hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
CARES Congressional Oversight Commission Diversity Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4459
Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
Introduced: 2020-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional operations and organization
Congressional oversight
Economic performance and conditions
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Minority health

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-05
text: 

CARES Congressional Oversight Commission Diversity Act of 2020

 
This bill increases from five to nine the membership of the Congressional Oversight Commission that oversees the implementation of specific measures intended to provide economic stability as a result of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. It also requires that at least four members be from a group that has experienced disproportionately negative impacts from the pandemic and the resulting economic recession. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2020-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act

Bill: 116-s-4460
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2020-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Veterans Affairs
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-05
text: 

State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to waive existing eligibility requirements for a veteran to receive per diem payments for domiciliary care at a state home if the veteran has met at least four of such requirements (e.g., can feed himself or herself), or the waiver would be in the best interest of the veteran. A 
state home
 is a home established by a state for veterans who are disabled by age, disease, or otherwise and who are incapable of earning a living because of such disability. The term also includes a home that furnishes nursing home care for veterans.

action_date: 2020-12-08
text: 

State Veterans Homes Domiciliary Care Flexibility Act

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to waive existing eligibility requirements for a veteran to receive per diem payments for domiciliary care at a state home if the veteran has met at least four of such requirements (e.g., can feed himself or herself), or the waiver would be in the best interest of the veteran. A 
state home
 is a home established by a state for veterans who are disabled by age, disease, or otherwise and who are incapable of earning a living because of such disability. The term also includes a home that furnishes nursing home care for veterans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-09
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2020-12-09
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2020-12-09
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2020-12-08
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text: CR S7286)
action_date: 2020-12-08
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2020-12-08
text: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7286)
action_date: 2020-12-08
text: Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2020-08-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4944-4945)
action_date: 2020-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide for a period of continuing appropriations in the event of a lapse in appropriations under the normal appropriations process, and establish procedures and consequences in the event of a failure to enact appropriations.

Bill: 116-s-4461
Sponsor: Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
Introduced: 2020-08-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Appropriations
Budget process
Congressional officers and employees
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Legislative rules and procedure
Members of Congress
Office of Management and Budget (OMB)
Transportation costs

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-05
text: 

Prevent Government Shutdowns Act of 2020

 
This bill provides continuing appropriations to prevent a government shutdown if any of the appropriations bills for a fiscal year have not been enacted before the fiscal year begins and continuing appropriations are not in effect.
 
The bill also limits official travel, congressional recesses or adjournments, and the consideration of legislation that is unrelated to appropriations after the beginning of a fiscal year if both chambers of Congress have not passed the appropriations bills for the year.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 506.
action_date: 2020-08-05
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2020-08-05
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to include certain over-the-counter dietary supplement products as qualified medical expenses.

Bill: 116-s-4463
Sponsor: Sen. Cramer, Kevin [R-ND]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Health care costs and insurance
Income tax deductions
Income tax exclusion
Nutrition and diet

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 
This bill expands the tax deduction for qualified medical expenses to include dietary supplement products. The bill defines 
dietary supplement products
 as nutritional products with labelling relating to their effects on bodily functions. The bill also allows payments from certain tax-preferred spending and reimbursement accounts for dietary supplement products.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Reserve Racial and Economic Equity Act

Bill: 116-s-4464
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Banking and financial institutions regulation
Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Consumer credit
Credit and credit markets
Economic performance and conditions
Federal Reserve System
Labor market
Minority employment
Monetary policy
Racial and ethnic relations
Unemployment
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

Federal Reserve Racial and Economic Equity Act 

 
This bill requires the Federal Reserve Board to carry out its duties in a manner that supports the elimination of racial and ethnic disparities in employment, income, wealth, and access to affordable credit. The board must report on disparities in labor force trends as well as on plans and activities of the board to minimize and eliminate these disparities. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Emergency Grant Aid for College Students Act

Bill: 116-s-4465
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education programs funding
Higher education
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

Emergency Grant Aid for College Students Act

 
This bill establishes an emergency financial-aid grant program.
 
Specifically, the Department of Education must award grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) and, through them, emergency financial-aid grants to students.
 
