hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Protecting Benefits for Disabled Veterans Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-4732
Sponsor: Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43]
Introduced: 2021-07-27 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-27
text: 

Protecting Benefits for Disabled Veterans Act of 2021

 
This bill provides statutory authority for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to assign, for purposes of the disability compensation program, a disability rating of total to a veteran who meets certain parameters and is unable to secure or maintain substantially gainful employment due to a service-connected disability.
 
Specifically, the VA may make such a disability determination if a veteran has a service-connected disability rated at least 60%, or has two or more service-connected disabilities with one being at least 40% and a combined total of at least 70%. The VA may also make a determination on the disability rating in circumstances where a veteran meeting the specified parameters maintains marginal employment (income is less than the poverty threshold), or if the veteran maintains substantially gainful employment (exceeds the poverty threshold) and the VA determines that the rating is appropriate.
 
The bill prescribes what disabilities may be considered as one disability (e.g., disabilities incurred or aggravated as a prisoner of war).
 
The VA may not consider the age of a veteran or eligibility for retirement benefits when making any determination related to disability rating.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-09
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
action_date: 2021-07-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-07-27
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-27
text: Introduced in House
Tribal Tourism Sovereignty Act

Bill: 117-hr-4733
Sponsor: Rep. Young, Don [R-AK-At Large]
Introduced: 2021-07-27 in the House
Policy area: Native Americans

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-27
text: 

Tribal Tourism Sovereignty Act

 
 This bill allows covered passenger vessels (e.g., foreign-flagged cruise ships) to comply with the foreign-stop requirement by calling on ports or places owned by an Indian tribe. Under current law, these vessels may not transport passengers from one U.S. port to another without stopping in a foreign country.
 
The bill allows a voyage transporting passengers to call on a port owned by an Indian tribe if the voyage (1) is made by a covered passenger vessel that complies with security and safety requirements and certain training for crew members, and (2) employs alien crew members with valid nonimmigrant work visas. A vessel performing such a voyage must receive permission from the tribe to dock at a port or place owned by the tribe and disembark passengers on tribal lands.
 
In addition, the bill outlines tribal powers and privileges, including that the tribe shall have the authority to levy and collect fees from port calls.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation.
action_date: 2021-07-27
text: Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.
action_date: 2021-07-27
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-27
text: Introduced in House
American Science First Act

Bill: 117-hr-4734
Sponsor: Rep. Allen, Rick W. [R-GA-12]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Asia
China
Foreign and international corporations
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Research administration and funding

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 

American Science First Act

 
This bill prohibits the National Science Foundation from providing grants or other forms of assistance to any individual or entity that is affiliated or otherwise has a relationship, including but not limited to a research partnership, joint venture, or contract with
 
 
an entity included on the entity list under the Export Administration Regulations, which identifies foreign entities subject to license requirements for the export, reexport, or transfer of certain items;
 
a Chinese military company operating in the United States or any of its territories or possessions on the list required under the Strom Thurmond National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 1999, or required under the Mac Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021, or any successor list; or
 
any parent, subsidiary, affiliate of, or entity owned by or controlled by any such entity.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Research and Technology.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
Provider Relief Fund Deadline Extension Act

Bill: 117-hr-4735
Sponsor: Rep. Axne, Cynthia [D-IA-3]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Government information and archives
Health programs administration and funding
Infectious and parasitic diseases

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 

Provider Relief Fund Deadline Extension Act

 
This bill extends the period during which health care providers may use payments received from the Provider Relief Fund to cover a variety of costs related to COVID-19.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
Improving Access for Afghan Refugees Act

Bill: 117-hr-4736
Sponsor: Rep. Speier, Jackie [D-CA-14]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Afghanistan
Asia
Conflicts and wars
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Human rights
Immigration status and procedures
Lawyers and legal services
News media and reporting
Protest and dissent
Racial and ethnic relations
Refugees, asylum, displaced persons
Religion
Women's rights

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 

Improving Access for Afghan Refugees Act

 
This bill requires the Department of State to provide priority refugee status to eligible habitual residents of Afghanistan.
 
To be eligible for such priority status, a habitual resident of Afghanistan must also be a national of Afghanistan or stateless. Such an individual shall receive priority refugee status if the individual (1) has suffered persecution or has a well-founded fear of persecution and worked in a specified field that makes the individual a target of persecution on account of race, religion, or other characteristics; (2) was employed for at least one year in Afghanistan by U.S.-based media or nongovernmental entities or an entity that received a contract or grant from the U.S. government; or (3) is the beneficiary of a visa petition sponsored by a relative who is a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. 
 
