hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Parris Island Protection Act

Bill: 116-s-4802
Sponsor: Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]
Introduced: 2020-10-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Defense spending
Military facilities and property
South Carolina

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: 

Parris Island Protection Act

 
This bill prohibits the use of federal funds to close or realign Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina, or to conduct any planning or other activity related to such closure or realignment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Beat CHINA for 5G Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4803
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2020-10-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Broadcasting, cable, digital technologies
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Radio spectrum allocation
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: 

Beat China by Harnessing Important, National Airwaves for 5G Act of 2020 or the Beat CHINA for 5G Act of 2020

 
This bill establishes requirements related to the assignment and allocation of electromagnetic spectrum between the frequencies of 3450 MHz and 3550 MHz.
 
Specifically, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration must begin withdrawing or modifying assignments of this electromagnetic spectrum to federal government stations. Further, the Federal Communications Commission must revise the nonfederal allocation of this spectrum to permit flexible-use services and conduct an auction to grant new initial licenses for the use of this spectrum.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-11-18
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Rhode Island Fishermen's Fairness Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4804
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced: 2020-10-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Atlantic Ocean
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Regional and metropolitan planning
Rhode Island

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: 

Rhode Island Fishermen's Fairness Act of 2020

 
This bill adds Rhode Island to the Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Council and increases council membership from 21 to 23 members. The council is not given authority over the fisheries in the Atlantic Ocean seaward of Rhode Island.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6295)
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to create a point of order against legislation modifying the number of Justices of the Supreme Court of the United States.

Bill: 116-s-4805
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2020-10-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Judges
Legislative rules and procedure
Senate
Supreme Court

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: 
This bill creates a point of order against considering legislation in the Senate that modifies the total number of Justices of the U.S. Supreme Court. The bill allows the point of order to be waived by a vote of two-thirds of the Senate. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-11-09
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 582.
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Transparency in Classification Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4806
Sponsor: Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
Introduced: 2020-10-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Congress
Congressional oversight
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Executive agency funding and structure
Freedom of information
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Members of Congress
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Public contracts and procurement
War and emergency powers

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: 

Transparency in Classification Act of 2020

 
This bill establishes the Interagency Security Classification Appeals Panel, a body to review decisions related to the classification of information, and contains other related provisions.
 
The appeals panel shall provide the public and authorized users of the classification system with a forum to request review of agency classification decisions. It shall also provide members of Congress a mechanism for expedited reviews of classification decisions. 
 
Each agency that handles classified information shall establish a policy for an individual authorized to access classified information to request a review of a classification decision. Such an individual may also appeal a classification decision to the appeals panel. Appeals panel decisions may be appealed to the President. 
 
The bill imposes various requirements related to the appeals processes created under this bill, including time lines for rendering decisions. 
 
The appeals panel shall establish a public website with information about all appeals requests that it has received. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4807
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2020-10-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business expenses
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee benefits and pensions
Employment taxes
Food industry and services
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Health care costs and insurance
Income tax credits
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Marketing and advertising
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
State and local government operations
Tax-exempt organizations
Transportation costs
Travel and tourism
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: 

Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act of 2020

 
This bill establishes new tax credits and revises existing credits and deductions to protect the hospitality and restaurant industries. Specifically, the bill allows a convention and trade show restart tax credit for (1) the costs of participation in a convention, seminar, or similar meeting, a business meeting, or a trade show that takes place after 2020; and (2) the costs of reopening an entertainment facility closed due to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. It also allows a business-related tax credit for the costs of reopening restaurants or food service businesses forced to close down or reduce operations due to COVID-19.
 
The bill modifies, and increases the rate of, the tax credit for the retention of employees for an employer whose business has been affected by a disaster or public health emergency. It also repeals the increased limitations on the tax deduction for meals and entertainment expenses enacted in 2017. 
 
Finally, the bill allows individual taxpayers a new tax credit for travel expenses relating to entertainment activities occurring in the United States between January 1, 2021, and December 31, 2023.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to protect the independence of journalists by preventing undue political influence at the United States Agency for Global Media.

Bill: 116-s-4808
Sponsor: Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
Introduced: 2020-10-19 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Department of State
Federal officials
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
International exchange and broadcasting
News media and reporting
Political parties and affiliation
Right of privacy
U.S. Agency for Global Media

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: 
This bill modifies provisions related to journalistic independence and the United States Agency for Global Media (USAGM), which oversees public service media networks that provide news and information in countries where the press is restricted.
 
