hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Vital Medication Affordability Act

Bill: 117-s-2814
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2021-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: 

Vital Medication Affordability Act

 
This bill establishes pricing for insulin and injectable epinephrine provided at federally qualified health centers (community-based health providers in underserved areas) that participate in the 340B drug pricing program.
 
Specifically, such centers must provide insulin and injectable epinephrine at or below the price paid by the center, plus a minimal administration fee, to patients with a household income that is not more than 350% of the federal poverty level and who either
 
 
have a health insurance plan with a cost-sharing requirement of more than 20% of the total amount charged for such drugs, 
 
have a high unmet deductible under a health insurance plan, or
 
do not have a health insurance plan.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Seniors Saving on Insulin Act

Bill: 117-s-2815
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2021-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: 

Seniors Saving on Insulin Act

 
This bill requires the Part D Senior Savings Model to be made permanent. 
 
Currently, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is testing a voluntary model under the Medicare prescription drug benefit (the Part D Senior Savings Model) in which the copayment for a month's supply of insulin is capped at $35 through participating plans. The model is set to expire on December 31, 2025.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Program to Inspire Growth and Guarantee Youth Budgeting Advice and Necessary Knowledge Act

Bill: 117-s-2816
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2021-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Education

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: 

PIGGY BANK Act or the Program to Inspire Growth and Guarantee Youth Budgeting Advice and Necessary Knowledge Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Education to establish a pilot program for local educational agencies to carry out youth savings match programs for students in grades 9-12.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Expanding the Families of Veterans Access to Mental Health Services Act

Bill: 117-s-2817
Sponsor: Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
Introduced: 2021-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Health care coverage and access
Mental health
Military personnel and dependents
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: 

Expanding the Families of Veterans Access to Mental Health Services Act

 
The bill expands eligibility for readjustment counseling and related mental health services, including through a Vet Center, to family members of a veteran or member of the Armed Forces who died by suicide.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Cruising for Alaska's Workforce Act

Bill: 117-s-2818
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2021-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: 

Cruising for Alaska's Workforce Act

 
This bill authorizes foreign vessels that carry more than 1,000 passengers (e.g., cruise ships) to transport passengers between a port in Alaska and another U.S. port, either directly or by way of a foreign port. The authorization generally expires 270 days after a notification that a U.S. vessel offers the same transport.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Protect Our CREDIT Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2819
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2021-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Budget deficits and national debt
Congressional oversight
Legislative rules and procedure

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: 

Protect Our Citizens from Reckless Extortion of our Debt and Irresponsible Tactics Act of 2021 or the Protect Our CREDIT Act of 2021

 
This bill allows the President to increase the statutory debt limit unless a joint resolution of disapproval is passed by Congress and becomes law.
 
Prior to the beginning of each fiscal year, the President must submit to Congress a certification that specifies the existing debt, the debt limit, and the debt that will be necessary to issue during the next year to meet existing commitments. The debt limit is increased by the proposed amount, unless a joint resolution of disapproval is passed by Congress within 15 days and becomes law. Congress must consider the joint resolution using specified expedited legislative procedures.
 
The President must submit an additional certification to Congress during the year if the debt is within $250 billion of the limit, and further borrowing is necessary to meet existing commitments. The certification must propose a new debt limit for the remainder of the year and explain any discrepancy with the earlier certification. The new debt limit also goes into effect, unless a joint resolution of disapproval is passed by Congress within 15 days and becomes law. 
 
The bill suspends the debt limit during the period in which Congress is considering a joint resolution of disapproval after the President has submitted a mid-year certification. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate
DASH Act

Bill: 117-s-2820
Sponsor: Sen. Wyden, Ron [D-OR]
Introduced: 2021-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Building construction
Business investment and capital
Capital gains tax
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Economic development
Economic performance and conditions
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Housing and community development funding
Housing finance and home ownership
Housing supply and affordability
Income tax credits
Indian social and development programs
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Inflation and prices
Landlord and tenant
Low- and moderate-income housing
Public housing
Real estate business
Residential rehabilitation and home repair
Rural conditions and development
Securities
Small business
State and local government operations
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: 

Decent, Affordable, Safe Housing for all Act or the DASH Act

 
This bill provides grants, loans, tax credits, and other assistance to promote the building, maintenance, and affordability of housing.
 
 Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Housing and Urban Development to (1) provide housing vouchers to individuals and families experiencing or at risk of experiencing homelessness, (2) provide grants for the modular construction of affordable housing, (3) propose a new formula for distribution of Housing Trust Fund amounts, and (4) encourage zoning and community planning methods that promote multi-family housing. The bill also makes permanent certain homeless assistance programs. 
 