An IHE must, among other things, ensure that an emergency for which a student is eligible to receive a grant includes financial challenges that impact the student's ability to continue their course of study (e.g., loss of employment).
 
Further, the bill prohibits an emergency financial-aid grant from being (1) treated as other financial assistance for the purposes of calculating a student's amount of need, or (2) considered in determining the amount of financial aid or eligibility for other public benefits for succeeding academic years. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Supporting Innovation in Public Safety Act

Bill: 116-s-4466
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Census and government statistics
Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Government information and archives
Indian social and development programs
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Mental health
Poverty and welfare assistance
Racial and ethnic relations
State and local government operations
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

Supporting Innovation in Public Safety Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Justice to award competitive grants to at least 100 state, local, and tribal governments to perform demonstration projects that support programs and policies to improve public safety, including those that improve mental health crisis response. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5275-5277)
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
MMEDS Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4467
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Aging
Business expenses
Business investment and capital
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Economic development
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government studies and investigations
Health technology, devices, supplies
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Industrial facilities
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Manufacturing
Minority health
Public-private cooperation
Research administration and funding
Research and development
Unemployment
Veterans' medical care
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

Medical Manufacturing, Economic Development, and Sustainability Act of 2020 or the MMEDS Act of 2020

 
This bill provides incentives for relocating medical manufacturing facilities in the United States and for manufacturing medical products (i.e., drugs and devices) in economically distressed zones. Specifically, the bill allows a income tax credit for 40% of the sum of wages paid in a medical product manufacturing economically distressed zone, employee fringe benefit expenses, and depreciation and amortization allowances with respect to qualified medical product manufacturing facility property, and a credit for economically distressed zone products and services acquired by domestic medical product manufacturers..
 
The bill also directs the Department of Health and Human Services to study the extent to which the health of aging individuals and vulnerable populations have been disproportionately harmed by the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic and prior epidemics and pandemics.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Investments in Rural Transit Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4468
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aging
Health care coverage and access
Health personnel
Mental health
Poverty and welfare assistance
Public transit
Rural conditions and development
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

Investments in Rural Transit Act of 2020

 
This bill increases the federal share of operating costs to 80% for projects in certain rural areas with high transit dependency that receive grants under the Formula Grants for Rural Areas program of the Federal Transit Administration. The program provides capital, planning, and operating assistance to states to support public transportation in rural areas with populations of less than 50,000.
 
To qualify for the increased federal share, a project must serve an area that is
 
 
an area of persistent poverty (a county in which at least 20% of the population has lived in poverty during the most recent 30-year period);
 
a county in which at least 25% of residents are age 65 or older,
 
a county designated as a health professional shortage area on the basis of a primary care or mental health care shortage, or
 
a county with low population density of not more than 20 people per square mile of land area.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
COVID–19 Treatment Coverage Act

Bill: 116-s-4469
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Child health
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Drug therapy
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government trust funds
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health technology, devices, supplies
Hospital care
Immunology and vaccination
Indian social and development programs
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Medicaid
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Medicare
Military medicine
Minority health
Prescription drugs
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

COVID-19 Treatment Coverage Act

 
 This bill eliminates cost-sharing for items and services related to the treatment of COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019), including such services for uninsured individuals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Rural Equal Aid Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4470
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government lending and loan guarantees
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Rural conditions and development
Small business
Solid waste and recycling
Water quality
Water resources funding
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

Rural Equal Aid Act of 2020 

 
This bill requires the Department of Agriculture to pay the principal, interest, and any associated fees owed on loans made under certain rural development loan programs for a six-month period. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Tenant Protection Act

Bill: 116-s-4471
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Consumer credit
Judicial procedure and administration
Landlord and tenant
Specialized courts

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

Tenant Protection Act

 
This bill prohibits a credit reporting agency from creating a report containing a landlord-tenant court or other housing court record unless
 
 
the case resulted in a judgment of possession, 
 
the decision is not being appealed, and
 
the record is not more than three years old.
 
 
If a person takes an adverse action against a consumer based upon a housing court record contained in a credit report, the person must provide the consumer a free copy of the report.
 