Specifically, the bill establishes a noninterference standard that provides U.S. international broadcasting with the expectation that other U.S. government agencies or officials shall not interfere with its journalists. It also requires the Department of State and the Broadcast Board of Governors to (1) respect the professional independence and integrity of the USAGM, its broadcasting services, and its grantees; (2) protect USAGM journalists from undue interference by U.S. government agencies or officials; and (3) ensure that USAGM employees are judged solely on the basis of their adherence to professional standards of broadcast journalism.
 
Further, the bill requires the Inspector General of the State Department and the Foreign Service to investigate any potential infringements to journalistic independence by senior USAGM officials or other federal officials. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Extending Tribal Broadband Priority Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4809
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2020-10-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Indian lands and resources rights
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Radio spectrum allocation
Rural conditions and development
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: 

Extending Tribal Broadband Priority Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to, within 30 days, establish a new tribal priority window for the 2.5 gigahertz band, through which tribes in rural areas may apply for unassigned spectrum. The new window is subject to the same terms and conditions as the tribal priority window that was adopted by the FCC on July 10, 2019, and that closed on September 2, 2020.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Employees from Surprise Taxes Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4810
Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
Introduced: 2020-10-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employment discrimination and employee rights
Employment taxes
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: 

Protecting Employees from Surprise Taxes Act of 2020

 
This bill prohibits employers from deferring payment of payroll taxes unless affected employees provide written consent to a deferral. Employers must also provide notice to their employees of the right to provide or withhold written consent and the future tax liability resulting from providing consent to the deferral of such taxes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Correctional Facilities COVID–19 Response Act

Bill: 116-s-4811
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2020-10-19 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Detention of persons
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee leave
Government information and archives
Health care coverage and access
Health information and medical records
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Law enforcement officers
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Right of privacy
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: 

Federal Correctional Facilities COVID-19 Response Act

 
This bill requires federal correctional facilities to provide COVID-19 tests at no cost to inmates and employees and otherwise addresses the management of COVID-19 in these facilities. 
 
Correctional facilities operated by the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) and private facilities that house inmates under contract with federal entities must provide initial tests within 15 days of the enactment of this bill and also establish a weekly testing program that will remain in effect through the end of the COVID-19 pandemic. Inmates may opt out of this testing. In addition, facilities must provide appropriate follow-up services for those who test positive for, or display symptoms of, COVID-19, including necessary medical care for inmates and access to paid leave for employees. 
 
Furthermore, each facility must report specified COVID-19 data to the Department of Justice (DOJ), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and the public health authority of the state in which the facility is located. Specifically, facilities must report COVID-19 outbreaks to the CDC, and the CDC must deploy staff to facilities with outbreaks to prevent further spread of the disease. 
 
The bill also applies certain federal privacy standards for health records to, and restricts the use of, any data collected as a result of the testing and reporting activities. 
 
Additionally, the BOP, in consultation with the CDC and other experts, must update certain guidelines on managing COVID-19, and DOJ must also report to Congress on COVID-19 prevention, mitigation, and control activities at federal correctional facilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-10-19
text: Introduced in Senate
Hire To Secure our Nation Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4812
Sponsor: Sen. Braun, Mike [R-IN]
Introduced: 2020-10-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Asia
China
Computer security and identity theft
Department of Defense
Department of State
Employee hiring
Federal officials
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Iran
Middle East
Russia

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-20
text: 

Hire To Secure our Nation Act of 2020

 
This bill provides temporary direct-hire authority to the Department of Defense and the Department of State for positions that require expertise on Iran, China, or Russia, and for related linguist positions, in the competitive service. The bill also establishes a fellowship program in these agencies to recruit experienced professionals, particularly those with foreign language skills or cybersecurity expertise, for positions relating to national security.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2020-10-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4813
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2020-10-20 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
Aviation and airports
China
Computer security and identity theft
Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Cultural exchanges and relations
Defense spending
Detention of persons
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Elementary and secondary education
Environmental regulatory procedures
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Free trade and trade barriers
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government information and archives
Higher education
Human rights
International exchange and broadcasting
International organizations and cooperation
Judicial procedure and administration
Labor standards
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military operations and strategy
Military readiness
News media and reporting
Political parties and affiliation
Protest and dissent
Racial and ethnic relations
Religion
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Subversive activities
Taiwan
Tibet
Trade agreements and negotiations
Travel and tourism

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-20
text: 

Taiwan Relations Reinforcement Act of 2020

 
This bill contains provisions pertaining to the U.S.-Taiwan relationship.
 
