hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Delivering for America Act

Bill: 116-s-4527
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2020-08-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Performance measurement
Postal service
U.S. Postal Service
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-13
text: 

Delivering for America Act

 
This bill prohibits the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) from making changes to operations or levels of service from those that were in effect on January 1, 2020. Specifically, the USPS may not, during the period beginning on enactment of this bill and ending on the last day of the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency or January 1, 2021, whichever is later, implement or approve any change to the operations or the level of service that would impede prompt, reliable, and efficient services, including
 
 
changes in the nature of services that will generally affect service on a nationwide basis;
 
revisions of service standards;
 
closures or consolidations of post offices or reduction of operating hours;
 
prohibitions on payment of overtime pay to USPS officers or employees;
 
changes that would prevent the USPS from meeting its service standards or that would reduce measurements of performance concerning those standards;
 
changes that would have the effect of delaying mail, allowing non-delivery to a delivery route, or increasing the volume of undelivered mail.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2020-08-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Advancing Competitiveness, Transparency, and Security in the Americas Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4528
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2020-08-13 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Argentina
Asia
Brazil
Caribbean area
China
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Cuba
Cultural exchanges and relations
Dams and canals
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Economic development
Ecuador
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Evidence and witnesses
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign and international corporations
Foreign loans and debt
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Human rights
Infrastructure development
Intellectual property
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
International exchange and broadcasting
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Latin America
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military education and training
Navigation, waterways, harbors
News media and reporting
Oil and gas
Public contracts and procurement
Right of privacy
Rule of law and government transparency
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Spacecraft and satellites
Subversive activities
Telephone and wireless communication
Trade secrets and economic espionage
U.S. and foreign investments
Venezuela
Visas and passports
Wages and earnings
Western Hemisphere

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-13
text: 

Advancing Competitiveness, Transparency, and Security in the Americas Act of 2020 

 
This bill supports U.S. economic engagement and diplomatic presence in Latin American and Caribbean countries and implements requirements to counter foreign corrupt practices and malign business practices in the region. Specifically, the bill establishes measures to (1) increase U.S. economic competitiveness and promote the rule of law in Latin American and Caribbean countries, (2) promote regional security and digital security, and (3) protect human rights in the Americas and advance the role of civil society in Latin America and the Caribbean. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2020-08-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Tribal Connect Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4529
Sponsor: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Introduced: 2020-08-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Educational technology and distance education
Government information and archives
Indian social and development programs
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Libraries and archives
Performance measurement
Telecommunication rates and fees
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-13
text: 

Tribal Connect Act of 2020

 
This bill expands tribal access to the Schools and Libraries Universal Service Support (E-rate) program, which provides discounted broadband internet access and telecommunications services to certain schools and libraries. It also establishes a pilot program to provide E-rate support to certain community-serving institutions.
 
First, a tribe may designate a tribal library or tribal library consortium, including a public-serving library of a tribal college or university, as a library or library consortium that is eligible for E-rate support. The tribe may make this designation regardless of whether the library or consortium is eligible for certain assistance from a state library administrative agency. 
 
In addition, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must establish a program to provide E-rate support to tribes for qualifying essential community-serving institutions (e.g., community centers). E-rate support may be provided to institutions designated by tribes if (1) the institutions are exclusively owned by the tribes; and (2) the institutions intend to deliver publicly available internet access to students, teachers, librarians, and community members.
 
Further, the bill requires the FCC to (1) provide technical assistance and training, (2) develop performance measures, and (3) review and submit annual reports. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2020-08-13
text: Introduced in Senate
Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program Authorization Act

Bill: 116-s-4530
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2020-08-13 in the Senate
Policy area: Water Resources Development
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Atmospheric science and weather
Congressional oversight
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental technology
Hydrology and hydrography
Lakes and rivers
Water resources funding
Water use and supply
Watersheds

Summary:
action_date: 2020-08-13
text: 

Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program Authorization Act

 
This bill establishes the Snow Water Supply Forecasting Program within the Department of the Interior to improve snowpack measurement in particular watersheds. Further, the Bureau of Reclamation must incorporate, to the greatest extent practicable, information from emerging technologies for snowpack measurement when determining water supply forecasts or allocations to federal water contractors.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-08-13
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5410)
action_date: 2020-08-13
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to designate the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs, located at 400 College Drive, Middleburg, Florida, the "Andrew K. Baker Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic", and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-s-4531
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2020-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Department of Veterans Affairs
Florida
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Health facilities and institutions
Home and outpatient care
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: 
This bill designates the community-based outpatient clinic of the Department of Veterans Affairs in Middleburg, Florida, as the Andrew K. Baker Department of Veterans Affairs Clinic or the A.K. Baker V.A. Clinic.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Ally’s Act

Bill: 116-s-4532
Sponsor: Sen. Capito, Shelley Moore [R-WV]
Introduced: 2020-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Health technology, devices, supplies
Hearing, speech, and vision care
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Surgery and anesthesia

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: 

Ally's Act
 

 This bill requires private health insurance plans to cover certain hearing devices and systems (e.g., bone-anchored auditory implants) and related items and services. The bill also imposes limits on cost sharing.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Anti-Racism in Public Health Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4533
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2020-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Age discrimination
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Health and Human Services
Disability and health-based discrimination
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal-Indian relations
Government information and archives
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Housing discrimination
Indian social and development programs
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Medical education
Medical research
Mental health
Minority health
Poverty and welfare assistance
Racial and ethnic relations
Research administration and funding
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: 

Anti-Racism in Public Health Act of 2020

 
This bill establishes within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) a National Center on Antiracism and Health and a law enforcement violence prevention program.
 
Among other activities, the new center must declare racism a public health crisis, collect and analyze data, and administer research and grant programs to address racism and its impact on health and well-being.
 
Additionally, the bill specifically directs the CDC's National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, in coordination with the Department of Justice and other relevant stakeholders, to carry out the law enforcement violence prevention program by conducting research and supporting other activities pertaining to law enforcement violence and public health.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Online Freedom and Viewpoint Diversity Act

Bill: 116-s-4534
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2020-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: 

Online Freedom and Viewpoint Diversity Act

 
This bill limits the immunity of a provider or user of an interactive computer service (i.e., social media platform) for screening and blocking offensive material on the service's platform, revises the applicability of civil liability for this moderation of offensive material, and changes a definition that governs applicability of the immunity.
 
Under current law, this immunity protects a provider or user of a social media platform from being treated as the publisher or speaker of information provided by another information content provider.
 
The bill removes this immunity from a decision, agreement, or action by a provider or user of a social media platform to restrict access to or availability of material provided by another information content provider. To avoid liability for this conduct, in addition to acting in good faith, the bill requires that the actor must have an 
objectively reasonable belief
 that the material is obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, excessively violent, harassing, promoting self-harm, promoting terrorism, or unlawful. Currently, a good faith actor must only 
consider
 such material to be obscene, lewd, lascivious, filthy, excessively violent, harassing, or otherwise objectionable.
 
Further, the bill redefines 
information content provider
 to encompass any person who editorializes or affirmatively and substantively modifies the content of another person or entity.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to authorize the President to award the Medal of Honor to Waverly B. Woodson, Jr., for acts of valor during World War II.

Bill: 116-s-4535
Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
Introduced: 2020-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Conflicts and wars
Congressional tributes
Europe
France
Military history
Military personnel and dependents

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: 
This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor posthumously to Waverly B. Woodson, Jr., for acts of valor during World War II. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
COVID–19 in Corrections Data Transparency Act

Bill: 116-s-4536
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2020-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government information and archives
Health information and medical records
Health technology, devices, supplies
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Juvenile crime and gang violence
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Medical tests and diagnostic methods

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: 

COVID-19 in Corrections Data Transparency Act

 
This bill requires the Bureau of Prisons, the U.S. Marshal Service, and state and local correctional facilities to publish on their websites and report to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention certain data on COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) cases and outcomes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
RENEW Conservation Corps Act

