hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
End Misleading Cultural Exchanges Act

Bill: 117-hr-4840
Sponsor: Rep. Murphy, Gregory [R-NC-3]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

End Misleading Cultural Exchanges Act

 
This bill bars a federal employee from accepting certain assistance, such as a grant, from China's government to facilitate that federal employee's participation in a cultural exchange program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Restoring Justice for Workers Act

Bill: 117-hr-4841
Sponsor: Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-10]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

 

Restoring Justice for Workers Act 

 
This bill prohibits predispute arbitration agreements that require arbitration of an employment dispute. 
 
It allows a postdispute arbitration agreement if the employee enters into it voluntarily without coercion and is informed in writing of rights and protections under such agreement. An employer may not retaliate against an employee for refusing to enter into an agreement for arbitrating an employment dispute. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Antitrust, Commercial, and Administrative Law.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Labor, 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: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Tree Spiking Mitigation Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-4842
Sponsor: Rep. Newhouse, Dan [R-WA-4]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Tree Spiking Mitigation Act of 2021

 
This bill directs the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to coordinate to take necessary actions to ensure the detection, identification, and, as determined to be appropriate, mitigation of tree spiking devices located on federal lands. A tree spiking device includes spikes, nails, or other objects hammered, driven, fastened, or otherwise placed into or on any timber to impede logging.
 
To carry out such activities, the Forest Service and the BLM shall prioritize areas in which (1) incidences of tree spiking devices have occurred, or (2) the Forest Service and the BLM suspect that there are tree spiking devices. 
 
No later than 90 days after the enactment of this bill, the Forest Service and the BLM shall, where appropriate, update safety guidelines and training protocols to include the awareness, detection, identification, and mitigation of tree spiking devices.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-08-18
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry.
action_date: 2021-08-17
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Natural Resources, and in addition to the Committee on Agriculture, 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: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Assisting School Mental Health Professionals Through Work Study Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-4843
Sponsor: Rep. Newman, Marie [D-IL-3]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Education

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Assisting School Mental Health Professionals Through Work Study Act of 2021

 
This bill adds assisting school-based mental health professionals to the list of community services in which undergraduate, graduate, and professional students may participate under the Federal Work-Study Program.
 
Specifically, the bill revises the definition of 
community services
 to include activities in which the student assists a mental health professional with appropriate tasks (e.g., administrative assistance) so long as the professional is (1) a school-based mental health services provider, or (2) an overseer of a school-based mental health services provider.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
504 Program Level Flexibility Act

Bill: 117-hr-4844
Sponsor: Rep. Newman, Marie [D-IL-3]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

504 Program Level Flexibility Act

 
This bill authorizes the Small Business Administration (SBA), upon a determination that the amount of its commitments to guarantee 504 loans could exceed the authorized limit, to guarantee up to 115% of that limit. Such loans, made through SBA community partners and certified by the SBA, provide long-term, fixed rate financing for major fixed assets that promote business growth and job creation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Small Business.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
To amend title 38, United States Code, to establish the Advisory Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Veterans.

Bill: 117-hr-4845
Sponsor: Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 
This bill establishes the Advisory Committee on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Veterans to consult with the Department of Veterans Affairs regarding the administration of benefits for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) veterans, reports and studies pertaining to LGBTQ veterans, and the needs of such veterans with respect to compensation, health care, rehabilitation, outreach, and other benefits and programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-04
text: Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 18 - 10.
action_date: 2021-11-04
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2021-11-04
text: Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Discharged.
action_date: 2021-09-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
ALTO Reauthorization Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-4846
Sponsor: Rep. Pascrell, Bill, Jr. [D-NJ-9]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Alternatives to Opioids in the Emergency Department Reauthorization Act of 2021 or the ALTO Reauthorization Act of 2021

 
This bill reauthorizes through FY2026 a grant program for developing and implementing alternatives to opioids for pain management in hospitals and emergency departments.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Foreign Political Influence Elimination Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-4847
Sponsor: Rep. Porter, Katie [D-CA-45]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Foreign Political Influence Elimination Act of 2021

 
This bill expands the prohibition on campaign spending by foreign nationals. It also revises foreign-agent disclosure requirements.
 
Specifically, the bill expands the ban on campaign spending by foreign nationals to include corporations that are subject to specified levels of ownership or control by foreign nationals or governments. 
 
The bill prohibits certain types of tax-exempt, foreign-affiliated organizations from taking certain campaign-related actions, such as contributing to a super political action committee. 
 
Further, the bill prohibits foreign nationals from (1) participating in the decision-making process regarding an election expenditure, or (2) making contributions in connection with state or local ballot initiatives or referenda.
 
The bill prohibits political committees from accepting direct or bundled contributions from registered foreign agents.
 
Next, the bill makes various changes to the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 (FARA), such as by (1) repealing an exemption from FARA requirements for individuals registered as lobbyists, and (2) expanding filing and labeling requirements related to the transmission of informational materials in the interests of a foreign principal.
 
In addition, the bill provides the Department of Justice (DOJ) with a mechanism to demand evidence for investigating compliance with FARA. 
 
Further, the bill provides for various civil penalties for failing to meet agent registration requirements. The foreign principal of a penalized agent may not pay the imposed fines.
 
DOJ must establish a unit for the investigation and enforcement of FARA.
 
