hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that those who served in the bays, harbors, and territorial seas of the Republic of Vietnam during the period beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975, should be presumed to have been exposed to the toxin Agent Orange and should be eligible for all related Federal benefits that come with such presumption under the Agent Orange Act of 1991.

Bill: 114-sconres-51
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2016-09-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Asia
Conflicts and wars
Department of Veterans Affairs
Disability and paralysis
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation
Vietnam

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-22
text: 
Recognizes that the intent of the Agent Orange Act of 1991 included the presumption that veterans who served in the Armed Forces in the bays, harbors, and territorial seas of the Republic of Vietnam between January 9, 1962, and May 7, 1975, were exposed to Agent Orange.
 
Expresses the intent that such veterans who served in those areas and other areas exposed to Agent Orange who have been diagnosed with connected medical conditions should be equally recognized for such exposure through equitable benefits and coverage.
 
Calls on the Department of Veterans Affairs to acknowledge such intent, rescind specified parts of the VA Adjudication Procedure Manual M21-1 pertaining to developing claims based on herbicide exposure in Vietnam, and reissue guidance extending presumptive coverage for Agent Orange exposure to such veterans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-22
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6043)
action_date: 2016-09-22
text: Introduced in Senate
A concurrent resolution honoring Vincent Edward "Vin" Scully, the United States baseball broadcaster who has magnificently served as the play-by-play announcer for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers for 67 Major League Baseball seasons since 1950.

Bill: 114-sconres-52
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2016-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Sports and Recreation
Subjects: California
Congressional tributes
News media and reporting
Professional sports
Television and film

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: 
Honors the life and career of Vincent Edward &quot;Vin&quot; Scully, the long-time announcer for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6243-6244; text of measure as introduced: CR S6243-6244)
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
A concurrent resolution directing the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a correction in the enrollment of H.R. 5325.

Bill: 114-sconres-53
Sponsor: Sen. Cochran, Thad [R-MS]
Introduced: 2016-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Appropriations
Defense spending

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: 
Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a correction in the enrollment of H.R. 5325 to change the title to read &quot;Making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2017, and for other purposes.&quot;

action_date: 2016-09-28
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 
Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a correction in the enrollment of H.R. 5325 to change the title to read &quot;Making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2017, and for other purposes.&quot;

action_date: 2016-09-28
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 
Directs the Clerk of the House of Representatives to make a correction in the enrollment of H.R. 5325 to change the title to read &quot;Making continuing appropriations for fiscal year 2017, and for other purposes.&quot;


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Mr. Rogers (KY) asked unanimous consent to take from the Speaker's table and consider. (consideration: CR H6096; text of measure as received in House: CR H6096)
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6197; text as passed Senate: CR S6244)
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S6197; text as passed Senate: CR S6244)
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress and reaffirming longstanding United States policy in support of a direct bilaterally negotiated settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and opposition to United Nations Security Council resolutions imposing a solution to the conflict.

Bill: 114-sconres-54
Sponsor: Sen. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL]
Introduced: 2016-09-28 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arab-Israeli relations
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Israel
Middle East
Palestinians
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
United Nations

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: 
Expresses the sense of Congress that:
 
 
 a sustainable peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians will come only through direct bilateral negotiations between the parties; 
 
 any widespread international recognition of a unilateral declaration of Palestinian statehood outside of the context of such a peace agreement would cause severe harm to the peace process and would likely trigger the implementation of penalties under provisions of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2016 regarding limitations on assistance to support a Palestinian state and uses of funds for assistance for the West Bank and Gaza;
 
 efforts by outside bodies, including the United Nations Security Council, to impose an agreement are likely to set back the cause of peace; and
 
 the U.S. government should continue to oppose and veto Security Council resolutions that seek to impose solutions to final status issues or that are one-sided and anti-Israel; and 
 
the U.S. government should continue to support and facilitate the resumption of negotiations without preconditions toward a sustainable peace agreement.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6244)
action_date: 2016-09-28
text: Introduced in Senate
A concurrent resolution commemorating the 100th anniversary of the 1916 opening of the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences and the 2016 opening of the new Texas A&M Veterinary & Biomedical Education complex in College Station, Texas.