The Department of Agriculture (USDA) must provide grants and loans to construct or preserve affordable housing for farm laborers and may provide rural housing vouchers for low-income households residing in certain properties financed with or insured by USDA loans. The bill also makes permanent a program for the preservation and revitalization of USDA-backed housing projects and expands existing domestic violence housing protections to rural housing voucher recipients.
 
The bill expands the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) to be more widely available and to allocate a larger portion of available funds to projects serving extremely low-income households. Further, the bill creates a refundable tax credit for participating owners of rental buildings who lower rents for their low-income tenants. The bill also creates a tax credit similar to the LIHTC for the development of housing for middle-income households and provides a tax credit of up to $15,000 for first-time homebuyers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate
ESP Family Leave Act

Bill: 117-s-2821
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2021-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Educational facilities and institutions
Elementary and secondary education
Employee leave
Food industry and services
Health personnel
School administration

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: 

ESP Family Leave Act

 
This bill allows education support professionals to meet the hours of service requirements for family and medical leave if they have worked a number of hours equal to not less than 60% of the total monthly hours expected for their job descriptions and duties, as assigned for the previous school year.
 

Education support professionals
 are employees within a public school or public institution of higher education which may include specified staff, such as paraeducators, administrative support staff, custodians, skilled trade workers, and nursing support staff.
 
The Department of Labor may provide a method for calculating such leave for these professionals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate
PRC Act

Bill: 117-s-2822
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2021-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: 

Prioritizing Readiness and Competitiveness Act or the PRC Act

 
This bill rescinds certain unexpended funds for activities in Afghanistan and transfers such funds for certain Department of Defense (DOD) activities.
 
Specifically, the bill rescinds unexpended funds previously made available for various activities in Afghanistan, including for (1) maintaining security forces, (2) maintaining diplomatic personnel, (3) combatting corruption, and (4) reintegrating former Taliban members and other extremists. 
 
The President must transfer the rescinded funds to DOD for (1) activities to maintain or expand domestic industrial base capabilities essential for national defense, (2) the Navy's shipbuilding and conversion account, and (3) Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency activities for strengthening the U.S. advantage in strategic technologies. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate
No Hearing, No Vote Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2823
Sponsor: Sen. Braun, Mike [R-IN]
Introduced: 2021-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Budget process
Legislative rules and procedure
Senate

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: 

No Hearing, No Vote Act of 2021

 
This bill prohibits the Senate from considering a budget reconciliation bill unless at least one committee hearing has been held regarding the bill. (Reconciliation bills are considered by Congress using expedited legislative procedures that prevent a filibuster and restrict amendments in the Senate.)
 
Specifically, the bill prohibits the Senate from considering a reconciliation bill unless (1) the bill was reported by a committee that received reconciliation instructions or by the Senate Budget Committee after receiving recommendations from committees that received instructions, and (2) each committee that reported the bill or ordered recommendations to be reported to the Senate Budget Committee held at least one hearing regarding any major provision of the bill that is within the jurisdiction of the committee. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Budget.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act

Bill: 117-s-2824
Sponsor: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
Introduced: 2021-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: 

Enhancing Geothermal Production on Federal Lands Act 

 
This bill revises the environmental review of geothermal energy projects on federal land in order to expedite such projects.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Downwinders Act

Bill: 117-s-2825
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2021-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: 

Downwinders Act

 
This bill expands eligibility for and extends a program that compensates individuals who were exposed to radiation from atmospheric nuclear testing and subsequently developed specified cancers.
 
Under current law, the program compensates, among others, individuals who were present in a designated geographic area during a period of nuclear testing. The bill expands that area to include all of Utah and specified counties in New Mexico. In addition, individuals may submit claims for compensation for 10 years following this bill's enactment (currently, the program terminates on July 10, 2022).
 
To support the program, the National Telecommunications and Information Administration must auction 100 megahertz of electromagnetic spectrum assigned or allocated to the federal government with a portion of the proceeds to be deposited into the Radiation Exposure Compensation Trust Fund in the Treasury. The bill extends this trust fund for 10 years following the bill's enactment.
 
In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services must study which counties in Nevada and New Mexico were affected by radiation fallout from open air nuclear testing.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Restricting Taliban Critical Mineral Trade Act

Bill: 117-s-2826
Sponsor: Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]
Introduced: 2021-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Afghanistan
Asia
China
Europe
Foreign and international corporations
Foreign property
Metals
Mining
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Russia
Sanctions
Strategic materials and reserves
War and emergency powers

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: 

Restricting Taliban Critical Mineral Trade Act

 
This bill requires the President to impose sanctions on companies that are organized under the laws of China or Russia and agree to do business with the Taliban in a sector involving specified critical minerals, such as rare earth elements. 
 
