hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
A bill to terminate the Interagency Task Force on the Reunification of Families and to require the transfer of the salaries of certain Federal officials and Task Force members to the Judgment Fund to reimburse the Federal Government for settlements paid to aliens.

Bill: 117-s-3202
Sponsor: Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
Introduced: 2021-11-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-04
text: 
This bill terminates the Interagency Task Force on the Reunification of Families and addresses related issues. (The task force's duties include identifying children separated from their families on the U.S.-Mexico border between January 20, 2017, and January 20, 2021.)
 
Specifically, the bill rescinds (1) the February 2, 2021, executive order that established the task force; and (2) all policy and legal decisions issued, settlement agreements (or consent decrees) entered into, and immigration benefits provided pursuant to that executive order.
 
Furthermore, the Department of Justice (DOJ) may not enter into a settlement agreement pertaining to specified issues, such as the separation of family members by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, unless the Government Accountability Office certifies that the agreement complies with federal law and regulations concerning the collection and compromise of federal claims. 
 
The Office of Personnel Management must withhold the salaries of all federal employees who serve on the task force and deposit the amounts into an account for paying judgments against the United States. The withholding must continue until the deposited amount is equal to the amount paid to aliens under settlements entered into pursuant to the executive order. 
 
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) must publicly publish a report on the task force with information such as an accounting of the task force's incurred costs and all communications between task force members and nongovernmental entities. 
 
DOJ and the OMB must also publicly publish all settlement agreements entered into pursuant to the executive order.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-11-04
text: Introduced in Senate
National Commission on the COVID–19 Pandemic Act

Bill: 117-s-3203
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2021-11-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Asia
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Chemical and biological weapons
China
Congressional operations and organization
Congressional oversight
Disability and health-based discrimination
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government studies and investigations
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
International organizations and cooperation
Medical research
Public contracts and procurement
Research administration and funding
Strategic materials and reserves
Worker safety and health
World health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-04
text: 

National Commission on the COVID-19 Pandemic Act

 
This bill temporarily establishes the National Commission on the COVID-19 Pandemic in the legislative branch to investigate the facts and circumstances regarding the emergence of, spread of, and response to COVID-19. The commission terminates 90 days after it submits a final report of its findings and recommendations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S7797)
action_date: 2021-11-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Old Pascua Community Land Acquisition Act

Bill: 117-s-3204
Sponsor: Sen. Sinema, Kyrsten [D-AZ]
Introduced: 2021-11-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Arizona
Indian lands and resources rights
Land transfers

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: 

Old Pascua Community Land Acquisition Act

 
This bill directs the Department of the Interior to take tribally owned lands in Pima County, Arizona, into trust for the benefit of the Pascua Yaqui Tribe of Arizona. Lands taken into trust shall be part of the Pascua Yaqui Reservation.
 
The bill allows gaming on the land taken into trust.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Industrial Energy-Efficient Technology Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-3205
Sponsor: Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]
Introduced: 2021-11-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: 

Industrial Energy-Efficient Technology Act of 2021

 
This bill provides support for technologies to help the industrial sector manage energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Specifically, the bill provides appropriations for the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish an advanced industrial facilities deployment program. In addition, the bill requires DOE, upon the request from states or Indian tribes with approved energy conservation plans under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, to provide financial assistance to such states or Indian tribes for the development, implementation, improvement, or expansion of a flex-tech energy program to enhance manufacturing competitiveness.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to repeal the provisions of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that impose new information reporting requirements with respect to digital asset transfers.

Bill: 117-s-3206
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2021-11-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: 
This bill repeals provisions of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act with respect to the definition of
 broker 
and reporting requirements for digital assets.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-16
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 168.
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Coast Guard Combat-Injured Tax Fairness Act

Bill: 117-s-3207
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced: 2021-11-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: 

Coast Guard Combat-Injured Tax Fairness Act
 
 
This bill extends the provisions of the Combat-Injured Veterans Tax Fairness Act of 2016 to the Department of Homeland Security, with respect to the U.S. Coast Guard when it is not operating in the Department of the Navy. That act directed the Department of Defense to identify (1) certain disability severance payments paid after January 17, 1991, to veterans with combat-related injuries, from which it withheld amounts for tax purposes; and (2) the individuals to whom such severance payments were made.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Supply Chain Resiliency Act

Bill: 117-s-3208
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced: 2021-11-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Department of Commerce
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Government studies and investigations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: 

Supply Chain Resiliency Act

 
This bill establishes the Office of Supply Chain Resiliency within the Department of Commerce. 
 
