hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Fighting Medicare Fraud Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-5267
Sponsor: Rep. Frankel, Lois [D-FL-22]
Introduced: 2016-05-17 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Business ethics
Child health
Corporate finance and management
Criminal justice information and records
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Health care costs and insurance
Health care quality
Health programs administration and funding
Medicaid
Medicare
Poverty and welfare assistance
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: 

Fighting Medicare Fraud Act of 2016
 
 
This bill amends title XI (General Provisions) of the Social Security Act (SSAct) to expand the authority of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to exclude from participation in federal health programs certain affiliates of a sanctioned entity. (A "sanctioned entity" is one that has been convicted of one of several specified crimes or excluded from participation under either Medicare or a state health care program.)
 
The bill also establishes criminal penalties for the illegal purchase, sale, or distribution of two or more federal health program beneficiary or provider numbers. 
 
In addition, the bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the SSAct to require Medicare Advantage organizations to report instances of fraud or abuse to CMS within 60 days.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-05-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2016-05-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: Introduced in House
Medicare Beneficiary Enrollment Improvement Act

Bill: 114-hr-5268
Sponsor: Rep. McDermott, Jim [D-WA-7]
Introduced: 2016-05-17 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Government information and archives
Health promotion and preventive care
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: 

Medicare Beneficiary Enrollment Improvement Act

 
The bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to request recommendations from stakeholders on information included in the Welcome to Medicare package and update the information included in the package accordingly.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-05-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2016-05-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2016-05-17
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2016-05-17
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E717)
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: Introduced in House
Protection for Progeny Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-5269
Sponsor: Rep. Mooney, Alexander X. [R-WV-2]
Introduced: 2016-05-17 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Cell biology and embryology
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation

Summary:
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: 

Protection for Progeny Act of 2016

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to make it a crime to knowingly destroy a living human embryo created through in vitro fertilization without the written consent of each progenitor. A progenitor is an individual who provides an egg or a sperm cell from which an embryo is created.

 
A violator is subject to a fine, up to six months in prison, or both. 
 
The prohibition does not apply to the destruction of an embryo during or after an attempt to implant it.
 
Additionally, the bill bars the criminal prosecution of a progenitor of an embryo that is destroyed.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-05-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations.
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: Introduced in House
Efficient Marine Mammal Protection Act

Bill: 114-hr-5270
Sponsor: Rep. Russell, Steve [R-OK-5]
Introduced: 2016-05-17 in the House
Policy area: Animals
Subjects: Department of the Interior
Executive agency funding and structure
Mammals
Marine Mammal Commission
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: 

Efficient Marine Mammal Protection Act

 
This bill abolishes the Marine Mammal Commission and transfers to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service its functions, including its duties, obligations, powers, authorities, responsibilities, rights, privileges, activities, or programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-05-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans.
action_date: 2016-05-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Federal Lands.
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: Introduced in House
Independent Counsel Reauthorization Act of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-5271
Sponsor: Rep. Turner, Michael R. [R-OH-10]
Introduced: 2016-05-17 in the House
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government studies and investigations
Lawyers and legal services

Summary:
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: 

Independent Counsel Reauthorization Act of 2016

 
This bill amends the federal judicial code to reauthorize the independent counsel law (currently expired) for a five-year period. 
 
It extends to eight years after leaving office the period during which individuals who have held the following positions are still subject to preliminary investigations by the Department of Justice (DOJ) to determine whether to apply to a division of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia for the appointment of an independent counsel for further investigation and possible prosecution: 
 
 
the President or the Vice President;
 
the Attorney General or the Secretaries of State, the Treasury, Defense, the Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health and Human Services, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Energy, Education, Veterans Affairs, or Homeland Security; 
 
 the U.S. Trade Representative, the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, the Commissioner of Social Security, the Director of National Drug Control Policy, the Chair of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or the Director of National Intelligence;
 
individuals working in the Executive Office of the President compensated at or above level II of the Executive Schedule;
 
Assistant Attorneys General and DOJ employees compensated at or above level III of the Executive Schedule; or
 
the Director of Central Intelligence, the Deputy Director of Central Intelligence, or the Commissioner of Internal Revenue. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-05-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-05-17
text: Introduced in House
Do No Harm Act

Bill: 114-hr-5272
Sponsor: Rep. Kennedy, Joseph P., III [D-MA-4]
Introduced: 2016-05-18 in the House
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Crimes against women
Disability and health-based discrimination
Employee leave
Employment discrimination and employee rights
First Amendment rights
Health care coverage and access
Housing discrimination
Labor-management relations
Religion
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Wages and earnings
Youth employment and child labor

