hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Oversight.gov Authorization Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4871
Sponsor: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Introduced: 2020-10-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: 

Oversight.gov Authorization Act of 2020

 
This bill directs the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency, an independent government entity that oversees the Offices of Inspectors General, to formally establish and maintain the oversight.gov website (which was launched in 2017) and authorizes funding through FY2030 to support the council's mission.
 
Specifically, the website shall (1) consolidate all public reports from each Office of Inspector General (including the Office of the Special Inspector General for Pandemic Recovery) to improve public access to any audit report, inspection report, or evaluation report made by an Office of Inspector General; and (2) include any additional resources, information, and enhancements as the council deems necessary or desirable.
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: Introduced in Senate
American Financial Markets Integrity and Security Act

Bill: 116-s-4872
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2020-10-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Asia
China
Congressional oversight
Corporate finance and management
Employee benefits and pensions
Financial services and investments
Foreign and international corporations
Government studies and investigations
Income tax deferral
Insurance industry and regulation
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
International monetary system and foreign exchange
Military civil functions
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Securities
U.S. and foreign investments

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: 

American Financial Markets Integrity and Security Act 

 
This bill generally prohibits investments in certain Chinese military companies and entities reasonably believed to be involved in activities contrary to the national security or foreign policy interests of the United States. These entities may not sell securities to U.S. markets. Investment companies, insurance companies, and retirement plans are prohibited from investing in these entities. The bill also prohibits the use of federal funds to enter into or renew a contract with these entities. 
 
Furthermore, the Department of Commerce and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence&#8212;in addition to the Department of Defense as under current law&#8212;are allowed to add entities to the list of Chinese military companies. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Reaching America's Rural Minority Businesses Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4873
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2020-10-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Higher education
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Manufacturing
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Minority education
Rural conditions and development
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: 

Reaching America's Rural Minority Businesses Act of 2020

 
This bill authorizes the Minority Business Development Agency to establish rural business centers at historically Black colleges and universities to assist rural minority businesses with issues such as broadband adoption, advanced manufacturing, and entrepreneurship. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Visa Security Expansion Act

Bill: 116-s-4874
Sponsor: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Introduced: 2020-10-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Homeland Security
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government studies and investigations
Immigration status and procedures
Law enforcement officers
Performance measurement
Terrorism
User charges and fees
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: 

Visa Security Expansion Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to increase the number of personnel in visa security units at certain diplomatic and consular posts.
 
DHS shall increase the number of such personnel in at least two posts each year during a 10-year period. The bill establishes criteria for deciding which country's posts shall receive additional personnel, such as the number of nationals of that country who have been identified as a suspected terrorists and whether that country has been cooperative with U.S. counterterrorism efforts. 
 
In addition to existing duties, such personnel shall screen visa applications against U.S. criminal, national security, and terrorism databases.
 
DHS shall establish a security fee for all nonimmigrant visa applications to offset the costs of operating and increasing the size of the visa security units.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Protections for Good Faith PPP Borrowers and Lenders Act

Bill: 116-s-4875
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2020-10-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Business expenses
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Civil actions and liability
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Small business
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: 

Protections for Good Faith PPP Borrowers and Lenders Act 

 
This bill revises certain provisions of the Paycheck Protection Program established to support small businesses in response to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.
 
The bill expands lender protections against enforcement actions based on the lender's reliance on certifications or documentation submitted by a loan applicant or recipient. Lenders are shielded from such enforcement actions brought under any federal, state, or other criminal or civil law or regulation. 
 
Borrowers under the program are only subject to a related enforcement action or penalty if the borrower commits fraud or makes certain prohibited expenses with loan proceeds. 
 
Loans under the program must be excluded from an asset threshold calculation made by a lending institution. 
 
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is prohibited from exercising oversight authority over any lender regarding their participation in the program. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Standard Merger and Acquisition Reviews Through Equal Rules Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4876
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2020-10-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: 

Standard Merger and Acquisition Reviews Through Equal Rules Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Department of Justice (DOJ) to use the same procedures when enforcing antitrust law, and it requires the FTC to issue a decision within 180 days of receiving a merger application.
 
