hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
A bill to protect the entitlement of individuals to Post-9/11 Educational Assistance who discontinue pursuit of a program of education during the national emergency relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-s-3925
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2020-06-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Higher education
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Student aid and college costs
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Transportation costs
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2020-06-09
text: 
This bill preserves the entitlement to education benefits under the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program for veterans who discontinue their program of education during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic.
 
Specifically, the bill prohibits an educational assistance payment from being (1) charged against an individual's entitlement to educational assistance, or (2) counted against the aggregate period of such assistance (in most cases 48 months). An educational assistance payment is a payment to an individual for the pursuit of a course, if the individual discontinued the course due to COVID-19 and either failed to receive credit or lost training time toward completion of the program of education. 
 
Further, the bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs to continue paying subsistence allowances (monthly housing stipends) for a specified amount of time following the discontinuation of courses.
 
It also preserves the entitlement to tutorial assistance and assistance for relocation or travel.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-06-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-06-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Permitting Modernization Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-3926
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2020-06-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Government information and archives
Judicial review and appeals
Licensing and registrations

Summary:
action_date: 2020-06-09
text: 

Federal Permitting Modernization Act of 2020

 
This bill revises environmental review requirements under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) for certain infrastructure projects. 
 
Specifically, this bill establishes deadlines for federal agencies to complete the environmental review of such projects.
 
A court may not issue a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction against an agency or a project sponsor in connection with the review or authorization of an infrastructure project unless the court determines that (1) the environmental review has failed substantially and materially to comply with the requirements of NEPA, and (2) the failure cannot be cured by supplementing the environmental document or other mitigation and monitoring measures.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-06-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2020-06-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to establish a 90-day limit to file a petition for judicial review of a permit, license, or approval for a highway or public transportation project, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-s-3927
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2020-06-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2020-06-09
text: 
This bill modifies the time limit from 150 days to 90 days to file a petition for judicial review of a permit, license, or approval for a highway or public transportation capital project.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-06-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2020-06-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Continuity of the Economy Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-3928
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2020-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Appropriations
Banking and financial institutions regulation
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Currency
Economic performance and conditions
Electric power generation and transmission
Federal-Indian relations
Financial crises and stabilization
Financial services and investments
Foreign and international banking
Health programs administration and funding
Health technology, devices, supplies
Industrial policy and productivity
Intergovernmental relations
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Manufacturing
Materials
Military readiness
Oil and gas
Pipelines
Property rights
Public-private cooperation
Rule of law and government transparency
Securities
Strategic materials and reserves
Telephone and wireless communication
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: 

Continuity of the Economy Act of 2020

 
This bill requires the President to develop a plan to maintain and restore the U.S. economy in response to a cyberattack or other significant event that is natural or human-caused that results in severe degradation to economic activity.
 
Among other requirements, this plan shall (1) examine the distribution of goods and services across the United States necessary for the reliable functioning of the country during such an event; (2) identify the economic functions of relevant actors whose disruption, corruption, or dysfunction would have a debilitating effect on security, defense readiness, or public health or safety; and (3) identify the critical distribution mechanisms for each economic sector that should be prioritized for operation during such an event.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to authorize pilot programs on the remote provision by the National Guard to State governments and National Guards in other States of cybersecurity technical assistance in training, preparation, and response to cyber incidents, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-s-3929
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2020-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Defense spending
Government studies and investigations
Military civil functions
National Guard and reserves
State and local government operations
Technology assessment

Summary:
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: 
This bill authorizes the Department of the Army and the Department of the Air Force to separately conduct pilot programs to assess the feasibility and advisability of the development of a capability within the National Guard through which a National Guard of a state remotely provides state governments and the National Guard of other states with cybersecurity technical assistance in training, preparation, and response to cyber incidents.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act

Bill: 116-s-3931
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2020-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Congressional oversight
Department of Homeland Security
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Emergency planning and evacuation
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Firearms and explosives
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Marine and inland water transportation
Military civil functions
Military education and training
Military facilities and property
Navigation, waterways, harbors
State and local government operations
Terrorism
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: 

Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act

 
This bill restricts the transfer of federal excess military-grade equipment to federal, state, and local agencies for law enforcement activities. The bill also restricts the use of certain grants funds for specified weapons and military-style equipment.