Summary:
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: 

Do No Harm Act

 
This bill makes the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA) inapplicable to federal laws (or implementations of laws) that:
 
 
protect against discrimination or the promotion of equal opportunity, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Family Medical Leave Act, Executive Order 11246 (concerning equal employment opportunity), the Violence Against Women Act, and the Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD's) rules entitled &quot;Equal Access to Housing in HUD Programs Regardless of Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity&quot;; 
 
require employers to provide wages, other compensation, or benefits, including leave;
 
 protect collective activity in the workplace; 
 
protect against child labor, abuse, or exploitation; or 
 
provide for access to, information about, referrals for, provision of, or coverage for, any health care item or service. 

 
Under current law, RFRA prohibits the government from substantially burdening a person's exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, except in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest when using the least restrictive means.
 
The bill makes RFRA inapplicable to: (1) terms requiring goods, services, functions, or activities to be performed or provided to beneficiaries of government contracts, grants, cooperative agreements, or awards; or (2) denials of a person's full and equal enjoyment of a government-provided good, service, benefit, facility, privilege, advantage, or accommodation.
 
To assert a RFRA claim or defense in a judicial proceeding, the government must be a party to the proceeding.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-05-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution and Civil Justice.
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: Introduced in House
Student Loan Refinancing and Recalculation Act

Bill: 114-hr-5274
Sponsor: Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-3]
Introduced: 2016-05-18 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Student aid and college costs
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: 

Student Loan Refinancing and Recalculation Act

 
This bill amends title IV (Student Assistance) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 to direct the Department of Education to establish a program to refinance the outstanding principal, interest, and late charges on Federal Direct Loans (DLs) and Federal Family Education Loans (FFELs). 
 
A refinanced loan has a fixed interest rate equal to the 10-year Treasury note rate plus 1 percentage point.
 
Additionally, the bill modifies the formula to calculate interest rates on new Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and PLUS Loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2017.
 
Finally, it eliminates the origination fee on Direct Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and PLUS Loans disbursed (and on Consolidation Loans applied for) after enactment of this bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.
action_date: 2016-06-10
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H3698-3699)
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: Introduced in House
Prohibiting the Usurpation of Bathroom Laws through Independent Choice School Act (PUBLIC School Act) of 2016

Bill: 114-hr-5275
Sponsor: Rep. Messer, Luke [R-IN-6]
Introduced: 2016-05-18 in the House
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Education programs funding
Educational facilities and institutions
Elementary and secondary education
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: 

Prohibiting the Usurpation of Bathroom Laws through Independent Choice School Act (PUBLIC School Act) of 2016

 
 This bill declares that it shall not be unlawful under federal law for a state or local government to enact or enforce a policy regarding the use of sex-segregated bathrooms or locker rooms of educational institutions on the basis of gender identity. The bill prohibits the reduction or denial of federal financial assistance on the basis that a state or local government enacts or enforces such a policy.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: Introduced in House
No Bailouts for State, Territory, and Local Governments Act

Bill: 114-hr-5276
Sponsor: Rep. Barr, Andy [R-KY-6]
Introduced: 2016-05-18 in the House
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Federal Reserve System
Government lending and loan guarantees
State and local finance
U.S. territories and protectorates

Summary:
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: 

No Bailouts for State, Territory, and Local Governments Act 

 
This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to purchase or guarantee obligations of, issue lines of credit to, or provide direct or indirect grants-in-aid to any state (defined to include the District of Columbia and any U.S. territory or possession), municipal, local, or county government that, on or after January 1, 2013, has filed for bankruptcy, has defaulted on its obligations, is at risk of defaulting, or is likely to default, without such federal assistance, if such purchase, guarantee, extension of credit, or grant is made to assist the government in: (1) avoiding defaulting on the payment of principal or interest due on an obligation of the government, or (2) curing such a default. 
 
The Departrment of the Treasury is prohibited from using general fund revenues or borrowed funds to purchase or guarantee, for the same purposes, any asset or obligation of any such state, municipal, local, or county government. 
 
The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System is prohibited from: (1) providing or extending to, or authorizing with respect to, such a state, municipal, local, or county government, or other entity with taxing authority or bonding authority, for the same purposes, any funds, loan guarantees, credits, or any other financial instrument or other authority, including bond purchases; or (2) otherwise assisting such a government entity, for the same purposes, under any Board authority. 
 
