hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Countering Foreign Propaganda and Disinformation Act

Bill: 114-s-3274
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2016-07-14 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: 

Countering Foreign Propaganda and Disinformation Act

 
This bill directs the Department of State to establish a Center for Information Analysis and Response to: 
 
 
 coordinate the sharing among government agencies of information on foreign government information warfare efforts, 
 
 establish a process for integrating information on foreign propaganda and disinformation efforts into national strategy, and 
 
 develop and synchronize interagency activities to expose and counter foreign information operations directed against U.S. national security interests and advance narratives that support U.S. allies and interests. 
 
 
The President is authorized to designate a U.S. government official to lead an interagency team and to manage the center.
 
 The center may provide grants to or contract with specified entities to: 
 
 
support local independent media to refute foreign disinformation and manipulation in their communities, 
 
collect and store examples of disinformation and propaganda directed at the United States and its allies, 
 
analyze foreign government information warfare tactics and techniques, and 
 
support center efforts to counter foreign disinformation and propaganda efforts to influence the policies and social and political stability of the United States and its allies. 
 
 
The President shall ensure that the State Department, when selecting participants for U.S. educational and cultural exchange programs, gives special consideration to students and community leaders from populations and countries deemed vulnerable to foreign propaganda and disinformation campaigns.
 
The center shall terminate 15 years after enactment of this Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Pilot Pension Relief Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3275
Sponsor: Sen. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL]
Introduced: 2016-07-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: 

Pilot Pension Relief Act of 2016 

 
This bill revises the method for calculating the maximum guaranteed benefits required under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA) for participants in the pilot's pension plan that was sponsored by United Airlines and terminated under ERISA on December 30, 2004. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Taking Action Against Drunk Drivers Act

Bill: 114-s-3276
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2016-07-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Detention of persons
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Immigration status and procedures
Transportation safety and security
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: 

Taking Action Against Drunk Drivers Act

 
This bill amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require the mandatory detention of an alien who: (1) was not lawfully admitted into the United States, held a revoked nonimmigrant visa, or violated his or her nonimmigrant status; and (2) has a pending federal or state charge of driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated, regardless of whether the offense is classified as a felony or a misdemeanor.
 
An alien convicted of three or more federal or state offenses for driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated, regardless of whether the offenses are classified as felonies or misdemeanors, is: (1) inadmissible, or (2) deportable if at least one of such offenses occurred after the enactment of this bill.
 
The definition of &quot;aggravated felony&quot; is expanded for purposes of such Act to include a third conviction under federal or state law for driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated, regardless of whether the offense is classified as a felony or a misdemeanor, for which the term of imprisonment is at least one year.
 
An alien who was convicted two or more times before the enactment of this bill for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs may not be removed for the commission of an aggravated felony based upon such convictions until conviction of another such offense after the enactment of this bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5170-5171)
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Remedies for Refusal of Repatriation Act

Bill: 114-s-3277
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2016-07-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Citizenship and naturalization
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Government information and archives
Immigration status and procedures
International Affairs
Terrorism
Violent crime
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: 

Remedies for Refusal of Repatriation Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to establish procedures for determining whether a foreign government systematically and unreasonably refuses or delays the repatriation of its nationals who: (1) have been ordered deported by the United States; and (2) have been convicted of a felony or a crime of violence or are a threat to national security or public safety.
 
Upon determining that a country does refuse or delay repatriation of its citizens, DHS shall notify the Department of State and the two departments shall meet with the country's representatives and notify them that the United States may deny visas to their nationals. 
 
If the country continues to refuse or delay the repatriation of its nationals, the State Department shall discontinue the issuance of visas, unless DHS determines that such discontinuance is not in U.S. interests. 
 
DHS and the State Department shall list such countries on their websites.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Invasive Fish and Wildlife Prevention Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3278
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2016-07-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Animal and plant health
Aquatic ecology
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Department of the Interior
Ecology
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Government information and archives
Government trust funds
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Licensing and registrations
Pest management
Trade restrictions
User charges and fees
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: 

Invasive Fish and Wildlife Prevention Act of 2016

 
This bill sets forth a regulatory process for preventing the introduction and establishment in the United States of certain injurious wildlife that is likely to cause harm to: (1) humans; (2) interests in agriculture, horticulture, or forestry; or (3) wildlife or wildlife resources.
 
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) may: (1) designate certain wildlife as injurious, and (2) make immediate and temporary emergency designations if the injurious wildlife poses an imminent threat. Interested persons may petition the USFWS to designate wildlife as injurious.
 
