hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Food and Agribusiness Merger Moratorium and Antitrust Review Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3404
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2018-08-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit
Competition and antitrust
Congressional oversight
Corporate finance and management
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Food industry and services
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Meat
Rural conditions and development
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2018-08-28
text: 

Food and Agribusiness Merger Moratorium and Antitrust Review Act of 2018

 
This bill places a moratorium on certain acquisitions between large agricultural and retail-related businesses and establishes the Food and Agriculture Concentration and Market Power Review Commission. The commission shall report to Congress and the President on (1) the nature and consequences of market concentration in the U.S. food and agricultural economy, and (2) recommended legal and regulatory changes to address such market concentration.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-08-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5993-5994)
action_date: 2018-08-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting and Securing Chemical Facilities from Terrorist Attacks Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3405
Sponsor: Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI]
Introduced: 2018-09-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management

Summary:
action_date: 2018-09-04
text: 

Protecting and Securing Chemical Facilities from Terrorist Attacks Act of 2018

 
This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to reauthorize and make changes in its Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards (CFATS) program. The CFATS program regulates &quot;high-risk&quot; chemical facilities to reduce the risk of terrorist attacks.
 
The program shall evaluate and maintain (currently, limited to establishing) risk-based performance standards designed to address high levels of security risk at certain chemical facilities. The bill prohibits the inclusion of any standard relating to cybersecurity.
 
DHS shall: (1) establish a CFATS Recognition Program to leverage CFATS regulations and industry stewardship programs to further enhance security relating to hazardous chemicals, and (2) commission a third-party study to assess the effectiveness of the program in maintaining security risks and in developing and using appropriate metrics and analysis capabilities to measure risk reduction.
 
The Government Accountability Office shall report on CFATS inspector training with recommendations for improving such training.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-11-26
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 670.
action_date: 2018-11-26
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-384.
action_date: 2018-11-26
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. With written report No. 115-384.
action_date: 2018-09-28
text: Star Print ordered on the bill.
action_date: 2018-09-26
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2018-09-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2018-09-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3406
Sponsor: Sen. Gardner, Cory [R-CO]
Introduced: 2018-09-04 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Alliances
Asia
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Foreign aid and international relief
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Taiwan

Summary:
action_date: 2018-09-04
text: 

Taiwan Allies International Protection and Enhancement Initiative (TAIPEI) Act of 2018

 
This bill directs the Department of State to periodically report to Congress regarding U.S. actions to strengthen Taiwan's international alliances around the world. 
 
The State Department may consider: 
 
 
supplementing or reducing the U.S. diplomatic presence to provide incentives to countries considering or taking steps to alter or downgrade ties with Taiwan; and 
 
expanding, reducing, or terminating economic and military assistance to countries that have reduced or are anticipating reducing ties with Taiwan. 
 
 
The State Department shall consult with Congress prior to taking any such action.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-09-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2018-09-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Agricultural Export Promotion Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3407
Sponsor: Sen. Heitkamp, Heidi [D-ND]
Introduced: 2018-09-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Child safety and welfare
Elementary and secondary education
Food assistance and relief
Nutrition and diet

Summary:
action_date: 2018-09-04
text: 

Agricultural Export Promotion Act of 2018 

 
This bill establishes the United States Agricultural Export Promotion Fund and requires the Department of the Treasury to transfer to the fund an amount equivalent to certain duties imposed on imported goods under the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 or the Trade Act of 1974.
 
The amounts in the fund must be available to the Department of Agriculture (USDA), without further appropriation, for carrying out activities of the Foreign Market Development Program, the Market Access Program, and the Technical Assistance for Specialty Crops program to promote exports of U.S. agricultural commodities and products. 
 