The Government Accountability Office must report on specified issues, including the use of military-style training and equipment by certain federal agencies.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
TRICARE Retail Pharmacy Prescription Medication Expansion Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-3932
Sponsor: Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]
Introduced: 2020-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Military medicine
Military personnel and dependents
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Prescription drugs

Summary:
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: 

TRICARE Retail Pharmacy Prescription Medication Expansion Act of 2020

 
This bill directs the Department of Defense to carry out a three-year pilot program under which eligible beneficiaries under the TRICARE pharmacy benefits program may elect to receive non-generic prescription maintenance medications through military treatment facility pharmacies, retail pharmacies, or the national mail-order pharmacy program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
CHIPS for America Act

Bill: 116-s-3933
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2020-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: 

Creating Helpful Incentives to Produce Semiconductors for America Act or the CHIPS for America Act

 
This bill establishes investments and incentives to support U.S. semiconductor manufacturing, research and development, and supply chain security.
 
Specifically, the bill provides an income tax credit for semiconductor equipment or manufacturing facility investment through 2026. The bill also establishes a trust fund to be allocated upon reaching an agreement with foreign government partners to promote (1) consistency in policies related to microelectronics, (2) transparency in microelectronic supply chains, and (3) alignment in policies towards nonmarket economies.
 
The Department of Commerce shall, through the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), carry out a program of research and development investment to accelerate the design, development, and manufacturability of next generation microelectronics, including through the creation of a Manufacturing USA institute for semiconductor manufacturing. Commerce shall also establish a program to match state and local government incentives offered to private entities for the purposes of building fabrication facilities relating to semiconductor manufacturing. Further, Commerce shall assess the capabilities of the U.S. industrial base to support the national defense in light of the global nature of supply chains and interdependencies between the industrial bases of the U.S. and foreign countries with respect to the manufacture and design of semiconductors.
 
The Department of Defense shall prioritize the use of specified available amounts for programs, projects, and activities in connection with semiconductor and related technologies.
 
The President shall establish within NIST a subcommittee on matters relating to U.S. leadership in semiconductor technology and innovation, which shall develop a national strategy on semiconductor research.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Equitable Nutrition Assistance for the Territories Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-3934
Sponsor: Sen. Sanders, Bernard [I-VT]
Introduced: 2020-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: American Samoa
Caribbean area
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Income tax deductions
Northern Mariana Islands
Nutrition and diet
Poverty and welfare assistance
Puerto Rico
Retail and wholesale trades
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: 

Equitable Nutrition Assistance for the Territories Act of 2020

 
This bill allows Puerto Rico, American Samoa, and the Northern Mariana Islands to participate in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as the food stamp program) after submitting a plan of operation that is approved by the Department of Agriculture (USDA). (Under current law, the three territories receive block grants instead of participating in SNAP.)
 
Such territories may request from USDA a one-time grant to pay the cost of the technology infrastructure necessary to implement SNAP, including the cost of information technology, information technology personnel, and training relating to program implementation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend title 10, United States Code, to prohibit the burial in Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, of any President or Vice President who is not a member or veteran of the Armed Forces.

Bill: 116-s-3935
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2020-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Cemeteries and funerals
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Veterans' organizations and recognition
Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: 
This bill prohibits the Department of Defense from approving a determination of eligibility for interment or inurnment in Arlington National Cemetery made by the Department of the Army that permits the interment or inurnment in Arlington National Cemetery of an individual who is not a member of the Armed Forces or a veteran, but served as President or Vice President of the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Taiwan Defense Act

Bill: 116-s-3936
Sponsor: Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]
Introduced: 2020-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Alliances
Asia
China
Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Military education and training
Military operations and strategy
Military readiness
Nuclear weapons
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Taiwan

Summary:
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: 

Taiwan Defense Act

 
This bill requires, no later than April 30 every year, beginning in 2021 and ending in 2026, the Department of Defense (DOD) to submit to Congress a report on the progress of DOD with respect to improving the ability of the U.S. Armed Forces to conduct combined joint operations to deny the ability of China to execute a fait accompli against Taiwan. 
 
The bill defines
 fait accompli
 as the strategy of China designed to allow it to use military force to seize control of Taiwan before the U.S. Armed Forces are able to respond effectively, while simultaneously deterring an effective combined joint response by the Armed Forces by convincing the United States that mounting such a response would be prohibitively difficult or costly.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Special Diabetes Programs for Indians Reauthorization Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-3937
Sponsor: Sen. McSally, Martha [R-AZ]
Introduced: 2020-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans

Summary:
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: 

Special Diabetes Programs for Indians Reauthorization Act of 2020

 
This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 the Special Diabetes Program for Indians, which is administered by the Indian Health Service. It also allows tribal grantees to receive program funds through self-governance contracts, cooperative agreements, or compacts.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-09-23
text: Committee on Indian Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 116-359.
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2020-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Hand Sanitizer Guidance Extension Act of 2020

Bill: 116-s-3938
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2020-06-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Manufacturing
Motor fuels

Summary:
action_date: 2020-06-11
text: 

Hand Sanitizer Guidance Extension Act of 2020

 
This bill specifies that certain Food and Drug Administration guidance related to the manufacture of alcohol-based hand sanitizers during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency shall remain in effect for two years after this bill's enactment.
 
