hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
English Language Unity Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-678
Sponsor: Sen. Inhofe, James M. [R-OK]
Introduced: 2021-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Citizenship and naturalization
Civil actions and liability
Constitution and constitutional amendments
Department of Homeland Security
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Government information and archives
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: 

English Language Unity Act of 2021

 
This bill establishes English as the official language of the United States. It establishes a framework for implementation and enforcement, including by testing English as part of the naturalization process. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Public Housing Emergency Response Act

Bill: 117-s-679
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Housing and Community Development
Subjects: Housing and community development funding
Public housing
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: 

Public Housing Emergency Response Act

 
This bill authorizes additional assistance from the Public Housing Capital Fund to public housing agencies based upon capital need as determined by the agencies' most recent Physical Needs Assessment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-16
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
BEST Act

Bill: 117-s-680
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2021-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Foreign language and bilingual programs
Indian social and development programs
Minority education

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: 

Biliteracy Education Seal and Teaching Act or the BEST Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Education to award renewable two-year grants to states to establish or improve, and carry out, Seal of Biliteracy programs to recognize student proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in both English and a second language.
 
Further, these programs must allow speakers of any official Native American language to use equivalent proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing in such language in lieu of proficiency in English.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
COVID–19 in Immigration Detention Data Transparency Act

Bill: 117-s-681
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Detention of persons
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Government information and archives
Health care coverage and access
Health information and medical records
Health technology, devices, supplies
Hospital care
Immigrant health and welfare
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Lawyers and legal services
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Public contracts and procurement
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Right of privacy
Telephone and wireless communication
Worker safety and health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: 

COVID-19 in Immigration Detention Data Transparency Act

 
This bill requires U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) to collect and report various information about detained individuals, including data on COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) testing.
 
During the COVID-19-related declared public health emergency and for one year after, ICE, CBP, and ORR shall publicly post on a website certain data about its detention facilities, including COVID-19 testing numbers for detained individuals and detention facility staff, COVID-19 case outcomes, vaccinations, and COVID-19-related information about detained individuals who were released or removed from the United States. 
 
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shall issue guidance as to the COVID-19-related data that ICE, CBP, and ORR must collect and report weekly to the CDC. The CDC shall periodically report to Congress a summary of this data and an analysis of the trends and pattern of the spread of the disease.
 
ICE, CPB, and ORR shall ensure that each detained individual receives all medical records related to any COVID-19 test administered to the individual.
 
ICE, CPB, and ORR shall also report to Congress on (1) the COVID-19 safety protocols in its facilities, and (2) information relating to their efforts to ensure that each detained individual has access to legal counsel. 
 
This bill's data collection and reporting requirements that apply to ICE, CPB, and ORR shall also apply to any contract facilities that they use to hold detained individuals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
SAVE LIVES Act

Bill: 117-s-682
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2021-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Disability and paralysis
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Hospital care
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: 

Strengthening and Amplifying Vaccination Efforts to Locally Immunize all Veterans and Every Spouse Act or the SAVE LIVES Act

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish a COVID-19 (i.e., coronavirus disease 2019) vaccine to covered individuals during the COVID-19 public health emergency. 
 
Under the bill, covered individuals are
 
 
veterans who are not eligible to enroll in the VA health care system;
 
specified veterans who are eligible for hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care abroad;
 
beneficiaries who are eligible for care due to a specified disability or death of a veteran;
 
family caregivers of veterans who are participating in the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers;
 
caregivers of veterans participating in the VA's Program of General Caregiver Support Services;
 
caregivers of veterans participating in the VA's Medical Foster Home Program, Bowel and Bladder Program, Home Based Primary Care Program, or Veteran Directed Care Program; and
 
the spouses of veterans.
 
 
The VA must prioritize the vaccination of (1) veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system, (2) veterans who fail to enroll but receive hospital care and medical services for specified disabilities in their first 12 months of separation from service, and (3) caregivers accompanying such prioritized veterans. 
 
Under the bill, the VA is authorized to offer a vaccine to the spouse of a veteran near the same time the veteran receives the vaccine. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Tar Sands Tax Loophole Elimination Act

Bill: 117-s-683
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of the Treasury
Motor fuels
Oil and gas
Pipelines
Sales and excise taxes

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: 

Tar Sands Tax Loophole Elimination Act 

 
This bill expands the definition of 
crude oil
 for purposes of the excise tax on petroleum and petroleum products to include any bitumen or bituminous mixture, any oil derived from a bitumen or bituminous mixture (tar sands), and any oil derived from kerogen-bearing sources (oil shale).
 
