hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Conflicts from Political Fundraising Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1184
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2017-05-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Federal officials
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Office of Government Ethics
Public participation and lobbying

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-18
text: 

Conflicts from Political Fundraising Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to revise financial disclosure requirements for federal personnel, including: (1) the disclosure of contributions made or solicited by, or on behalf of, individuals nominated or appointed to high level executive positions or to positions of a confidential or policymaking character to political organizations or tax exempt social welfare or business organizations; and (2) the disclosure of certain gifts to appointees, their spouses, or dependent children.
 
The Office of Government Ethics shall, upon request, provide to the Chairman or Ranking Member of a House or Senate committee or subcommittee with jurisdiction over the agency to which an individual has been nominated for appointment to a covered position (certain Executive Schedule or Senior Executive Service positions) or is serving in a covered position, each financial disclosure report filed by such individual and any ethics agreement entered into between the agency and the individual.
 
The office shall issue rules on how an executive branch agency shall address conflicts of interest identified in disclosures through ethics agreements between the agency and its appointees. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-05-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1185
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2017-05-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Border security and unlawful immigration
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Domestic violence and child abuse
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Firearms and explosives
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Immigration status and procedures
Law enforcement administration and funding
Mental health
Organized crime
Smuggling and trafficking
Terrorism
U.S. Sentencing Commission
Violent crime
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-18
text: 

Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to establish stand-alone criminal offenses for trafficking in firearms and straw purchasing of firearms. 
The bill expands the categories of prohibited persons (i.e., persons barred from receiving or possessing a firearm or ammunition) to include persons who intend: (1) to sell or transfer a firearm or ammunition to a prohibited person; (2) to sell or transfer a firearm to further a crime of violence, a federal crime of terrorism, or a drug trafficking offense; or (3) to unlawfully export.
 
It increases the maximum prison term for the sale or transfer of a firearm to or the receipt or possession of a firearm by a prohibited person.
 
The bill revises existing prohibitions on: (1) transferring a firearm knowing that it will be used to commit a crime of violence or drug trafficking offense; and (2) smuggling a firearm into the United States with the intent to unlawfully import or to promote a crime of violence or drug trafficking offense. It broadens the scope of and increases the maximum prison term for violating the prohibitions.
 
The bill also makes it a crime to smuggle a firearm or ammunition out of the United States, or to conspire or attempt to do so, with the intent to unlawfully export or to promote a crime of violence, a federal crime of terrorism, or a drug trafficking offense.
 
 Finally, the bill prohibits the Department of Justice, or its law enforcement coordinate agencies, from facilitating the transfer of an operable firearm to a known or suspected agent of drug cartel, unless U.S. law enforcement personnel continuously monitor or control the firearm.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S3043-3044)
action_date: 2017-05-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1186
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced: 2017-05-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Employment and training programs
Higher education
Marine and inland water transportation
Transportation employees
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-18
text: 

Domestic Maritime Centers of Excellence Act of 2017

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Transportation (DOT) to designate state-operated maritime training centers and community and technical colleges with a maritime training program that are located in the United States along the Gulf of Mexico, Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, Artic Ocean, Bering Sea, Gulf of Alaska, or Great Lakes as centers of excellence for domestic maritime workforce training and education.
 
DOT may provide to such centers: (1) technical assistance to assist them in expanding their capacity to train the U.S. maritime workforce, and (2) surplus federal equipment and assets.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2017-05-18
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to designate the area between the intersections of International Drive, Northwest and Van Ness Street, Northwest and International Drive, Northwest and International Place, Northwest in Washington, District of Columbia, as "Liu Xiaobo Plaza", and for other purposes.

Bill: 115-s-1187
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2017-05-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Asia
China
Congressional tributes
Detention of persons
District of Columbia
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Human rights
Roads and highways

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-18
text: 
This bill designates as &quot;Liu Xiaobo Plaza&quot; the area between the intersections of International Drive Northwest and Van Ness Street Northwest and International Drive Northwest and International Place Northwest in Washington, DC. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-05-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1188
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2017-05-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Disability assistance
Government information and archives
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Home and outpatient care
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Performance measurement

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-18
text: 

Lifespan Respite Care Reauthorization Act of 2017

 
This bill amends the Public Health Service Act to extend lifespan respite care programs (services for family caregivers of children and adults with special needs) through FY2022.
 
