract opportunity; and
 
the contract award can be made at a fair and reasonable price.
 
 
Authorizes a contracting officer to award a sole source contract to a small business owned and controlled by women meeting the same criteria in an industry in which such businesses are substantially underrepresented if the small business also meets specified certification requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-06-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2014-06-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Lori Jackson Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act

Bill: 113-s-2483
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2014-06-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Domestic violence and child abuse
Evidence and witnesses
Firearms and explosives

Summary:
action_date: 2014-06-17
text: 
Lori Jackson Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act - Amends federal firearms provisions to expand the definition of: (1) "intimate partner" to include a dating partner or former dating partner; and (2) "misdemeanor crime of domestic violence" to include a misdemeanor offense that has, as an element, the use or attempted use of force, or the threatened use of a deadly weapon, by a dating partner or former dating partner against the victim.
 
Prohibits the sale or other disposition of a firearm or ammunition to, or the possession or receipt of a firearm by, a person subject to a court order, or an ex parte order, that restrains such person from: (1) harassing, stalking, threatening, or engaging in other conduct that would put an individual in reasonable fear of bodily injury, including an order issued at the request of an employer on behalf of its employee or at the request of an institution of higher education on behalf of its student; or (2) intimidating or dissuading a witness from testifying in court.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-07-30
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.
action_date: 2014-06-19
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR S3833-3834)
action_date: 2014-06-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2014-06-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Restoring Overtime Pay for Working Americans Act

Bill: 113-s-2486
Sponsor: Sen. Harkin, Tom [D-IA]
Introduced: 2014-06-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Labor
Inflation and prices
Labor standards
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2014-06-18
text: 
Restoring Overtime Pay for Working Americans Act - Amends the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (FLSA) to establish salary thresholds for the exemption of executive, administrative, and professional employees from federal minimum wage and maximum hour requirements (allowing these individuals to receive overtime pay.)
 
Establishes salary thresholds also for exemption of highly compensated employees from these FLSA requirements, if the Secretary of Labor determines such employees may be exempted.
 
Prescribes a fine for any employer who repeatedly or willfully violates the FLSA requirement to make, keep, and preserve records of employees and their wages, hours, and other conditions and practices of employment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2014-06-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3812-3813)
action_date: 2014-06-18
text: Introduced in Senate