Under current law, the FTC litigates the merits of contested merger cases before its own administrative tribunals. The bill requires the FTC to litigate these cases in federal court, similar to DOJ. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: Introduced in Senate
RAISE Working Families Act

Bill: 116-s-4877
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2020-10-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: 

Rebuild Americans' Income to Strengthen and Empower Working Families Act or RAISE Working Families Act

 
This bill allows a new refundable income tax credit for individual taxpayers (to be known as the Middle Class Tax Credit) equal to the lesser of $500 ($1,000 for individuals filing joint returns), or the taxpayer's earned income for the taxable year. The amount of the credit is reduced by 2.5% percent of the taxpayer's modified adjusted gross income that exceeds $50,000 ($100,000 for individuals filing joint returns).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Stopping Improper Payments to Foreigners Act

Bill: 116-s-4878
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2020-10-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Immigration status and procedures
Income tax credits
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: 

Stopping Improper Payments to Foreigners Act

 
This bill disqualifies resident aliens holding a nonimmigrant visa from eligibility for 2020 recovery rebates provided by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act or the CARES Act. Specifically, it requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to notify the Internal Revenue Service of any individual who receives a nonimmigrant visa during the eligibility period for recovery rebates. DHS must deny visas to any resident aliens who fail to repay a recovery rebate for which they are ineligible. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: Introduced in Senate
Fairness for Crime Victims Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4879
Sponsor: Sen. Toomey, Patrick [R-PA]
Introduced: 2020-10-26 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Appropriations
Budget process
Crime victims
Government trust funds
Law enforcement administration and funding
Legislative rules and procedure

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: 

Fairness for Crime Victims Act of 2020

 
This bill establishes budget points of order in the House of Representatives and the Senate against considering provisions in appropriations legislation that contain changes in mandatory programs (CHIMPs) that would cause the amount available for obligation during the fiscal year from the Crime Victims Fund to be less than the annual average for the three previous fiscal years. 
 
A CHIMP is a provision that (1) would have been estimated as affecting direct spending or receipts if the provision were included in legislation other than an appropriations bill; and (2) results in a net decrease in budget authority in the current year or the budget year, but does not result in a net decrease in outlays over the period of the total of the current year, the budget year, and all fiscal years covered under the most recently adopted budget resolution. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
action_date: 2020-10-26
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to extend the authorization for the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission.

Bill: 116-s-4881
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2020-11-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Dams and canals
Historic sites and heritage areas
New York State
Parks, recreation areas, trails
U.S. history

Summary:
action_date: 2020-11-09
text: 
This bill extends the authority for the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission through FY2034.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-11-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2020-11-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 54, United States Code, to limit the authority to reserve water rights in designating a national monument.

Bill: 116-s-4882
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2020-11-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Intergovernmental relations
Land use and conservation
Monuments and memorials
Parks, recreation areas, trails
State and local government operations
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2020-11-10
text: 
This bill prohibits the President, in designating a national monument, from reserving any implied or expressed water rights associated with it.
 
Water rights for an associated national monument may only be acquired in accordance with the laws of the state in which the water rights are to be located.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-11-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2020-11-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Brian Tally VA Employment Transparency Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4883
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2020-11-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Department of Veterans Affairs
Government information and archives
Government liability
Judicial procedure and administration
Lawyers and legal services
Public contracts and procurement
State and local courts
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2020-11-10
text: 

Brian Tally VA Employment Transparency Act
 
of 2020

 
This bill prescribes the notice the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) must provide in the event a person submits a claim for damage, injury, or death on Standard Form 95 (related to tort claims occurring within the scope of an employee's federal employment). Specifically, the VA must provide to the claimant, within 30 days after the claim is submitted, notice of (1) the importance of obtaining legal advice, including a recommendation that the claimant should secure legal counsel; and (2) the employment status of any individual listed on the form. 
 