The bill: (1) gives the Department of the Interior the primary authority to prevent the importation and sale of wildlife pathogens and harmful parasites, and (2) establishes requirements that address those pathogens and parasites.
 
The bill prohibits: (1) importing into the United States, or transporting between states, injurious wildlife or wildlife not in trade; and (2) possessing or releasing into the wild such wildlife.
 
USFWS may issue permits that authorize the importation or transport of injurious wildlife for scientific, zoological, medical research, or educational purposes.
 
USFWS must establish user fees for live wildlife imports.
 
The bill establishes civil and criminal penalties for violations.
 
Interior must establish a grant program for supporting states and Indian tribes in: (1) inspecting and monitoring interstate transport of wildlife, and (2) assessing risks associated with the intentional importation of wildlife.
 
 The bill establishes the Injurious Wildlife Prevention Fund to carry out this bill. Revenues generated by user fees and penalties must be deposited into the fund.
 
 
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Vulnerable Children and Families Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3279
Sponsor: Sen. Blunt, Roy [R-MO]
Introduced: 2016-07-14 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Child care and development
Child health
Child safety and welfare
Congressional oversight
Department of State
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Domestic violence and child abuse
Executive agency funding and structure
Family relationships
Family services
Federal officials
Foreign aid and international relief
International law and treaties
Nutrition and diet

Summary:
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: 

Vulnerable Children and Families Act of 2016

 
 This bill redesignates the Office of Children's Issues of the Department of State as the Office of Vulnerable Children and Family Security (VCFS).
 
The President shall appoint an Ambassador-at-Large to promote: (1) oversight of the VCFS; (2) the implementation in foreign countries of child welfare laws and policies in keeping with the goals of the United States Government Action Plan on Children in Adversity; and (3) addressing the gap in U.S. diplomacy, policy, and operations regarding permanent family care for children living without families. 
 
The Ambassador-at-Large shall: (1) advise the State Department and the President about vulnerable children and family security in foreign countries; (2) represent the United States regarding international child welfare, family preservation and reunification, and provision of permanent, safe parental care; (3) develop related policies and programs; and (4) submit an annual report on implementation of such action plan.
 
 The bill provides the VCFS with lead responsibility for: (1) representing the U.S. government regarding intercountry adoptions, and (2) determining whether a country has met its obligations under the Hague Convention of Protection of Children and Cooperation in Respect of Inter-Country Adoption and is eligible to participate in intercountry adoptions in accordance with U.S. law.
 
 The Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 is amended to: (1) include in the annual country reports on human rights practices information on the conditions of children living in orphanages and group homes, and (2) repeal certain provisions providing assistance for orphans and other vulnerable children.
 
 The U.S. Agency for International Development's Center of Excellence on Children in Adversity shall work with the Ambassador-at-Large to ensure that U.S. assistance and development programs are focused on: 
 
 
child development through the integration of health, nutrition, and family support; 
 
facilitating government efforts to protect children from violence, exploitation, and neglect; 
 
building integrated child welfare and protection systems; and 
 
integrating this plan with U.S. government agencies. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Public Health Emergency Response and Accountability Act

Bill: 114-s-3280
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced: 2016-07-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Appropriations
Congressional oversight
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Emergency planning and evacuation
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Health technology, devices, supplies
Infectious and parasitic diseases

Summary:
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: 

Public Health Emergency Response and Accountability Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services, upon determination of a public health emergency, to provide for the convening of a group of federal officials to prepare monthly reports concerning such matters as funding, collaboration, and best practices.
 
The bill makes appropriations to the Public Health Emergency Fund upon determination of an emergency. Funding is subject to a calculation that compares amounts available in the fund to average public health emergency relief expenditures over preceding fiscal years.
 
The bill amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to exempt the fund from sequestration, a process of automatic, usually across-the-board spending reductions under which budgetary resources are permanently cancelled to enforce specific budget policy goals.
 
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must report on:
 
 
the capacity of the public health system to respond effectively to infectious disease outbreaks,
 
the coordination between federal, state, and local government entities when responding to infectious disease outbreaks,
 
the most effective ways to provide or allocate resources for public health emergency response, and 
 
an audit of how funds for public health emergencies have been expended within the last two years.
 
 
GAO must also issue a post-emergency report on response efforts by government entities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to extend the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996.