The office must identify vulnerabilities in the supply chains for critical products and emerging technologies. It also must provide financial support to manufacturers to expand production of products that are part of supply chains experiencing shortages.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-06-22
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Peace and Tolerance in Palestinian Education Act

Bill: 117-s-3209
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2021-11-15 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Educational facilities and institutions
Elementary and secondary education
Foreign aid and international relief
Gaza Strip
Government information and archives
Middle East
Palestinians
Racial and ethnic relations
Teaching, teachers, curricula
United Nations
West Bank

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: 

Peace and Tolerance in Palestinian Education Act

 
This bill requires the Department of State to report on the curriculum used in schools in areas controlled by the Palestinian Authority or located in Gaza and controlled by any other entity. Among other topics, the report must address (1) whether the materials used encourage violence or intolerance toward other nations or ethnic groups, (2) the steps the Palestinian Authority is taking to reform such materials, and (3) whether U.S. foreign assistance is used to fund the dissemination of the offending materials. 
 
The State Department must make such reports publicly available.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox GI Bill Restoration Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-3210
Sponsor: Sen. Warnock, Raphael G. [D-GA]
Introduced: 2021-11-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: 

Sgt. Isaac Woodard, Jr. and Sgt. Joseph H. Maddox GI Bill Restoration Act of 2021

 
This bill expands eligibility for Post-9/11 GI bill educational assistance benefits and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) home loan program. Specifically, the bill explicitly includes the following persons as eligible veterans:
 
 
Black veterans who served on active duty during World War II who can certify they were denied a specific benefit on the basis of race; and
 
the living surviving spouses, children, grandchildren, or other direct descendants of such veterans described above who can certify the veteran was denied a specific benefit on the basis of race.
 
 
 
Such veterans described above must apply for educational or home loan benefits within the five-year period after the passage of this bill to be eligible for benefits.
 
The Government Accountability Office must report on the number of individuals who received educational or housing loan benefits and the total value of such benefits administered by the VA due to the amendments made by the bill.
 
Finally, the VA must appoint a panel of independent experts to develop recommendations regarding additional benefits and assistance for female and minority members of the Armed Forces.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Eliminate, Neutralize, and Disrupt Wildlife Trafficking Reauthorization and Improvements Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-3211
Sponsor: Sen. Coons, Christopher A. [D-DE]
Introduced: 2021-11-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Advanced technology and technological innovations
Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Animals
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Crimes against animals and natural resources
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Currency
Digital media
Endangered and threatened species
Environmental education
Foreign aid and international relief
Government studies and investigations
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
International law and treaties
International organizations and cooperation
Internet, web applications, social media
Law enforcement administration and funding
Organized crime
Performance measurement
Smuggling and trafficking
Technology assessment
Wildlife conservation and habitat protection

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: 

Eliminate, Neutralize, and Disrupt Wildlife Trafficking Reauthorization and Improvements Act of 2021

 
This bill permanently reauthorizes the Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking, expands the responsibilities of the task force, and sets forth other provisions to eliminate wildlife poaching and illegal wildlife trade.

action_date: 2022-06-14
text: 

Eliminate, Neutralize, and Disrupt Wildlife Trafficking Reauthorization and Improvements Act of 2022

 
This bill permanently reauthorizes the Presidential Task Force on Wildlife Trafficking, expands the responsibilities of the task force, and sets forth other provisions to eliminate wildlife poaching and illegal wildlife trade.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-06-14
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 404.
action_date: 2022-06-14
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2022-06-14
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez with an amendment in the nature of a substitute. Without written report.
action_date: 2022-06-09
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported with an amendment in the nature of a substitute favorably.
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Veteran Deportation Prevention and Reform Act

Bill: 117-s-3212
Sponsor: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Introduced: 2021-11-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: 

Veteran Deportation Prevention and Reform Act

 
This bill limits the deportation of noncitizen veterans and addresses related issues.
 
No federal agency may initiate removal proceedings without asking the individual facing removal whether the individual is a member of the Armed Forces, a veteran, or a spouse, parent, or minor child of such an individual. If an individual responds in the affirmative, that individual may not be removed until (1) the relevant Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agency has transferred that individual's case files to an advisory committee created under this bill, and (2) that committee has provided recommendations as to the outcome of the case. 
 
DHS must create a system to share information across various agencies about noncitizen veterans who may be subject to removal to ensure that such a veteran's military service is taken into consideration in immigration-related cases. DHS shall also create a system for (1) identifying noncitizens who are or may be veterans, and (2) collecting data relating to such noncitizens who are in removal proceedings or may have been removed. 
 
DHS and the Department of Defense must jointly carry out a program to naturalize a noncitizen (and certain family members) if the noncitizen serves on active duty in the Armed Forces and is not otherwise ineligible for citizenship if that noncitizen submits an application.
 
