hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
UIGHUR Protection Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2972
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2019-12-04 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
China
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Detention of persons
Human rights
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
International organizations and cooperation
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Labor standards
Licensing and registrations
Manufacturing
Racial and ethnic relations
Religion
Right of privacy
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: 

Uighur Intervention and Global Humanitarian Unified Response and Protection Act of 2019 or the UIGHUR Protection Act of 2019 

 
This bill directs the President to impose sanctions and export restrictions related to China's treatment of the Uyghurs, a predominantly Muslim Turkic ethnic group.
 
The President shall identify items that provide China with a critical capability to suppress basic human rights, including items that provide capability to (1) conduct surveillance, (2) monitor and restrict an individual's movement, (3) monitor and restrict access to the internet, and (4) identify individuals through facial or voice recognition. The President shall (1) place such items on the Commerce Control List (a list of items subject to export controls); and (2) require authorization for the export, reexport, or transfer of such items to or within China. 
The bill terminates certain prohibitions, such as a prohibition against obligating funds for U.S. Trade and Development Agency activities in China, upon a report by the President to Congress that China has taken specified actions, including ending the mass internment of Turkic Muslims in Xinjiang.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Modern Worker Empowerment Act

Bill: 116-s-2973
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]
Introduced: 2019-12-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Labor standards

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: 

Modern Worker Empowerment Act

 
This bill requires the use of common law rules in defining &quot;employee&quot; under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: Introduced in Senate
U.S. Postal Service Opioid and Illicit Drug Strategy Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2974
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2019-12-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Government information and archives
Law enforcement administration and funding
Performance measurement
Postal service
U.S. Postal Service

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: 

U.S. Postal Service Opioid and Illicit Drug Strategy Act of 2019

 
This bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to establish a comprehensive organizational strategy to combat the use of the mail in the distribution of illicit drugs.
 
 
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Stop the Spread of Invasive Mussels Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2975
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2019-12-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Aquatic ecology
Arizona
California
Colorado
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Idaho
Kansas
Marine and inland water transportation
Montana
Nebraska
Nevada
New Mexico
North Dakota
Oklahoma
Oregon
South Dakota
Texas
Transportation safety and security
Utah
Washington State
Water quality
Water storage
Water use and supply
Wyoming

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: 

Stop the Spread of Invasive Mussels Act of 2019

 
This bill directs the Bureau of Reclamation to provide financial assistance to states with Reclamation projects to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species into and out of reservoirs operated and maintained by Reclamation, including assistance to purchase, establish, operate, or maintain a watercraft inspection and decontamination station that has the highest likelihood of preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species.
 
In providing financial assistance, Reclamation must prioritize projects that (1) prevent the spread of an aquatic invasive species to waters under its jurisdiction, including irrigation, reclamation, or other water projects; and (2) align with the priorities of the state and with the document titled 
Quagga-Zebra Mussel Action Plan for Western U.S. Waters
, published in February 2010.
 
The bill provides authority for each federal agency on the Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force to (1) conduct mandatory inspections and decontamination of watercraft; and (2) if necessary, impound, quarantine, or otherwise prevent entry of a watercraft. The membership of the task force is expanded to include the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Reclamation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Advancing Support for Working Families Act

Bill: 116-s-2976
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced: 2019-12-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Adoption and foster care
Congressional oversight
Department of the Treasury
Family relationships
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government studies and investigations
Income tax credits
Income tax deferral
Poverty and welfare assistance
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Tax treatment of families

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: 

Advancing Support for Working Families Act

 
This bill allows individual taxpayers an election to advance up to $5,000 of the child tax credit in the year of birth or adoption of an applicable qualifying child (a child, other than an eligible foster child, who has a specified relationship to the taxpayer and meets certain age, residency, and support requirements). 
 
The bill sets forth a special rule for parents who do not qualify for the full refundable portion of the child tax credit. The advance amount for such parents is the lesser of $5,000, or 25% of their earned income amount for the taxable year. 
 
The bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress on matters relating to taxpayers who make an election to advance the child tax credit. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Extension Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2977
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2019-12-04 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Foreign property
Latin America
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Sanctions
Venezuela
Visas and passports
War and emergency powers

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: 

Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Extension Act of 2019

 
This bill extends to December 31, 2021, statutory provisions requiring sanctions on foreign persons responsible for violence or human rights abuses in Venezuela. Currently, such provisions are set to expire December 31, 2019. 

action_date: 2019-12-17
text: 

Venezuela Defense of Human Rights and Civil Society Extension Act of 2019

 
This bill extends to December 31, 2021, statutory provisions requiring sanctions on foreign persons responsible for violence or human rights abuses in Venezuela. Currently, such provisions are set to expire December 31, 2019. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-17
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 364.
action_date: 2019-12-17
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2019-12-17
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Risch without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2019-12-11
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Energy and Water Research Integration Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2978
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2019-12-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Department of Energy
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy research
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Water quality
Water storage
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: 

Energy and Water Research Integration Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to integrate water considerations into its energy research, development, and demonstration programs and projects. 
 
Specifically, the DOE must develop and implement a strategic plan that advances energy and energy efficiency technologies and practices to 
 
 
minimize freshwater withdrawal and consumption, seismic impacts, and deleterious impacts on water bodies, groundwater, and waterways; 
 
increase water use efficiency; and 
 
utilize nontraditional water sources.

 
Further, the strategic plan must (1) consider the effects climate variability may have on water supplies and quality for energy generation and fuel production, and (2) improve the understanding of the energy required to provide reliable water supplies as well as the water required to provide reliable energy supplies. The plan must be updated every five years.
 
In addition, DOE must establish an Energy-Water Committee to promote and enable improved energy and water resource data collection, reporting, and technological innovation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2980
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2019-12-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Congressional oversight
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental regulatory procedures
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Industrial facilities
Water quality

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: 

Clean Water Standards for PFAS Act of 2019

 
This bill directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to review certain point sources that discharge perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS. Based on this review, the EPA must establish effluent limitations and pretreatment standards, as well as publish water quality criteria, for certain PFAS. PFAS are man-made and may have adverse human health effects. A variety of products contain the compounds, such as nonstick cookware or weatherproof clothing.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Volunteer First Responder Housing Act

Bill: 116-s-2982
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced: 2019-12-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: First responders and emergency personnel
Government lending and loan guarantees
Housing and community development funding
Housing finance and home ownership
Low- and moderate-income housing
Rural conditions and development
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: 

Volunteer First Responder Housing Act

 
This bill expands eligibility for assistance under the Department of Agriculture Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program and the Department of Housing and Urban Development Good Neighbor Next Door Sales Program with respect to qualified volunteer first responders. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to seek to enter into an agreement with the city of Vallejo, California, for the transfer of Mare Island Naval Cemetery in Vallejo, California, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-s-2983
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2019-12-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: California
Cemeteries and funerals
Congressional oversight
Historic sites and heritage areas
Land transfers
Military history
Veterans' organizations and recognition

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: 
This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to enter into an agreement with the city of Vallejo, California, for the transfer to the VA of Mare Island Naval Cemetery in Vallejo, California, to be maintained as a national shrine. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Multifamily Depreciation Parity Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2984
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2019-12-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Housing industry and standards
Income tax deductions

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: 

Multifamily Depreciation Parity Act of 2019

 
This bill allows the depreciation of certain residential rental property placed in service prior to January 1, 2018, over a 30-year period (currently, such property is subject to a 40-year depreciation period). 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area Study Act

Bill: 116-s-2985
Sponsor: Sen. McConnell, Mitch [R-KY]
Introduced: 2019-12-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Historic sites and heritage areas
Kentucky
Land use and conservation

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: 

Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area Study Act

 
This bill directs the Department of the Interior to conduct a study to assess the suitability and feasibility of designating a specified study area, composed of certain counties in Kentucky and other areas of Kentucky that have similar aspects to those areas and are adjacent to or in their vicinity, as the Kentucky Wildlands National Heritage Area.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Social Determinants Accelerator Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2986
Sponsor: Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
Introduced: 2019-12-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Appropriations
Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Department of Health and Human Services
Executive agency funding and structure
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Intergovernmental relations
Medicaid
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: 