Bill: 114-sconres-55
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2016-09-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Biological and life sciences
Commemorative events and holidays
Higher education
Medical education
Texas
Veterinary medicine and animal diseases

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-29
text: 
 Commemorates the 100th anniversary of the 1916 opening of the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences and the 2016 opening of the new Texas A&M Veterinary & Biomedical Education complex in College Station, Texas.

action_date: 2016-09-29
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 
 Commemorates the 100th anniversary of the 1916 opening of the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences and the 2016 opening of the new Texas A&M Veterinary & Biomedical Education complex in College Station, Texas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-11-14
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2016-11-14
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2016-09-29
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2016-09-29
text: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6286; text as passed Senate: CR S6282-6283)
action_date: 2016-09-29
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Submitted in the Senate, considered, and agreed to without amendment and with a preamble by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S6286; text as passed Senate: CR S6282-6283)
action_date: 2016-09-29
text: Introduced in Senate
A concurrent resolution clarifying any potential misunderstanding as to whether actions taken by President-elect Donald Trump constitute a violation of the Emoluments Clause, and calling on President-elect Trump to divest his interest in, and sever his relationship to, the Trump Organization.

Bill: 114-sconres-56
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2016-11-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Business ethics
Congressional oversight
Constitution and constitutional amendments
Corporate finance and management
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Trade restrictions
U.S. and foreign investments

Summary:
action_date: 2016-11-29
text: 
Calls upon President-elect Donald J. Trump to: (1) follow the precedent established by prior Presidents and convert his assets to conflict-free holdings, adopt blind trusts, or take other equivalent measures to ensure compliance with the Emoluments Clause of the U.S. Constitution; and (2) not use the powers or opportunities of his position as President-elect or President of the United States for any purpose related to the Trump Organization.
 
Declares that in the absence of such actions or specific authorization by Congress, Congress regards dealings that Donald Trump, as President, may have through his companies with foreign governments or entities owned or controlled by foreign governments to be potential violations of such clause. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-11-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6554-6556; text of measure as introduced: CR S6553-6554)
action_date: 2016-11-29
text: Introduced in Senate
A concurrent resolution honoring in praise and remembrance the extraordinary life, steady leadership, and remarkable, 70-year reign of King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand.

Bill: 114-sconres-57
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2016-11-30 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Alliances
Asia
Congressional tributes
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Thailand
U.S. history

Summary:
action_date: 2016-11-30
text: 
Honors the life, leadership, and 70-year reign of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. 
 
Celebrates the alliance and friendship between Thailand and the United States that reflects common interests, a 183-year diplomatic history, and a multifaceted partnership that has contributed to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. 
 
 

action_date: 2016-12-07
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 
Honors the life, leadership, and 70-year reign of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. 
 
Celebrates the alliance and friendship between Thailand and the United States that reflects common interests, a 183-year diplomatic history, and a multifaceted partnership that has contributed to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. 
 
 

action_date: 2016-12-10
text: 
(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)
 
Honors the life, leadership, and 70-year reign of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand. 
 
Celebrates the alliance and friendship between Thailand and the United States that reflects common interests, a 183-year diplomatic history, and a multifaceted partnership that has contributed to peace, stability, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-12-12
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2016-12-12
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2016-12-12
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2016-12-10
text: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and an amended preamble by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S7123)
action_date: 2016-12-10
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment and an amended preamble by Unanimous Consent.(text: CR S7123)
action_date: 2016-12-10
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR S7123)
action_date: 2016-12-07
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 710.
action_date: 2016-12-07
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker without amendment and with a preamble. Without written report.
action_date: 2016-12-07
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Corker without amendment and with a preamble. Without written report.
action_date: 2016-12-06
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2016-11-30
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text of measure as introduced: CR S6622-6623)
action_date: 2016-11-30
text: Introduced in Senate
A concurrent resolution expressing the sense of Congress that rates for inmate calling service should not exceed the affordable modified rate caps adopted by the Federal Communications Commission.

Bill: 114-sconres-58
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2016-12-07 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2016-12-07
text: 
Expresses the sense of Congress that: (1) rates for inmate calling service should not exceed the affordable modified rate caps adopted by the Federal Communications Commission as of the date this resolution is adopted, and (2) reduced inmate calling service rates should be implemented swiftly.
 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-12-07
text: Referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (text of measure as introduced in Senate: CR S6842)
action_date: 2016-12-07
text: Introduced in Senate
A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to limiting the number of terms that a Member of Congress may serve.

Bill: 114-sjres-1
Sponsor: Sen. Vitter, David [R-LA]
Introduced: 2015-01-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Congressional elections
Constitution and constitutional amendments
House of Representatives
Members of Congress
Senate

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-06
text: 

Constitutional Amendment

 
 Limits Members of the House of Representatives to three terms and Members of the Senate to two terms. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-01-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States requiring that the Federal budget be balanced.

