hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Continued Support for Afghan Allies Act

Bill: 117-hr-6198
Sponsor: Rep. Slotkin, Elissa [D-MI-8]
Introduced: 2021-12-08 in the House
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-08
text: 

Continued Support for Afghan Allies Act

 
This bill requires the Department of State to take various actions to support special immigrant visa and refugee applicants from Afghanistan.
 
Specifically, the State Department must take certain actions, such as (1) prioritize, in the evacuation of Afghanistan, bona fide special immigrant applicants and referrals to the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program; (2) provide letters of support and other related documents to ease the transit of such individuals; (3) engage with the governments of relevant countries to better facilitate the evacuation; and (4) further surge capacity to reduce application processing times for such individuals.
 
Furthermore, the State Department must report to Congress a strategy for safely processing such applicants from Afghanistan and a plan for carrying out the actions required by this bill. The State Department must also periodically report to Congress on the progress in implementing the strategy and processing the applicants. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
action_date: 2021-12-08
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-12-08
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-12-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-12-08
text: Introduced in House
Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park Boundary Revision Act

Bill: 117-hr-6199
Sponsor: Rep. Smith, Jason [R-MO-8]
Introduced: 2021-12-08 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Geography and mapping
Government studies and investigations
Historic sites and heritage areas
Land transfers
Missouri
Parks, recreation areas, trails

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-08
text: 

Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park Boundary Revision Act

 
This bill revises the boundary of the Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park in Missouri. 
 
The Department of the Interior may acquire, by donation, the land (including any improvements to the land) owned by the city of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, and used as the visitor center for the park, as generally identified on the revised map of the park. Upon acquisition of such land, Interior shall revise the boundary of the park to include the acquired land.

action_date: 2022-11-16
text: 

Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park Boundary Revision Act

 
This bill revises the boundary of the Ste. Genevieve National Historical Park in Missouri. 
 
The Department of the Interior may acquire, by donation, the land (including any improvements to the land) owned by the city of Ste. Genevieve, Missouri, and used as the visitor center for the park, as generally identified on the revised map of the park. Upon acquisition of such land, Interior shall revise the boundary of the park to include the acquired land.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-11-16
text: Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 420.
action_date: 2022-11-16
text: Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 117-579.
action_date: 2022-11-16
text: Reported by the Committee on Natural Resources. H. Rept. 117-579.
action_date: 2022-02-16
text: Ordered to be Reported by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2022-02-16
text: Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
action_date: 2022-02-16
text: Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands Discharged.
action_date: 2022-02-03
text: Subcommittee Hearings Held.
action_date: 2021-12-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.
action_date: 2021-12-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-12-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-12-08
text: Introduced in House
Freedom’s Way National Heritage Area Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-6200
Sponsor: Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3]
Introduced: 2021-12-08 in the House
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-08
text: 

Freedom's Way National Heritage Area Act of 2021

 
This bill extends through FY2036 the authority of the Department of the Interior to provide financial assistance for the Freedom's Way National Heritage Area in Massachusetts and New Hampshire. 
 
The bill removes the limit on the total amount that may be appropriated for the heritage area. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands.
action_date: 2021-12-08
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-12-08
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-12-08
text: Introduced in House
Telehealth Extension Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-6202
Sponsor: Rep. Doggett, Lloyd [D-TX-35]
Introduced: 2021-12-09 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Accounting and auditing
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health care coverage and access
Health facilities and institutions
Health technology, devices, supplies
Home and outpatient care
Hospital care
Indian social and development programs
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Internet, web applications, social media
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Medicare
Mental health
Minority health
Rural conditions and development

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: 

Telehealth Extension Act of 2021

 
This bill expands and otherwise modifies coverage of telehealth services under Medicare.
 
Specifically, the bill permanently (1) removes geographic restrictions on originating sites (i.e., the location of the beneficiary), (2) allows the home of the beneficiary to serve as the originating site for all services, and (3) allows federally qualified health centers and rural health clinics to serve as the distant site (i.e., the location of the health care practitioner).
 
The bill also extends any Medicare telehealth flexibilities that were granted during the COVID-19 public health emergency until two years after the emergency ends and generally allows such flexibilities to be granted during any public health emergency. 
 
