hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Veterans Legal Support Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4118
Sponsor: Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Department of Veterans Affairs
Education programs funding
Executive agency funding and structure
Lawyers and legal services
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 

Veterans Legal Support Act of 2015

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide support, including financial support, to one or more university law school programs to provide veterans with legal assistance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1663)
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in House
Head Start Improvement Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4120
Sponsor: Rep. Salmon, Matt [R-AZ-5]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Government studies and investigations
Preschool education

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 

Head Start Improvement Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Head Start Act to replace the existing Head Start program with block grants to states and Indian tribes for prekindergarten (pre-K) education. 
 
Instead of providing direct financial assistance to Head Start agencies, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall allot block grant funds for pre-K education among eligible states and Indian tribes in accordance with their relative proportions of children, age five and younger, from low-income households. Grant recipients shall use the grant funds to: (1) award subgrants to eligible entities that provide pre-K education programs; (2) administer such programs; and (3) provide technical assistance, oversight, monitoring, research, and training.
 
Under current law, HHS is authorized to designate, monitor, and establish standards for Head Start agencies. The bill instead shifts pre-K program oversight and control to states and Indian tribes, which shall have full flexibility to use grant funds to finance the pre-K programs of their choice. In addition, grant recipients may use grant funds to establish portable voucher systems that allow costs to be paid for attendance at private pre-K education programs.
 
Under current law, federal financial assistance for a Head Start program is generally limited to 80% of total program costs. The bill maintains this limitation by requiring grant recipients to provide matching funds equal to 20% of the grant amount.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in House
Anti-hunger Empowerment Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4121
Sponsor: Rep. Serrano, Jose E. [D-NY-15]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Alaska
California
Caribbean area
Child health
Congressional oversight
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Food assistance and relief
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Georgia
Government information and archives
Illinois
Indiana
Intergovernmental relations
Iowa
Kentucky
Maryland
Missouri
New York City
New York State
Nutrition and diet
Ohio
Pennsylvania
Performance measurement
Poverty and welfare assistance
Puerto Rico
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
State and local finance
State and local government operations
Texas
Virginia
West Virginia
Wisconsin

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 

Anti-hunger Empowerment Act of 2015 

 
This bill reduces administrative requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program), authorizes funding to increase access to SNAP offices, and authorizes grants for community-based nonprofits to expand anti-hunger activities. 
 
The bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to repeal existing provisions regarding administrative costs and authorize the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to pay 75% of the administrative costs for state agencies to increase the operating hours of SNAP offices, reduce wait times, accept online applications, upgrade technology, and provide a checklist of required documents. 
 
If a state agency believes that information provided by a SNAP applicant is incorrect or incomplete, the agency must notify the applicant in writing and include instructions for providing the required information. Unless the information is not provided in response to the request or it cannot be verified, a state must not require an applicant to appear in person. State agencies must not require fingerprints for any member of a household to participate in SNAP or receive benefits. 
 
USDA must report annually to Congress on the comparative progress of states in improving access to SNAP. 
 

Beyond the Soup Kitchen Grants Program Act of 2015 

 
The Beyond the Soup Kitchen Pilot Program is established to provide grants to community-based nonprofit feeding and anti-hunger groups for programs to reduce hunger, increase the use of nutrition assistance and anti-poverty programs, bolster food security, assist individuals and families to develop assets, promote economic independence, improve nutrition, and reduce obesity. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to provide that aliens who were present in certain countries may not be admitted under the visa waiver program, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-hr-4122
Sponsor: Rep. Sinema, Kyrsten [D-AZ-9]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Afghanistan
Africa
Egypt
Immigration status and procedures
Iraq
Libya
Middle East
Nigeria
Somalia
Terrorism
Travel and tourism
Visas and passports
Yemen

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to prohibit the visa waiver admission of an alien who was present during the preceding five-year period in: 
 
 
a country designated by the Department of State or any other provision of law as a country whose government has repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism; 
 
Afghanistan, Egypt, Iraq, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, or Nigeria; or 
 
any other country determined appropriate by the State Department, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of the Treasury, and the Director of National Intelligence. 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in House
Define it to Fight it Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4123
Sponsor: Rep. Walker, Mark [R-NC-6]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Foreign aid and international relief
Terrorism
Travel and tourism
United Nations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 

Define it to Fight it Act of 2015

 
This bill directs the Department of State to withhold 10% of U.S. contributions to the regularly assessed biennial budget of the United Nations (U.N.) until the U.N. adopts a definition of international terrorism concurrent with U.S. laws. 
 
