hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Biological Implant Tracking and Veteran Safety Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-547
Sponsor: Rep. Roe, David P. [R-TN-1]
Introduced: 2019-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Business records
Cell biology and embryology
Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Health information and medical records
Health technology, devices, supplies
Licensing and registrations
Organ and tissue donation and transplantation
Product safety and quality
Public contracts and procurement
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: 

Biological Implant Tracking and Veteran Safety Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to adopt and implement a device identification system for use in identifying biological implants intended for use in medical procedures conducted in VA facilities. The VA may adopt the system developed by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or may develop its own comparable system. Additionally, the VA shall implement a compatible system for tracking the biological implants from human donor or animal source to implantation. 
 
The bill requires the VA to implement compatible inventory controls so patients can be notified if they have received a biological implant in a VA facility that is subject to a recall.
 
The bill prescribes requirements for vendors from which the VA may procure biological implants of human and nonhuman origin. 
 
Under the bill, the VA shall (1) procure such implants under General Services Administration Federal Supply Schedules unless they are not available under such schedules, (2) accommodate reasonable vendor requests to undertake specified outreach efforts to educate VA medical professionals about the use and efficacy of implants, and (3) procure biological implants that are unavailable under such schedules using competitive procedures in accordance with the Federal Acquisition Regulation.
 
In procuring biological implants, the VA must permit a vendor to use any of the accredited entities identified by the FDA as an issuing agency.
 
 Certain biological implants may be temporarily procured by the VA without relabeling under the standard identification system.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
FISH Act

Bill: 116-hr-548
Sponsor: Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-42]
Introduced: 2019-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Commerce
Department of the Interior
Endangered and threatened species
Fishes
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries

Summary:
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: 

Federally Integrated Species Health Act or the FISH Act

 
This bill gives the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) the sole authority to protect endangered or threatened species that are anadromous species (species of fish that spawn in fresh or estuarine waters and that migrate to ocean waters) or catadromous species (species of fish that spawn in ocean waters and migrate to fresh waters). Currently, the FWS shares this authority with the National Marine Fisheries Service.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
Ensuring the Safety of Our Mail Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-551
Sponsor: Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-42]
Introduced: 2019-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Crimes against property
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Postal service

Summary:
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: 

Ensuring the Safety of Our Mail Act of 2019

 
This bill increases from 5 to 10 years the maximum prison term for a defendant who commits mail theft. 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
To direct the United States Postal Service to designate a single, unique ZIP Code for Eastvale, California.

Bill: 116-hr-552
Sponsor: Rep. Calvert, Ken [R-CA-42]
Introduced: 2019-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: California
Postal service

Summary:
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: 
This bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to designate a single, unique ZIP Code applicable to the area encompassing only Eastvale, California.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Reform.
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act

Bill: 116-hr-553
Sponsor: Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]
Introduced: 2019-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Military personnel and dependents
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: 

Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act

 
This bill updates the Department of Defense's Survivor Benefit Plan and how it operates in relation to other benefits. The plan currently provides a monthly annuity (based on a percentage of a service member's retirement pay) to an eligible beneficiary upon the death of the service member. Currently, if a surviving spouse is also entitled to dependency and indemnity compensation, the annuity paid under the plan will be reduced. The bill repeals certain provisions that require the offset of the plan annuity from amounts paid in dependency and indemnity compensation. 
 
Under current law, upon the request of the surviving spouse, the military branch concerned is authorized to pay an annuity to the member's dependent children instead of to the surviving spouse. The bill restores the annuity to an eligible spouse who previously elected to transfer payment to a dependent child.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-07-12
text: Assigned to the Consensus Calendar, Calendar No. 1.
action_date: 2019-05-16
text: Motion to place bill on Consensus Calendar filed by Mr. Wilson (SC).
action_date: 2019-01-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
Saudi Educational Transparency and Reform Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-554
Sponsor: Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]
Introduced: 2019-01-15 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Books and print media
Congressional oversight
Elementary and secondary education
Human rights
Middle East
Political movements and philosophies
Religion
Saudi Arabia
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: 

Saudi Educational Transparency and Reform Act of 2019

 
This bill directs the Department of State to report to Congress annually on educational materials published by Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Education, which are used both inside and outside Saudi Arabia. 
 
