hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Do No Harm Act

Bill: 117-s-2752
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-09-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Civil Rights and Liberties, Minority Issues
Subjects: Crimes against women
Disability and health-based discrimination
Employee leave
Employment discrimination and employee rights
First Amendment rights
Health care coverage and access
Housing discrimination
Labor-management relations
Religion
Sex, gender, sexual orientation discrimination
Wages and earnings
Youth employment and child labor

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-15
text: 

Do No Harm Act

 
This bill prohibits the application of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA) to specified federal laws or the implementation of such laws. Currently, RFRA prohibits the government from substantially burdening a person's exercise of religion even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, except in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest when using the least restrictive means.
 
Under the bill, RFRA is inapplicable to laws or the implementation of laws that
 
 
protect against discrimination or the promotion of equal opportunity (e.g., the Civil Rights Act of 1964); 
 
require employers to provide wages, other compensation, or benefits, including leave; 
 
protect collective activity in the workplace; 
 
protect against child labor, abuse, or exploitation; or 
 
provide for access to, information about, referrals for, provision of, or coverage for, any health care item or service. 
 
 
The bill prevents RFRA from being used to deny (1) goods or services the government has contracted, granted, or made an agreement to provide to a beneficiary of or participant in a program or activity funded by such government contract, grant, agreement, or other award; or (2) a person's full and equal enjoyment of a government-provided good, service, benefit, facility, privilege, advantage, or accommodation.
 
In order for a person to assert a RFRA claim or defense in a judicial proceeding, the government must be a party to the proceeding.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-09-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting Children of Long-term Visa Holders Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2753
Sponsor: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Introduced: 2021-09-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-15
text: 

America's Children Act or the Protecting Children of Long-term Visa Holders Act of 2021

 
This bill provides lawful permanent resident status to certain college graduates who entered the United States as children and addresses other immigration-related issues.
 
Specifically, this bill allows an alien to apply for lawful permanent resident status if the alien (1) was lawfully admitted into the United States as a dependent child of an alien on a temporary worker visa, (2) was in the United States with such status for at least four years, (3) has graduated from an institution of higher education in the United States, and (4) is not deportable or otherwise inadmissible. In addition, the alien must have been lawfully present in the United States for at least 10 years at the time of the application.
 
The bill also modifies various provisions related to the calculation of an alien's age for immigration purposes and the priority date of certain immigration-related applications. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6527)
action_date: 2021-09-15
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide funding for the deployment of Next Generation 9-1-1, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-s-2754
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2021-09-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-15
text: 
This bill provides funding that is available until September 30, 2030, for grants and other activities to support next generation 9-1-1 systems (i.e., interoperable, secure, Internet Protocol-based systems for receiving 9-1-1 requests for emergency assistance).
 
The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) must award grants to state, tribal, and territorial organizations (or entities established by one or more of those organizations) for implementing next generation 9-1-1 systems. The Inspector General of the Department of Commerce must conduct oversight related to the grants.
 
The bill also establishes (1) a center to coordinate with state, local, and regional governments about cybersecurity threats to next generation 9-1-1 systems and strategies to detect and prevent such threats; and (2) an advisory board to provide the NTIA with recommendations about next generation 9-1-1 activities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2021-09-15
text: Introduced in Senate
College Completion Fund Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2755
Sponsor: Sen. Heinrich, Martin [D-NM]
Introduced: 2021-09-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Education

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-15
text: 

College Completion Fund Act of 2021

 
This bill establishes a grant program for participating public institutions of higher education to provide student support services to increase participation, retention, and completion rates of students from low-income backgrounds, historically underrepresented students, first-generation college enrollees, parenting students, students with disabilities, and student veterans.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-09-15
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to posthumously award a Congressional Gold Medal, in commemoration of the service members who perished as a result of the attack in Afghanistan on August 26, 2021, during the evacuation of citizens of the United States and Afghan allies at Hamid Karzai International Airport, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-s-2756
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced: 2021-09-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Afghanistan
Asia
Conflicts and wars
Congressional tributes
Emergency planning and evacuation
International Affairs
Military operations and strategy
Military personnel and dependents
Museums, exhibitions, cultural centers
Smithsonian Institution
Terrorism

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-15
text: 
This bill posthumously provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal in commemoration of the 13 service members who died on August 26, 2021, while stationed at Hamid Karzai International Airport in Afghanistan. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2021-09-15
text: Introduced in Senate
SNAP Tribal Food Sovereignty Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2757
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Introduced: 2021-09-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: 

