hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Medicare Vision Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-4187
Sponsor: Rep. Schrier, Kim [D-WA-8]
Introduced: 2021-06-25 in the House
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-25
text: 

Medicare Vision Act of 

2021

 
This bill expands Medicare coverage to include eyeglasses, contact lenses, and vision services, in accordance with specified limitations. Covered services include routine eye examinations and contact lens fittings.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2021-06-25
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2021-06-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2021-06-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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: 2021-06-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-25
text: Introduced in House
Respect for Peace Corps Volunteers Act

Bill: 117-hr-4188
Sponsor: Rep. Sires, Albio [D-NJ-8]
Introduced: 2021-06-25 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Cemeteries and funerals
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
National and community service
National symbols
Peace Corps

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-25
text: 

Respect for Peace Corps Volunteers Act 

 
This bill allows the official seal or emblem of the Peace Corps and the name 
Peace Corps
 to be used on any death announcement, plaque, grave stone, or other grave marker of a former volunteer, officer, or employee of the Peace Corps.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2021-06-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-25
text: Introduced in House
Measuring What Matters Act

Bill: 117-hr-4189
Sponsor: Rep. Spanberger, Abigail Davis [D-VA-7]
Introduced: 2021-06-25 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-25
text: 

Measuring What Matters Act

 
This bill establishes a working group&#8212;the U.S. Commission on Reforming Police Metrics&#8212;to study best practices for measuring public trust in police institutions and including such findings in police performance measurement. The working group must report on its findings and conclusions, including recommendations.
 
The bill requires the Department of Justice to establish a pilot program to award competitive grants for technical assistance and financial support to local police departments and sheriff departments that carry out the recommendations of the working group. 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2021-06-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-06-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-25
text: Introduced in House
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Fraud Protection Act

Bill: 117-hr-4190
Sponsor: Rep. Steel, Michelle [R-CA-48]
Introduced: 2021-06-25 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Government trust funds
Immigration status and procedures
Intergovernmental relations
State and local finance
State and local government operations
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Telephone and wireless communication
Unemployment
User charges and fees

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-25
text: 

Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Fraud Protection Act

 
This bill creates several requirements for states to address fraudulent claims for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), temporarily increases penalties for fraud related to PUA, and requires each state to establish a hotline for victims of unemployment fraud.
 
Specifically, the bill requires states to
 
 
cross reference PUA claims with federal and state prison records and E-Verify to ensure that claimants are eligible for PUA,
 
submit to the Department of Labor plans to recover fraudulently obtained PUA,
 
develop an anti-fraud task force to investigate and recover fraudulently obtained PUA,
 
make restitution to Labor for the amount of any overpayment of PUA made by the state, and
 
establish a hotline designed to encourage individuals who are victims of unemployment fraud and have received an incorrect statement of unemployment compensation to report that fraud.
 
 
The bill also temporarily enhances the maximum penalty for fraud related to PUA through December 31, 2021, so that the offense is classified as fraud in relation to a presidentially declared major disaster or emergency and punishable by up to 30 years imprisonment, a fine of up to $1,000,000, or both.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-06-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-06-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-25
text: Introduced in House
Gold Star Spouses Non-Monetary Benefits Act

Bill: 117-hr-4191
Sponsor: Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]
Introduced: 2021-06-25 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Military facilities and property
Military personnel and dependents
Retail and wholesale trades

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-25
text: 

Gold Star Spouses Non-Monetary Benefits Act

 
This bill addresses certain federal benefits for surviving spouses of members of the Armed Forces, including those who have remarried.
 
For purposes of noncompetitive appointment to government employment, a surviving spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who was married to such member at the time they died while on active duty may be appointed as a military spouse, regardless of remarriage. Additionally, widows or widowers of certain veterans who served on active duty must be considered preference eligible for purposes of government employment, regardless of remarriage.
 