Each state agency awarded a grant or cooperative agreement for lifespan respite care must collect, maintain, and report to the Department of Health and Human Services data and records to enable monitoring and evaluation of the lifespan programs and activities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2017-05-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Close the Revolving Door Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1189
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2017-05-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional officers and employees
Congressional oversight
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
House of Representatives
Members of Congress
Public participation and lobbying
Senate

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-18
text: 

Close the Revolving Door Act of 201

7

 
This bill amends the federal criminal code to impose a lifetime ban on any former Senator, Member of the House of Representatives, or elected officer of the Senate or House of Representatives from lobbying any current Member, officer, or employee of Congress, or any employee of any other legislative office. (Currently, the ban is for two years after a Senator leaves office and one year after a Member of the House of Representatives leaves office.) The ban is extended from one to six years for officers and employees of the Senate, personal staff of Members, committee staff, leadership staff, and other legislative offices.
 
A registered lobbyist or agent of a foreign principal may not be hired for a six-year period by a Member of Congress or a congressional committee with whom they have had a substantial lobbying contact. 
 
This bill also amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to: (1) require a substantial lobbying entity (an incorporated entity that employs more than three registered lobbyists during a filing period) to file annual lists with Congress of former Members of Congress and certain highly paid legislative branch officials who provide paid consulting services to the lobbying entity, and (2) increase the civil penalty for violations of disclosure or reporting requirements of such Act.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-05-18
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to extend the waiver of limitations with respect to excluding from gross income amounts received by wrongfully incarcerated individuals.

Bill: 115-s-1190
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2017-05-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Income tax credits
Income tax exclusion

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: 
This bill amends the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 to extend the waiver of limitations on credits or refunds related to the exclusion from gross income of certain civil damages, restitution, or other monetary awards received by wrongfully incarcerated individuals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text of measure as introduced: CR S3072)
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Improvement Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1191
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2017-05-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Health and Human Services
Health information and medical records
Health technology, devices, supplies
Licensing and registrations
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: 

Medicare Orthotics and Prosthetics Improvement Act of 2017

 
This bill makes a series of changes relating to payment for orthotics and prosthetics under Medicare, including by establishing additional requirements (e.g., federally issued supplier identification numbers) for organizations to become accredited suppliers of orthotics and prosthetics and for such suppliers to receive payment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans TEST Accessibility Act

Bill: 115-s-1192
Sponsor: Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]
Introduced: 2017-05-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Higher education
Licensing and registrations
User charges and fees
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: 

Veterans To Enhance Studies Through Accessibility Act of 2017 or the Veterans TEST Accessibility Act

 
This bill permits veterans to get reimbursed under the Post-9/11 educational assistance program for an approved licensing, certification, or national test at a pro-rated amount based on such test's actual cost. (Current law requires that veterans be charged a whole month of entitlement to pay for any such test.) 
 
The bill provides that a national test that evaluates prior learning and knowledge and provides an opportunity for course credit at an institution of higher learning shall be eligible for such reimbursement.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-06-15
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 115-215.
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Better Education and Skills Training for America's Workforce Act

Bill: 115-s-1193
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2017-05-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Employment and training programs
Higher education
Income tax credits
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: 

Better Education and Skills Training for America's Workforce Act

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow tax credits for: (1) qualified training expenses paid with respect to U.S.-based positions for job trainees who have been unemployed for at least 90 days before enrolling in a training program and have not been employed by the taxpayer during the two-year period before the trainee was hired, and (2) investment in a qualified job training partnership between a private business and an institution of higher education or a labor organization. 
 
The bill defines "qualified training expenses" as an eligible trainee's qualified tuition costs, which may include costs for books and enrollment in a training program at an institution of higher education that may include a single course, multiple courses, or a combination of work training and study and that is reasonably necessary for employment with the taxpayer. It terminates the credit for qualified training expenses of job trainees after December 31, 2028.
 