Social Determinants Accelerator Act of 2019

 This bill establishes the Social Determinants Accelerator Interagency Council and provides funds for the council to (1) assist the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in awarding specified grants, (2) increase coordination among health and social service programs, and (3) provide program evaluation guidance and technical assistance to increase the impact of social service programs. Specifically, the bill provides funds for HHS to award up to 25 grants to state, local, or tribal health or human services agencies for the development of social determinants accelerator plans that address at least one health and one social outcome for a specified target population. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Counterfeit Goods Seizure Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2987
Sponsor: Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
Introduced: 2019-12-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Commerce
Customs enforcement
Intellectual property
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: 

Counterfeit Goods Seizure Act of 2019

 
This bill authorizes the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to seize goods or packaging entering the United States that involve design patent infringement. Current law authorizes the CBP to seize only goods or packaging that involve copyright, trademark, or trade name infringement. 
 
The CBP may impose a fee to cover the administrative costs of recording design patents. (Currently, rights owners may record their intellectual property with the CBP to assist with the CBP's intellectual property enforcement efforts.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Veteran Pension Protection Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2988
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2019-12-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Congressional oversight
Consumer affairs
Crime victims
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Veterans Affairs
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Lawyers and legal services
User charges and fees
Veterans' organizations and recognition
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: 

Veteran Pension Protection Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) to implement methods and systems to address potential financial exploitation of individuals who receive VA pensions for non-service-connected disability, death, or service.
 
Specifically, the bill requires the VA to develop a method for soliciting and collecting information on complaints received, referrals made, and actions taken by the VA pension management centers in cases of potential financial exploitation.
 
The VA must also (1) develop a plan to regularly assess the collected information to identify trends of potential financial exploitation, (2) and outline actions it can take to improve education and training to address those trends.
 
The bill requires the VBA to
 
 
update guidance and training curriculum for claims processors regarding the evaluation of questionable medical expenses on pension applications,
 
develop a method for identifying and tracking the number of individuals who have received pension overpayments,
 
conduct an evaluation of the feasibility and advisability of requiring claims processors to take additional actions to verify direct deposit information,
 
identify legislative or administrative actions that would ensure pension payments are provided to the correct recipients,
 
ensure that specified pension documents include a notice that the VA does not charge a fee in connection with the filing of a pension application, and
 
develop a plan for educating vulnerable individuals about potential financial exploitation relating to the receipt of the specified pensions.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Know Your Social Security Act

Bill: 116-s-2989
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2019-12-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Government information and archives
Postal service
Social security and elderly assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: 

Know Your Social Security Act

 
This bill requires the Social Security Administration to provide Social Security account statements by mail to each individual who is 25 or older and who is eligible for, but not currently receiving, Social Security retirement benefits. Individuals may choose to receive their account statements electronically.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6890-6893)
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Freedom from Government Competition Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2990
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2019-12-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: 

Freedom from Government Competition Act of 201

9

 
 This bill requires the federal government to procure from the private sector the goods and services necessary for the operations and management of government agencies.
 
Specifically, it requires each executive or military department or independent establishment to obtain all goods and services necessary for or beneficial to the accomplishment of its authorized functions by procurement from private sources, with specified exceptions, such as where there is no private source capable of providing the good or service. 
This bill requires such private sector provision of goods and services to be performed through (1) the divestiture of federal involvement, (2) the award of a contract using competitive procedures, or (3) conducting a public-private competitive sourcing analysis in accordance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) procedures and determining that using the private sector is in the best interest of the United States and provides the best value to the taxpayer.
 
The bill authorizes an agency to utilize federal employees to provide goods or services previously provided by a private sector entity upon completion of a public-private competitive sourcing analysis and after determining that provision by federal employees provides the best value.
 
The OMB must carry out a study to evaluate the activities carried out in each agency.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2019-12-05
text: Introduced in Senate