In addition, the bill (1) allows for Medicare payment of outpatient critical access hospital services consisting of telehealth behavioral therapy until two years after the COVID-19 public health emergency ends; and (2) after the emergency ends, conditions payment for certain high-cost laboratory tests and durable medical equipment that are ordered via telehealth on at least one in-person visit during the preceding six-month period.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Introduced in House
Emergency SNAP Staffing Flexibility Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-6203
Sponsor: Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
Introduced: 2021-12-09 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employee hiring
Food assistance and relief
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Labor market
Natural disasters
Public contracts and procurement
State and local government operations
Temporary and part-time employment

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: 

Emergency SNAP Staffing Flexibility Act of 2021

 
This bill authorizes a state agency to hire contractors to administer parts of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) if the state experiences an increase in SNAP applications or an inability to timely process the applications because of workforce shortages, emergencies, or disasters.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-01-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Oversight, and Department Operations.
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Introduced in House
Combating International Islamophobia Act

Bill: 117-hr-6204
Sponsor: Rep. Omar, Ilhan [D-MN-5]
Introduced: 2021-12-09 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Congressional oversight
Crimes against property
Department of State
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Executive agency funding and structure
Federal officials
Government information and archives
Hate crimes
Human rights
Racial and ethnic relations
Religion
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: 

Combating International Islamophobia Act

 
This bill establishes within the Department of State the Office to Monitor and Combat Islamophobia and addresses related issues.
 
The office shall monitor and combat acts of Islamophobia and Islamophobic incitement in foreign countries. The bill establishes the position of Special Envoy for Monitoring and Combating Islamophobia, who shall head the office. 
 
The bill also requires certain existing annual reports to Congress about human rights and religious freedom in foreign countries to include information about Islamophobia, such as information about (1) acts of physical violence or harassment of Muslim people, (2) instances of propaganda in government and nongovernment media that attempt to justify or promote hatred or incite violence against Muslim people, and (3) actions taken by a country's government to respond to such acts. The office shall coordinate and assist in preparing these portions of the reports. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Introduced in House
EDUCATORS for America Act

Bill: 117-hr-6205
Sponsor: Rep. Adams, Alma S. [D-NC-12]
Introduced: 2021-12-09 in the House
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Education of the disadvantaged
Education programs funding
Elementary and secondary education
Government information and archives
Higher education
Indian social and development programs
Minority education
Minority employment
Preschool education
Rural conditions and development
Science and engineering education
Special education
State and local government operations
Student aid and college costs
Teaching, teachers, curricula

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: 

EDUCATORS for America Act

 
This bill provides resources to support the recruitment, retention, and preparation of educators. These resources include, among others, expanding the Teacher Quality Partnership program to include training and professional development opportunities for principals and other school leaders, updating the Augustus F. Hawkins Centers of Excellence program to support underrepresented candidates in educator preparation programs, and revising the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant program to raise the maximum amount for TEACH grants.
 
The bill also directs the Department of Education to carry out a program to provide loan credits to eligible educator borrowers enrolled in income-contingent or income-based repayment plans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E1353)
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Introduced in House
American Tech Workforce Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-6206
Sponsor: Rep. Banks, Jim [R-IN-3]
Introduced: 2021-12-09 in the House
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: 

American Tech Workforce Act of 2021

 
This bill eliminates the Optional Practical Training Program and modifies requirements for H-1B visas (nonimmigrant workers in specialty occupations and fashion models). (The Optional Practical Training Program provides an eligible F-1 student visa holder temporary employment authorization before or after completion of the student's studies, or both.)
 
Under this bill, the employer must pay an H-1B visa holder the greater of (1) the annual wage paid to a U.S. worker who did identical or similar work in the two years before the employer's H-1B application; or (2) $110,000, with this amount to be adjusted annually for inflation. Currently, the H-1B visa holder must be paid the greater of (1) the employer's actual wage for similarly qualified U.S. workers in the specific position, or (2) the local prevailing wage for the occupational classification. 
 
The bill also removes a requirement for the employer to provide the visa holder with working conditions such that the working conditions of similarly employed workers will not be affected. 
 
The bill imposes limits on assigning H-1B visa holders to third-party work sites, such as limiting the visa validity period to one year if the visa holder performs any part of their assignment at a third-party work site. 
 
The bill requires the H-1B applications with the highest listed compensation to be granted before those with lower listed compensation. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Introduced in House
Humane Cosmetics Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-6207
Sponsor: Rep. Beyer, Donald S., Jr. [D-VA-8]
Introduced: 2021-12-09 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Animal protection and human-animal relationships
Business records
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Consumer affairs
Cosmetics and personal care
Drug safety, medical device, and laboratory regulation
Federal preemption
Government information and archives
Marketing and advertising
Product development and innovation
Product safety and quality
Research administration and funding
Retail and wholesale trades
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: 

Humane Cosmetics Act of 2021

 
This bill generally prohibits animal testing in the evaluation of cosmetic products, and it prohibits the sale or transport of cosmetics developed using animal testing, subject to civil penalties. These prohibitions begin one year after enactment.
 