&quot;International terrorism&quot; shall mean terrorism involving one or more citizens of a country, or the territory of one or more countries, if the government of any such country consents to, or with knowledge, allows, tolerates, or disregards the activities of that citizen or that use of the territory, including its use as a transit point.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in House
Support America's Armed Forces Reserve Component Retirees Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4124
Sponsor: Rep. Walz, Timothy J. [D-MN-1]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: National Guard and reserves
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 

Support America's Armed Forces Reserve Component Retirees Act of 2015

 
This bill authorizes a retiring National Guard member who first enters a uniformed service on or after January 1, 2018, to receive retirement pay after 20 years of service. 
 
Computation of the high-three year retired pay base average for such a member shall only include the 36 months for which he or she was entitled to monthly basic pay.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in House
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct a study on the feasibility of the Secretary entering into public-private partnerships to improve the access of veterans to medical facilities in densely populated communities and rural communities.

Bill: 114-hr-4125
Sponsor: Rep. Watson Coleman, Bonnie [D-NJ-12]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Building construction
Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Public-private cooperation
Rural conditions and development
Urban and suburban affairs and development
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to study the feasibility of entering into covered public-private partnerships to improve the access of veterans to VA medical facilities in densely populated communities and rural communities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in House
Guantanamo Transfer Prevention Act

Bill: 114-hr-4126
Sponsor: Rep. Yoho, Ted S. [R-FL-3]
Introduced: 2015-11-19 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Caribbean area
Cuba
Defense spending
Department of Defense
Detention of persons
Executive agency funding and structure
Latin America
Military facilities and property
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: 

Guantanamo Transfer Prevention Act

 
This bill prohibits the President from using Department of Defense (DOD) funds to transfer or release to or within the United States, its territories, or possessions Khalid Sheikh Mohammed or any other detainee who is not a U.S. citizen or member of the U.S. Armed Forces and is or was held on or after January 20, 2009, at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, by DOD.
 
Any contravening action by the President shall be without legal effect. 
 
No amounts authorized to be appropriated or otherwise made available for DOD for FY2016 may be used to: (1) close or abandon Guantanamo, (2) relinquish control of Guantanamo to Cuba, or (3) implement a material modification to the Treaty Between the United States of America and Cuba signed at Washington, DC, on May 29, 1934, that constructively closes Guantanamo.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-19
text: Introduced in House
Jumpstart VA Construction Act

Bill: 114-hr-4129
Sponsor: Rep. McNerney, Jerry [D-CA-9]
Introduced: 2015-11-30 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Building construction
Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Health facilities and institutions
Public contracts and procurement
Public-private cooperation
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: 

Jumpstart VA Construction Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into partnership agreements with non-federal entities for the construction of major medical construction projects authorized by law. 
 
Each selected project shall be for construction of a new facility for which: (1) Congress has appropriated funds, (2) the design and development phase is complete, and (3) construction has not begun as of the date of enactment of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-02-25
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2016-02-25
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2016-02-25
text: Subcommittee on Health Discharged.
action_date: 2015-12-08
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2015-12-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Introduced in House
Support Our Steelworkers Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4130
Sponsor: Rep. Nolan, Richard M. [D-MN-8]
Introduced: 2015-11-30 in the House
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Metals
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: 

Support Our Steelworkers Act of 2015

 
This bill prohibits, for a specified period, the importation of certain iron and steel articles into the customs territory of the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Trade.
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Introduced in House
Bring the Ancient One Home Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4131
Sponsor: Rep. Heck, Denny [D-WA-10]
Introduced: 2015-11-30 in the House
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Archaeology and anthropology
Historical and cultural resources
Washington State

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: 

Bring the Ancient One Home Act of 2015

 
This bill directs the Chief of the Army Corps of Engineers to transfer the human remains known as Kennewick Man or the Ancient One that are part of archaeological collection number 45BN495 to the Washington State Department of Archaeology and Historic Preservation on the condition that such Department disposes of and repatriates the remains to the Indian tribes and band referred to in the letter from Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt to Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera relating to the human remains, dated September 21, 2000.
 