A surviving spouse who is eligible for the gold star lapel button is entitled to commissary and exchange privileges to the same extent and on the same basis as the surviving spouse of a retired member of the uniformed services. Such spouses are also entitled, upon request, to medical and dental care provided in facilities of the uniformed services.
 
A surviving spouse who is eligible for a gold star lapel button must be permitted to use commissary stores and certain retail facilities on the same basis as a dependent of a member of the Armed Forces on active duty.
 
In regard to Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, the remarriage of a surviving spouse of a veteran does not bar the furnishing of non-monetary benefits to a surviving spouse who is eligible for a gold star lapel button. Such surviving spouses who are eligible for a gold star lapel button are also eligible for certain VA home loan programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-20
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2021-09-07
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
action_date: 2021-06-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs, and Oversight and Reform, 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: 2021-06-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs, and Oversight and Reform, 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: 2021-06-25
text: Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs, and Oversight and Reform, 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: 2021-06-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-25
text: Introduced in House
Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission Reauthorization Act

Bill: 117-hr-4192
Sponsor: Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20]
Introduced: 2021-06-25 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-25
text: 

Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission Reauthorization Act
 
 
This bill extends the authority for the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission through FY2037. 
 
The bill also increases the total amount that may be appropriated for the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-23
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.
action_date: 2021-06-25
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-06-25
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-25
text: Introduced in House
Bankruptcy Venue Reform Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-4193
Sponsor: Rep. Lofgren, Zoe [D-CA-19]
Introduced: 2021-06-28 in the House
Policy area: Law

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-28
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: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law.
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Introduced in House
Community and Senior Center Support Act

Bill: 117-hr-4195
Sponsor: Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1]
Introduced: 2021-06-28 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: 

Community and Senior Center Support Act

 
This bill permits the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to provide financial assistance for multipurpose senior centers and essential community facilities that provide health, community, social, recreation, or cultural services, without regard to whether the center or facility is in a rural area, In providing this assistance in nonrural areas, USDA must consult with the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Currently, USDA may provide such assistance to rural areas. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit.
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Introduced in House
Restore the Rights of Property Owners under the Eviction Moratorium Issued by the CDC Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-4196
Sponsor: Rep. Duncan, Jeff [R-SC-3]
Introduced: 2021-06-28 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health promotion and preventive care
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Landlord and tenant

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: 

Restore the Rights of Property Owners under the Eviction Moratorium Issued by the CDC Act of 2021

 
This bill nullifies beginning on July 1, 2021, the emergency order (and any extensions of the order) issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on September 4, 2020, that restricted residential evictions during the COVID-19 emergency. It also prohibits the order from being reissued unless specifically authorized by law.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Introduced in House
Strengthening Social Security for Survivors Act

Bill: 117-hr-4197
Sponsor: Rep. Estes, Ron [R-KS-4]
Introduced: 2021-06-28 in the House
Policy area: Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: 

Strengthening Social Security for Survivors Act

 
This bill allows eligible widows, widowers, surviving former spouses, parents, and children of a deceased worker to claim Social Security survivor benefits retroactive to the date of the worker's death.
 
Current law limits retroactive claims for survivors benefits to six months.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Introduced in House
Mental Health in Schools Excellence Program Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-4198
Sponsor: Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
Introduced: 2021-06-28 in the House
Policy area: Education

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: 

Mental Health in Schools Excellence Program Act of 

2021

 
This bill establishes a program to expand the mental health services workforce in schools. Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education to contract with graduate institutions to pay a share of the cost of attendance for graduate students pursuing careers in the school-based mental health profession (e.g., school counseling).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Introduced in House
No Taxpayer Funding for the Central American Minors Program Act

Bill: 117-hr-4199
Sponsor: Rep. Good, Bob [R-VA-5]
Introduced: 2021-06-28 in the House
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: 

No Taxpayer Funding for the Central American Minors Program Act

 
This bill prohibits using federal funds to carry out the Central American Minors program, a Department of Homeland Security and Department of State program that reunites qualified children from El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras with their parent who is lawfully present in the United States. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Introduced in House
Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-4200
Sponsor: Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18]
Introduced: 2021-06-28 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Drug therapy
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Law enforcement administration and funding
Medical education

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: 

Residential Substance Use Disorder Treatment Act of 2021

 
This bill revises and reauthorizes through FY2026 grants for residential substance use disorder treatment programs at state and local correctional and detention facilities.
 