The report shall detail whether such educational materials include content that could be seen as encouraging violence and intolerance toward religious groups, including Muslims who hold dissenting views. The report shall also discuss related subjects, including the extent such materials are exported and efforts by the Saudi government to remove the intolerant content. 
 
The State Department shall issue such reports for 10 years, unless the State Department determines that the intolerant content has been completely removed. If such content is still included in Saudi Arabia's educational materials after 10 years, the State Department shall continue reporting to Congress for another 5 years. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-10-30
text: Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2019-10-30
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2019-03-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Middle East, North Africa and International Terrorism.
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
ELEVATE Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-556
Sponsor: Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7]
Introduced: 2019-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Employee benefits and pensions
Employment and training programs
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Executive agency funding and structure
Family services
Government studies and investigations
Income tax credits
Indian social and development programs
Labor standards
Performance measurement
Poverty and welfare assistance
Self-employed
Social Security Administration
State and local government operations
Unemployment
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: 

Economic Ladders to End Volatility and Advance Training and Employment Act of 2019 or the ELEVATE Act of 2019

 
This bill establishes a federal program to help fund (1) state- and tribe-run job-assistance programs, and (2) assistance for self-employed individuals and workers who relocate for employment opportunities.
 
The Department of Health and Human Services shall provide funds for programs that assist eligible individuals, such as those who face barriers to employment. Such programs shall provide employment services, training, and related services. 
 
The bill also establishes criteria for using such funds for various purposes, including subsidized jobs. The bill also establishes various reporting and application requirements for states seeking funds for such programs.
 
The bill establishes an assistance program for self-employed individuals who meet various requirements and whose most recent contracts ended through no fault of their own. Such individuals shall be entitled to a weekly benefit equal to half of the average weekly earnings from their last employment, not to exceed the maximum available for unemployment benefits. An individual may not concurrently receive unemployment compensation and self-employment assistance.
 
Dislocated workers and long-term unemployed individuals shall be entitled to assistance for moving to a new area to earn family-sustaining employment. Such assistance may cover up to 90% of reasonable expenses, subject to a cap of $2,000 for an individual. 
 
The bill establishes the Office of Reemployment Assistance in the Social Security Administration to administer the self-employment and relocation assistance programs. 



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
Protect Patriot Spouses Act

Bill: 116-hr-557
Sponsor: Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]
Introduced: 2019-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Immigration status and procedures
Military personnel and dependents
National Guard and reserves
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: 

Protect Patriot Spouses Act

 
This bill makes certain alien military spouses eligible for adjustment to permanent residence status.
 
An eligible alien shall be an individual who is or was a spouse of a U.S. citizen who served in the U.S. Armed Forces, either on active duty or in a reserve component. If the U.S. citizen has been discharged from the Armed Forces, such discharge must be under honorable conditions. 
 
Certain factors that would otherwise make an alien inadmissible, such as having entered the United States without being admitted, shall not make such an alien spouse ineligible for permanent residence status under the bill. The Department of Homeland Security may also waive certain factors that would otherwise make an alien inadmissible, such as having misrepresented a material fact to secure a visa, if the alien does not pose a threat to the public and has not committed any crimes that are unrelated to immigration status.
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
Native American Millennium Challenge Demonstration Act

Bill: 116-hr-558
Sponsor: Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large]
Introduced: 2019-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Economic development
Federal-Indian relations
Government information and archives
Performance measurement
Poverty and welfare assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: 

Native American Millennium Challenge Demonstration Act

 
This bill requires the Department of the Interior to establish the Native American Millennium Challenge Demonstration Project to provide economic development assistance for Native Americans.
 
Entities must enter into a five-year binding agreement with the United States to receive assistance. Among other elements, these agreements must contain a description of the specific objectives related to sustainable economic development and poverty reduction that the entity expects to achieve.
 
Assistance shall be provided in the form of funding agreements and may not be provided as loans. Additionally, funds may not be used for regulated gaming activities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee for Indigenous Peoples of the United States.
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
Veterans’ Agricultural Apprenticeship Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-562
Sponsor: Rep. Bost, Mike [R-IL-12]
Introduced: 2019-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural education
Congressional oversight
Employment and training programs
Government lending and loan guarantees
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: 

Veterans' Agricultural Apprenticeship Act of 2019

 
This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to establish a program to make direct loans to farmers and ranchers who will provide mentorship and apprenticeship opportunities for veterans who have not previously operated a farm or ranch. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-08
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit.
action_date: 2019-01-29
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H1250)
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 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: 2019-01-15
text: Referred to the Committee on Agriculture, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, 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: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
DD–214 Modernization Act

Bill: 116-hr-563
Sponsor: Rep. Brown, Anthony G. [D-MD-4]
Introduced: 2019-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Government information and archives
Military personnel and dependents
Personnel records

Summary:
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: 

DD-214 Modernization Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Defense to modify the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD Form 214) to include a block in which a member of the Armed Forces may provide an email address by which the member may be contacted after discharge or release from active duty.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-01-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel.
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
To designate the mountain at the Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming, as Devils Tower, and for other purposes.