The Corps of Engineers shall be responsible for any costs associated with the transfer.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Indian, Insular and Alaska Native Affairs.
action_date: 2015-12-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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: 2015-11-30
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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: 2015-11-30
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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: 2015-11-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Introduced in House
Preserving State Rights Act

Bill: 114-hr-4132
Sponsor: Rep. Poliquin, Bruce [R-ME-2]
Introduced: 2015-11-30 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Intergovernmental relations
Land use and conservation
Monuments and memorials
Parks, recreation areas, trails
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: 

Preserving State Rights Act

 
This bill allows a proclamation designating a national monument only for those approved by the state legislature and the governor of each state in which the national monument would be located. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Introduced in House
Public Housing Accountability Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4133
Sponsor: Rep. Byrne, Bradley [R-AL-1]
Introduced: 2015-11-30 in the House
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Low- and moderate-income housing
Public housing

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: 

Public Housing Accountability Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to add a requirement for periodic review of family income with respect to rental assistance for low-income families.
 
Reviews of family income shall be made at any time the family income changes by an amount estimated to result in an increase of 10% or more in annual adjusted income (or such other amount as the Department of Housing and Urban Development may establish). A public housing agency (PHA) or owner may elect not to conduct such a review in the last three months of a period during which the family is certified eligible for rental assistance.
 
The bill also revises the authorization for a PHA that owns or operates fewer than 250 units to lease a dwelling unit in a public housing project, on a month-to-month basis, to an over-income family if there are no eligible families applying to the PHA for housing assistance for that month. The PHA must give a 30-day notice-to-vacate, subject to a specified appeal procedure, to any family determined over-income because of an income review.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Introduced in House
Veterans Health Care Staffing Improvement Act

Bill: 114-hr-4134
Sponsor: Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4]
Introduced: 2015-11-30 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Department of Veterans Affairs
Employee hiring
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Health personnel
Licensing and registrations
Military medicine
Military personnel and dependents
Nursing
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: 

Veterans Health Care Staffing Improvement Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a Docs-to-Doctors Program to recruit individuals separating from the Armed Forces who served in a health care capacity in the Armed Forces. 
 
The VA shall: (1) implement a uniform credentialing process for certain health care employees of the Veterans Health Administration; and (2) provide full practice authority to advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, and such other licensed VA health care professionals as consistent with their education, training, and certification.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-12-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2015-12-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-11-30
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: 2015-11-30
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: 2015-11-30
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: 2015-11-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Introduced in House
Visa Waiver Program Firearms Clarification Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-4135
Sponsor: Rep. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL-8]
Introduced: 2015-11-30 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Firearms and explosives
Immigration status and procedures
Travel and tourism
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: 

Visa Waiver Program Firearms Clarification Act of 2015

 
The bill amends the federal criminal code to modify the eligibility of certain foreign nationals to purchase and possess firearms in the United States.
 
Current law prohibits firearm sale or transfer to or possession by a foreign national (i.e., alien) who is: (1) unlawfully present in the United States, or (2) lawfully present under a nonimmigrant visa (e.g., tourist visa). The prohibitions do not apply in certain circumstances.
 
This bill expands the prohibition to bar firearm sale or transfer to or possession by a foreign national who was lawfully admitted to the United States without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program.
 
The prohibitions do not apply to a foreign national lawfully admitted under the Visa Waiver Program if that foreign national is a government official or law enforcement officer, or possesses a hunting license. Additionally, such foreign national may apply for a Department of Justice waiver to allow firearm possession. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-01-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-11-30
text: Introduced in House