SNAP Tribal Food Sovereignty Act of 2021

 
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to enter into self-determination contracts upon the request of Indian tribes and tribal organizations to carry out the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Indian Affairs.
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Stock Buyback Accountability Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2758
Sponsor: Sen. Brown, Sherrod [D-OH]
Introduced: 2021-09-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: 

Stock Buyback Accountability Act of 2021

 
This bill imposes a 2% excise tax on the value of any stock of certain publicly-traded domestic and foreign corporations repurchased (i.e., redeemed) by such corporations. The bill allows exemptions from the tax for repurchases that are part of a reorganization, for repurchased stock that is contributed to an employer-sponsored retirement plan or employee stock ownership plan, for repurchased stock whose value does not exceed $1 million, and for repurchases treated as dividends.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Restore Honor to Service Members Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2759
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2021-09-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: 

Restore Honor to Service Members Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to conduct outreach to build awareness among former members of the Armed Forces of the process established for the review of discharge characterizations related to sexual orientation (i.e., on the basis of Don't Ask, Don't Tell or a similar policy). DOD must also provide for specified relief for former members of the Armed Forces who were impacted by the discharge characterizations and ensure that DOD oral historians review related facts and receive testimony from affected individuals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: Introduced in Senate
End Government Shutdowns Act

Bill: 117-s-2760
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2021-09-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Economics and Public Finance
Subjects: Appropriations
Executive agency funding and structure
Legislative rules and procedure

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: 

End Government Shutdowns Act 

 
This bill provides continuing appropriations to prevent a government shutdown if any appropriations measure for a fiscal year has not been enacted before the fiscal year begins or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations is not in effect. 
 
For an initial 120-day period, the bill provides appropriations to continue programs, projects, and activities for which funds were provided in the preceding fiscal year. The bill reduces the continuing appropriations by 1% after the first 120-day period and by an additional 1% for each subsequent 90-day period until the applicable appropriations legislation is enacted. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Every Veteran Counts Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2761
Sponsor: Sen. Hirono, Mazie K. [D-HI]
Introduced: 2021-09-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Census and government statistics
Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Government information and archives
Performance measurement
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' medical care
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: 

Every Veteran Counts Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and maintain a database of specified demographics (e.g., age) of veterans. The data must be in a machine-readable format and anonymized to protect sensitive personal information.
 
The VA must provide access to the database on a publicly accessible website that is updated at least once a year.
 
Additionally, the VA must report on the progress, challenges, performance, and opportunities of implementing its data strategy. The report must be made available on the VA's open data website in a machine-readable format.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-12-15
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2021-11-17
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Pediatric Access to Critical Health Care Act

Bill: 117-s-2762
Sponsor: Sen. Padilla, Alex [D-CA]
Introduced: 2021-09-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: 

Pediatric Access to Critical Health Care Act

 
This bill requires the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to award grants to children's hospitals and other providers that predominately treat individuals under 21 for improving pediatric health care infrastructure. In awarding the grants, HRSA must prioritize recipients that serve significant numbers of patients receiving medical assistance through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program or children from other underserved groups.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Preserving the Mo­tor­Cities Heritage Act

Bill: 117-s-2763
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2021-09-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Historic sites and heritage areas
Industrial facilities
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Manufacturing
Michigan
Motor vehicles

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: 

Preserving the MotorCities Heritage Act

 
This bill extends through FY2036 the authority of the Department of the Interior to make grants or furnish technical assistance for the MotorCities National Heritage Area in Michigan. 
 
The bill also increases the maximum amount of funding that may be appropriated for the heritage area. 
 
Finally, the bill waives, for FY2022-FY2023, the matching funds requirement for the heritage area.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-06
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: Introduced in Senate
New Parents Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2764
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2021-09-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Aging
Child care and development
Employee benefits and pensions
Employee leave
Family relationships
Government trust funds
Social security and elderly assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: 

New Parents Act of 2021

 
This bill allows parents to use a portion of their Social Security benefits for up to three months of paid parental leave after the birth or adoption of a child. To receive the parental leave benefit, parents must choose to either increase their retirement age or temporarily receive a reduction in Social Security benefits upon retirement, as specified.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: Introduced in Senate
No Budget, No Pay Act

Bill: 117-s-2765
Sponsor: Sen. Braun, Mike [R-IN]
Introduced: 2021-09-20 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Appropriations
Budget process
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Legislative rules and procedure
Members of Congress

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: 

No Budget, No Pay Act

 
This bill prohibits Members of Congress from being paid in a fiscal year until both chambers approve the budget resolution and pass all regular appropriations bills for that fiscal year. Retroactive pay is prohibited for such a period.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 126.
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2021-09-20
text: Introduced in Senate
Offshore Wind American Manufacturing Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2766
Sponsor: Sen. Markey, Edward J. [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-09-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: 