The bill also authorizes the Department of the Treasury to classify as crude oil or as a petroleum product subject to such tax any fuel feedstock or finished fuel product transported by pipeline, vessel, railcar, or tanker truck if (1) such classification is consistent with the definition of oil under the Oil Pollution Act of 1990, and (2) such fuel feedstock or finished fuel product is produced in sufficient commercial quantities as to pose a significant risk of hazard in the event of a discharge. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Connecting America’s Active Transportation System Act

Bill: 117-s-684
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Community life and organization
Competitiveness, trade promotion, trade deficits
Congressional oversight
Department of Transportation
Government trust funds
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Pedestrians and bicycling
Poverty and welfare assistance
Public contracts and procurement
Public transit
Racial and ethnic relations
Regional and metropolitan planning
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: 

Connecting America's Active Transportation System Act

 
This bill directs the Department of Transportation (DOT) to carry out an active transportation investment program to provide competitive grants to state, local, and regional government entities, and Indian tribes to construct projects that connect walking and bicycling infrastructure within and between communities, metropolitan regions, or states.
 
The bill sets forth various limitations on the use of funds by DOT, including that it must 
 
 
obligate at least 30% of funds to projects that connect people with public transportation, businesses, workplaces, schools, residences, recreation areas, and other community activity centers;
 
set aside at least $3 million to provide planning grants for eligible entities; and
 
set aside at least $2 million to cover the costs of administration, research, technical assistance, communications, and training activities under the program.
 
 
The federal share of grants must not exceed 80% of the total project cost. However, DOT may increase the federal share to 100% for disadvantaged communities with a poverty rate of over 40%.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
America's Clean Future Fund Act

Bill: 117-s-685
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2021-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Agricultural conservation and pollution
Agricultural practices and innovations
Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Appropriations
Atmospheric science and weather
Buy American requirements
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Coal
Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Ecology
Economic performance and conditions
Employment and training programs
Energy efficiency and conservation
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Environmental regulatory procedures
Executive agency funding and structure
Farmland
Floods and storm protection
Forests, forestry, trees
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Inflation and prices
Land use and conservation
Livestock
Marine and coastal resources, fisheries
Metals
Mining
Minority and disadvantaged businesses
Oil and gas
Poverty and welfare assistance
Public contracts and procurement
Sales and excise taxes
User charges and fees
Water quality
Wetlands

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: 

America's Clean Future Fund Act

 
This bill establishes requirements and incentives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and assist industries, communities, and workers transition to a low-carbon economy, including by establishing (1) the Climate Change Finance Corporation (C2FC); (2) the America's Clean Future Fund; and (3) a carbon fee on the use, sale, or transfer of certain fuels by covered entities.
 
The bill provides appropriations to the C2FC, an independent agency, which must finance clean energy and climate change resiliency activities in order to meet the goal of eliminating greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
 
The bill also provides appropriations for the America's Clean Future Fund. Amounts in the fund may be used for the C2FC, stimulus payments (i.e., tax rebates) to individuals whose gross incomes do not exceed specified thresholds, decarbonization transition payments to the agricultural sector, and grants to help certain communities and workers transition to a low-carbon economy.
 
Revenues generated from the carbon fee must also be deposited into the America's Clean Future Fund. Beginning in 2023, covered entities (e.g., entities that use, sell, or transfer fossil fuels) must pay a carbon fee of $25 per metric ton of carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide equivalent. The fee increases by $10 each year, multiplied by the cost-of-living adjustment. The fees further increase if the entities miss cumulative greenhouse gas emission targets established by the bill. Refund payments may be provided for carbon capture, sequestration, and utilization.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S1461-1469)
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
RETAIN Act

Bill: 117-s-686
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2021-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Elementary and secondary education
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Inflation and prices
State and local government operations
Student aid and college costs
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: 

Retaining Educators Takes Added Investment Now Act or the RETAIN Act

 
This bill allows a refundable tax credit for the employment of early childhood educators, teachers, early childhood education program directors, school leaders, and school-based mental health services providers that is based upon the number of school years for which such individuals have been continuously employed.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance. (text: CR S1469-1471)
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
FORCE Act