Additionally, if the claim involves a contractor that entered into an agreement with the VA, the VA must provide the claimant notice of the importance of obtaining legal advice as to the statute of limitations regarding the claim in the state in which the claim arose.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-11-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2020-11-10
text: Introduced in Senate
COVID–19 Home Safety Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4884
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2020-11-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Aging
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child health
Congressional oversight
Consumer Product Safety Commission
Disability and paralysis
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health information and medical records
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Minority health
Product development and innovation
Product safety and quality

Summary:
action_date: 2020-11-10
text: 

COVID-19 Home Safety Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to report, and make available to the public, information about injuries and deaths from consumer products during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. The report must be submitted every three months for the duration of the emergency.

action_date: 2020-12-15
text: 

COVID-19 Home Safety Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the Consumer Product Safety Commission to report, and make available to the public, information about injuries and deaths from consumer products during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. The report must be submitted every three months for the duration of the emergency.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 642.
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker with amendments. Without written report.
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker with amendments. Without written report.
action_date: 2020-11-18
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
action_date: 2020-11-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2020-11-10
text: Introduced in Senate
EIDL Advance Protection Act

Bill: 116-s-4885
Sponsor: Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
Introduced: 2020-11-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
action_date: 2020-11-10
text: 

EIDL Advance Protection Act

 
This bill prohibits reducing an applicant's loan forgiveness under the Paycheck Protection Program based on an advance amount received by the applicant under the Economic Injury Disaster Loan program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-11-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2020-11-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Durbin Feeling Native American Languages Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4886
Sponsor: Sen. Udall, Tom [D-NM]
Introduced: 2020-11-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Census and government statistics
Congressional oversight
Federal-Indian relations
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Indian social and development programs
Minority education

Summary:
action_date: 2020-11-10
text: 

Durbin Feeling Native American Languages Act of 2020

 
This bill directs the President to review whether federal agencies are in compliance with requirements to promote the use of Native American languages and make recommendations to improve interagency coordination to support the use of these languages. It also requires the Administration for Native Americans to survey the use of Native American languages in the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-11-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2020-11-10
text: Introduced in Senate
End Polluter Welfare Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4887
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2020-11-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advanced technology and technological innovations
Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit
Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Business expenses
Business investment and capital
Capital gains tax
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Coal
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Congressional oversight
Corporate finance and management
Credit and credit markets
Department of Energy
Department of the Interior
Department of the Treasury
Electric power generation and transmission
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Energy prices
Energy research
Energy revenues and royalties
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Executive agency funding and structure
Export-Import Bank of the United States
Financial services and investments
Foreign and international corporations
Foreign loans and debt
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Government trust funds
Gulf of Mexico
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine pollution
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Mining
Montana
Motor fuels
Multilateral development programs
Navigation, waterways, harbors
Oil and gas
Pipelines
Pollution liability
Public contracts and procurement
Public participation and lobbying
Railroads
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Rural conditions and development
Sales and excise taxes
Securities
Solid waste and recycling
Strategic materials and reserves
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Taxation of foreign income
Transportation programs funding
Worker safety and health
Wyoming

Summary:
action_date: 2020-11-10
text: 

End Polluter Welfare Act of 2020

 
This bill limits or eliminates certain fossil fuel subsidies for oil, coal, and natural gas companies, including by
 
 
eliminating the authority of the Department of Energy to carry out the Fossil Energy Research and Development Program;
 
expanding the definition of 
crude oil
 for purposes of the excise tax on petroleum and petroleum products to include any oil derived from a bitumen or bituminous mixture (tar sands), any liquid fuel derived from coal, and any oil derived from kerogen-bearing sources (oil shale);
 
limiting the financial assistance that such companies may receive from programs that provide relief to businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic;
 
terminating certain tax incentives relating to fossil fuels, including the percentage depletion allowance and capital gains treatment for royalties from coal; and
 
increasing the Oil Spill Liability Trust Fund financing rate.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-11-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-11-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act

Bill: 116-s-4888
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2020-11-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Criminal justice information and records
Firearms and explosives
Government information and archives
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2020-11-10
text: 

Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act

 
This bill prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from transmitting certain information to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) utilized by licensed importers or dealers of firearms. 
 
Specifically, the bill prohibits the VA from transmitting personally identifying information of a veteran or a beneficiary to the NICS solely on the basis that such veteran or beneficiary has an appointed fiduciary to manage their benefits, unless there is an order or finding of a judicial authority that such veteran or beneficiary is a danger to themselves or others. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-11-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2020-11-10
text: Introduced in Senate