hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
School Food Modernization Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-876
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2021-03-18 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Appropriations
Child health
Department of Education
Education programs funding
Educational facilities and institutions
Elementary and secondary education
Executive agency funding and structure
Food assistance and relief
Food industry and services
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Government lending and loan guarantees
Nutrition and diet
Poverty and welfare assistance
School administration
State and local finance
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: 

School Food Modernization Act 

of 2021

 
This bill provides for loan guarantees and grants to support healthy meals under the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program.
 
The bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to issue loan guarantees to local educational agencies (LEAs), school food authorities, tribal organizations, and other eligible entities to finance infrastructure improvements or equipment purchases to facilitate their provision of healthy meals through the school meal programs. 
 
USDA must also award competitive matching grants to assist LEAs, school food authorities, tribal organizations, and other eligible entities in purchasing the durable equipment and infrastructure they need to serve healthier meals and improve food safety.
 
USDA must give preference under both programs to applicants that demonstrate a substantial or disproportionate need for food service infrastructure or durable equipment, and shall establish fees for the loan guarantee program.
 
In addition, USDA must award competitive matching grants to experienced third-party training institutions to provide school food service personnel with the training and technical assistance they need to (1) meet or exceed nutrition standards under the school meal programs, and (2) improve the efficacy and efficiency of the school meal programs. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1651)
action_date: 2021-03-18
text: Introduced in Senate
Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-877
Sponsor: Sen. Cantwell, Maria [D-WA]
Introduced: 2021-03-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Forests, forestry, trees
Land use and conservation
Roads and highways

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: 

Roadless Area Conservation Act of 2021

 This bill bars the Department of Agriculture from allowing the construction of roads, the reconstruction of roads, or logging in an inventoried roadless area where those activities are prohibited by the Roadless Rule (i.e., certain federal regulations relating to roadless area management).

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-878
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2021-03-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Border security and unlawful immigration
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Domestic violence and child abuse
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Firearms and explosives
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Immigration status and procedures
Law enforcement administration and funding
Mental health
Organized crime
Smuggling and trafficking
Terrorism
U.S. Sentencing Commission
Violent crime
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: 

Stop Illegal Trafficking in Firearms Act of 2021

 
This bill establishes a federal statutory framework to prohibit straw purchasing of firearms, trafficking in firearms, and related conduct.
 
A violator is subject to criminal and civil penalties, including the seizure and forfeiture of the firearms and ammunition involved in the offense, property constituting or derived from proceeds from the offense, and property used to commit or facilitate the offense.
 
The bill authorizes law enforcement to investigate straw purchasing and trafficking in firearms offenses using wiretaps (i.e., authorized interceptions of wire, electronic, or oral communications) and makes the offenses predicate offenses (i.e., underlying offenses) for prosecutions under the federal money laundering statute and the federal racketeering statute. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Civics Secures Democracy Act

Bill: 117-s-879
Sponsor: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2021-03-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Civics education
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Employment and training programs
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government trust funds
Higher education
Minority education
Political movements and philosophies
Research administration and funding
Rural conditions and development
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
State and local government operations
Student aid and college costs
Tax-exempt organizations
Teaching, teachers, curricula
U.S. history
Urban and suburban affairs and development
Women's education

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: 

Civics Secures Democracy Act

 
This bill provides resources to expand educational programs in American civics and history, including by establishing grant and fellowship programs and reauthorizing various programs.
 
First, the bill authorizes the Department of Education (ED) to award grants to states, qualified nonprofit organizations, institutions of higher education (IHEs), and qualified researchers to support and expand access to civics and history education.
 
Next, the bill establishes a fellowship program to diversify the civics and history education workforce.
 
 In addition, the bill reauthorizes through FY2027 and revises the American History for Freedom grant program. The bill renames the program as the American Civics Education Program. 
 
The bill revises the grant program to authorize ED to award grants to IHEs once every three years to establish or strengthen academic programs to promote American political thought and history; the history, achievements, and impact of American representative democracy and constitutional democracies globally; and the means of participation in political and civic life. IHEs may use grants to support additional activities, such as collaborating with federal or state humanities programs and using open educational resources.
 
Further, the bill reauthorizes through FY2022 and revises the Harry S. Truman Memorial Scholarship Trust Fund and the James Madison Memorial Fellowship Trust Fund. 
 
Finally, the bill requires the National Assessment of Educational Progress in civics and history to be administered every two years to certain grade levels.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act

Bill: 117-s-880
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2021-03-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Age discrimination
Civil actions and liability
Disability and health-based discrimination
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Evidence and witnesses
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Racial and ethnic relations
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Women's employment

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: 

Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act

 
This bill revises the evidentiary standard for age discrimination by establishing an unlawful employment practice when the complaining party demonstrates that age or participation in an investigation, proceeding, or litigation related to an age discrimination claim was a motivating factor for an adverse practice, even though other factors also motivated the practice (thereby allowing what are commonly known as 
mixed motive
 claims).
 