Bill: 116-s-4538
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2020-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Aquatic ecology
Department of Agriculture
Department of the Interior
Ecology
Employment and training programs
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental education
Executive agency funding and structure
Farmland
Fires
Forests, forestry, trees
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Higher education
Historical and cultural resources
Horticulture and plants
Indian social and development programs
Lakes and rivers
Land use and conservation
National and community service
Outdoor recreation
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Student aid and college costs
Temporary and part-time employment
Urban and suburban affairs and development
Water quality
Wetlands
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: 

Restore Employment in Natural and Environmental Work Conservation Corps Act or the RENEW Conservation Corps Act

 
This bill establishes the Restore Employment in Natural and Environmental Work Conservation Corps program within the Department of the Interior and Department of Agriculture under which participants must implement eligible projects (e.g., planting trees or controlling invasive species).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works. (text: CR S5445-5446)
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Taxpayer Research and Coronavirus Knowledge Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4539
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2020-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Charitable contributions
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Drug therapy
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Genetics
Government information and archives
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Intellectual property
Licensing and registrations
Manufacturing
Marketing and advertising
Medical research
Public contracts and procurement
Research administration and funding
Research and development

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: 

Taxpayer Research and Coronavirus Knowledge Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), in coordination with specified federal agencies, to compile a public, searchable database of federal contracts, tax benefits, and other support for COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) biomedical research and development, including information regarding the source and amount of such support. HHS must develop the database within one month and periodically update it.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Poll Worker Recruitment Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4540
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2020-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Employee hiring
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: 

Poll Worker Recruitment Act of 2020

 
This bill requires states and local jurisdictions to allow individuals to serve as poll workers in the November 2020 general election in any county or jurisdiction of the state in which they are registered to vote. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-4541
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2020-09-08 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Labor-management relations
Medicare
Nursing

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: 

Nurse Overtime and Patient Safety Act of 2020

 
This bill requires certain providers, as a condition of Medicare participation, to limit mandatory overtime for nurses.
 
Specifically, the bill prohibits hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, home health agencies, rural health clinics, federally qualified health centers, and other specified providers from requiring nurses to work (1) more than a previously scheduled shift, 48 hours in a workweek, or 12 consecutive hours in a 24-hour period; or (2) during the 10 hours immediately following the 12th hour worked in a shift during a 24-hour period. 
 
Qualifying work hours include time spent in training, on call, and on standby. The bill's provisions do not apply during declared emergencies or disasters, subject to specified conditions, and do not preclude voluntary overtime.
 
The bill also establishes (1) certain protections for nurses who file complaints against providers, (2) documentation and notice requirements for providers, and (3) potential civil penalties for violations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-09-08
text: Introduced in Senate
America First Vaccine Act

Bill: 116-s-4542
Sponsor: Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
Introduced: 2020-09-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health programs administration and funding
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Manufacturing
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-09
text: 

America First Vaccine Act 

 
This bill prohibits a U.S.-headquartered manufacturer of a COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) vaccine that was developed with federal pandemic relief funding from distributing it outside of the United States, unless the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) certifies that domestic need for the vaccine already has been met. 
 
However, HHS may waive the certification requirement and permit distribution outside of the United States if HHS makes a determination that such distribution would be in the interest of U.S. public health.
 
A manufacturer that violates the requirement must reimburse the federal government for all amounts received by the manufacturer in support of development of the vaccine, plus interest.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2020-09-09
text: Introduced in Senate
David Dorn Back the Blue Act

Bill: 116-s-4543
Sponsor: Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]
Introduced: 2020-09-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Employee hiring
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-09
text: 

David Dorn Back the Blue Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to provide programs to support the hiring and retention of law enforcement personnel and to increase their salaries. Further, DOJ may make grants to state and local law enforcement agencies for this purpose.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5514-5515)
action_date: 2020-09-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to specify the Federal share of the costs of certain duty of the National Guard in connection with the Coronavirus Disease 2019.

Bill: 116-s-4544
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2020-09-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Military civil functions
Military personnel and dependents
National Guard and reserves

Summary:
action_date: 2020-09-09
text: 
This bill requires the federal government to pay states for 100% of the cost of National Guard duty for a mission assignment validated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency pursuant to certain declarations related to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. The bill applies to declarations, with respect to COVID-19, of major disasters, emergencies, national emergencies, and public health emergencies.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2020-09-09
text: Introduced in Senate