Such prohibitions shall not apply to federal assistance provided in response to a natural disaster.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Financial 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: 2016-05-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Financial 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: 2016-05-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Financial 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: 2016-05-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: Introduced in House
Keep America's Waterfronts Working Act

Bill: 114-hr-5277
Sponsor: Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1]
Introduced: 2016-05-18 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Aquaculture
Department of the Interior
Executive agency funding and structure
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine and inland water transportation
Outdoor recreation
Water resources funding

Summary:
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: 

Keep America's Waterfronts Working Act

 
This bill amends the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to establish a Working Waterfront Grant Program. Under the program, NOAA may award grants to coastal states with approved working waterfront plans in place to preserve and expand access to coastal waters for people engaged in fishing, aquaculture, boat building, and other water-dependent businesses.
 
In addition, NOAA is authorized to award grants to coastal states for the purpose of developing or revising working waterfront plans.
 
States are allowed to allocate any grant money received to eligible local governments and other entities. Each state that is awarded a grant must contribute at least 25% of matching funds towards the total cost of the project carried out with the grant, subject to certain exceptions.
 
The Department of the Interior must establish a Working Waterfront Task Force that will be designed to identify and address critical working waterfront needs with respect to cultural and economic importance, climate change and other environmental threats, and market conditions for water-dependent businesses. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-05-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Power and Oceans.
action_date: 2016-05-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources.
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: Introduced in House
To direct the Secretary of Defense to carry out a pilot program to lend Department of Defense farm equipment to eligible farmers, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-hr-5280
Sponsor: Rep. Graham, Gwen [D-FL-2]
Introduced: 2016-05-18 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Agricultural equipment and machinery
Military facilities and property

Summary:
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: 
This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to: (1)identify DOD equipment that would be appropriate for farm use and could be used in an equipment sharing program without jeopardizing military readiness, and (2) establish a three-year pilot program to lend such equipment to new and beginning farmers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-06-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Readiness.
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: Introduced in House
Endangered Species Management Self-Determination Act

Bill: 114-hr-5281
Sponsor: Rep. Luetkemeyer, Blaine [R-MO-3]
Introduced: 2016-05-18 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Department of Commerce
Department of the Interior
Electric power generation and transmission
Endangered and threatened species
Environmental regulatory procedures
Government information and archives
Government liability
Government studies and investigations
Intergovernmental relations
Land use and conservation
Legal fees and court costs
Legislative rules and procedure
Property rights
Public utilities and utility rates
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: 

Endangered Species Management Self-Determination Act

 
This bill amends the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (ESA) by requiring the Department of Interior and the Department of Commerce to obtain the consent of each state for adding species to the list of threatened or endangered plants and animals when the species is present in the state.
 
Interior must submit to Congress a list of all endangered or threatened species. Congress must give its approval by a joint resolution before the list may take effect.
 
 Species are automatically taken off the list after five years. Interior may petition for the species to be relisted.
 
The bill eliminates provisions of the ESA allowing interested persons to petition for the addition or removal of a species from the list. 
 
A state may regulate intrastate endangered or threatened species that are only present within its boundaries. If a state elects to regulate those species, it is given exclusive authority with respect to managing species and their habitats. State action with respect to intrastate species is not subject to judicial review.
 
The Bonneville, Southeastern, Southwestern, and Western Area Power Administrations must include in customer monthly billing statements information on the share of costs to the customer incurred as a result of compliance with the ESA, unless the costs are for intrastate species regulated by states.
 
Owners or lessees of property may apply to Interior for a determination of whether a proposed property use will violate the ESA. The use is deemed compliant if Interior fails to respond within 90 days. The owners and lessees may seek monetary compensation for unfavorable determinations.
 
The bill eliminates awards of attorney fees in citizen suits under the ESA.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-05-18
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require the annual human rights reports to include information on the institutionalization of children and the subjection of children to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, unnecessary detention, and denial of the right to life, liberty, and the security of persons, and for other purposes.

Bill: 114-hr-5285
Sponsor: Rep. Marino, Tom [R-PA-10]
Introduced: 2016-05-19 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Child safety and welfare
Congressional oversight
Detention of persons
Foreign aid and international relief
Human rights

Summary:
action_date: 2016-05-19
text: 
This bill amends the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 to require annual human rights reports to include information on the: 
 
 
 institutionalization of children, including in orphanages and group homes, if such institutionalization can be avoided by reunifying such children with parents of origin or by adoptive placement; and 
 
related subjection of children to cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment, unnecessary detention, and denial of the right to life, liberty, and the security of persons.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-05-19
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2016-05-19
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2016-05-19
text: Introduced in House