The bill specifies exceptions to these prohibitions, including if such animal testing (1) is conducted outside the United States to comply with a foreign regulatory authority; (2) is pursuant to a specified finding that there are no nonanimal alternatives to test the safety of a potentially dangerous cosmetic product or ingredient; (3) is of a product or ingredient for a drug or device subject to regulation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA); or (4) is required for a noncosmetic purpose pursuant to a state, federal, or foreign regulatory authority.
 
Further, no animal-testing evidence may be used to establish the safety of a cosmetic product or ingredient that is regulated by the FDA after the effective date of this bill, subject to limited exceptions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Introduced in House
VET CARE Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-6208
Sponsor: Rep. Bilirakis, Gus M. [R-FL-12]
Introduced: 2021-12-09 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: 

Veterans Early Treatment for Chronic Ailment Resurgence through Examinations Act of 2021 or the VET CARE Act of 2021

 
This bill addresses dental care programs for veterans. Specifically, the bill authorizes the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish administrative support to a dental care provider that provides services to a veteran that would not be covered by VA benefits.
 
The bill also requires the VA to implement a pilot program to provide free outpatient dental services and treatment, and related dental appliances, to eligible veterans. Eligible veterans are those who are (1) enrolled in the VA health care system but are not eligible for VA dental care, (2) not receiving regular periodontal care, (3) between 40 and 70 years old, and (4) diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-01-06
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Introduced in House
Military Justice Reporting Improvement Act

Bill: 117-hr-6209
Sponsor: Rep. Brown, Anthony G. [D-MD-4]
Introduced: 2021-12-09 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Government information and archives
Military law
Sex offenses

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: 

Military Justice Reporting Improvement Act

 
This bill requires each military department to submit to the Department of Defense (DOD) a report on racial, ethnic, and sex demographics in the military justice system during the preceding year. There must be separate reports for the Navy and Marine Corps as well as for the Air Force and Space Force.
 
DOD must forward such reports to Congress.
 
DOD must prescribe a policy requiring information on the race and ethnicity of accused individuals to be included to the maximum extent practicable in the annual report regarding sexual assaults involving members of the Armed Forces. Such information must be made publicly available, but information may be excluded based on privacy concerns, impacts on accountability efforts, or other matters of importance.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Introduced in House
Oversight of Independent Review Commission Recommendations Act

Bill: 117-hr-6210
Sponsor: Rep. Brown, Anthony G. [D-MD-4]
Introduced: 2021-12-09 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Congressional oversight
Crime prevention
Crime victims
Military law
Military personnel and dependents
Sex offenses

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: 

Oversight of Independent Review Commission Recommendations Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Defense to report on the status of the implementation of specified recommendations set forth in the July 2, 2021, report by the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military titled
 Hard Truths and the Duty to Change: Recommendations from the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military
.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Introduced in House
Strengthening Relations in Military Communities Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-6211
Sponsor: Rep. Brown, Anthony G. [D-MD-4]
Introduced: 2021-12-09 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Housing supply and affordability
Military facilities and property
Military personnel and dependents
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: 

Strengthening Relations in Military Communities Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity within the Department of Defense (DOD) to survey members of the Armed Forces and their family members who live in covered communities regarding relations between such individuals and their communities. Under the bill, 
covered community
 means a military installation and the area within 10 miles of the installation. DOD must report on the survey results every other year.
 
The bill requires DOD to designate 10 geographically diverse military installations for review in each survey and make the results of the survey reports publicly available on a DOD website.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Introduced in House
Taiwan Preclearance Act

Bill: 117-hr-6212
Sponsor: Rep. Cammack, Kat [R-FL-3]
Introduced: 2021-12-09 in the House
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: 

Taiwan Preclearance Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to report to Congress on various issues, including (1) a plan for establishing a U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance facility in the Indo-Pacific region; (2) an analysis of the feasibility and advisability of establishing a preclearance facility in Taiwan; and (3) an assessment of the impact that a preclearance facility will have on trade, tourism, and the security partnership between Taiwan and the United States. 
 
(Preclearance facilities are stations in designated foreign airports that inspect travelers prior to boarding U.S.-bound flights.) 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-10
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security, Facilitation, and Operations.
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Referred to the Committee on Homeland Security, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Introduced in House
Fire Sale Loophole Closing Act

Bill: 117-hr-6213
Sponsor: Rep. Cicilline, David N. [D-RI-1]
Introduced: 2021-12-09 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: 

Fire Sale Loophole Closing Act

 
This bill imposes restrictions on the transfer of business inventory firearms by a firearms importer, manufacturer, or dealer whose license is revoked or denied. 
 
An individual who violates the restrictions is subject to criminal penalties&#8212;a fine, prison term of up to one year (or five years if the violation was willful), or both. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-12-09
text: Introduced in House