A person who willfully creates a credit report that contains an inaccurate housing record is civilly liable to the consumer. 
 
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau must (1) issue regulations that direct tenant rating agencies to create a central source for consumers to obtain reports and submit disputes, and (2) report on tenant rating agency compliance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Ensuring Network Security Act

Bill: 116-s-4472
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

Ensuring Network Security Act

 
This bill expands eligibility and establishes distribution priority for funds provided under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program. The program reimburses providers of advanced communications service for costs associated with replacing communications equipment or services that pose a threat to national security.
 
Specifically, the bill increases from 2 million to 10 million the number of customers that an eligible provider may serve. Further, the bill establishes priority for the allocation of reimbursement funds to applicants, providing that such funds shall be distributed first to applicants that have 2 million or fewer customers; subsequently, to applicants that are accredited public or private noncommercial educational institutions providing their own facilities-based education broadband service; and finally, to certain other applicants that are designated as eligible telecommunications carriers. 

action_date: 2020-12-15
text: 

Ensuring Network Security Act

 
This bill expands eligibility and establishes distribution priority for funds provided under the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Reimbursement Program. The program reimburses providers of advanced communications service for costs associated with replacing communications equipment or services that pose a threat to national security.
 
Specifically, the bill increases from 2 million to 10 million the number of customers that an eligible provider may serve. Further, the bill establishes priority for the allocation of reimbursement funds to applicants, providing that such funds shall be distributed first to applicants that have 2 million or fewer customers; subsequently, to applicants that are accredited public or private noncommercial educational institutions providing their own facilities-based education broadband service; and finally, to any remaining approved applicants.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 640.
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2020-12-15
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Wicker with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2020-11-18
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Critical Medical Infrastructure Right-to-Repair Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4473
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional oversight
Contracts and agency
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government studies and investigations
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Health technology, devices, supplies
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Intellectual property
Manufacturing
Trade secrets and economic espionage

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 

Critical Medical Infrastructure Right-to-Repair Act of 2020

 
This bill removes certain intellectual property-related restrictions on repairing or maintaining critical medical infrastructure (i.e., a device or product used to provide medical services).
 
During the declared COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) emergency, it shall not be copyright infringement for an owner or licensee of service materials (such as manuals or computer diagnostic software) to copy such materials if (1) the copying is incidental to the repair or maintenance of critical medical infrastructure, and (2) such repair or maintenance is in response to the emergency.
 
Similarly, during the emergency, the prohibition against circumventing technology to control access to a work (or trafficking in circumvention tools) shall not apply to an owner or licensee of critical medical infrastructure if the circumvention is done to repair or maintain critical medical infrastructure in response to the emergency.
 
During the emergency, it shall also not be design patent infringement if the owner or licensee of critical medical infrastructure fabricates a patented part on a noncommercial basis in order to repair or maintain the infrastructure in response to the emergency. 
 
The bill also nullifies any contract provision that restricts the ability of the owner or licensee of critical medical infrastructure to repair or maintain such infrastructure in response to the emergency.
 
The manufacturer of critical medical infrastructure shall (1) offer for sale on reasonable terms any tool or information for servicing or repairing such infrastructure, and (2) provide information for making such tools to aftermarket tool manufacturers. The Federal Trade Commission shall have the authority to enforce these requirements.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Arms Export Control Act to prohibit the export of certain unmanned aircraft systems.

Bill: 116-s-4474
Sponsor: Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
Introduced: 2020-08-06 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Foreign aid and international relief
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: 
This bill limits the export of certain unmanned aircraft systems and related equipment.
 
Specifically, such systems and equipment may not be exported except to the government of (1) a North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member country, (2) Australia, (3) Israel, (4) Japan, (5) New Zealand, or (6) South Korea. 
 
This limitation shall apply to unmanned aircraft systems that (1) are described in the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) Annex, or (2) meet certain qualifications relating to flight range and payload capacity. 
 
(The MTCR is a multilateral informal political understanding that addresses the proliferation of missile technologies.) 
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2020-08-06
text: Introduced in Senate