hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Patient Access to ESRD New Innovative Devices Act

Bill: 117-s-2025
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2021-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Health and Human Services
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Health care coverage and access
Health technology, devices, supplies
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Medicare

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: 

Patient Access to ESRD New Innovative Devices Act

 
This bill requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide a certain payment adjustment under the Medicare end-stage renal disease (ESRD) prospective payment system. Specifically, the CMS must provide for a three-year temporary add-on payment adjustment for new medical devices used to diagnose, treat, or manage ESRD. (CMS regulations currently provide a two-year temporary add-on payment adjustment.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to authorize appropriations for the Global Engagement Center of the Department of State.

Bill: 117-s-2026
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2021-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Department of State
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Subversive activities

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: 
This bill authorizes the appropriation of $150 million in FY2022 for the Global Engagement Center of the Department of State to counter foreign state and non-state sponsored propaganda and disinformation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
CARE for Tourette Syndrome Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2027
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Government information and archives
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Medical research
Neurological disorders
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: 

Collaborative Academic Research Efforts for Tourette Syndrome Act of 

2021 or the CARE for Tourette Syndrome Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to carry out data collection and expand other research activities on Tourette syndrome. This is a neurological disorder characterized by sudden, repetitive, rapid, and unwanted movements or vocal sounds.
 
Specifically, the NIH must develop a system to collect epidemiological data and information on the availability of medical and social services for individuals with Tourette syndrome and their families.
 
In addition, the NIH must award various grants for research on Tourette syndrome, including to support Collaborative Research Centers for Tourette Syndrome.
 
The NIH must also designate a portion of its funding for Tourette syndrome programs and activities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Millionaires Surtax Act

Bill: 117-s-2028
Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
Introduced: 2021-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Income tax rates
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: 

Millionaires Surtax Act

 
This bill imposes an additional 10% tax on individual taxpayers whose modified adjusted gross income exceeds $2 million ($1 million for taxpayers not filing a joint return or surviving spouses). The bill sets forth special rules for the taxation of nonresident aliens and citizens and residents living abroad, and exempts charitable trusts from such tax.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting our Students in Schools Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2029
Sponsor: Sen. Murphy, Christopher [D-CT]
Introduced: 2021-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Child health
Child safety and welfare
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Department of Education
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Employment and training programs
Government information and archives
Law enforcement officers
School administration
State and local government operations
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: 

Protecting our Students in Schools Act of 

2021

 
This bill prohibits the use of corporal punishment in schools that receive federal funding. 
 
Specifically, the bill authorizes the Department of Education (ED) to take specified actions (e.g., withholding funds and issuing cease-and-desist orders) for schools that allow school personnel, law enforcement officers, or school security guards to subject students to corporal punishment.
 
The bill also establishes enforcement provisions, including a private right of action for a student who has been subjected to corporal punishment. 
 
Each state educational agency (SEA) that receives federal funding must submit specified information to ED, including a school climate report that describes the SEA's policies and procedures related to exclusionary and aversive discipline practices in schools.
 
Additionally, the bill authorizes ED to award three-year grants to SEAs and, through them, subgrants to local educational agencies to implement positive behavioral interventions and supports to address student behavior and reduce exclusionary and aversive discipline practices.
 
ED must promulgate regulations as necessary to ensure compliance with the bill. The Department of Defense and the Department of the Interior must ensure that the schools they operate or fund also comply with these regulations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Iran Nuclear Treaty Act

Bill: 117-s-2030
Sponsor: Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI]
Introduced: 2021-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Arms control and nonproliferation
Congressional oversight
International law and treaties
Iran
Middle East
Nuclear weapons
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Sanctions
Senate

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: 

Iran Nuclear Treaty Act

 
This bill requires Senate approval of certain actions with respect to Iran's nuclear program.
 
Specifically, the bill deems any agreement reached between the President and Iran relating to Iran's nuclear program to be a treaty that is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate. Further, the bill prohibits the President from (1) limiting the application of certain sanctions, or (2) refraining to apply such sanctions pursuant to an agreement unless the agreement is subject to the advice and consent of the Senate as a treaty.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
PRO-SPEECH Act

Bill: 117-s-2031
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2021-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Competition and antitrust
Computers and information technology
Consumer affairs
Government studies and investigations
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Right of privacy

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: 

Promoting Rights and Online Speech Protections to Ensure Every Consumer is Heard Act or the PRO-SPEECH Act

 
This bill prohibits internet platforms from restricting access to content and engaging in discriminatory or anticompetitive conduct. An 
internet platform
 is an entity that owns or operates an app store, a cloud computing service, an operating system, a search engine, or a social media company.
 