The State Department may also provide priority status to other groups of individuals who are nationals and residents of Afghanistan. 
 
Certain annual numerical limits on refugee admissions shall not apply to individuals who receive priority status under this bill. 
 
For refugee applications under this bill, the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security shall ensure that all steps in the approval process in the U.S. government's control are completed within six months of an application's submission, with exceptions for cases that need more time to address national security concerns.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4146)
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
Foreign Extortion Prevention Act

Bill: 117-hr-4737
Sponsor: Rep. Jackson Lee, Sheila [D-TX-18]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 

Foreign Extortion Prevention Act

 
This bill establishes a federal criminal offense involving bribery by foreign officials. 
 
Specifically, the bill makes it a crime for foreign officials to demand or accept anything of value personally or for another person or a nongovernmental entity to influence the performance of an official act or otherwise confer an improper advantage.
 
The bill explicitly grants extraterritorial jurisdiction over the offense. 
 
A violation is subject to criminal penalties&#8212;a fine, a prison term of up to 15 years, or both. 
 
Finally, the bill establishes a Victims of Kleptocracy Fund in the Treasury and directs fines and penalties for violations to be deposited into the fund for anti-corruption initiatives. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
NEPA Data Transparency and Accountability Act

Bill: 117-hr-4739
Sponsor: Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-4]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 

NEPA Data Transparency and Accountability Act

 
This bill requires federal agencies to annually report on their environmental review activities under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA).
 
The agencies must also include the cost of their NEPA activities in the annual reports after the Council on Environmental Quality and the Office of Management and Budget have developed a methodology to assess the comprehensive costs of the NEPA process.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
NEPA Agency Process Accountability Act

Bill: 117-hr-4740
Sponsor: Rep. Gosar, Paul A. [R-AZ-4]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the House
Policy area: Environmental Protection

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 

NEPA Agency Process Accountability Act

 
This bill revises the environmental review process required under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA), including by limiting the number of assessment documents required for proposed major federal actions, requiring agencies to reuse certain research or documents in the NEPA process, and allowing agencies to adopt environmental documents prepared by states or third parties as specified under the bill.
 
In addition, the bill requires agencies to only consider alternatives to proposed major federal actions that are technically and economically feasible. Agencies must track and report on specified NEPA data, such as the comprehensive costs of the NEPA process.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
Duplication Scoring Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-4742
Sponsor: Rep. Bourdeaux, Carolyn [D-GA-7]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government Accountability Office (GAO)
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Legislative rules and procedure

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 

Duplication Scoring Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Government Accountability Office to analyze legislation reported by a congressional committee and report on whether the legislation would create a risk of a new duplicative or overlapping program, office, or initiative in an area previously identified as an area of duplication, overlap, or fragmentation.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Budget, and Rules, 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: 2021-07-28
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Budget, and Rules, 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: 2021-07-28
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Reform, and in addition to the Committees on the Budget, and Rules, 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: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
Community-Based Gang Intervention Act

Bill: 117-hr-4743
Sponsor: Rep. Cárdenas, Tony [D-CA-29]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 

Community-Based Gang Intervention Act 
 
This bill extends federal support for juvenile justice and delinquency prevention efforts to programs and activities involving community-based gang intervention. 
First, the bill authorizes community-based gang intervention grants for nonprofit community-based organizations to reduce and stop gang-related and gang-motivated violence and crime. 
Second, the bill modifies the qualifications of representatives of state advisory groups to specify that (1) a representative of a public agency includes an individual from a public agency concerned with community-based gang intervention, and (2) a representative of a nonprofit organization includes a person with a special focus on community-based gang intervention. 
Third, the bill adds, as a purpose area under the Incentive Youth Promise Grants for Local Delinquency Prevention Programs, providing community-based gang intervention and gang prevention activities to juveniles and their families.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
Eliminating Debtor’s Prison for Kids Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-4744
Sponsor: Rep. Cárdenas, Tony [D-CA-29]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the House
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Adoption and foster care
Child health
Congressional oversight
Correctional facilities and imprisonment
Crime and Law Enforcement
Criminal justice information and records
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Detention of persons
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Elementary and secondary education
Homelessness and emergency shelter
Judicial procedure and administration
Juvenile crime and gang violence
Law enforcement administration and funding
Legal fees and court costs
Mental health
State and local finance
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 

Eliminating Debtor's Prison for Kids Act of 2021

 
This bill directs the Department of Justice to make grants for states to provide mental and behavioral health services to at-risk youth, including juveniles in secure detention facilities or secure correctional facilities in the state.
 