Bill: 114-sjres-2
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2015-01-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Constitution and constitutional amendments
Income tax rates
Legislative rules and procedure

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-06
text: 

Constitutional Amendment 

 
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting total outlays for a fiscal year from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year or 18% of the U.S. gross domestic product unless Congress authorizes the excess by a two-thirds vote of each chamber. The prohibition excludes outlays for repayment of debt principal and receipts derived from borrowing. 
 
The amendment requires a two-thirds vote of each chamber of Congress to levy a new tax, increase the rate of any tax, or increase the debt limit. 
 
The amendment provides any Member of Congress with standing and a cause of action to seek judicial enforcement of this amendment if authorized by a petition signed by one-third of the Members of either house of Congress. Courts are prohibited from ordering any increase in revenue to enforce this amendment. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-16
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.
action_date: 2015-01-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-01-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A joint resolution providing for the reappointment of David M. Rubenstein as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution.

Bill: 114-sjres-3
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2015-01-12 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Federal officials
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
Smithsonian Institution

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-12
text: 
Reappoints David M. Rubenstein as a citizen regent of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-12
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2015-01-12
text: Introduced in Senate
A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to restore the rights of the American people that were taken away by the Supreme Court's decision in the Citizens United case and related decisions, to protect the integrity of our elections, and to limit the corrosive influence of money in our democratic process.

Bill: 114-sjres-4
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2015-01-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Constitution and constitutional amendments
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-21
text: 

Constitutional Amendment

 
Declares that, whereas the right to vote in public elections belongs only to natural persons as U.S. citizens, so shall the ability to make contributions and expenditures to influence the outcome of public elections belong only to natural persons. 
 
Declares that nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to restrict the power of Congress and the states to protect the integrity and fairness of the electoral process, limit the corrupting influence of private wealth in public elections, and guarantee the dependence of elected officials on the people alone by taking certain actions.
 
Includes among such actions: (1) the establishment of systems of public financing for elections; (2) the imposition of requirements to ensure the disclosure of contributions and expenditures made to influence the outcome of a public election by candidates, individuals, and associations of individuals; and (3) the imposition of content neutral limitations on all such contributions and expenditures.
 
Declares that nothing in this Article shall be construed to alter freedom of the press.
 
Grants Congress and the states power to enforce this Amendment through appropriate legislation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-01-21
text: Introduced in Senate
A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to contributions and expenditures intended to affect elections.

Bill: 114-sjres-5
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]
Introduced: 2015-01-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Constitution and constitutional amendments
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2015-01-21
text: 

Constitutional Amendment

 
Authorizes Congress and the states to set reasonable limits on the raising and spending of money by candidates and others to influence elections. 
 
Grants Congress and the states the power to implement and enforce this amendment by appropriate legislation. Allows them to distinguish between natural persons and corporations or other artificial entities created by law, including by prohibiting such entities from spending money to influence elections. 
 
Declares that nothing in this amendment shall be construed to grant Congress or the states the power to abridge the freedom of the press.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-01-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2015-01-21
text: Introduced in Senate
A joint resolution proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relative to balancing the budget.

Bill: 114-sjres-6
Sponsor: Sen. Hatch, Orrin G. [R-UT]
Introduced: 2015-02-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Budget process
Constitution and constitutional amendments
Income tax rates
Legislative rules and procedure

Summary:
action_date: 2015-02-04
text: 

Constitutional Amendment 

 
This joint resolution proposes a constitutional amendment prohibiting total outlays for a fiscal year from exceeding total receipts for that fiscal year unless Congress authorizes the excess by a two-thirds vote of each chamber. The prohibition excludes outlays for repayment of debt principal and receipts derived from borrowing. 
 
The amendment prohibits total outlays for any fiscal year from exceeding 18% of the gross domestic product of the United States, unless two-thirds of each house of Congress provides for a specific increase above this amount. 
 
The amendment requires a two-thirds vote of each chamber of Congress to impose a new tax, increase the statutory rate of any tax, or increase the aggregate amount of revenue. It requires a three-fifths vote of each chamber to increase the limit on the debt of the United States. 
 
The President is required to submit an annual budget in which total outlays do not exceed total receipts and 18% of the gross domestic product of the United States. 
 
The amendment prohibits a court from ordering a revenue increase to enforce the requirements. 
 
Congress is authorized to waive specified requirements when a declaration of war is in effect or the United States is engaged in a military conflict which causes an imminent and serious military threat to national security. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-03-16
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Hearings held.
action_date: 2015-02-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S780-781)
action_date: 2015-02-04
text: Introduced in Senate