hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Students and Families Empowerment Act

Bill: 116-hr-1798
Sponsor: Rep. Rice, Kathleen M. [D-NY-4]
Introduced: 2019-03-14 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employee benefits and pensions
Government lending and loan guarantees
Higher education
Income tax deductions
Income tax exclusion
Interest, dividends, interest rates
Student aid and college costs
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: 

Students and Families Empowerment Act 

 
This bill expands tax deductions and grace periods that apply to student loan payments. 
 
The bill modifies the tax deduction for interest on education loans to replace the dollar limitation and the limitation based on modified adjusted gross income with a $750,000 limit ($1.5 million in the case of a joint return) on the aggregate amount of qualified education loans that may be taken into account for the deduction. 
 
The bill excludes from gross income the discharge of any student loan debt pursuant to income contingent and income-based repayment plans under the Higher Education Act of 1965. 
 
The bill extends from 6 months to 12 months (1) the grace period before payment must begin on Federal Direct Stafford Loans and Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans after the student ceases to carry at least one-half of the normal full-time academic workload, and (2) the deferment periods for parent borrowers and graduate or professional student borrowers with Federal Direct PLUS Loans.
 
The bill prohibits interest from accruing on a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan or a Federal Direct PLUS Loan during the 12-month extension or deferral period. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Introduced in House
Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-1799
Sponsor: Rep. Sensenbrenner, F. James, Jr. [R-WI-5]
Introduced: 2019-03-14 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Federal appellate courts
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Jurisdiction and venue
Racial and ethnic relations
State and local government operations
Voting rights

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: 

Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2019

 
This bill establishes new criteria for determining which states and political subdivisions must obtain preclearance before changes to voting practices in these areas may take effect. (Preclearance is the process of receiving preapproval from the Department of Justice or the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia before making legal changes that would affect voting rights.)
 
A state and all of its political subdivisions shall be subject to preclearance of voting practice changes for a 10-year period if five or more voting rights violations occurred in the state during the previous 15 years, at least one of which was committed by the state itself. A political subdivision as a separate unit shall also be subject to preclearance for a 10-year period if, in the previous 15 years (1) three or more voting rights violations occurred there, or (2) one or more voting rights violations occurred there and the subdivision had minority voter turnout below certain thresholds.
 
A state or political subdivision that obtains a declaratory judgment that it has not used a voting practice to deny or abridge the right to vote shall be exempt from preclearance.
 
The bill expands the circumstances under which (1) a court may retain the authority to preclear voting changes made by a state or political subdivision, or (2) the Department of Justice may assign election observers.
 
States and political subdivisions must notify the public of changes to voting practices.
 
The bill revises the circumstances under which a court must grant preliminary injunctive relief in a challenge to voting practices.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Introduced in House
Local Solutions to End Homelessness Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-1800
Sponsor: Rep. Sires, Albio [D-NJ-8]
Introduced: 2019-03-14 in the House
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Homelessness and emergency shelter
Housing and community development funding
Poverty and welfare assistance
State and local finance
Urban and suburban affairs and development

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: 

Local Solutions to End Homelessness Act of 2019

 
This bill reallocates to urban counties, under certain circumstances, Emergency Solutions Grant funds to help individuals and families regain permanent housing after experiencing a housing crisis or homelessness.
 
Currently, if such funds going to a metropolitan city or an urban county are less than a specified amount, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) typically reallocates the funds to the state in which the city or county is located. The bill generally maintains this reallocation arrangement but also establishes certain circumstances when such funds shall go directly to the recipient or be reallocated elsewhere. 
 
Generally, under the bill, if such aid going to a metropolitan city is less than a specified amount, HUD must reallocate the funds to the urban county in which the city is located if the county elects to receive, and has previously administered, such aid. However, the bill maintains an existing provision whereby a metropolitan city shall receive the funds directly if (1) the state does not have counties as local governments, (2) the city has a specified population, and (3) the city has previously received a certain amount of such funds.
 
Similarly, HUD must distribute these funds directly to an urban county receiving less than a specified amount if the county has previously received and administered such funds.
 
An urban county receiving reallocated funds must spend such funds for the benefit of the metropolitan cities located within the county.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Introduced in House
Warrior Wellness Act

Bill: 116-hr-1801
Sponsor: Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-11]
Introduced: 2019-03-14 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Department of Defense
Government studies and investigations
Health personnel
Mental health
Military medicine
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: 

Warrior Wellness Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Defense (DOD) to report to congressional committees on its shortage of mental health providers and include a strategy to better recruit and retain mental health providers.
 
DOD must report on the practices for prescribing medication during a specified period that were inconsistent with the post-traumatic stress disorder medication guidelines developed by DOD and the Veterans Health Administration (VHA).
 