The director of the American Institute in Taiwan's Taipei office shall be subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. (The United States does not have official relations with Taiwan as a result of China's position that Taiwan is part of China. The American Institute in Taiwan is a private organization that represents U.S. interests in Taiwan and provides consular services.)
 
No U.S. government department or agency may formally or informally recognize China's claims of sovereignty over Taiwan without the assent of Taiwan's people, as expressed through the democratic process. 
 
The Department of State shall establish the U.S.-Taiwan Cultural Exchange Foundation, which shall work with schools to send U.S. high school and university students to Taiwan to study the Chinese language, politics, and other subjects. 
 
In addition, the State Department shall develop and implement a strategy to respond to Chinese government attempts to use misinformation, media manipulation, economic coercion, and other strategies against Taiwan or persons in Taiwan. 
 
The bill also directs the President to establish an interagency Taiwan policy task force, which shall annually report to Congress a plan for enhancing U.S.-Taiwan relations.
 
The bill also requires reports on topics including (1) China's efforts to block Taiwan's participation in international bodies such as the United Nations, and (2) the military posture of Taiwan and the United States as it pertains to conflict deterrence and readiness in the Taiwan Strait. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2020-10-20
text: Introduced in Senate
SECURE F–35 Exports Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4814
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2020-10-20 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arab-Israeli relations
Asia
Aviation and airports
China
Congressional oversight
Foreign aid and international relief
Human rights
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
International law and treaties
Israel
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military operations and strategy
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Militias and paramilitary groups
Russia
Technology transfer and commercialization
United Arab Emirates

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-20
text: 

Israel and United States Security Enhancement for F-35 Exports Act of 2020 or the SECURE F-35 Exports Act of 2020

 
This bill requires specified assessments and certifications related to the sale of F-35 aircraft to countries in the Middle East to ensure that the sale, export, or transfer of these aircraft does not present a significant danger of compromising the critical military and technological military advantage of Israel or the U.S. Armed Forces.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2020-10-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Disaster Learning and Life Saving Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4815
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2020-10-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Advisory bodies
Census and government statistics
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Emergency planning and evacuation
Evidence and witnesses
Executive agency funding and structure
Firearms and explosives
Fires
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Intergovernmental relations
Natural disasters
State and local government operations
Terrorism
Trade secrets and economic espionage
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-20
text: 

Disaster Learning and Life Saving Act of 2020

 
This bill establishes within the executive branch a National Disaster Safety Board to study the underlying causes of disaster-related fatalities and property damage nationwide and make policy recommendations, and authorizes appropriations for the board through FY2024.
 
Specifically, the board shall review and establish the facts, circumstances, and cause or probable cause of the loss of life, human injury, and economic injury due to a natural hazard or public health incident with 10 or more fatalities.
 
The board shall
 
 
 initiate a review of an incident by monitoring the situation and assessing available facts to determine the appropriate review response without interfering in any ongoing lifesaving and life sustaining efforts underway by other entities;
 
 disseminate best practices for the development of internal review organizations; and
 
 establish an office to review and make recommendations to mitigate and prevent the loss of life, or human or economic injury, for vulnerable populations.
 
 
The Government Accountability Office shall audit the board at least once every two years.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2020-10-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Southern Maryland National Heritage Area Act

Bill: 116-s-4816
Sponsor: Sen. Cardin, Benjamin L. [D-MD]
Introduced: 2020-10-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Historic sites and heritage areas
Historical and cultural resources
Maryland
Parks, recreation areas, trails

Summary:
action_date: 2020-10-20
text: 

Southern Maryland National Heritage Area Act

 
This bill establishes the Southern Maryland National Heritage Area in Maryland.
 
 The heritage area shall include portions of St. Mary's, Calvert, Charles, and Prince George's Counties in Maryland, with the specific boundaries to be established by the Department of the Interior, based on the feasibility study for the heritage area.
 
The Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland shall serve as the local coordinating entity for the heritage area.
 
The council shall submit a management plan for the heritage area.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-10-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2020-10-20
text: Introduced in Senate