The Government Accountability Office must analyze the effectiveness of FARA enforcement.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, 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: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on House Administration, 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: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Rescinding DHS’ Waiver Authority for Border Wall Act

Bill: 117-hr-4848
Sponsor: Rep. Rice, Kathleen M. [D-NY-4]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Rescinding DHS' Waiver Authority for Border Wall Act

 
This bill rescinds the authority of the Department of Homeland Security to waive legal requirements in order to ensure the expeditious construction of barriers and roads in the vicinity of the U.S. border.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education Nationwide Act

Bill: 117-hr-4849
Sponsor: Del. Sablan, Gregorio Kilili Camacho [D-MP-At Large]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Integrated English Literacy and Civics Education Nationwide Act

 
This bill makes annual Department of Education grants available to American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Palau for integrated English literacy and civics education to prepare English language learners for employment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E847)
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Job Corps Nationwide Act

Bill: 117-hr-4850
Sponsor: Del. Sablan, Gregorio Kilili Camacho [D-MP-At Large]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Job Corps Nationwide Act

 
This bill broadens the definition of 
state
, for purposes of the Job Corps program, to include American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Palau. Job Corps is a national program that operates with state and local partners to provide education and training, primarily in a residential setting, for low-income youths.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E847)
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement (POWR) Act

Bill: 117-hr-4851
Sponsor: Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Protecting Our Widows and Widowers in Retirement (POWR) Act

 
This bill increases Social Security benefits for widows or widowers in two-income households by establishing an alternative method to calculate survivors benefits based on combined household benefit amounts.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Social Security.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Residential Solar Opportunity Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-4852
Sponsor: Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Residential Solar Opportunity Act of 2021

 
This bill modifies the rate of the residential energy efficient property tax credit and makes such credit permanent.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-4853
Sponsor: Rep. Schakowsky, Janice D. [D-IL-9]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Medical Device Nonvisual Accessibility Act of 2021

 
This bill requires certain medical devices with a digital interface to meet nonvisual accessibility standards established by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). 
 
Specifically, the FDA must establish regulations to require a Class II or Class III medical device with a digital interface to provide a blind or low-vision user access to the same services and information, and generally the same ease of use, as provided to a user who is not low-vision or blind. (The FDA classifies medical devices in three classes. Class I devices are low-risk, Class II devices are moderate-risk, and Class III devices are high-risk.)
 
A Class II or Class III medical device that does not meet the nonvisual accessibility standards established under this bill may not be sold.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
FAIR Meat Packing Act

Bill: 117-hr-4854
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Jason [R-MO-8]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business expenses
Income tax credits
Livestock
Meat
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Feed America by Incentivizing Rural Meat Packing Act or the FAIR Meat Packing Act

 
This bill allows an investment tax credit through 2026 for 25% of the basis of each livestock processing facility property placed in service during the taxable year. The amount of the credit may not exceed $250,000 in any taxable year and is not available to taxpayers whose gross receipts exceed $100 million in a taxable year. 
 
The bill defines 
livestock processing facility
 as a facility that slaughters livestock (i.e., cattle, sheep, goats, bison, swine, and poultry) for processing into meat and meat products and participates in a meat and poultry inspection program, The facility must employ an average of fewer than 500 employees and include property used for the intake or storage of livestock, the disposal or management of livestock waste, or the packaging, handling, warehousing, or storage of meat products. 
 
The bill also allows a refundable income tax credit for the startup and organizational expenditures of livestock processing facilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Braeden’s Commission: Protect our Athletes from Exertional Heat Stroke

Bill: 117-hr-4855
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Sports and Recreation
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Athletes
Child health
Congressional oversight
Elementary and secondary education
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care quality
Health information and medical records
Health promotion and preventive care
Higher education
Medical research
School athletics

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Braeden's Commission: Protect our Athletes from Exertional Heat Stroke

 
This bill establishes the Commission to Prevent Heat Stroke Deaths.
 
The commission shall 
 
 
conduct a study on exertional heat stroke among student athletes at educational institutions across the United States,
 
 develop recommendations for the purpose of reducing fatalities from exertional heat stroke among student athletes and guidelines for tracking information to prevent such fatalities, and 
 
report to the President and Congress.
 
 
A federal agency or department that is subject to a recommendation described in the report shall submit to Congress a report containing the agency's plans to address the recommendation. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-30
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, 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: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Canadian Snowbird Visa Act

Bill: 117-hr-4856
Sponsor: Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Canadian Snowbird Visa Act

 
 This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security to admit into the United States qualifying Canadian citizens as long-term nonimmigrant visitors. A qualifying Canadian citizen is an individual who (1) is at least 50 years old, (2) maintains a Canadian residence, (3) owns a U.S. residence or has rented a U.S. accommodation for the duration of the individual's stay, (4) is not inadmissible or deportable, (5) will not engage in employment or labor for hire in the United States other than for a non-U.S.-based person or entity by whom the Canadian citizen was employed in Canada or for whom the Canadian citizen performed services in Canada, and (6) will not seek certain forms of assistance or benefits. A qualified individual may be admitted for up to 240 days during any single 365-day period. 
 
 The spouse of such an individual may be admitted under the same terms, except that the spouse is not required to separately satisfy the requirement for owning or renting a residence in the United States.
 
The bill grants an individual so admitted nonresident alien tax status. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, 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: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Journalist Protection Act

Bill: 117-hr-4857
Sponsor: Rep. Swalwell, Eric [D-CA-15]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Journalist Protection Act

 
This bill establishes new criminal offenses for intentional acts (or attempts to commit acts) that cause bodily injury to a journalist.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
Remote Naturalization Act

Bill: 117-hr-4858
Sponsor: Rep. Torres, Norma J. [D-CA-35]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Citizenship and naturalization
Congressional oversight
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Immigration status and procedures
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
User charges and fees
War and emergency powers

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Remote Naturalization Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to establish procedures to provide for remote oath ceremonies for naturalization, including through the use of videoconferencing technology. 
 
Under this bill, the option to participate in a remote oath ceremony shall be available to an individual with an approved naturalization application who is unable to attend a ceremony in person, including if in-person ceremonies have been cancelled due to a declared national emergency.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in House