The Departments of the Army, Navy, and Air Force must each establish a monitoring program to (1) periodically review the medication prescribing practices of providers and report the results to DOD and the VHA, and (2) establish procedures to address prescribing practices that are inconsistent with post-traumatic stress disorder medication guidelines developed by the departments.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-15
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Introduced in House
VA Billing Accountability Act

Bill: 116-hr-1802
Sponsor: Rep. Smucker, Lloyd [R-PA-11]
Introduced: 2019-03-14 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Debt collection
Hospital care
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: 

VA Billing Accountability Act

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to waive the requirement that a veteran make co-payments for medications, hospital care, nursing home care, and medical services in certain situations. Specifically, a veteran may have such co-payments waived if (1) an error committed by the VA or a non-VA facility delayed co-payment notification to the veteran, and (2) the veteran received such notification later than 180 days (18 months in the case of a non-VA facility) after the date on which the veteran received the care or services.
 
In requiring a veteran to make a co-payment for care or services provided at a VA or a non-VA medical facility, the VA shall notify the veteran not later than 180 days (18 months in the case of a non-VA facility) after the date on which the veteran received the care or services. If the VA does not provide notification by such date, it may not collect the payment, including through a third-party entity, unless the veteran is provided with (1) information about applying for a waiver and establishing a payment plan with the VA, and (2) an opportunity to make a waiver or establish a payment plan.
 
Finally, the bill requires the VA to review and improve its co-payment billing internal controls and notification procedures.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Introduced in House
To nullify the Supplemental Treaty Between the United States of America and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of Indians of Middle Oregon, concluded on November 15, 1865.

Bill: 116-hr-1803
Sponsor: Rep. Walden, Greg [R-OR-2]
Introduced: 2019-03-14 in the House
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Federal-Indian relations
Indian lands and resources rights
Oregon

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: 
This bill nullifies the supplemental treaty between the United States and the Confederated Tribes and Bands of Indians of Middle Oregon. Among other things, the treaty restricted the rights of tribal members to leave the reservation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-06-05
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2019-04-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States.
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Introduced in House
Student-Athlete Equity Act

Bill: 116-hr-1804
Sponsor: Rep. Walker, Mark [R-NC-6]
Introduced: 2019-03-14 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Athletes
School athletics
Tax-exempt organizations
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: 

Student-Athlete Equity Act

 
This bill modifies the definition of a tax-exempt amateur sports organization to exclude organizations that substantially restrict a student athlete from using, or being reasonably compensated for the third party use of, the athlete's name, image, or likeness. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Introduced in House
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Centennial Commemorative Coin Act

Bill: 116-hr-1805
Sponsor: Rep. Wenstrup, Brad R. [R-OH-2]
Introduced: 2019-03-14 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Cemeteries and funerals
Commemorative events and holidays
Conflicts and wars
Currency
Military history
Missouri
Monuments and memorials
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
U.S. history
Veterans' organizations and recognition

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: 

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Centennial Commemorative Coin Act

 
This bill directs the Department of the Treasury to mint and issue up to 100,000 $1 coins in commemoration of the centennial of the establishment of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. 
 
All sales of such coins shall include a surcharge of $10 for each coin. All surcharges received by Treasury from the sale of such coins must be paid to the National World War I Museum and Memorial to assist in the commemoration of the centennial. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Introduced in House
Empowering Rural Economies Through Alaska Native Sustainable Arts and Handicrafts Act

Bill: 116-hr-1806
Sponsor: Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large]
Introduced: 2019-03-14 in the House
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Alaska
Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Animals
Historical and cultural resources
Mammals
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: 

Empowering Rural Economies Through Alaska Native Sustainable Arts and Handicrafts Act

 
This bill prohibits states from imposing bans on marine mammal and fossilized ivory products produced by Alaska Natives.
 
Specifically, states may not prohibit (1) the importation, sale, transfer, trade, barter, or possession of mammoth, mastodon, or walrus ivory, marine mammal bones, teeth, or baleen legally produced by an Alaska Native as an authentic native article of handicrafts and clothing; or (2) the importation, sale, transfer, trade, or possession of fossilized ivory.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Introduced in House
Highly Rural Veteran Transportation Program Extension Act

Bill: 116-hr-1807
Sponsor: Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large]
Introduced: 2019-03-14 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Health care coverage and access
Rural conditions and development
Transportation costs
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' organizations and recognition

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: 

Highly Rural Veteran Transportation Program Extension Act

 
This bill reauthorizes through FY2021 a grant program to provide innovative transportation options to veterans in highly rural areas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-11
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Introduced in House
For the relief of Alemseghed Mussie Tesfamical.

