hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2230
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2015-11-03 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Middle East
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-03
text: 
 
Muslim Brotherhood Terrorist Designation Act of 2015

 
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) the Muslim Brotherhood has met the criteria for designation as a foreign terrorist organization, and (2) the Department of State should so designate it. 
 
Requires the State Department to report to Congress within 60 days whether the Muslim Brotherhood meets the criteria for foreign terrorist designation and, if not, which criteria have not been met.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2015-11-03
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to express the sense of Congress that the Government of the Maldives should immediately release former President Mohamed Nasheed from prison and release all other political prisoners in the country, as well as guarantee due process for and respect the human rights of all of the people of the Maldives.

Bill: 114-s-2231
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2015-11-03 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
Detention of persons
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Due process and equal protection
Human rights
Maldives
Protest and dissent
Rule of law and government transparency

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-03
text: 
This bill expresses the sense of Congress that the government of the Maldives should release former President Nasheed from prison and release all political prisoners in the country, as well as guarantee due process for and respect the human rights of all of the people of the Maldives.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S7725)
action_date: 2015-11-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2232
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2015-11-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Congressional oversight
Federal Reserve System
Government studies and investigations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-03
text: 

Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2015 

 
 This bill directs the Government Accountability Office to: (1) commence and complete an audit of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System and of the Federal Reserve Banks within 12 months of enactment of this Act, and (2) report findings and conclusions to Congress within 90 days of completing the audit.
 
The bill also repeals certain limitations upon such an audit.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-01-12
text: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure withdrawn in Senate. (consideration: CR S63)
action_date: 2016-01-12
text: Cloture on the motion to proceed to the measure not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 44. Record Vote Number: 2. (consideration: CR S52-63; text: CR S54)
action_date: 2016-01-12
text: Motion to proceed to measure considered in Senate.
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Cloture motion on the motion to proceed to the measure presented in Senate. (consideration: CR S8875; text: CR S8875)
action_date: 2015-12-18
text: Motion to proceed to consideration of measure made in Senate. (consideration: CR S8875)
action_date: 2015-11-04
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 289.
action_date: 2015-11-03
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2015-11-03
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend section 3716 of title 31, United States Code, to reestablish the period of limitations for claims of the United States that may be collected by garnishing payments received from the Government.

Bill: 114-s-2233
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-11-03 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Debt collection

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-03
text: 
This bill prohibits an administrative offset to pay claims of the United States that have been outstanding for more than 10 years. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-03
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-11-03
text: Introduced in Senate
Help Americans Never Get Unwanted Phone calls Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2235
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2015-11-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Debt collection
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-04
text: 

Help Americans Never Get Unwanted Phone Calls Act of 2015 or the HANGUP Act 

 
This bill amends the Communications Act of 1934 and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2015 to repeal provisions that authorize the use of automated telephone equipment to call cellular telephones for the purpose of collecting debts owed to the U.S. government. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2015-11-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Hearing Protection Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2236
Sponsor: Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]
Introduced: 2015-11-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Federal preemption
Firearms and explosives
Licensing and registrations
Sales and excise taxes
State and local taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-04
text: 

Hearing Protection Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) eliminate the $200 transfer tax on firearm silencers, and (2) treat any person who acquires or possesses a firearm silencer as meeting any registration or licensing requirements of the National Firearms Act with respect to such silencer. Any person who pays a tax on a silencer after October 22, 2015 may receive a refund of such tax. 
 
The bill amends the federal criminal code to preempt state or local laws that tax or regulate firearm silencers. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-11-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2237
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2015-11-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Drug trafficking and controlled substances

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-04
text: 

Ending Federal Marijuana Prohibition Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Controlled Substances Act to remove marijuana and tetrahydrocannabinols from the list of Schedule I (highabuse potential, no accepted medical use, and severe safety concerns)controlled substances.However, the bill prohibits shipping or transporting marijuana interstate or from any foreign country into a U.S. jurisdiction in which its possession, use, or sale is prohibited.
 
Additionally, the bill amends the Controlled Substances Import and Export Act to eliminate marijuana as a controlled substance under such Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-11-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Keep It in the Ground Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2238
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2015-11-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Arctic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Coal
Gulf of Mexico
Land use and conservation
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Oil and gas
Pacific Ocean

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-04
text: 

Keep It in the Ground Act of 2015

 
This bill states as U.S. policy that: (1) federal land and waters should be managed for the benefit of the people of the United States to avoid the most dangerous impacts of climate change and to promote a rapid transition to a clean energy economy; and (2) the government should pursue management of federal land and waters for the benefit of the people of the United States by not issuing any new lease or renewing any nonproducing lease for coal, oil, or natural gas in any such land or waters. 
 