Bill: 117-s-689
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2021-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Caribbean area
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Cuba
Latin America
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Sovereignty, recognition, national governance and status
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: 

Fighting Oppression until the Reign of Castro Ends Act or the FORCE Act

 
This bill prohibits removing Cuba from the list of state sponsors of terrorism until the President makes the determination that a transition government in Cuba is in power. Further, the President must submit a report that identifies terrorists and fugitives being provided safe haven in Cuba.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Enhancing North Korea Humanitarian Assistance Act

Bill: 117-s-690
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Asia
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Computers and information technology
Conflicts and wars
Congressional oversight
Customs enforcement
Department of the Treasury
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Foreign aid and international relief
Foreign and international banking
Government information and archives
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Licensing and registrations
Military personnel and dependents
North Korea
Sanctions
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Technology transfer and commercialization
Trade restrictions
Travel and tourism
United Nations
Visas and passports

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: 

Enhancing North Korea Humanitarian Assistance Act

 
This bill addresses humanitarian concerns related to sanctions on North Korea.
 
The Office of Foreign Assets Control shall take one or more specified actions relating to U.S. sanctions on North Korea, such as (1) expanding the current humanitarian exception to such sanctions to include items that meet basic human needs and are not subject to the Export Administration Regulations, or (2) exempting certain nonsensitive items for humanitarian operations from specific licensing requirements.
 
For the purposes of such sanctions, personal computers for authorized humanitarian activities by nongovernmental organizations shall not be considered luxury goods.
 
The Department of State shall direct the U.S. representative to the United Nations (UN) to urge the UN to (1) make it less burdensome for nongovernmental organizations to apply for humanitarian exemptions to UN sanctions on North Korea, and (2) speed up approval for such applications. 
 
The State Department shall devise a strategy to expedite and simplify the process for U.S. passport holders to obtain permission to travel to North Korea to provide humanitarian assistance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Global Trade Accountability Act

Bill: 117-s-691
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2021-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Economic performance and conditions
Government studies and investigations
Legislative rules and procedure
Tariffs
Trade agreements and negotiations
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: 

Global Trade Accountability Act 

 
This bill requires congressional approval of any proposed unilateral trade action that has the effect of increasing trade barriers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-692
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2021-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Military history
Monuments and memorials
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
Smithsonian Institution
Telephone and wireless communication
Veterans' organizations and recognition
Women's employment

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: 

Hello Girls Congressional Gold Medal Act of 2021

 
This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal in honor of the female telephone operators of the Army Signal Corps, commonly known as the
 Hello Girls
, in recognition of their military service, devotion to duty, and 60-year struggle for veterans' benefits and recognition as soldiers.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Renew America’s Schools Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-694
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy
Subjects: Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Building construction
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Educational facilities and institutions
Elementary and secondary education
Energy efficiency and conservation
Energy prices
Environmental education
Environmental health
Government information and archives
Higher education
Hybrid, electric, and advanced technology vehicles
Labor standards
Lighting, heating, cooling
Motor fuels
Motor vehicles
Performance measurement
Public contracts and procurement
Public utilities and utility rates
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: 

Renew America&rsquo;s Schools Act of 2021

 
This bill establishes a program under which the Department of Energy must award grants for energy improvements (e.g., renovations to install energy efficiency or renewable energy technologies, repairs to improve indoor air quality, or purchases of zero-emission vehicles) at public school facilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Safe Routes to All Schools Act

Bill: 117-s-695
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Child safety and welfare
Elementary and secondary education
Pedestrians and bicycling
Roads and highways
Transportation programs funding
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: 

Safe Routes to All Schools Act

 
This bill expands the safe route to school program of the Department of Transportation to high schools. Currently, the program is carried out for the benefit of children in primary and middle schools (schools providing education from kindergarten through eighth grade).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate
Connected Rural Schools Act

Bill: 117-s-696
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-03-10 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Education programs funding
Educational technology and distance education
Elementary and secondary education
Forests, forestry, trees
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Rural conditions and development
State and local finance

Summary:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: 

Connected Rural Schools Act

 
This bill authorizes counties to use funds from the Secure Rural Schools Program to provide or expand access to (1) broadband services at local schools, or (2) technology and connectivity necessary for students to use digital learning tools outside of a local school campus.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-03-10
text: Introduced in Senate