In carrying out this bill, USDA must, to the maximum extent practicable, give priority to promoting exports of agricultural commodities and products of U.S. businesses that are adversely affected by increased duties imposed on U.S. exports by foreign countries in response to increased duties imposed by the United States on imports from the countries.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-09-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2018-09-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Reaching English Learners Act

Bill: 115-s-3408
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2018-09-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Community life and organization
Disability and paralysis
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Higher education
Licensing and registrations
Performance measurement
Preschool education
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2018-09-05
text: 

Reaching English Learners Act

 
This bill amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to establish a grant program to pay the federal share of the costs for preparing teachers to effectively instruct English learners. Grants may be awarded for up to five years. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-09-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2018-09-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act

Bill: 115-s-3409
Sponsor: Sen. Nelson, Bill [D-FL]
Introduced: 2018-09-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Alternative treatments
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2018-09-05
text: 

Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act

 
This bill allows: (1) a veteran to use, possess, or transport medical marijuana in accordance with applicable state law; (2) a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) physician to discuss with a veteran the use of medical marijuana as a treatment if the physician is in a state that authorizes such treatment; or (3) a VA physician to recommend, complete forms for, or register veterans for participation in a state-approved medical marijuana treatment program.
 
The VA shall report to Congress regarding: (1) the effects of medical marijuana on veterans in pain; and (2) the relationship between state-approved medical marijuana treatment programs, program access, and opioid abuse reduction.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-09-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2018-09-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Stop Bad Employers by Zeroing Out Subsidies Act

Bill: 115-s-3410
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2018-09-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2018-09-05
text: 

Stop Bad Employers by Zeroing Out Subsidies Act 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to impose a tax on large employers whose employees receive certain federal benefits during the year. A "large employer" is an employer who employed an average of at least 500 employees on business days during the preceding year. 
 
The tax is equal to the benefits that the employees receive under: 
 
 
 the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program), 
 
 the school lunch and school breakfast programs administered under the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966, 
 
 section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937, and 
 
 Medicaid. 
 
 
The bill also prohibits large employers from asking questions or seeking information about whether a job applicant receives federal benefits.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-09-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2018-09-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Affordable Medications Act

Bill: 115-s-3411
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Introduced: 2018-09-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2018-09-05
text: 

Affordable Medications Act

 
This bill alters various provisions relating to prescription-drug pricing and affordability, including drug manufacturer reporting requirements, Medicare price negotiation, and drug exclusivity periods.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-09-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2018-09-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Paid Family Leave Pilot Extension Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3412
Sponsor: Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Introduced: 2018-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: 

Paid Family Leave Pilot Extension Act of 2018 

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2022 the tax credit for employers who provide employees with paid family and medical leave. 
 
The bill also requires the Government Accountability Office to: (1) examine the effectiveness of the tax credit for paid family and medical leave, (2) recommend ways to modify or enhance the tax credit to further promote access to paid family and medical leave for qualifying employees, and (3) suggest alternative policies that federal and state governments could implement to increase access to paid family and medical leave. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Strength in Diversity Act

Bill: 115-s-3413
Sponsor: Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
Introduced: 2018-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Performance measurement
Preschool education
Racial and ethnic relations

Summary:
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: 

Strength in Diversity Act 

 
This bill amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to establish the Strength in Diversity Program, through which the Department of Education (ED) shall award competitive grants for the development or implementation of plans to improve diversity or eliminate socioeconomic or racial isolation in public schools and publicly funded early education programs. The grants are available to local educational agencies, a consortium of such agencies, educational service agencies, or other regional educational authorities that have significant achievement gaps and socioeconomic or racial segregation within or across the school districts served by the entity.
 
ED may give priority to an eligible entity that proposes to use funds to support a program that extends beyond one local educational agency.
 
Each recipient of an implementation grant shall implement a high-quality plan that includes:
 
 
a comprehensive set of strategies designed to improve academic outcomes by increasing diversity,
 
evidence of strong family and community support for these strategies,
 
ambitious but achievable goals to increase diversity over the grant period,
 
collection and analysis of data to provide transparency and support continuous improvement throughout the grant period, and
 
a rigorous evaluation of the proposed project's effectiveness.

 
ED shall establish performance measures to track the progress of each grant recipient.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 20 Ferry Road in Saunderstown, Rhode Island, as the "Captain Matthew J. August Post Office".

Bill: 115-s-3414
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced: 2018-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Military personnel and dependents
Postal service
Rhode Island

Summary:
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 20 Ferry Road in Saunderstown, Rhode Island, as the "Captain Matthew J. August Post Office."
action_date: 2018-12-13
text: 
Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 20 Ferry Road in Saunderstown, Rhode Island, as the "Captain Matthew J. August Post Office."