The bill amends the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act to prohibit the Department of the Interior from issuing a new lease, renewing, reinstating, or extending any nonproducing lease under such Act, or issuing any other authorization for the exploration, development, or production of oil, natural gas, or any other fossil fuel in the Arctic Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, or any other area of the outer Continental Shelf.
 
Interior shall: (1) cancel any lease issued under such Act before the date of enactment of this Act in the Beaufort Sea, Cook Inlet, or Chukchi Sea; and (2) not conduct any lease sale, enter into any new lease, reoffer for lease any land covered by an expiring lease, or renew, reinstate, or extend any nonproducing lease in existence before such date for onshore fossil fuels, including coal, oil, tar sands, oil shale, and gas on land subject to the Mineral Leasing Act.
 
Interior may exempt any provision of this Act if it determines that there is an imminent national security threat and that issuing an exemption would significantly reduce such threat, but only for as long as the threat persists.
 
Interior may allow a nonproducing lease to be renewed or extended if: (1) the nonproducing lease contract was signed before enactment of this Act, and (2) Interior determines that giving effect to any provision of this Act is likely to lead to a court ruling that there was a material breach of the contract. Such a renewal or extension shall be for the shortest time practicable under the terms of the contract.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S7772-7773)
action_date: 2015-11-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Americans from the Proliferation of Weapons to Terrorists Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2239
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]
Introduced: 2015-11-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Appropriations
Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Defense spending
Department of Defense
Executive Office of the President
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign aid and international relief
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military operations and strategy
Syria

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-04
text: 

Protecting Americans from the Proliferation of Weapons to Terrorists Act of 2015 

 
This bill prohibits the obligation or expenditure of funds made available to the Central Intelligence Agency, the Department of Defense, the National Security Council, the National Security Agency, or any other U.S. agency or entity involved in intelligence activities for the purpose of, or in a manner which would have the effect of, supporting military or paramilitary operations in Syria.
 
An exception is provided for funds obligated for non-lethal humanitarian assistance for the Syrian people provided directly by the U.S. government through nongovernmental organizations and contractors or foreign governments.
 
The prohibition may only be nullified if a joint resolution approving assistance for military or paramilitary operations in Syria is enacted.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Select Committee on Intelligence.
action_date: 2015-11-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Land Invasive Species Control, Prevention, and Management Act

Bill: 114-s-2240
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
Introduced: 2015-11-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Animal and plant health
Aquatic ecology
Ecology
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental health
General public lands matters
Intergovernmental relations
Pest management
Public-private cooperation
State and local government operations
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-04
text: 

Federal Land Invasive Species Control, Prevention, and Management Act

 
Directs the Department of the Interior (respecting federal land administered through the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, National Park Service, or U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) (respecting federal land administered through the U.S. Forest Service) to plan and carry out activities on land directly managed by the department concerned to control and manage invasive species in order to inhibit or reduce their populations and to effectuate restoration or reclamation efforts. 
 
Requires the department concerned to develop a strategic plan for the implementation of an invasive species program that endeavors to achieve an annual 5% net reduction of invasive species populations on land managed by that department. 
 
Requires each strategic plan to be developed: (1) in coordination with eligible states, their political subdivisions, and federally recognized Indian tribes; and (2) according to the priorities established by at least one governor of an eligible state in which an ecosystem affected by an invasive species is located. 
 
Requires the USDA and Interior to prioritize the use of the least costly option necessary to perform effectively, based on sound scientific data and other commonly used cost-effective benchmarks in an area. 
 
Requires projects and activities carried out under this Act to be coordinated with affected local governments according to certain criteria regarding the development and revision of land use plans under the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-04-28
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 114-501.
action_date: 2015-11-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-11-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Combat Heroin Epidemic and Backlog Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2241
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2015-11-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Law enforcement administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-04
text: 

Combat Heroin Epidemic and Backlog Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Assistance to award grants to state and tribal governments to address the distribution, sale, and use of heroin, fentanyl, and associated synthetic drugs. 
 