Bill: 116-hr-564
Sponsor: Rep. Cheney, Liz [R-WY-At Large]
Introduced: 2019-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Land use and conservation
Monuments and memorials
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats
Wyoming

Summary:
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: 
This bill declares that the mountain at the Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming shall be known and designated as &quot;Devils Tower.&quot;


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
AMIGOS Act

Bill: 116-hr-565
Sponsor: Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1]
Introduced: 2019-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Europe
Foreign labor
Immigration status and procedures
Portugal
U.S. and foreign investments
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: 

Advancing Mutual Interests and Growing Our Success Act or the AMIGOS Act

 
This bill makes Portuguese nationals eligible for E-1 and E-2 nonimmigrant visas if the government of Portugal provides similar nonimmigrant status to U.S. nationals.
 
An E-1 visa is for individuals entering the U.S. to engage in international trade, while an E-2 visa is for individuals investing a substantial amount of capital in the U.S. Both are limited to nationals from countries that have a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States. 
 


action_date: 2019-12-03
text: 

Advancing Mutual Interests and Growing Our Success Act or the AMIGOS Act

 
This bill makes Portuguese nationals eligible for E-1 and E-2 nonimmigrant visas if the government of Portugal provides similar nonimmigrant status to U.S. nationals.
 
An E-1 visa is for individuals entering the United States to engage in international trade, while an E-2 visa is for individuals investing a substantial amount of capital in the United States. Both are limited to nationals from countries that have a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United States. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-12-04
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-12-03
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2019-12-03
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H9189)
action_date: 2019-12-03
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by voice vote.(text: CR H9189)
action_date: 2019-12-03
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 565.
action_date: 2019-12-03
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H9189-9191)
action_date: 2019-12-03
text: Mr. Cicilline moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
action_date: 2019-10-23
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2019-10-23
text: Ordered to be Reported by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2019-10-22
text: Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship Discharged.
action_date: 2019-02-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act

Bill: 116-hr-566
Sponsor: Rep. Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2]
Introduced: 2019-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Asia
Conflicts and wars
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Military personnel and dependents
Neurological disorders
Veterans' medical care
Vietnam

Summary:
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: 

Agent Orange Exposure Fairness Act

 
This bill expands eligibility for a presumption of service-connection for veterans exposed to certain herbicide agents (e.g., Agent Orange) during military service in Vietnam. Specifically, the bill removes the manifestation period required for the presumption of service-connection for chloracne and porphyria cutanea tarda. 
 
Additionally, the bill provides statutory authority for a presumption of service-connection for certain cases of acute and subacute peripheral neuropathy without a manifestation period. 
 
Under a presumption of service-connection, specific disabilities diagnosed in certain veterans are presumed to have been caused by the circumstances of their military service. Health care benefits and disability compensation may then be awarded.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-02-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
Save Social Security Act of 2019

Bill: 116-hr-567
Sponsor: Rep. Crist, Charlie [D-FL-13]
Introduced: 2019-01-15 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employment taxes
Government trust funds
Income tax exclusion
Self-employed
Social security and elderly assistance
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: 

Save Social Security Act of 2019

 
This bill modifies the requirements for Social Security payroll taxes and benefits to 
 
 
apply Social Security payroll taxes to annual income above $300,000,
 
 include earnings above $300,000 in the benefit formula, and
 
 increase to $100,000 the income threshold above which a portion of a taxpayer's Social Security benefits is included in gross income. 
 
 
(Under current law, Social Security payroll taxes apply to the first $132,900 of income in 2019 and a portion of benefits is included in the gross income of individuals with certain income that exceeds thresholds of $0, $25,000, or $32,000, depending on the individual's filing status.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2019-03-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Worker and Family Support.
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2019-01-15
text: Introduced in House