Bill: 114-s-3281
Sponsor: Sen. Reid, Harry [D-NV]
Introduced: 2016-07-14 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arms control and nonproliferation
Government lending and loan guarantees
International monetary system and foreign exchange
Iran
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Nuclear weapons
Oil and gas
Public contracts and procurement
Sanctions
Trade restrictions
U.S. and foreign investments

Summary:
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: 

 
This bill extends the Iran Sanctions Act of 1996 through December 31, 2026.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (text of measure as introduced: CR S5171)
action_date: 2016-07-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Nicaraguan Investment Conditionality Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3284
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2016-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign loans and debt
Human rights
International organizations and cooperation
Judicial procedure and administration
Latin America
Multilateral development programs
Nicaragua
Rule of law and government transparency
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-06
text: 

Nicaraguan Investment Conditionality Act of 2016

 
This bill directs the President to instruct the U.S. Executive Director at each international financial institution to use U.S. influence to oppose any loan or other fund use for the government of Nicaragua's benefit, other than for basic human needs or to promote democracy, unless the Department of State certifies that Nicaragua is taking effective steps to: (1) hold elections overseen by credible domestic and international electoral observers, (2) promote democracy and an independent judiciary system and electoral council, (3) strengthen the rule of law, and (4) respect the right to freedom of association and expression. 
 
The President shall direct the U.S. Permanent Representative to the Organization of American States to use U.S. influence to advocate for an Electoral Observation Mission to be sent to Nicaragua in 2016 and 2017. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2016-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate
No Ransom Payments Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3285
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2016-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Appropriations
Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Detention of persons
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Foreign property
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government liability
Iran
Legislative rules and procedure
Licensing and registrations
Middle East
Sanctions
Terrorism
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-06
text: 

No Ransom Payments Act of 2016

 
This bill prohibits the President from paying final judgments, awards, or compromise settlements to Iran using specified Department of Treasury funds (specified funds) until the President certifies that: (1) Iran has returned any money from such funds paid to it by the United States after January 1, 2016, (2) Iran has satisfied all outstanding judgments against it awarded to U.S. plaintiffs by U.S. courts, and (3) individuals taken hostage and held for 444 days following the U.S. Embassy seizure in Iran on November 4, 1979, have been compensated from the United States Victims of State Sponsored Terrorism Fund.
 
The President must certify before providing or authorizing payment of any funds to Iran that: (1) the funds will not be used to support international terrorism, and (2) Iran or Iran-supported groups are not unjustly detaining U.S. citizens.
 
The President, within 60 days after enactment of this bill, shall impose property transaction and U.S. entry sanctions against any Iranian person: 
 
 
 involved in the kidnapping or unjust detention of a U.S. citizen on or after March 9, 2007;
 
 that engages, or attempts to engage, in an activity or transaction that materially contributes to such kidnapping or unjust detentions; and 
 
 owned or controlled by such a person, acting on behalf of such a person, or providing support for such a person.
 
 
The Director of National Intelligence shall report within 60 days on whether funds paid to Iran by the United States after January 1, 2016, have been used by Iran to support international terrorism. 
 
The President and U.S. government officers shall not: 
 
 
make a payment to a government or person to secure the release of unjustly detained U.S. citizens (a payment to assist arrested U.S. citizens is excluded from such prohibition), or
 
use specified funds to make any payment to a state sponsor of acts of international terrorism (a specific payment or a specific payee is excluded from such prohibition if Congress has passed a joint resolution waiving the application of such prohibition).
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2016-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Keeping Aircraft Away from Terrorists Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3286
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2016-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Aviation and airports
Contracts and agency
Foreign and international banking
Iran
Licensing and registrations
Middle East
Securities
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-06
text: 

Keeping Aircraft Away from Terrorists Act of 2016

 
This bill prohibits the President and executive agencies from issuing a license under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, or providing other guidance, that allows a person, depository institution, registered securities broker or dealer, or foreign financial institution to conduct a transaction related to the export of aircraft to Iran.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2016-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Act

Bill: 114-s-3287
Sponsor: Sen. Kirk, Mark Steven [R-IL]
Introduced: 2016-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Historic sites and heritage areas
Historical and cultural resources
Illinois
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Racial and ethnic relations
U.S. history

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-06
text: 

Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Act

 
This bill establishes the Bronzeville-Black Metropolis National Heritage Area in Chicago, Illinois.
 
The Black Metropolis National Heritage Area Commission shall be the local coordinating entity for the heritage area and shall submit a management plan for the heritage area. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2016-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Improving Access to Farm Conservation Act of 2016

Bill: 114-s-3288
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2016-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural conservation and pollution
Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit
Government information and archives

Summary:
action_date: 2016-09-06
text: 

Improving Access to Farm Conservation Act of 2016

 
 This bill amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to exempt certain recipients of Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation assistance from specified reporting requirements. The bill exempts producers or landowners eligible to participate in any USDA conservation program from reporting requirements related to subawards, executive compensation, the Universal Identifier, and the System for Award Management. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2016-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2016-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate