hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2132
Sponsor: Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
Introduced: 2019-07-16 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Foreign aid and international relief
Government liability
Middle East
Palestinians
Terrorism
United Nations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-16
text: 

Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act of 2019

 
This bill expands federal court jurisdiction over the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in civil claims by Americans injured or killed by international acts of terrorism that were sponsored by the PA or the PLO. 

action_date: 2019-10-21
text: 

Promoting Security and Justice for Victims of Terrorism Act of 2019

 
This bill expands federal court jurisdiction over the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) in civil claims by Americans injured or killed by international acts of terrorism that were sponsored by the PA or the PLO. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-10-21
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 250.
action_date: 2019-10-21
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Graham with amendments. Without written report.
action_date: 2019-10-21
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Reported by Senator Graham with amendments. Without written report.
action_date: 2019-10-17
text: Committee on the Judiciary. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2019-07-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-07-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Secure American Research Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2133
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2019-07-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Education programs funding
Espionage and treason
Executive Office of the President
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Higher education
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Trade secrets and economic espionage

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-16
text: 

Secure American Research Act of 2019

 
This bill directs the National Science and Technology Council to establish an interagency working group to coordinate activities to (1) protect federally funded research and development from foreign interference, cyberattacks, theft, or espionage; and (2) develop common definitions and best practices for federal science agencies and grantees, while taking into account the importance of the open exchange of ideas and international talent required for scientific progress and American leadership in science and technology.
 
The working group's responsibilities, among other things, shall include 
 
 
developing unclassified policy guidance to assist federal science agencies and grantees in having consistent policies to defend against threats to federally funded research and development and the integrity of the U.S. scientific enterprise, and 
 
developing guidelines to create a consistent cybersecurity policy across federal agencies to protect federally funded research and development from foreign interference theft or espionage through cybeersecurity breaches.
 
 
The Office of Science and Technology Policy must provide biennial summary reports on the working group's activities and the most current version of such policy guidance and guidelines.
 
The National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy, and the Department of Defense, and any other federal agencies, as appropriate, shall enter into a joint agreement with the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine to create a National Science, Technology, and Security Roundtable.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2019-07-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Brand USA Extension Act

Bill: 116-s-2134
Sponsor: Sen. Blunt, Roy [R-MO]
Introduced: 2019-07-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Marketing and advertising
Travel and tourism

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-16
text: 

Brand USA Extension Act

 
This bill extends funding for Brand USA&#8212;the Corporation for Travel Promotion responsible for destination marketing for the United States&#8212;through FY2027.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2019-07-16
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 38, United States Code, to improve the ability of veterans to receive in-state tuition using educational assistance administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-s-2136
Sponsor: Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
Introduced: 2019-07-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Educational facilities and institutions
Government information and archives
Higher education
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: 
This bill removes a deadline that prevents certain veterans from receiving in-state tuition, regardless of their state of residence, using Department of Veterans Affairs education benefits at public institutions of higher education. Currently, a veteran who is discharged or released after at least 90 days of active service must be within three years of their discharge from active duty to receive in-state tuition (regardless of their state of residence).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Small-Dollar and Veterans Loans Enhancement Act

Bill: 116-s-2138
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2019-07-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Appropriations
Congressional oversight
Executive agency funding and structure
Government lending and loan guarantees
Small Business Administration
Small business
User charges and fees
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' loans, housing, homeless programs

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: 

Small-Dollar and Veterans Loans Enhancement Act

 
This bill eliminates or reduces fees on Small Business Administration (SBA) small-dollar loans for borrowers and certain lenders.
 
Specifically, in years when the SBA projects its loan programs will operate at a surplus, the SBA must waive or reduce to the maximum extent possible (1) guarantee and yearly fees on all loans to small-dollar borrowers; (2) guarantee fees on express loans to veterans; and (3) if funds allow, fees for lenders making express loans to veterans.
 
The Congressional Budget Office shall submit an estimate of the cost of providing such fee waivers or reductions. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Introduced in Senate
American Business for American Companies Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2139
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2019-07-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Corporate finance and management
Department of the Treasury
Foreign and international corporations
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: 

American Business for American Companies Act of 2019

 
This bill prohibits an executive agency from awarding a contract for the procurement of property or services (including a defense contract) to (1) any foreign incorporated entity determined to be an inverted domestic corporation or any subsidiary of such entity, or (2) any joint venture more than 10% of which is held by such an entity or subsidiary. An 
inverted domestic corporation
 is a company that was previously incorporated in the United States or was a partnership in the United States but is now incorporated in a foreign country despite (1) a majority of the company being owned by the owners of the former domestic entity, or (2) management of the company primarily occurring in the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text: CR S4909-4911)
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Stop Corporate Inversions Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2140
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2019-07-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Corporate finance and management
Department of the Treasury
Foreign and international corporations
Income tax rates
Taxation of foreign income

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: 

Stop Corporate Inversions Act of 201

9

 
This bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to revise rules for the taxation of inverted corporations (i.e., U.S. corporations that acquire foreign companies to reincorporate in a foreign jurisdiction with income tax rates lower than the United States). The bill provides that a foreign corporation that acquires the properties of a U.S. corporation or partnership after May 8, 2014, shall be treated as an inverted corporation and thus subject to U.S. taxation if, after such acquisition (1) it holds more than 50% of the stock of the new entity (expanded affiliated group), or (2) the management or control of the new entity occurs primarily within the United States and the new entity has significant domestic business activities.
 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S4911-4912)
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Introduced in Senate
SBIR Expansion and Accountability Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2141
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2019-07-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Aviation and airports
Congressional oversight
Executive agency funding and structure
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Public contracts and procurement
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Small Business Administration
Small business
Technology transfer and commercialization
Women in business

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: 

SBIR Expansion and Accountability Act of 2019

 
This bill expands the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program administered by the Small Business Administration (SBA).
 
Specifically, the bill (1) sets forth the specific goals of the SBIR program; (2) requires federal agencies that fail to meet minimum expenditure requirements for the SBIR program and the Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program to report the reasons for their failure; and (3) and requires an agency that has allocated funds to a SBIR program to transfer a specified percentage of such funds to the Office of Investment and Administration of the SBA, which oversees the SBIR program.
 
In addition, the bill includes the SBIR and STTR programs in the Federal Aviation Administration's acquisition and management system. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Introduced in Senate
HEARD Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2142
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2019-07-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Public participation and lobbying
Small business
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: 

Helping Entrepreneurs Affects Regulatory Decisions Act of 2019 or the HEARD Act of 2019

 
This bill permits agencies to convene required review panels through electronic participation when conducting the initial regulatory flexibility analysis of a proposed rule. It also requires agencies to facilitate the electronic participation of small businesses in such panels.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Introduced in Senate
College Student Hunger Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2143
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2019-07-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Department of Agriculture
Employment and training programs
Food assistance and relief
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Intergovernmental relations
Poverty and welfare assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: 

College Student Hunger Act of 2019

 
This bill expands the eligibility of students at institutions of higher education to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program).
 
SNAP eligibility for students is expanded to include certain low-income students who (1) are employed a minimum of 10 hours per week (currently 20 hours) during the regular school year, (2) are eligible for a federal Pell Grant, (3) have an expected family contribution equal to zero, or (4) are independent.
 
Additionally, the bill directs
 
 
the Department of Education to provide notification to certain students regarding their eligibility for SNAP benefits,
 
the Inspector General of the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to conduct an audit of the operations of the Food and Nutrition Service to examine the procedures and outreach practices used by the service to provide to states information about the eligibility of students at institutions of higher education for participation in the program, 
 
USDA to update its state outreach plan guidance, and
 
USDA to implement projects to decrease student hunger at institutions of higher education and to reduce barriers to college students fully utilizing SNAP benefits at these institutions.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Remittances and Money Laundering Risk Assessment Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2144
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2019-07-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government studies and investigations
Human trafficking
Intergovernmental relations
International monetary system and foreign exchange
Law enforcement administration and funding
Organized crime
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: 

Remittances and Money Laundering Risk Assessment Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to assess and develop a strategy to prevent the use of remittances by certain individuals and crime syndicates for purposes of financing terrorism, narcotics trafficking, human trafficking, money laundering, and other forms of illicit financing. (Remittances are transfers of money and capital sent by migrants and foreign immigrant communities to their home countries.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Bogus Bonus Ban Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2145
Sponsor: Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
Introduced: 2019-07-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Government information and archives
Performance measurement
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: 

Bogus Bonus Ban Act of 

2019

 
This bill directs the Office of Management and Budget, in coordination with federal departments and agencies, to issue guidance, with detailed implementation instructions, on the appropriate use of award and incentive fees in department or agency programs.
 