The President must impose property-blocking sanctions on such companies. Such companies must also be subject to certain export licensing requirements.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Bankruptcy Venue Reform Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2827
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2021-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Law

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: 

Bankruptcy Venue Reform Act of 2021 

 
This bill limits where a non-individual debtor (e.g., a corporate debtor) may file for bankruptcy. 
 
Specifically, these debtors must file in the district court for the district in which the principal place of business or principal assets of the debtor are located. Such a debtor may also file in a district where there is a pending bankruptcy case concerning an affiliate that has a certain level of control or ownership of the debtor (e.g., if the affiliate is a controlling shareholder of the debtor), if that pending case is in a proper venue under this bill. 
 
Under current law, these debtors may also file where they are domiciled (i.e., incorporated) or where there is a bankruptcy case pending concerning an affiliate, general partner, or partnership. 
 
For certain debtors who are issuers of securities, their principal place of business is defined in the bill as the address of the entity's principal executive office as provided in specified Securities and Exchange Commission filings.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Preserving Employment Visas Act

Bill: 117-s-2828
Sponsor: Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
Introduced: 2021-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Foreign labor
Immigration status and procedures
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: 

Preserving Employment Visas Act

 
This bill reclaims unused employment-based immigrant visas from FY2020 and FY2021 and makes such unused visas available in FY2022, for the purposes of calculating the total number of employment-based immigrant visas available each fiscal year. If, at the end of FY2022, there are still unused FY2020 and FY2021 visas, these unused visas shall be available in subsequent fiscal years until they are all used.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Mind Your Own Business Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2829
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2021-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Abortion
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Business ethics
Civil actions and liability
Corporate finance and management
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Financial services and investments
Religion
Securities
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: 

Mind Your Own Business Act of 2021 

 
This bill requires a large publicly traded company, as a condition of being listed on a national securities exchange, to establish in the company's articles of incorporation or bylaws certain duties and procedures regarding a claim against a corporate defendant for breach of fiduciary duty resulting from a material action. 
 
A material action taken by a corporate actor covered by this bill includes 
 
 
an action taken primarily in response to a state law, state regulation, or state legislation relating to the manner in which elections are conducted in the state, protecting religious freedom, or limiting the availability of abortion services; 
 
an action to promote certain social issues; or 
 
other actions unrelated to the company's pecuniary interest.
 
 
Actions not covered by this bill include charitable contributions, certain exercises of religion, activity related to national security, and the limitation of business with certain nations and entities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Iron Dome Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022

Bill: 117-s-2830
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2021-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Appropriations
Conflicts and wars
Defense spending
Department of Defense
Executive agency funding and structure
Foreign aid and international relief
Israel
Middle East
Military assistance, sales, and agreements
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: 

Iron Dome Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2022

 
This bill provides $1 billion in supplemental appropriations for the Department of Defense to provide to the government of Israel for the procurement of the Iron Dome defense system to counter short-range rocket threats. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Flood Insurance Flexibility Act

Bill: 117-s-2831
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2021-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: 

Flood Insurance Flexibility Act

 
This bill requires the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) to refund the appropriate amount of the premiums paid for flood insurance coverage if an insured cancels an NFIP policy and obtains non-NFIP coverage.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate
No NFIP Subsidies for Millionaires Act

Bill: 117-s-2832
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2021-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: 

No NFIP Subsidies for Millionaires Act 

 
This bill requires that the premium rate for flood insurance provided through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for single-family homes valued at more than $1 million be based on sound actuarial principles and not be subject to any rate caps. Under current law, certain types of property are not charged actuarial rates for NFIP coverage. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate
NFIP Underwater Properties Act

Bill: 117-s-2833
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2021-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: 

NFIP Underwater Properties Act 

 
This bill requires that the premium rate for flood insurance provided through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for structures that have incurred repetitive flood-related damage 1) be based on sound actuarial principles, and 2) not be subject to any rate caps if the structure is located in a special flood hazard area. Under current law, certain types of property are not charged actuarial rates for NFIP coverage. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate
Accountability for Endless Wars Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2835
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2021-09-23 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: 

Accountability for Endless Wars Act of 2021

 
This bill provides for the automatic termination of laws that authorize the use of military force or declare war.
 
Any such existing law terminates six months after this bill's enactment; any such future law terminates 10 years after enactment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-09-23
text: Introduced in Senate