The bill prohibits large internet platforms (those with at least 100 million global users or $500 million in annual revenue) from blocking a user's access to lawful content, applications, services, or devices, or impairing a user's access to lawful internet traffic based on content, application, service, or use of device. This prohibition does not apply if (1) a user's access interferes with a large internet platform's functionality or poses privacy or security risks, or (2) a large internet platform publicly proclaims to be the publisher of the relevant content, application, or service. Further, large internet platforms must publicly disclose policies, terms of service, and other designated information regarding the purchase or use of its products or services.
 
Internet platforms may not discriminate against a user or entity based on racial, sexual, religious, ethnic, or political affiliation grounds. Internet platforms also may not engage in unfair competition (e.g., blocking a competitor's access to an internet platform). The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) may determine whether an action constitutes unfair competition.
 
The FTC shall enforce the bill's provisions through a complaint-driven investigative process.
 
The bill also preempts state laws that conflict with its provisions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2032
Sponsor: Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]
Introduced: 2021-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Afghanistan
Asia
Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Foreign labor
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Immigrant health and welfare
Immigration status and procedures
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Military operations and strategy
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: 

Afghan Allies Protection Act of 2021

 
This bill modifies a program providing special immigrant visas to eligible citizens or nationals of Afghanistan who assisted U.S. efforts there and addresses related issues. 
 
The bill extends the program through 2023 and increases the number of visas available. 
 
An individual may become eligible for a visa after assisting U.S. efforts in Afghanistan for one year, whereas currently some individuals must have served for two years. Furthermore, for an applicant qualifying for a visa by performing duties with a NATO mission in Afghanistan, the bill eliminates a requirement that the duties performed qualify as sensitive and trusted duties.
 
The bill removes a requirement that the individual has experienced or is facing an ongoing serious threat due to their assistance to the United States or NATO. 
 
The Department of State or the Department of Homeland Security may postpone the program's medical examination requirement. An individual who received a postponement must undergo a medical exam within 90 days of admission into the United States. 
 
The bill also expands surviving family member benefits for the Afghanistan program (and a similar program for Iraq) to a surviving spouse or child of an individual who submitted an application to the Chief of Mission that would have been approved but for the individual's death. Currently, such survivor benefits only apply if the deceased individual's petition was approved.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to extend the authority of, and provide hiring authority for, the Global Engagement Center.

Bill: 117-s-2033
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2021-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Department of State
Employee hiring
Executive agency funding and structure
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Subversive activities

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: 
This bill extends the authorization for the Global Engagement Center of the Department of State through calendar year 2027, and it provides the State Department with hiring authority for the center that is not controlled by requirements for competitive service positions or classification and general schedule pay rates.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Business Credit Protection Act

Bill: 117-s-2034
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2021-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Business records
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Consumer credit
Credit and credit markets
Government studies and investigations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: 

Small Business Credit Protection Act

 
This bill establishes requirements related to breaches of data belonging to small businesses.
 
Specifically, a consumer reporting agency must promptly report any breach of nonpublic small business data. In the event of a breach, a consumer reporting agency may not charge a small business for a credit report. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must report on the economic harm to small businesses resulting from data breaches at consumer reporting agencies.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Saving American History Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2035
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced: 2021-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
News media and reporting
Racial and ethnic relations
Teaching, teachers, curricula
U.S. history

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: 

Saving American History Act of 

2021

 
This bill prohibits the use of federal funds by an elementary or secondary school to teach the 1619 Project or by a local educational agency (LEA) to support its teaching in public schools. (The 1619 Project is an initiative that addresses the beginning of slavery in the United States.)
 
Specified federal agencies must reduce federal funds in a prorated amount to an elementary or secondary school that teaches this project or an LEA that supports its teaching in public schools. However, federal funding shall not be reduced for programs for low-income students (e.g., free or reduced-price lunch) or students with disabilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Meat Packing Special Investigator Act

Bill: 117-s-2036
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2021-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Competition and antitrust
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Agriculture
Executive agency funding and structure
Food industry and services
Government studies and investigations
Meat

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: 

Meat Packing Special Investigator Act

 
This bill establishes within the Department of Agriculture's Packers and Stockyards Division the Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters.
 
Specifically, the office must use all available tools (e.g., subpoenas) to investigate and prosecute violations of the Packers and Stockyards Act of 1921 by packers. Further, the bill grants the office the authority to bring any civil or administrative action authorized by that act against a packer.
 