The guidance shall, among other things
 
 
 ensure that all new contracts using award fees link such fees to outcomes (which shall be defined in terms of program cost, schedule, and performance); 
 
establish standards for identifying the appropriate level of officials authorized to approve the use of award and incentive fees in new contracts;
 
 ensure that no award fee may be paid for contractor performance that is judged to be below satisfactory performance or performance that does not meet the basic requirements of the contract; and
 
 include performance measures to evaluate the effectiveness of award and incentive fees as a tool for improving contractor performance and achieving desired program outcomes. 
 
 
 Any funds intended to be awarded as incentive fees that are not paid due to the inability of a contractor to meet the criteria established by this bill shall be returned to the Treasury. 
 
The Department of the Treasury shall include 
award fee
 as a filter on USAspending.gov.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Second Look Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2146
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2019-07-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Criminal justice information and records
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Detention of persons
Evidence and witnesses
Lawyers and legal services

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: 

Second Look Act of 2019

 
This bill allows a defendant who has served at least 10 years in prison to petition a federal court for a sentence reduction.
 
Specifically, a court may reduce the prison term for a defendant if (1) the imposed prison term was more than 10 years; (2) the defendant has served at least 10 years in custody; and (3) the court finds that the defendant is not a danger to public safety, is ready for reentry, and the interests of justice warrant a sentence modification. The bill outlines the factors a court may consider in reducing a prison term.
 
Further, the bill creates a rebuttable presumption of release for a defendant who is 50 years of age or older on the date of the petition.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Anti-Spoofing Penalties Modernization Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-2147
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2019-07-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: 

Anti-Spoofing Penalties Modernization Act of 2019

 
This bill doubles the penalties for providing inaccurate caller identification information and extends the statute of limitations for penalizing persons who commit such violations. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4912)
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Business Disaster Recovery Improvement Act

Bill: 116-s-2148
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2019-07-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Disaster relief and insurance
Government lending and loan guarantees
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: 

Small Business Disaster Recovery Improvement Act

 
This bill requires the Small Business Administration to provide a designated percentage of disaster loan program funding that is available in a given year to assist the disaster recovery and growth of small businesses in an area where the President has declared a major disaster.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Introduced in Senate
SOAR Act

Bill: 116-s-2149
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2019-07-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Business education
Business investment and capital
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Disability and paralysis
Government information and archives
Indian social and development programs
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Small business
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Women in business

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: 

Startup Opportunity Accelerator Act of 2019 or the SOAR Act

 
This bill requires the Small Business Administration to develop and implement a program to award cash grants of up to $100,000 to organizations that support new small businesses. These awards may be used for construction costs, space acquisition, and programmatic purposes, but they may not be used to provide capital or professional services to small businesses directly or through the subaward of funds.
 
 The organization must have the support of new small businesses as a primary purpose and be often classified as an accelerator. The term 
accelerator
 means an organization that (1) frequently provides, but is not exclusively designed to provide, seed investment in exchange for a small amount of equity; (2) works with a startup for a predetermined amount of time; (3) provides mentorship and instruction to scale businesses; or (4) offers startup capital or the opportunity to raise capital from outside investors.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Spurring Small Business Innovation Act

Bill: 116-s-2150
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2019-07-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Business investment and capital
Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Public contracts and procurement
Public-private cooperation
Research and development
Small business
Technology transfer and commercialization
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Women in business

Summary:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: 

Spurring Small Business Innovation Act

 
This bill establishes the Regional High-Growth Collaborative Pilot Program to provide specialized resources for starting and scaling small businesses in high-growth industries.
 
The program shall be a five-year, two-phase program to establish one regional high-growth collaborative in each of the 10 regions of the Small Business Administration. Each collaborative shall establish connections between small businesses in technology industries and other entities to provide small businesses with assistance and training related to technology and innovation.
 
Following the program's expiration, the Government Accountability Office shall report on the program's impact and effectiveness. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2019-07-17
text: Introduced in Senate