The bill (1) permits the complaining party to rely on any type or form of admissible evidence, which need only be sufficient for a reasonable trier of fact to find that an unlawful practice occurred; and (2) declares that the complaining party shall not be required to demonstrate that age or retaliation was the sole cause of the employment practice (thereby rejecting the Supreme Court's decision in 
Gross v. FBL Financial Services, Inc.
, which requires the complainant to prove that age was the 
but-for
 cause for the employer's decision).
 
The bill applies this evidentiary standard to other employment discrimination and retaliation claims, including claims under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, and the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
 
In a claim in which age discrimination is shown, but where the employer demonstrates that it would have taken the same action absent the motivating factor of age, the bill authorizes courts to grant declaratory and injunctive relief, but prohibits the court from awarding damages or issuing an order requiring any admission, reinstatement, hiring, promotion, or payment. This limitation also applies to claims of discrimination based on disability.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: Introduced in Senate
BUILD Act

Bill: 117-s-881
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2021-03-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Income tax exclusion
Motor carriers
Railroads
Roads and highways
Securities
State and local finance
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: 

Building United States Infrastructure and Leveraging Development Act or the BUILD Act

 
This bill increases from $15 billion to $30 billion the national limitation on the amount of tax-exempt highway or surface freight transfer facility bonds.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting American Jobs Act

Bill: 117-s-882
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2021-03-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Administrative remedies
Civil actions and liability
Evidence and witnesses
Federal officials
Government studies and investigations
Judicial review and appeals
Jurisdiction and venue
Labor-management relations
National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: 

Protecting American Jobs Act
 
 
This bill limits the authority of the National Labor Relations Board. 
 
Specifically, it repeals the authority of the General Counsel ofthe board to issue, and prosecute before the board, complaints of unfair labor practices.
 
 The bill also limits the board's rulemaking authority to rules concerning the internal functions of the board and prohibits the board from promulgating regulations affecting the substantive or procedural rights of any person, employer, employee, or labor organization, including rules concerning unfair labor practices and representation elections. Not later than six months after this bill is enacted, the board must review existing regulations and revise or rescind such regulations as necessary to implement these modifications to the board's rulemaking authority.
 
In addition, the bill repeals the board's authority to issue orders preventing unfair labor practices, replacing it with a more limited authority to investigate allegations of such practices. Finally, it repeals the board's authority to petition courts for enforcement of its orders, seek injunctions, or hold hearings on jurisdictional strikes. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Educational Opportunity and Success Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-883
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2021-03-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Adult education and literacy
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Higher education
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: 

Educational Opportunity and Success Act of 

2021

 
This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 and otherwise revises TRIO programs. (These outreach and student-services programs identify and provide services to students from disadvantaged backgrounds.)
 
Among other revisions to the programs, the bill
 
 
prohibits the Department of Education (ED) from rejecting TRIO grant applications based on certain errors;
 
requires ED to provide additional technical assistance to interested grant applicants;
 
revises the outcome criteria for measuring the quality and effectiveness of the programs, including those programs specifically designed for veterans;
 
allows program administrators to use a student's most recent Free Application for Federal Student Aid to determine TRIO program eligibility; and
 
increases the maximum stipend for students participating in the Upward Bound Program or the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1673-1674)
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Stopping Border Surges Act

Bill: 117-s-884
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2021-03-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Border security and unlawful immigration
Child safety and welfare
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Department of Homeland Security
Detention of persons
Evidence and witnesses
Family relationships
Federal preemption
Foreign labor
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Human rights
Human trafficking
Immigrant health and welfare
Immigration status and procedures
International law and treaties
Lawyers and legal services
Licensing and registrations
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: 

 Stopping Border Surges Act 

 
This bill modifies immigration law provisions relating to unaccompanied alien minors and to asylum seekers.
 
For certain unaccompanied inadmissible alien children, generally those not at risk of being trafficking victims nor having a fear of persecution, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall repatriate the child. Currently, only inadmissible unaccompanied aliens from neighboring countries are subject to repatriation, and DHS has discretion whether to repatriate. 
 
When HHS releases an unaccompanied child to an individual, it shall provide DHS with certain information about that individual, including Social Security number and immigration status. 
 
The bill amends the definition of 

credible fear of persecution

 to require that such fear can be established by statements that are more probable than not. The bill also imposes certain rules relating to credible fear interviews, including requirements for recordings and interpreters.
 
If an alien is granted asylum because of fear of persecution in a country, the alien shall be deemed to have renounced asylum status by returning to that country, if there has been no change in the country's conditions. 
 
The bill also (1) expands the definition of what constitutes a frivolous asylum application, (2) imposes additional limitations on eligibility for asylum, (3) shortens the deadline for applying for asylum, and (4) extends the time period an alien seeking asylum must wait before receiving employment authorization.
 
Any individual who knowingly and willfully makes materially false statements or uses fraudulent documents in asylum-related proceedings shall be fined or imprisoned up to 10 years, or both.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: Introduced in Senate
Success for Rural Students and Communities Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-885
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2021-03-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Economic development
Education programs funding
Educational guidance
Elementary and secondary education
Employment and training programs
Higher education
Research administration and funding
Rural conditions and development
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Vocational and technical education

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: 

Success for Rural Students and Communities Act of 

2021

 
This bill establishes a grant program through which the Department of Education may award funds to eligible partnerships to support rural postsecondary education and economic growth and development in rural communities.
 
A grant recipient must be a partnership whose members represent at least three designated types of organizations, specifically (1) a local educational agency or educational service agency serving a rural area, (2) an institution of higher education (IHE), (3) a regional economic development entity, or (4) a rural community-serving organization with demonstrated success supporting rural students in accessing higher education and attaining degrees.
 
A grant recipient must use awarded funds to carry out no fewer than two specified activities, namely (1) improving postsecondary enrollment rates for rural secondary school students, (2) increasing enrollment and completion rates of rural nontraditional students in degree programs at IHEs, (3) creating or strengthening academic programs at rural-serving IHEs to prepare graduates to enter into high-need occupations in the regional and local economies, or (4) generating local and regional economic development that creates employment opportunities for rural students with postsecondary degrees.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1674)
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: Introduced in Senate
National Child Abuse Help Hotline Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-886
Sponsor: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2021-03-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Families
Subjects: Crime victims
Crimes against children
Domestic violence and child abuse
Emergency communications systems
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Right of privacy
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Telephone and wireless communication

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: 

National Child Abuse Help Hotline Act of 202

1

 
 This bill provides for a grant to establish and operate a National Child Abuse Hotline that makes available assistance and information services 24 hours a day to victims of child abuse or neglect, their families, caregivers, and individuals required by law to report suspected child abuse or neglect. The Department of Health and Human Services may award the grant to a nonprofit entity with experience operating a hotline and providing such assistance and support.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1674-1675)
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: Introduced in Senate
VA Supply Chain Resiliency Act

Bill: 117-s-887
Sponsor: Sen. Moran, Jerry [R-KS]
Introduced: 2021-03-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Emergency planning and evacuation
Health technology, devices, supplies
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Natural disasters
Public contracts and procurement
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: 

VA Supply Chain Resiliency Act

 
This bill addresses the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) supply chain processes, particularly during emergency periods.
 
The bill requires the VA to submit a report containing a description of the items and quantities of items that are critical with respect to the VA's ongoing response to the COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic and future epidemic, pandemic, emergency, national emergency, or natural disaster scenarios.
 
The VA and the Department of Defense (DOD) must enter into an agreement to provide for the participation of the VA in the Warstopper Program of the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) of DOD. The Warstopper Program was established to satisfy requirements for sudden and sustained increases in production of critical industrial and medical items.
 
Under such an agreement, the DLA must
 
 
ensure the maintenance and stability of the items the VA identifies as critical in its report (and that the VA and DOD determine are appropriate for the program),
 
 
establish guidance for the participation of the VA in the program, and
 
 
use existing and new contracts and agreements to reserve the supply of critical items.
 
 
Finally, the VA must ensure it does not exclusively rely on holding regional, physical inventories of critical items in order to respond to greater than expected needs during epidemic, pandemic, emergency, national emergency, or natural disaster situations.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2021-06-23
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-231.
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: Introduced in Senate
CROWN Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-888
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-03-22 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Cosmetics and personal care
Due process and equal protection
Elementary and secondary education
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Higher education
Housing discrimination
Poverty and welfare assistance
Public housing
Racial and ethnic relations
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: 

Creating a Respectful and Open World for Natural Hair Act of 2021 or the CROWN Act of 2021

 
This bill prohibits discrimination based on a person's hair texture or hairstyle if that style or texture is commonly associated with a particular race or national origin. Specifically, the bill prohibits this type of discrimination against those participating in federally assisted programs, housing programs, public accommodations, and employment.
 
Persons shall not be deprived of equal rights under the law and shall not be subjected to prohibited practices based on their hair texture or style.
 
The bill provides for enforcement procedures under the applicable laws.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-03-22
text: Introduced in Senate