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-12-13
text: Became Public Law No: 115-313.
action_date: 2018-12-13
text: Became Public Law No: 115-313.
action_date: 2018-12-13
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2018-12-13
text: Signed by President.
action_date: 2018-12-06
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2018-12-06
text: Presented to President.
action_date: 2018-11-29
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2018-11-29
text: On passage Passed without objection. (text: CR H9729)
action_date: 2018-11-29
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed without objection.(text: CR H9729)
action_date: 2018-11-29
text: Considered by unanimous consent. (consideration: CR H9729)
action_date: 2018-11-29
text: Mr. Comer asked unanimous consent to discharge from committee and consider.
action_date: 2018-11-29
text: Committee on Oversight and Government discharged.
action_date: 2018-11-29
text: Committee on Oversight and Government discharged.
action_date: 2018-11-20
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2018-11-20
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2018-11-16
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2018-11-15
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7063; text: CR S7063)
action_date: 2018-11-15
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S7063; text: CR S7063)
action_date: 2018-09-28
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 590.
action_date: 2018-09-28
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2018-09-28
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Johnson without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2018-09-26
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate

Enacted as: number: 115-313
Keeping Our Commitment to Overseas Veterans Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3415
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2018-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Asia
Department of Veterans Affairs
Executive agency funding and structure
Philippines

Summary:
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: 

Keeping Our Commitment to Overseas Veterans Act of 2018

 
This bill extends authority through FY2020 for operation of the Department of Veterans Affairs regional office in Manila, the Republic of the Philippines.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate
USPTO FEES Act

Bill: 115-s-3416
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2018-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: 

USPTO Funds for Efficient and Effective Services Act or the USPTO FEES Act

 
This bill amends the Leahy-Smith America Invents Act to extend for eight years the authority of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office to set and adjust patent fees.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans Health Care Staffing Improvement Act

Bill: 115-s-3417
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2018-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Department of Veterans Affairs
Employee hiring
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Health personnel
Licensing and registrations
Military medicine
Military personnel and dependents
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: 

Veterans Health Care Staffing Improvement Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a Docs-to-Doctors Program to recruit individuals separating from the Armed Forces who served in a health care capacity in the Armed Forces. The VA shall also implement a uniform credentialing process for certain health care employees of the Veterans Health Administration and advanced practice registered nurses. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate
FASTER Act

Bill: 115-s-3418
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2018-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: 

Funding for Aviation Screeners and Threat Elimination Restoration Act or the FASTER Act

 
This bill repeals the requirement that a portion of aviation security service fees collected from passengers be credited as offsetting receipts and deposited in the general fund of the Treasury.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Keeping Our Commitment to Ending Veteran Homelessness Act of 2018

Bill: 115-s-3419
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2018-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Low- and moderate-income housing
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs

Summary:
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: 

Keeping Our Commitment to Ending Veteran Homelessness Act of 2018

 
This bill extends through FY2020 authority for the following Department of Veterans Affairs programs: 
 
 
homeless veterans reintegration programs,
 
the homeless women veterans and homeless veterans with children reintegration program,
 
referral and counseling services for certain veterans at risk of homelessness,
 
treatment and rehabilitation services for seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans, 
 
the grant program for homeless veterans with special needs, and 
 
financial assistance for supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing.
 
 
The bill extends through 2020 authority for the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Accountability in Opioid Advertising Act

Bill: 115-s-3420
Sponsor: Sen. Harris, Kamala D. [D-CA]
Introduced: 2018-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Consumer affairs
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Drug therapy
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Marketing and advertising
Prescription drugs
Television and film

Summary:
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: 

Accountability in Opioid Advertising Act

 
This bill requires the Food and Drug Administration to prioritize the review of advertising and other promotional materials for drug for serious, life-threatening diseases or conditions or substance use disorders, especially opioids (drugs with effects similar to opium, such as certain pain medications)and drugs used in the treatment of opioid use disorders.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Blue Sky Harmonization Act

Bill: 115-s-3421
Sponsor: Sen. Perdue, David [R-GA]
Introduced: 2018-09-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Banking and financial institutions regulation
Civil actions and liability
Federal preemption
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Jurisdiction and venue
Securities
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: 

Blue Sky Harmonization Act

 
This bill amends various securities laws to: 
 
 
generally limit state regulation of securities fraud, and 
 
establish exclusive federal jurisdiction over civil actions alleging securities fraud. 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2018-09-06
text: Introduced in Senate