A state that receives a grant must (1) prohibit certain fees from being imposed on juvenile offenders or their parents or guardians; and (2) report, for inclusion in a national report, certain information about fines and fees imposed on adults and juveniles in the criminal justice system.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-11-01
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
Grace Hopper Code for Us Act

Bill: 117-hr-4745
Sponsor: Rep. Cartwright, Matt [D-PA-8]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the House
Policy area: Education

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 

Grace Hopper Code for Us Act

 
This bill establishes a program through which the Department of Education must award grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) to develop and implement courses of instruction related to critical legacy computer languages (e.g., COBOL, Assembly, and PL/I).
 
In addition, the Government Accountability Office must report on the critical legacy computer languages that (1) are used by the federal government, and (2) are not commonly taught in a course at an IHE.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
Right to Timely Rehearings at FERC Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-4746
Sponsor: Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the House
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 

Right to Timely Rehearings at FERC Act of 2021

 
This bill revises the rehearing process for petitioners aggrieved by an order issued by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) with respect to licensing for projects under the Federal Power Act. Specifically, the bill revises the process to speed up the time line for FERC to respond to requests for rehearing orders.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR H4093-4094)
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
Open Translation and Analysis Center Authorization Act

Bill: 117-hr-4747
Sponsor: Rep. Castro, Joaquin [D-TX-20]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the House
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 

Open Translation and Analysis Center Authorization Act

 
This bill establishes the Open Translation and Analysis Center as a federally funded research and development center sponsored by the Department of State.
 
The center must disseminate translations and analysis of foreign language materials from China and other countries of strategic interest, with a particular focus on government materials (e.g., documents, reports, and speeches of political and military leadership).
 
To carry out its activities, the center must (1) select appropriate materials for translation and analysis; (2) train analysts and linguists; (3) use technologies to expedite translations; and (4) otherwise coordinate its work with federal agencies, foreign allies, and others. Specifically, the center must cooperate and consult with relevant federal agencies and stakeholders, including grantees of the United States Agency for Global Media and research organizations. The center may consult with foreign governments if the State Department certifies that the consultation serves U.S. national interests.
 
Additionally, the center must maintain a publicly available website of all translations and analyses that are not subject to copyright or intellectual property protections. Materials subject to those protections must be made available at no cost on a private website to federal employees and contractors and members of Congress and their staff.
 
The bill designates the State Department as the primary sponsor of the center. However, the State Department may enter into sponsorship agreements with other federal agencies, such as the Central Intelligence Agency.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-08-04
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, Central Asia and Nonproliferation.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
HEALTH Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-4748
Sponsor: Rep. Cawthorn, Madison [R-NC-11]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Department of Health and Human Services
Health care coverage and access
Health information and medical records
Health technology, devices, supplies
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
Right of privacy
Sound recording

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 

Helping Every American Link To Healthcare Act of 2021 or the HEALTH Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to continue allowing providers to use certain communication products when furnishing telehealth services after the COVID-19 emergency ends.
 
Generally, providers must use communication products that comply with applicable federal privacy and security standards; however, HHS issued a notification stating that it would not enforce penalties against providers who, in good faith, use noncompliant communication products during the COVID-19 emergency.
 
The bill requires HHS to revise applicable privacy and security regulations to allow providers to use noncompliant products for seven years after the COVID-19 emergency ends. HHS may elect to extend this period following a review of telehealth services furnished over those seven years.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
Don’t Knock on My Door Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-4749
Sponsor: Rep. Cawthorn, Madison [R-NC-11]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 

Don't Knock on My Door Act of 2021

 
This bill prohibits the use of federal funds for door-to-door outreach activities related to COVID-19 vaccines.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
Performing Artist Tax Parity Act of 2021

Bill: 117-hr-4750
Sponsor: Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-27]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the House
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 

Performing Artist Tax Parity Act of 2021

 
This bill modifies the tax deduction for the expenses of performing artists (including commissions paid to managers or agents) to provide for a phaseout of such deduction for taxpayers whose adjusted gross income exceeds $100,000 ($200,000 for joint return filers). The $100,000 phaseout threshold is adjusted for inflation annually for taxable years beginning after 2021. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in House