Bill: 116-hr-1808
Sponsor: Rep. King, Peter T. [R-NY-2]
Introduced: 2019-03-14 in the House
Subjects: Private Legislation

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Provides for the relief of Alemseghed Mussie Tesfamical.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act and the Dingell-Johnson Sport Fish Restoration Act, to provide parity for United States territories and the District of Columbia, to make technical corrections to such Acts and related laws, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-hr-1809
Sponsor: Del. Sablan, Gregorio Kilili Camacho [D-MP-At Large]
Introduced: 2019-03-18 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: American Samoa
District of Columbia
Firearms and explosives
Fishes
Guam
Northern Mariana Islands
Puerto Rico
Sales and excise taxes
State and local finance
U.S. territories and protectorates
Virgin Islands

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-18
text: 
This bill requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to apportion certain wildlife-restoration funds to the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia in the same manner as such funds are apportioned under current law to the states. 

action_date: 2019-07-10
text: 
This bill requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to apportion certain wildlife-restoration funds to the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia in the same manner as such funds are apportioned under current law to the states. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-10
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 106.
action_date: 2019-07-10
text: Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 116-144.
action_date: 2019-07-10
text: Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 116-144.
action_date: 2019-05-01
text: Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2019-05-01
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2019-05-01
text: Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Discharged.
action_date: 2019-03-26
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2019-03-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.
action_date: 2019-03-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-03-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-18
text: Introduced in House
Countering the Chinese Government and Communist Party's Political Influence Operations Act

Bill: 116-hr-1811
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Introduced: 2019-03-18 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Africa
Alliances
Asia
Australia
Canada
China
Congressional oversight
Department of State
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Director of National Intelligence
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Human rights
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
International exchange and broadcasting
International organizations and cooperation
New Zealand
News media and reporting
Oceania
Political parties and affiliation
Protest and dissent
Racial and ethnic relations
Religion
Rule of law and government transparency
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Taiwan
Tibet
Western Hemisphere

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-18
text: 

Countering the Chinese Government and Communist Party's Political Influence Operations Act
 
 
This bill directs the Department of State to devise a long-term strategy to counter the Chinese government's political influence operations. 
 
The strategy shall seek to counter the ruling Chinese Communist Party's campaigns to corrupt democratic countries and undermine democratic institutions, both in the United States and elsewhere. It shall also seek to increase awareness of such campaigns and help other countries develop the capacity to counter them. 
 
The strategy shall also ensure that Chinese nationals living in the United States, as well as Chinese Americans and members of the Uyghur and Tibetan diaspora, are protected against malign political influence operations, such as surveillance and intimidation.
 
The State Department shall also report to Congress about Chinese government efforts to exert influence in the United States and in U.S. partner countries, and suggestions for countering such efforts. The report shall address issues including attempts to (1) influence government institutions and officials, (2) undermine democratic institutions and freedom of speech, and (3) suppress public information.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-05-03
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
action_date: 2019-03-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-03-18
text: Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2019-03-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-18
text: Introduced in House
Lyon County Economic Development and Environmental Remediation Act

Bill: 116-hr-1813
Sponsor: Rep. Amodei, Mark E. [R-NV-2]
Introduced: 2019-03-18 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Government liability
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Indian lands and resources rights
Land transfers
Nevada

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-18
text: 

Lyon County Economic Development and Environmental Remediation Act

 
This bill directs the Department of the Interior to convey to Atlantic Richfield Company all right, title, and interest (including miner rights) of the United States in and to approximately 2,062 acres of five parcels of land managed by the Bureau of Land Management and located in Lyon County, Nevada. This conveyance is for the purpose of remediation and reclamation of abandoned copper mines on the land and economic development in the county.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-04-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.
action_date: 2019-03-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-03-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-18
text: Introduced in House
ABLE Age Adjustment Act

Bill: 116-hr-1814
Sponsor: Rep. Cárdenas, Tony [D-CA-29]
Introduced: 2019-03-18 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Disability and paralysis
Income tax exclusion

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-18
text: 

ABLE Age Adjustment Act

 
This bill increases from 26 to 46 the age threshold for tax-favored ABLE (Achieving a Better Life Experience) accounts. (ABLE accounts are designed to enable individuals with disabilities to save for and pay for disability-related expenses. To establish an account, an individual must have a qualifying impairment that began before the individual attained the age threshold.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2019-03-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-18
text: Introduced in House
Children’s Product Warning Label Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-1816
Sponsor: Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-12]
Introduced: 2019-03-18 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Marketing and advertising
Product safety and quality

Summary:
action_date: 2019-03-18
text: 

Children's Product Warning Label Act of 2019 

 
This bill prohibits the sale of a children's cosmetic that contains talc unless it includes a specific warning or the cosmetic is demonstrated to be asbestos-free. (
Talc
 means a basic silicate of magnesium and includes talcum powder, hydrous magnesium silicate, non-fibrous talc, non-asbestiform talc, steatite talc, and fibrous non-tremolite talc.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-19
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2019-03-18
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2019-03-18
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-03-18
text: Introduced in House