Off

shore Wind American Manufacturing Act of 2021

 
This bill provides tax credits for investment in manufacturing facilities that produce offshore wind turbine components.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Enhanced Protection from Unmanned Aircraft Attacks Act

Bill: 117-s-2767
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2021-09-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Aviation and airports
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Military facilities and property
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Nuclear power
Nuclear weapons
Public contracts and procurement
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: 

Enhanced Protection from Unmanned Aircraft Attacks Act 

 
This bill allows the Departments of Defense, Homeland Security, Justice, and Energy to contract with other entities in order to protect U.S. facilities and assets from unmanned aircraft. The Federal Acquisition Regulation must be updated accordingly within 180 days of the date of enactment of the bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Disaster Reforestation Act

Bill: 117-s-2768
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced: 2021-09-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: 

Disaster Reforestation Act

 
This bill sets forth a special rule for the tax deduction for casualty losses of uncut timber (including pre-merchantable timber). It provides that in losses of any uncut timber from fire, storm, wood-destroying insects or invasive species, severe drought, or from theft, the basis for determining the amount of the deduction for such loss shall not be less than the excess of the appraised value of such timber determined immediately before such loss was sustained, over the salvage value of such timber. 
 
To be eligible for the casualty loss deduction, the uncut timber subject to the loss must be reforested not later than the close of the five-year period beginning on the date of the loss.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: Introduced in Senate
HELLPP Act

Bill: 117-s-2769
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2021-09-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Digestive and metabolic diseases
Health care coverage and access
Health personnel
Health technology, devices, supplies
Medicaid
Medicare
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: 

Helping Ensure Life- and Limb-Saving Access to Podiatric Physicians Act or the HELLPP Act

 
This bill adds podiatrists as covered physicians under the Medicaid program. 
 
Additionally, the bill revises certain documentation requirements related to Medicare coverage of therapeutic shoes for individuals with diabetes. 
 
Finally, the bill subjects payments made to a Medicaid provider or supplier to a continuing levy for federal taxes owed by the provider or supplier. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the Secretary of State to designate the Taliban as a foreign terrorist organization.

Bill: 117-s-2770
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced: 2021-09-21 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: 
This bill requires the Department of State to designate the Taliban as a foreign terrorist organization. (Among other things, such a designation allows the Department of the Treasury to require financial institutions to block transactions involving the organization.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Conviction Integrity Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2772
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2021-09-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: 

Conviction Integrity Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Department of Justice to administer grant programs within the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) to encourage the review of possible cases of wrongful conviction and facilitate post-conviction relief.
 
Specifically, the bill directs the BJA to make grants to create state and local conviction integrity units or entities that receive petitions for or review wrongful convictions and wrongful sentences.
 
Additionally, the BJA must make grants to support high-quality post-conviction legal representation for defendants who make post-conviction claims of innocence.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Pride in Patent Ownership Act

Bill: 117-s-2774
Sponsor: Sen. Leahy, Patrick J. [D-VT]
Introduced: 2021-09-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: 

Pride in Patent Ownership Act

 
This bill requires disclosure of certain patent-related information, including information about ownership and funding. 
 
Under the bill, if a foreign or domestic governmental entity provides funding for fees related to a patent application or for paying an attorney (or patent agent) to prosecute the patent application, the application must disclose the amount and source of such funding. 
 
Similarly, if any governmental entity provides funding for paying a patent's maintenance fees or for paying an attorney (or patent agent) to submit such maintenance fees, the patent owner must submit a statement disclosing the amount and source of such funding. 
 
The bill also requires patent owners to record information about the ownership of a patent with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Patent owners must also update this information when certain rights or interests in the patent have been conveyed to another individual or entity. A patent owner may not receive increased monetary damages for infringement of that patent that occurred while the owner was out of compliance with this ownership information recordation requirement. 
 
The USPTO must make this ownership information publicly available. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S6589)
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Financial Compensation for CFPB Whistleblowers Act

Bill: 117-s-2775
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-09-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: 

Financial Compensation for CFPB Whistleblowers Act 

 
This bill requires the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to provide rewards to whistleblowers who report information relating to a violation of consumer financial law resulting in certain monetary sanctions exceeding $1 million. Specifically, the bureau must award compensation to whistleblowers for 10%-30% of the collected penalties. In cases where the bureau collects less than $1 million in penalties, the bureau must award any single whistleblower 10% of the amount collected or $50,000, whichever is greater. The bill also sets forth requirements regarding the legal representation of a whistleblower and provides for confidentiality regarding the whistleblower's identity.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2021-09-21
text: Introduced in Senate