 Grants may be used to:
 
 
reimburse forensic science laboratories for efforts to address and prevent testing backlogs;
 
reimburse law enforcement agencies for equipment to identify or detect heroin, fentanyl, and associated synthetic drugs;
 
investigate, arrest, and prosecute distributors or sellers; and
 
support health department services for users.
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-11-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Save Oak Flat Act

Bill: 114-s-2242
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2015-11-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Arizona
Land transfers

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: 

Save Oak Flat Act

 
This bill amends the Carl Levin and Howard P. &quot;Buck&quot; McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 to repeal the authorization and requirement for a land exchange between the Department of Agriculture and Resolution Copper Mining, LLC. under which 2,422 acres of Forest Service land located in Pinal County, Arizona, are to be exchanged for various parcels of land owned by Resolution Copper. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Fruit and Vegetable Access for Children Act

Bill: 114-s-2243
Sponsor: Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI]
Introduced: 2015-11-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Elementary and secondary education
Food assistance and relief
Fruit and vegetables

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: 

Fruit and Vegetables Access for Children Act

 
This bill amends the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act to allow federal grant-funded fresh fruit and vegetable programs carried out by states to include canned, dried, frozen, or pureed fruits and vegetables.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in Senate
AFFIRM Act

Bill: 114-s-2244
Sponsor: Sen. Flake, Jeff [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2015-11-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural insurance
Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: 

Assisting Family Farmers through Insurance Reform Measures Act or the AFFIRM Act 

 
This bill amends the Federal Crop Insurance Act to require the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to reduce federal crop insurance payments and disclose details regarding subsidies. 
 
The bill prohibits premium subsidies: (1) for additional coverage for any person or legal entity that has an average adjusted gross income that exceeds $250,000, (2) that exceed $40,000 per year for any person or legal entity, or (3) for policies that are based on the actual market price of an agricultural commodity at the time of harvest.
 
The bill establishes an annual cap on total reimbursements for administrative and operating costs of crop insurance providers that begins at $900 million for 2015 and is adjusted for inflation in each subsequent year. The overall rate of return for insurance providers is capped at 8.9%. 
 
The bill eliminates a requirement that any renegotiated Standard Insurance Agreement (SRA) be budget-neutral. (The SRA is an agreement between USDA and the private companies that administer the federal crop insurance program that specifies details such as administrative and operating expense reimbursements and risk sharing. Eliminating the budget neutrality requirement permits USDA to use the renegotiation of the SRA to achieve savings.) 
 
USDA must annually disclose to the public specified details regarding the recipients and amounts of federal crop insurance subsidies. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in Senate
PURSE Act

Bill: 114-s-2245
Sponsor: Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO]
Introduced: 2015-11-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Department of the Treasury
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Labor-management relations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: 

Preventing Unionization of Revenue Service Employees Act or the PURSE Act 

 
This bill excludes employees of the Internal Revenue Service from provisions of federal personnel law allowing federal employees to organize, bargain collectively, and participate in labor organizations. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in Senate
EPIC Act

Bill: 114-s-2246
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]
Introduced: 2015-11-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Department of the Treasury
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
Labor-management relations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: 

End the Partisan IRS Culture Act or the EPIC Act

 
This bill excludes employees of the Internal Revenue Service from provisions of federal personnel law allowing federal employees to organize, bargain collectively, and participate in labor organizations. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in Senate
SAFE Bridges Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2247
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2015-11-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Roads and highways
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: 

Strengthen And Fortify Existing Bridges Act of 2015 or the SAFE Bridges Act of 2015 

 
 This bill directs the Department of Transportation to establish a program to assist states to rehabilitate or replace bridges found to be structurally deficient, functionally obsolete, or fracture critical.
 
States shall use apportioned program funds for projects to rehabilitate and replace such bridges.
 
The federal share of project costs is 100%.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2015

Bill: 114-s-2248
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2015-11-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Birth defects
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child health
Government studies and investigations
Health information and medical records
Health promotion and preventive care
Medical research
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: 

Congenital Heart Futures Reauthorization Act of 2015

 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to report annually on its research activities, including a study of congenital heart disease, from birth to adulthood, that considers health care utilization, demographic factors, and outcomes. (Congenital heart disease is a condition caused by a heart defect that is present at birth.)
 
The CDC must implement an awareness, outreach, and education campaign regarding congenital heart disease.
 The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute must report on its ongoing research efforts regarding congenital heart disease, future plans for such research, and areas of greatest need for such research.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S7816-7817; text of measure as introduced: CR S7817)
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Drone Operator Safety Act

Bill: 114-s-2249
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2015-11-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: 
 
Drone Operator Safety Act

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to operate an unmanned aircraft (i.e., drone) that interferes with or disrupts the operation of an aircraft carrying one or more occupants in U.S. airspace.
 
The prohibition includes the operation of an unmanned aircraft in the arrival or departure flight path of an airport without permission.
 
A violator is subject to a fine, a prison term, or both.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-11-05
text: Introduced in Senate