hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Voter Empowerment Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-549
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2019-02-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Administrative remedies
American Samoa
Caribbean area
Citizenship and naturalization
Civil actions and liability
Commemorative events and holidays
Computer security and identity theft
Computers and information technology
Congressional elections
Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Crime prevention
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Department of Commerce
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Disability and paralysis
Election Assistance Commission
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Employee leave
Executive agency funding and structure
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Guam
Higher education
Immigration status and procedures
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Law enforcement administration and funding
Licensing and registrations
Military personnel and dependents
Northern Mariana Islands
Political advertising
Postal service
Public contracts and procurement
Puerto Rico
Racial and ethnic relations
State and local government operations
U.S. Postal Service
U.S. territories and protectorates
Virgin Islands
Voting rights

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-25
text: 

Voter Empowerment Act of 2019 

 
This bill addresses access to voting, including by
 
 
requiring states to allow online voter registration, establish automatic voter registration, permit same day voter registration, and accept voter registration applications from individuals under age 18;
 
prohibiting interference with voter registration or voting; 
 
requiring paper ballots and manual counting for recounts and audits; 
 
requiring states to allow early voting and voting by mail without additional conditions; 
 
making grants to states for poll worker recruitment and training; 
 
prohibiting certain political activities by a state's chief state election administration official; 
 
making grants for conducting risk-limiting audits of the results of elections; and 
 
permanently reauthorizing the Election Assistance Commission.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2019-02-25
text: Introduced in Senate
Register America to Vote Act

Bill: 116-s-550
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2019-02-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Appropriations
Civil actions and liability
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Postal service
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-25
text: 

Register America to Vote Act

 
This bill directs each state that has a voter registration requirement for federal elections to automatically register eligible individuals when they turn 18 years old. States that do not implement automatic registration must permit eligible individuals to register and vote on the day of a federal election.
 
The Election Assistance Commission shall make grants to states to implement automatic voter registration and improve election security systems related to voter registration.
 
The bill revises the procedure for voting following a registered voter's failure to return a change of address card.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2019-02-25
text: Introduced in Senate
REFUND Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-551
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2019-02-25 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Civil actions and liability
Government trust funds
Health care costs and insurance
Health information and medical records
Inflation and prices
Medicare
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-25
text: 

Recovering Excessive Funds for Unused and Needless Drugs Act of 2019 or the REFUND Act of 2019

 
This bill requires drug manufacturers to issue rebates to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in relation to discarded amounts (i.e., amounts remaining after administration) of single-dose vial drugs that are covered under Medicare. Manufacturers that fail to comply are subject to civil penalties.
 
The CMS must determine rebate amounts based on payment claims from providers. (Currently, providers may receive payment under Medicare for discarded amounts of single-dose vial drugs through the use of a specific claims modifier.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-25
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S1439)
action_date: 2019-02-25
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Commodity Exchange Act to exempt certain charitable organizations from regulation as commodity pool operators, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-s-552
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2019-02-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Commodities markets
Financial services and investments
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: 
This bill generally exempts charitable organizations from commodity trading regulations and registration requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Blockchain Promotion Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-553
Sponsor: Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
Introduced: 2019-02-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Currency
Digital media
Intergovernmental relations
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: 

Blockchain Promotion Act of 2019

 
This bill directs the Department of Commerce to establish the Blockchain Working Group to submit a report to Congress which contains a recommended definition of the distributed ledger technology commonly referred to as blockchain technology, and other specified recommendations regarding this technology. 

action_date: 2019-12-17
text: 

Blockchain Promotion Act of 2019

 
This bill directs the Department of Commerce to establish the Blockchain Working Group to submit a report to Congress which contains a recommended definition of the distributed ledger technology commonly referred to as blockchain technology, and other specified recommendations regarding this technology. 
 