The bill also imposes various requirements related to the content of hand sanitizers manufactured while the guidance is in effect.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-06-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2934-2935; text: CR S2934)
action_date: 2020-06-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Blue Carbon for Our Planet Act

Bill: 116-s-3939
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2020-06-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Air quality
Aquatic ecology
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Congressional oversight
Dams and canals
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Executive Office of the President
Executive agency funding and structure
Floods and storm protection
Forests, forestry, trees
Geography and mapping
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Land use and conservation
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Marine pollution
Technology assessment
Water quality
Watersheds
Wetlands
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2020-06-11
text: 

Blue Carbon for Our Planet Act 

 
This bill establishes the Interagency Working Group on Coastal Blue Carbon to (1) assess the impediments to the protection and restoration of coastal blue carbon ecosystems, and (2) establish national protection and restoration priorities regarding these areas. Coastal blue carbon ecosystems are vegetated coastal habitats and include mangroves, tidal marshes, and other tidal or salt water wetland that have the ability to sequester and store carbon. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-06-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2020-06-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Territorial Economic Recovery Act

Bill: 116-s-3940
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2020-06-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: American Samoa
Guam
Income tax exclusion
Northern Mariana Islands
Puerto Rico
Taxation of foreign income
U.S. territories and protectorates
Virgin Islands

Summary:
action_date: 2020-06-11
text: 

Territorial Economic Recovery Act

 
This bill restores the favorable tax treatment of investment in U.S. territories and possessions. It treats such investment as domestic rather than foreign investment and requires investors to have an active trade or business in a U.S. territory or possession with a certain percentage of income derived from such territory or possession. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-06-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-06-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Regulatory Relief to Support Economic Recovery Act

Bill: 116-s-3941
Sponsor: Sen. Loeffler, Kelly [R-GA]
Introduced: 2020-06-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Civil actions and liability
Economic performance and conditions
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee hiring
Evidence and witnesses
Government information and archives
Health promotion and preventive care
Infectious and parasitic diseases

Summary:
action_date: 2020-06-11
text: 

Regulatory Relief to Support Economic Recovery Act

 
 This bill permits federal agencies to temporarily or permanently rescind, modify, or waive regulations during the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) public health emergency. Specifically, it requires identification of regulatory standards that an agency determines may inhibit economic recovery from the pandemic and allows the rescission, modification, waiver, or exemption from the standards.
 
Additionally, agencies may waive notice and comment requirements for rulemaking and exercise discretion in regulatory enforcement, among other modifications to administrative procedures.
 
 
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-06-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2020-06-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Securing America’s Medical Supply Chain and Advancing the Production of Life Saving Medicines Act

Bill: 116-s-3942
Sponsor: Sen. Loeffler, Kelly [R-GA]
Introduced: 2020-06-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Congressional oversight
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Health technology, devices, supplies
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative
Prescription drugs
Trade agreements and negotiations

Summary:
action_date: 2020-06-11
text: 

Securing America's Medical Supply Chain and Advancing the Production of Life Saving Medicines Act 

 
This bill establishes the position of Chief Pharmaceutical and Medical Supply Chain Negotiator in the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. The negotiator must conduct trade negotiations and enforce trade agreements related to pharmaceutical products and services and medical supply chains. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-06-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2020-06-11
text: Introduced in Senate
Senior Corps Distance Volunteering Act

Bill: 116-s-3943
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2020-06-11 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Aging
Appropriations
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional oversight
Corporation for National and Community Service
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Executive agency funding and structure
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
National and community service
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2020-06-11
text: 

Senior Corps Distance Volunteering Act

 
This bill directs the Corporation for National and Community Service to establish an online service platform to connect volunteers in the National Senior Service Corps with service projects, and enable the volunteers to carry out distance volunteering on an online network. 
 
The corporation shall provide outreach services to promote the platform, including outreach to institutions of higher education, the Department of Veterans Affairs for mentorship projects, and state and local governments for community engagement projects.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2020-06-11
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2020-06-11
text: Introduced in Senate