hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
People's Liberation Army Visa Security Act

Bill: 117-s-2078
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced: 2021-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Asia
Australia
Canada
China
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Europe
Foreign labor
Government information and archives
Immigration status and procedures
New Zealand
Oceania
Research administration and funding
United Kingdom
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: 

People's Liberation Army Visa Security Act

 
This bill bars individuals affiliated with the Chinese military from entering the United States on visas for students (F visa) or work-and-study exchange (J visa).
 
The President shall publish a list identifying research, engineering, and scientific institutions affiliated with or funded by China's People's Liberation Army. Aliens who are or were previously employed, sponsored, or funded by any institution on the list shall be subject to the bar. 
 
When a Chinese national applies for an F or J visa for an academic field related to an item on the Commerce Control List (a list of items subject to export controls), the consular officer handling the application shall request a special background check on the applicant.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2079
Sponsor: Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL]
Introduced: 2021-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government liability
Government studies and investigations
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: 

Stop Settlement Slush Funds Act of
 
2021

 
This bill prohibits the federal government from entering into or enforcing a settlement agreement on behalf of the United States that provides for a payment or loan to any person or entity other than the United States. The bill provides exceptions to allow payments or loans that (1) remedy actual harm (including to the environment) caused by the party making the payment or loan, or (2) constitute a payment for services rendered in connection with the case or a payment that a court may order for restitution to victims in certain criminal cases or other persons in plea agreements.
 
Government officials or agents who violate this prohibition may be removed from office or required to forfeit to the government any money they hold for such purposes to which they may otherwise be entitled.
 
Agencies must report annually to the Congressional Budget Office about the parties, funding sources, and distribution of funds for their settlement agreements permitted by the exceptions in this bill. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S4592)
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Defending Domestic Produce Production Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2080
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2021-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Agricultural trade
Canada
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Government studies and investigations
Latin America
Mexico
Tariffs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: 

Defending Domestic Produce Production Act of 2021

 
This bill establishes a process by which a core seasonal industry may petition for countervailing and antidumping duties.
 

A core seasonal industry
 means the producers (1) of a domestic like product that is a raw agricultural product, (2) whose collective output constitutes a majority of the total production in any state or group of states that accounts for a major portion of the total production during a discrete season or cyclical period of time, and (3) that make substantially all of their sales during that season or time period.
 
The bill also provides that this process shall apply with respect to goods from Canada and Mexico.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2081
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2021-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Border security and unlawful immigration
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Higher education
Immigration status and procedures
Military personnel and dependents
Poverty and welfare assistance
Student aid and college costs
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: 

Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2021

 
This bill makes various changes to the Federal Pell Grant program, including by expanding student eligibility for Pell Grants. The bill also revises student eligibility for federal student-aid programs.
 
Specifically, the bill provides funding to increase the maximum Pell Grant award for each eligible student. Further, the bill requires the award amount to be adjusted for inflation.
 
Next, the bill allows students who receive means-tested federal benefits (e.g., Medicaid) to automatically qualify for the maximum Pell Grant award plus an additional award amount. 
 
In addition, the bill moves the Iraq and Afghanistan Service Grant program into the Pell Grant program.
 
Next, the bill raises from 12 to 18 the total number of semesters during which a student may receive a Pell Grant.
 
The bill makes Dreamer students (i.e., students who have been granted Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status) who entered the United States before the age of 18 and who meet certain educational criteria eligible for federal financial aid.
 
The bill also revises satisfactory academic progress requirements for federal student-aid programs, including by allowing a student who has not been enrolled in an institution of higher education for two years to regain eligibility for federal student aid.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
MADE in America Act

Bill: 117-s-2082
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Tim [R-SC]
Introduced: 2021-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: 

Manufacturing API, Drugs, and Excipients in America Act or the MADE in America Act

 
This bill establishes a tax credit for taxpayers engaged in medical production activities in certain areas and contains other provisions related to pharmaceuticals.
 
An eligible taxpayer may claim a tax credit equal to 25% of qualified expenditures related to the production of pharmaceuticals, medical devices, or other related items in a designated qualified opportunity zone with a poverty rate higher than 30%. The bill provides for increases to this tax credit in certain situations, such as if a substantial portion of the employees reside in areas with certain poverty levels. 
 