Members of the working group shall serve without receiving any pay. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-17
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 373.
action_date: 2019-12-17
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker with amendments. With written report No. 116-177.
action_date: 2019-12-17
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker with amendments. With written report No. 116-177.
action_date: 2019-07-10
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Burn Pit Registry Enhancement Act

Bill: 116-s-554
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]
Introduced: 2019-02-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Afghanistan
Asia
Fires
Government information and archives
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Health information and medical records
Iraq
Middle East
Military operations and strategy
Military personnel and dependents
Solid waste and recycling
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: 

Burn Pit Registry Enhancement Act

 
This bill authorizes specified individuals to update the burn pit registry with the cause of death of a registered individual. The Department of Veterans Affairs established the burn pit registry to allow certain veterans and servicemembers to document their exposures and report health concerns. The registry is for individuals who may have been exposed to toxic airborne chemicals and fumes caused by open burn pits (areas used for burning solid waste in open air without equipment) while deployed in Afghanistan or Iraq.
 
Specifically, the bill authorizes a designee of a registered individual or an immediate family member to update the registry with the cause of death of the individual. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Mark Takai Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-555
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Introduced: 2019-02-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Cancer
Marshall Islands
Nuclear weapons
Radiation
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: 

Mark Takai Atomic Veterans Healthcare Parity Act
 
of 2019

 
This bill includes veterans who participated in the cleanup of Enewetak Atoll in the Marshall Islands between January 1, 1977, and December 31, 1980, as radiation-exposed veterans for purposes of the Department of Veterans Affairs presumption of service-connection for specified cancers.
 
Under a presumption of service-connection, specific diseases diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act

Bill: 116-s-556
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2019-02-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Civil actions and liability
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Federal preemption
Foreign labor
Government information and archives
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Public contracts and procurement
Rural conditions and development
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: 

Accountability Through Electronic Verification Act

 
This bill expands the E-Verify program by requiring all employers to use it, and permanently reauthorizes the program. Currently, E-Verify use is voluntary for most employers, although some states mandate its use.
 
All employers shall use E-Verify to confirm the identity and employment eligibility of all recruited, referred, or hired individuals, including current employees who were never verified under the program. Failure to use E-Verify shall create a rebuttable presumption that the employer is violating immigration law. 
 
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) shall generate weekly reports about individuals who have received a final non-confirmation of employment eligibility. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall use the report to enforce immigration laws.
 
DHS shall establish a program to help certain small businesses verify employee eligibility. DHS shall also update E-Verify's design to help prevent and detect fraud and identity theft.
 
The bill increases civil and criminal penalties for hiring unauthorized aliens. DHS shall debar repeat offenders and those criminally convicted from holding federal contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements.
 
The Social Security Administration, Internal Revenue Service, Department of the Treasury, and DHS shall jointly establish a program to share information to help identify unauthorized aliens.
 
The bill establishes the Employer Compliance Inspection Center within Homeland Security Investigations of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The center's duties include processing I-9 employment eligibility verification forms and ensuring compliance with employment eligibility laws. 
 
DHS shall report to Congress on ways to simplify procedures relating to I-9 forms, and on whether the I-9 process should be eliminated.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Introduced in Senate
REUNITE Act

Bill: 116-s-557
Sponsor: Sen. Harris, Kamala D. [D-CA]
Introduced: 2019-02-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Appropriations
Arizona
Border security and unlawful immigration
California
Child safety and welfare
Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Crimes against children
Department of Health and Human Services
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Justice
Detention of persons
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Domestic violence and child abuse
Executive agency funding and structure
Family relationships
Genetics
Human trafficking
Immigration status and procedures
Intergovernmental relations
Latin America
Mexico
New Mexico
Right of privacy
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
State and local government operations
Texas

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: 

Reunite Every Unaccompanied Newborn Infant, Toddler and other children Expeditiously Act or the REUNITE Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to reunite children and their parents or legal guardians who were apprehended for illegal entry into the United States. 
 
DHS and HHS shall develop procedures and programs, including procedures to (1) identify separated family members, (2) allow apprehended parents or legal guardians to have frequent no-cost contact with their separated children, and (3) coordinate with foreign consulates to locate apprehended individuals.
 
DHS and HHS shall ensure immediate reunification of apprehended children with a parent or legal guardian, but may make exceptions for the child's safety.
 
DHS and HHS may use DNA testing to determine family relationships, but shall first use other methods, such as official documents. DHS and HHS shall develop procedures for instances where the aliens refuse to consent to DNA testing. Collected DNA information may not be used for any purpose other than family reunification, including criminal or immigration enforcement.
 
The bill restores the Family Case Management Program, an alternative to detention program that uses case managers to promote compliance with immigration law obligations. DHS, HHS, and the Department of Justice shall establish the Office for Locating and Reuniting Children with Parents.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Introduced in Senate
CAMRA Act

Bill: 116-s-558
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2019-02-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Child care and development
Child health
Congressional oversight
Digital media
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Medical research
Mental health
Research administration and funding
Right of privacy
Television and film

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: 

Children and Media Research Advancement Act or the CAMRA Act

 
This bill requires the National Institutes of Health to fund research regarding the effects of media on infants, children, and adolescents. Such research must examine the impact of media (e.g., social media, television, video games) on cognitive, physical, and social-emotional development. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Sarah Grace-Farley-Kluger Act

Bill: 116-s-559
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2019-02-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Elementary and secondary education
Employee leave
Family relationships
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text:  
 

Parental Bereavement Act of 2019 or the Sarah Grace-Farley-Kluger Act

 
This bill entitles an eligible employee to up to 12 workweeks of leave during any 12-month period because of the death of a son or daughter.
 
 Such an employee may substitute any available paid leave for any leave without pay.
 
The bill applies the same leave entitlement to federal employees.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act

Bill: 116-s-560
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced: 2019-02-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Dental care
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Hereditary and development disorders
Insurance industry and regulation
Surgery and anesthesia

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: 

Ensuring Lasting Smiles Act

 
This bill requires private health insurance plans to cover diagnosis and treatment services for congenital anomalies and birth defects, such as reconstructive services and prosthetics. Coverage must include services that functionally improve, repair, or restore any body part that is medically necessary for normal bodily functions or appearance, as determined by the treating physician.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-561
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2019-02-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Federal-Indian relations
Indian lands and resources rights
Jurisdiction and venue
Racial and ethnic relations
State and local government operations
Voting rights

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: 

Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2019

 
This bill establishes new criteria for determining which states and political subdivisions must obtain preclearance before changes to voting practices may take effect. (Preclearance is the process of receiving federal preapproval before making legal changes that would affect voting rights.) In addition, the bill expands voting access on tribal lands.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act

Bill: 116-s-562
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2019-02-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cancer
Health care coverage and access
Health technology, devices, supplies
Medicare
Surgery and anesthesia
Women's health

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: 

Breast Cancer Patient Equity Act

 
This bill provides for Medicare coverage of custom fabricated breast prostheses following the surgical removal of the breast (i.e., a mastectomy), including replacements of such prostheses. Currently, Medicare covers surgically implanted breast prostheses, as well as some external breast prostheses (e.g., post-surgical bras).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act for Airports

Bill: 116-s-563
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2019-02-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Roads and highways
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: 

Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act for Airports

 
This bill allows certain eligible airport-related projecs to participate in the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Self-Initiation Trade Enforcement Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-564
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2019-02-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Department of Commerce
Executive agency funding and structure
Government studies and investigations
Small business
Tariffs

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: 

Self-Initiation Trade Enforcement Act of 2019

 
This bill establishes a task force in the International Trade Administration. The task force must identify countervailable subsidies and dumping that cause injury to or threaten to injure a domestic industry.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2019

Bill: 116-s-565
Sponsor: Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
Introduced: 2019-02-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Budget process
Congressional oversight
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Inflation and prices
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: 

Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2019 

 
This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to submit annual reports to Congress that include specified details regarding certain federally funded projects that are (1) more than five years behind schedule, or (2) have expenditures that are at least $1 billion more than the original cost estimate for the project. The reports must also be posted on the OMB website and included with the President's budget. 

action_date: 2020-03-02
text: 

Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act of 2019 

 
This bill directs the Office of Management and Budget to issue guidance requiring federal agencies to report annually to Congress regarding certain federally funded projects that are (1) more than five years behind schedule, or (2) have expenditures that are at least $1 billion more than the original cost estimate for the project. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-03-02
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 435.
action_date: 2020-03-02
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. 116-220.
action_date: 2020-03-02
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. 116-220.
action_date: 2019-11-06
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2019-02-26
text: Introduced in Senate