Additionally, the office must
 
 
serve as a liaison to the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission with respect to competition and trade practices in the food and agricultural sector,
 
consult with the Department of Homeland Security on national security and critical infrastructure security in the food and agricultural sector, and
 
maintain a staff of attorneys and other professionals with appropriate expertise.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2037
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Department of Health and Human Services
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health care coverage and access
Medicare
Motor vehicles
Rural conditions and development
Small towns

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: 

Protecting Access to Ground Ambulance Medical Services Act of 2021

 
This bill modifies Medicare payment of ground ambulance services in rural areas. 
 
Specifically, the bill extends the specialized rate increase for such services for an additional five years (until January 1, 2028). The bill also requires the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to (1) allow an area that has 1,000 or fewer individuals per square mile to retain its status as a rural area even if it would otherwise no longer qualify, and (2) establish an appeals process for providers to seek reconsideration of a change in an area's status.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Disability Access to Transportation Act

Bill: 117-s-2038
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-06-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Access Board
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Aging
Child care and development
Congressional oversight
Department of Transportation
Disability assistance
Employment and training programs
Food industry and services
Government information and archives
Health care coverage and access
Housing supply and affordability
Pedestrians and bicycling
Public transit
Regional and metropolitan planning
Rural conditions and development
Social security and elderly assistance
Transportation programs funding

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: 

Disability Access to Transportation Act

 
This bill expands transportation access for individuals with disabilities.
 
Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Transportation to
 
 
establish a one-stop paratransit pilot program to develop or expand paratransit programs carried out pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA) to prevent long wait times between multiple trips that unduly limit an individual's ability to complete essential tasks;
 
issue regulations enforcing guidelines that set forth minimum standards for pedestrian facilities in the public right-of-way, including shared use paths;
 
implement procedures that allow an individual to submit an ADA complaint by phone, by mail-in form, and online;
 
 require each public transit provider and contractor providing paratransit services to post certain information for how an individual can file a disability-related complaint;
 
file yearly reports of accessibility complaints; and
 
create an accessibility data pilot program to assist states and metropolitan or rural planning organizations to improve their transportation planning.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-06-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Debt Bondage Repair Act

Bill: 117-s-2040
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2021-06-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Consumer credit
Crime victims
Human trafficking
Sex offenses
Smuggling and trafficking

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-14
text: 

Debt Bondage Repair Act 

 
This bill prohibits a consumer reporting agency from reporting adverse credit information about a consumer that is the result of severe human trafficking or sex trafficking. A court of competent jurisdiction or a federal or state government entity must determine that the consumer is a victim of trafficking. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-06-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2021-06-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Department of Veterans Affairs Provider Accountability Act

Bill: 117-s-2041
Sponsor: Sen. Manchin, Joe, III [D-WV]
Introduced: 2021-06-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Administrative remedies
Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Employee hiring
Employee performance
Employment and training programs
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government studies and investigations
Health care quality
Health facilities and institutions
Health personnel
Licensing and registrations
Medical ethics
Personnel records
Prescription drugs
Public contracts and procurement
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2021-06-14
text: 

Department of Veterans Affairs Provider Accountability Act

 
This bill prescribes oversight requirements for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regarding health care professionals at VA medical centers.
 
Specifically, the bill requires the VA to ensure each VA medical center consistently compiles, verifies, and reviews specified documentation for each VA health care professional (including contractors).
 
The VA shall ensure that specified health care professionals hold an active Drug Enforcement Administration registration. 
 
Each VA medical center must implement (1) monitoring of the performance and quality of the health care delivered by each health care professional at the center, and (2) reviews of such care if an individual notifies the VA of any potential concerns relating to a failure to meet generally accepted standards of clinical practice.
 
The bill imposes notification requirements in situations where the VA substantiates a concern relating to the clinical competency of, or quality of care delivered by, a current or former VA health care professional. 
 
The VA is prohibited from entering into a settlement agreement relating to an adverse action against a VA health care professional if such agreement includes terms that require the VA to conceal certain information from the employee's personnel file. Such prohibition does not apply to adverse actions determined to be prohibited personnel practices.
 
The VA must provide mandatory training, at least annually, to employees who are responsible for specified tasks (e.g., those who are responsible for compiling, validating, or reviewing the credentials of VA health care professionals).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2021-06-23
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 117-231.
action_date: 2021-06-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-06-14
text: Introduced in Senate