In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) must continue programs to facilitate the development and review of new drug or biological products that are manufactured using certain advanced manufacturing technologies. The bill imposes various requirements on these programs, including deadlines for evaluating such a technology. 
 
Furthermore, the Department of Health and Human Services must ensure timely and effective internal coordination and alignment between FDA field investigators and the staff of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research's Office of Compliance and Drug Shortage Program regarding reports and feedback related to facility inspections. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
HOPE for Afghan SIVs Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2083
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2021-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Afghanistan
Asia
Congressional oversight
Foreign labor
Immigration status and procedures
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Military operations and strategy
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: 

Honoring Our Promises through Expedition for Afghan SIVs Act of 2021 or the HOPE for Afghan SIVs Act of 2021

 
This bill authorizes the Department of State or the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to postpone the medical exam requirement for qualifying citizens or nationals of Afghanistan seeking entry into the United States as special immigrants. 
 
Specifically, this bill applies to an existing program that provides special immigrant status to an individual (or the spouse or child of such an individual) who (1) faithfully performed sensitive and trusted duties for the U.S. government or the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan on or after October 7, 2001, and (2) has experienced or is experiencing an ongoing serious threat due to the performance of those duties.
 
Under this bill, the State Department or DHS may waive any requirement for such an individual to undergo a medical exam before admission into the United States. If an individual receives such a waiver, DHS shall ensure that individual undergoes a medical exam no later than 90 days after admission into the United States. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
SMART Act

Bill: 117-s-2084
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced: 2021-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: 

Stop Mandating Additional Requirements for Travel Act or the SMART Act

 
This bill nullifies on July 4, 2021, the rule issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on January 29, 2021, that requires the use of face masks on planes, trains, buses, and other public conveyances and at transportation hubs to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Save Our Future Act

Bill: 117-s-2085
Sponsor: Sen. Whitehouse, Sheldon [D-RI]
Introduced: 2021-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Appalachian Regional Commission
Appropriations
Building construction
Business investment and capital
Business records
Civil actions and liability
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Coal
Congressional oversight
Department of Commerce
Department of the Treasury
Disability assistance
Economic development
Electric power generation and transmission
Employee benefits and pensions
Employee hiring
Employment and training programs
Energy assistance for the poor and aged
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy prices
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental health
Executive agency funding and structure
Forests, forestry, trees
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government trust funds
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Higher education
Income tax credits
Indian lands and resources rights
Indian social and development programs
Inflation and prices
Infrastructure development
Land use and conservation
Mining
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Minority education
Minority health
Oil and gas
Poverty and welfare assistance
Rural conditions and development
Sales and excise taxes
Science and engineering education
Small business
Social security and elderly assistance
Solid waste and recycling
State and local finance
State and local government operations
State and local taxation
Student aid and college costs
User charges and fees
Vocational and technical education
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: 

Save Our Future Act

 
This bill imposes a fee on certain fossil fuels, including coal, petroleum products, and natural gas. It also imposes fees on fluorinated greenhouse gases imported into the United States and on facilities that emit greenhouse gases from processes other than fossil fuel combustion. 
 
The bill provides rebates to middle- and low-income taxpayers equal to $800 ($1,600 for joint returns), plus $300 times the number of taxpayer dependents. 
 
The bill directs the Department of the Treasury to provide cost mitigation grants to states and Indian tribes to assist with the transition to a low-carbon economy, assist rural households in reducing energy expenses, and for assistance to displaced coal industry workers.
 
The bill creates an Office of Energy Veterans Assistance. It also provides funds through FY2032 for community assistance programs, including the Appalachian Regional Commission Revitalization Initiative and the Coal Communities Assistance Initiative. 
 
The bill provides funds for each fiscal year after FY2022 for assistance to environmental justice communities (i.e., communities most impacted by environmental harms and risks).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
RISE from Trauma Act

Bill: 117-s-2086
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2021-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Child health
Civil disturbances
Community life and organization
Crime victims
Domestic violence and child abuse
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employment and training programs
Evidence and witnesses
Government studies and investigations
Health care coverage and access
Health care quality
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Higher education
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Hospital care
Juvenile crime and gang violence
Law enforcement administration and funding
Law enforcement officers
Long-term, rehabilitative, and terminal care
Medical education
Mental health
Poverty and welfare assistance
Preschool education
Protest and dissent
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: 

Resilience Investment, Support, and Expansion from Trauma Act or the RISE from Trauma Act

 
This bill establishes and extends various programs to support infants, children, youth, and families who have experienced, or may experience, trauma.
 