The bill also: (1) requires the Department of the Treasury to establish a Qualified Job Training Partnership program to consider and award certifications for qualified investments eligible for credits to qualified job training partnerships, and (2) authorizes Treasury to make grants to individuals who make an investment in a qualified job training partnership, in lieu of a tax credit. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Medical Nutrition Equity Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1194
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2017-05-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Allergies
Child health
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Hereditary and development disorders
Immunology and vaccination
Medicaid
Medicare
Nutrition and diet
Surgery and anesthesia

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: 

Medical Nutrition Equity Act of 2017

 
This bill provides for coverage, under Medicare, Medicaid, other specified federal health-care programs, and private health insurance, of foods and vitamins that are medically necessary for the management of certain digestive and metabolic disorders and conditions. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Register Printing Savings Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1195
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2017-05-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional operations and organization
Government Publishing Office (GPO)
Government information and archives
Members of Congress

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: 

Federal Register Printing Savings Act of 2017

 
This bill bars the Government Publishing Office from furnishing a printed copy of the Federal Register without charge to any Member of Congress or any other office of the United States during a year unless:
 
 
the Member or office requests a printed copy of a specific issue of the Federal Register; or 
 
during that year or the previous year, the Member or office requested a subscription to printed copies of the Federal Register for that year.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Advancing America's Missile Defense Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1196
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2017-05-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Alliances
Congressional oversight
Defense spending
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Government studies and investigations
Military facilities and property
Military operations and strategy
Military personnel and dependents
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Nuclear weapons
Spacecraft and satellites

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: 

Advancing America's Missile Defense Act of 2017

 
This bill directs the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) to use Department of Defense (DOD) policies to accelerate the development, testing, and fielding of the redesigned kill vehicle, the multi-object kill vehicle, the C3 booster, a space-based sensor layer, an airborne laser on unmanned aerial vehicles, and an additional missile defense site, including the completion of any outstanding environmental impact statements for an additional missile defense site on the east coast or in the midwest regions of the United States. 
 
DOD shall, subject to National Missile Defense funding, increase the number of U.S. ground-based interceptors by 28.
 
The MDA shall report to Congress on: (1) infrastructure requirements to increase the number of ground-based interceptors at Missile Field 1 and Missile Field 2 at Fort Greely to 20 ground-based interceptors each, (2) increasing the capacity of the ground-based mid-course defense element of the ballistic missile defense system, (3) the status of the integrated layers of missile defense radars, and (4) a revised missile defense testing campaign plan that accelerates the development and deployment of new missile defense technologies.
 
DOD, by December 31, 2021, shall: (1) execute any requisite construction to ensure that such missile fields or alternative fields at Fort Greely are capable of supporting and sustaining additional ground-based interceptors, (2) deploy 14 additional ground-based interceptors to field 1 or an alternative field at as soon as technically feasible, and (3) identify a ground-based interceptor stockpile storage site for a minimum of 14 ground-based interceptors.
 
The MDA shall develop, test, and deploy a highly reliable space-based missile defense sensor architecture for the ground-based midcourse defense system that provides specified functions and capabilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Huntington's Disease Parity Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1197
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2017-05-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Disability assistance
Hereditary and development disorders
Medicare
Neurological disorders

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: 

Huntington's Disease Parity Act of 2017

 
This bill amends title II (Old-Age, Survivors, and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to waive, for individuals diagnosed with Huntington's Disease, the 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage. Current law generally applies this waiting period to individuals deemed eligible for OASDI benefits.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans Care Financial Protection Act of 2017

Bill: 115-s-1198
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2017-05-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government studies and investigations
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: 

Veterans Care Financial Protection Act of 2017

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to work with federal agencies, states, and experts to develop and implement federal and state standards that protect individuals who are eligible for increased pension for a non-service-connected disability or death or for service on the basis of need for regular aid and attendance from dishonest, predatory, or otherwise unlawful practices. 
 
The Government Accountability Office must: (1) report standards that would be effective in protecting such individuals if the VA fails to submit such standards as required, and (2) complete a study on standards implemented under this bill. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Opportunity in Federal Construction Act

Bill: 115-s-1200
Sponsor: Sen. Flake, Jeff [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2017-05-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Building construction
Census and government statistics
Congressional oversight
Department of Labor
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government studies and investigations
Public contracts and procurement
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: 

Opportunity in Federal Construction Act

 
This bill requires certain prevailing wage determinations for laborers and mechanics be made using representative statistical sample techniques.
 
The Government Accountability Office shall study, and report on, the implementation of Department of Labor regulations to carry out the requirement of this bill.. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Health Care Options for All Act

Bill: 115-s-1201
Sponsor: Sen. McCaskill, Claire [D-MO]
Introduced: 2017-05-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: District of Columbia
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Income tax credits

Summary:
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: 

Health Care Options for All Act

 This bill amends the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that individuals eligible to purchase coverage through a health insurance exchange who reside where no exchange health plans are available may enroll in coverage offered in the small group market through the Washington, DC exchange.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2017-05-22
text: Introduced in Senate