DHS must also establish a program for eligible noncitizen veterans (generally those not convicted for certain serious crimes) to obtain permanent resident status. Similarly, the Department of Justice must provide permanent resident status to such eligible veterans in removal proceedings. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S8084)
action_date: 2021-11-15
text: Introduced in Senate
IDEA Full Funding Act

Bill: 117-s-3213
Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
Introduced: 2021-11-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Education

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-16
text: 

IDEA Full Funding Act

 
This bill provides permanent, mandatory funding for the grant program that assists states and outlying areas in providing special education and related services to children with disabilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-11-16
text: Introduced in Senate
SMART Energy Act

Bill: 117-s-3214
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced: 2021-11-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-16
text: 

Supporting Made in America Renewable and Traditional Energy Act or the SMART Energy Act

 
This bill directs the Department of the Interior to (1) conduct certain sales of leases of onshore and offshore federal land for the development of oil and gas; (2) establish priority areas for geothermal, solar, and wind energy projects on federal lands; and (3) review and make proposals for leasing federal offshore land for wind energy projects in the Atlantic and Pacific Regions of the outer Continental Shelf. The bill also limits delays on federal oil and gas leases.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-11-16
text: Introduced in Senate
USACE Military Personnel Augmentation Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-3215
Sponsor: Sen. Rounds, Mike [R-SD]
Introduced: 2021-11-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-16
text: 

USACE Military Personnel Augmentation Act of 2021

 This bill expands the types of Army personnel entitled to receive certain pay and allowances while assigned to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on nonmilitary public works projects. 
Currently, regular Corps officers and reserve Army officers assigned to the Corps are entitled to receive pay and allowances from funds appropriated for the project that they are working on. The bill entitles warrant officers and enlisted members of the Army, whether regular or reserve, to receive such pay and allowances when assigned to the Corps.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2021-11-16
text: Introduced in Senate
WIC Healthy Beginnings Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-3216
Sponsor: Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]
Introduced: 2021-11-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-17
text: 

WIC Healthy Beginnings Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to maintain a publicly available, searchable database that contains solicitations for infant formula bids under the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC).
 
Under current law, state agencies must control infant formula costs in the WIC program through competitive bidding for infant formula rebate contracts. The bill requires state WIC agencies to provide USDA with open solicitations for these competitive bids to populate the database.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2021-11-17
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide special rules for purposes of determining if financial guaranty insurance companies are qualifying insurance corporations under the passive foreign investment company rules.

Bill: 117-s-3217
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-11-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Capital gains tax
Financial services and investments
Foreign and international corporations
Securities
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers
Taxation of foreign income

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-17
text: 
This bill sets forth special tax rules for determining whether financial guaranty insurance companies are qualifying insurance corporations under the passive foreign investment company rules.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-11-17
text: Introduced in Senate
Parents’ Bill of Rights Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-3218
Sponsor: Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]
Introduced: 2021-11-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Education

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-17
text: 

Parents' Bill of Rights Act of 2021

 
This bill establishes various rights of parents and guardians regarding the elementary or secondary school education of their minor children.
 
Specifically, the bill prohibits a state (or its agents, subdivisions, or agents of its subdivisions) from denying certain rights to a parent or guardian of a minor child regarding the child's education. These include, among others, the right to (1) fully review and make copies of the curricula, books, and other educational materials used by the child's school; (2) access information on teachers, guest lecturers, and outside presenters; (3) access school records; and (4) visit the child during school hours.
 
A person aggrieved by a violation of this bill, and a state on behalf of its residents, may bring a civil action for injunctive relief.
 
The bill also requires the Department of Education to withhold federal education funds from a state for noncompliance with this bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-11-17
text: Introduced in Senate
BE HEARD in the Workplace Act

Bill: 117-s-3219
Sponsor: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2021-11-17 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
action_date: 2021-11-17
text: 

Bringing an End to Harassment by Enhancing Accountability and Rejecting Discrimination in the Workplace Act or the BE HEARD in the Workplace Act

 
This bill expands protections against discrimination and harassment in the workplace and raises the minimum wage for tipped employees.
 
Specifically, the bill (1) makes it an unlawful employment practice to discriminate against an individual in the workplace based on sexual orientation, gender identity, pregnancy, childbirth, a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth, or a sex stereotype; and (2) provides a statutory definition for what constitutes workplace harassment. Further, these protections apply to all workplaces, regardless of size, and to all workers, including independent contractors, interns, volunteers, and trainees.
 
The bill prohibits employers from entering into contracts or agreements with workers that contain certain nondisparagement or nondisclosure clauses and prohibits certain predispute arbitration agreements and postdispute agreements. It also establishes grant programs to (1) prevent and respond to workplace discrimination and harassment, (2) provide legal assistance for low-income workers, and (3) establish a system of legal advocacy in states to protect the rights of workers.
 
The bill further provides employees the right to retain their tips and it increases, in specified annual increments, the minimum wage for tipped employees to match the federal minimum wage for nontipped employees.
 
Additionally, the bill requires the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission to provide specified training and resource materials, establish and convene a harassment prevention task force, and establish an Office of Education and Outreach with regard to prohibited discrimination and harassment in employment.
 
The bill also requires specified studies, reports, and research on prohibited workplace harassment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-11-17
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-11-17
text: Introduced in Senate