Specifically, the bill allows federal agencies to use specified discretionary funds to implement pilot projects to improve outcomes for children experiencing trauma.
 
It also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to provide tool kits and other guidance to train frontline service providers and certain community members about trauma, toxic stress, and resilience. In addition, the Department of Justice (DOJ) must establish a national center to disseminate to law enforcement agencies best practices and other assistance to enhance interactions with infants, children, youth, and families who are exposed to violence and trauma.
 
Furthermore, the bill establishes grants for
 
 
multi-sector demonstration projects to prevent and mitigate trauma and toxic stress;
 
interventions to improve outcomes for hospital patients who experience drug overdoses, suicide attempts, or violent injury; and
 
clinical training in infant and early childhood mental health.
 
 
The bill also authorizes DOJ grants to reduce violence and substance use by preventing children's trauma from exposure to violence and substance use. Additionally, it incorporates trauma-informed practices and otherwise addresses trauma in programs for health care professional education, increasing access to health services, and training for educators.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S4592-4596)
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Voices for Veterans Act 2021

Bill: 117-s-2087
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2021-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Department of Veterans Affairs
Racial and ethnic relations
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' organizations and recognition
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: 

Voices for Veterans Act
 
2021

 
This bill expands the membership of the Advisory Committee on Minority Veterans to include veterans who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, gender diverse, gender non-conforming, intersex, or queer. Among other responsibilities, the committee advises the Department of Veterans Affairs on the administration of benefits and provision of health care, benefits, and services to minority veterans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Brandon Act

Bill: 117-s-2088
Sponsor: Sen. Kelly, Mark [D-AZ]
Introduced: 2021-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Defense
Health information and medical records
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Mental health
Military medicine
Military personnel and dependents

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: 

Brandon Act

 
This bill modifies the regulatory requirement for referrals by commanding officers and supervisors of members of the Armed Forces for mental health evaluations. Specifically, the regulations must (1) establish a phrase that enables the member to trigger a referral for a mental health evaluation, (2) require a commanding officer or supervisor to make such referrals as soon as practicable following disclosure by the member of the established phrase, and (3) ensure that the process protects the confidentiality of the member.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Disarm Hate Act

Bill: 117-s-2090
Sponsor: Sen. Casey, Robert P., Jr. [D-PA]
Introduced: 2021-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Firearms and explosives
Hate crimes
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: 

Disarm Hate Act

 
The bill expands the categories of persons who are prohibited from receiving or possessing a firearm.
 
Specifically, it prohibits firearm sale or transfer to and receipt, possession, shipment, or transport by a person (1) who has been convicted of a misdemeanor hate crime, or (2) who has received an enhanced hate crime misdemeanor sentence.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Restaurant Revitalization Fund Replenishment Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2091
Sponsor: Sen. Sinema, Kyrsten [D-AZ]
Introduced: 2021-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Appropriations
Business expenses
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Food industry and services
Government trust funds
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: 

Restaurant Revitalization Fund Replenishment Act of 2021

 
This bill provides an additional $60 billion in FY2021 for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund, which was established to support restaurants and other food and beverage purveyors in response to COVID-19.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Native American Rural Homeownership Improvement Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2092
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Introduced: 2021-06-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Bank accounts, deposits, capital
Congressional oversight
Government lending and loan guarantees
Housing and community development funding
Housing finance and home ownership
Indian social and development programs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: 

Native American Rural Homeownership Improvement Act of 2021

 
This bill provides statutory authority for a Department of Agriculture pilot program that provides direct loans to Native community development financial institutions to increase homeownership opportunities for tribal communities in rural areas.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-05-25
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development. Hearings held.
action_date: 2022-01-05
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-07-20
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Senate Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-06-24
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2021-06-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Physician Shortage GME Cap Flex Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2094
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
Introduced: 2021-06-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Education programs funding
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Higher education
Medical education
Medicare
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: 

Physician Shortage GME Cap Flex Act of 

2021

 
This bill excludes certain hospitals that establish shortage specialty programs from the cap on full-time equivalent residents that is otherwise applicable, and provides for a new building period, for purposes of graduate medical education payments under Medicare.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-06-17
text: Introduced in Senate