Among the revisions, the bill
 
 
replaces statutory references to 
substance abuse
 with 
substance use disorder
,
 
specifies that the term 
residential substance use disorder treatment program
 includes a medication-assisted treatment program, 
 
requires the chief medical officer or other staff overseeing a program to complete training on the science of addiction and the latest research and clinical guidance on treating substance use disorders in criminal justice settings, and
 
allows people who are awaiting trial or in pretrial detention to participate in the programs.
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Introduced in House
Migrant Accountability Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-4201
Sponsor: Rep. Green, Mark E. [R-TN-7]
Introduced: 2021-06-28 in the House
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: 

Migrant Accountability Act of 2021

 
This bill modifies the treatment of unaccompanied alien children, including by transferring functions for the care and custody of such children from the Office of Refugee Settlement within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Currently, the office provides care for apprehended unaccompanied children, while DHS is typically responsible for detained alien adults.
 
Under this bill, if an immigration officer determines that a qualifying unaccompanied child is inadmissible, the officer may return that child to the child's country of nationality or country of last habitual residence. Currently, only an unaccompanied child who is a national or habitual resident of a country bordering the United States may be returned.
 
The Department of State must negotiate with other countries concerning the repatriation of children. Currently, the State Department is only required to negotiate such agreements with countries bordering the United States. 
 
For an unaccompanied child who reaches 18 years of age while in custody, the bill repeals a requirement for DHS to consider the least restrictive setting available for that individual's custody or supervision. Currently, DHS must make such a consideration when such an individual reaches 18 years of age.
 
Before placing an unaccompanied child with a sponsor claiming to be the child's biological relative, DHS must confirm this relationship using DNA technology. A state may refuse placement of an unaccompanied child in the state, including at a federal facility, unless the placement is with a sponsor who is the child's confirmed biological relative. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign 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: 2021-06-28
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign 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: 2021-06-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Introduced in House
MRRRI Act

Bill: 117-hr-4202
Sponsor: Rep. McCollum, Betty [D-MN-4]
Introduced: 2021-06-28 in the House
Policy area: Water Resources Development

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: 

Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative Act or the MRRRI Act

 
This bill establishes the Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative to protect and restore the Mississippi River Corridor.
 
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) must establish the initiative and the Mississippi River National Program Office to carry out the initiative. The office must (1) coordinate agency actions to protect and restore the Mississippi River Corridor; (2) develop, implement, and update the initiative, actionable goals, and an action plan required by the bill; (3) make updates and information available on a public website; and (4) submit annual reports to Congress.
 
Additionally, the bill outlines the focus areas that each project carried out under the initiative must address, such as improving water quality and protecting wildlife habitat. The office may make grants to certain nonfederal entities to carry out eligible projects.
 
The bill directs the EPA to include the initiative as a separate budget line item in its annual budget submission.
 
Next, the bill directs the Department of the Interior to coordinate with the office to establish four Mississippi River Corridor research centers within the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). These research centers must, among other duties, conduct scientific research on the focus areas of the initiative.
 
The bill also directs the USGS to host a science forum to share current science and identify data gaps related to the ecological health of the Mississippi River Corridor. The USGS must, within two years of the forum, develop a science plan for the initiative.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-24
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water, Oceans, and Wildlife.
action_date: 2021-06-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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: 2021-06-28
text: Referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Natural Resources, 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: 2021-06-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-06-28
text: Introduced in House