hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Brian Neuman Department of Veterans Affairs Clothing Allowance Improvement Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2513
Sponsor: Sen. Cortez Masto, Catherine [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Department of Veterans Affairs
Disability assistance
Health technology, devices, supplies
Musculoskeletal and skin diseases
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 

Brian Neuman Department of Veterans Affairs Clothing Allowance Improvement Act of 2021

 
This bill modifies the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) clothing allowance policy for veterans who, due to a service-connected disability, wear a prosthetic, use an orthopedic appliance (e.g., a wheelchair), or use a prescription skin medication that the VA determines causes irreparable damage to clothing.
 
The bill requires the VA to continue the clothing allowance for such a veteran on an annual basis until the veteran elects to no longer receive the allowance, or the VA determines the veteran is no longer eligible for the allowance, whichever occurs first.
 
The bill sets forth a procedure by which the VA must conduct reviews of clothing allowance claims to determine the continued eligibility of veterans. Specifically, the VA must conduct a review (1) five years after the date on which a veteran initially receives a clothing allowance and periodically thereafter, and (2) whenever the VA receives notice that the veteran no longer meets eligibility requirements. If a veteran is eligible for a clothing allowance based on a circumstance that is not subject to change, the VA does not need to review whether the veteran has continued eligibility.
 
If the VA determines, as the result of a review of a claim, that a veteran no longer meets the eligibility requirements for a clothing allowance, the VA must provide notice of the determination and discontinue the clothing allowance. The notice must include a description of applicable actions that may be taken following the determination (e.g., filing a notice of disagreement).


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: 2021-07-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5144)
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in Senate
EATS Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2515
Sponsor: Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Food assistance and relief
Higher education
Poverty and welfare assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 

Enhance Access To SNAP Act of 2021 or the EATS Act of 20

21

 
This bill expands eligibility for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to students attending institutions of higher education.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to prohibit the United States International Development Finance Corporation from imposing restrictions on the source of energy used by power-generation projects intended to provide affordable electricity in IDA-eligible countries or IDA-blend countries and to require the Corporation to promote a technology- and fuel-neutral, all-of-the-above energy development strategy for such countries.

Bill: 117-s-2516
Sponsor: Sen. Barrasso, John [R-WY]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Alternative and renewable resources
Coal
Electric power generation and transmission
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Foreign aid and international relief
Government lending and loan guarantees
Oil and gas

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 
This bill prohibits the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation from prohibiting or restricting the source of energy used by a power-generation project that has as its purpose the provision of affordable electricity in certain countries. Such countries are those that are eligible for support either solely from the International Development Association (IDA) or jointly from the IDA and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development.
 
Further, the corporation (1) may not reject a power-generation project in such a country based on the source of energy used by the project; and (2) must promote a technology- and fuel-neutral energy development strategy for such countries that includes the use of oil, natural gas, coal, hydroelectric, wind, solar, and geothermal power and other sources of energy.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Defense of Environment and Property Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2517
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 

Defense of Environment and Property Act of 2021

 
This bill revises the scope, jurisdiction, and requirements of the Clean Water Act.
 
It specifies the types of water bodies that are navigable waters and therefore receive protection. It defines 
navigable waters
 as waters of the United States that are (1) navigable-in-fact; or (2) permanent, standing, or continuously flowing bodies of water that form geographical features commonly known as streams, oceans, rivers, and lakes that are connected to waters that are navigable-in-fact.
 
The bill limits the jurisdiction of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) over such waters, including by stating that ground water is under the jurisdiction of states. The bill prohibits the EPA from using a significant nexus test to determine federal jurisdiction over navigable waters and waters of the United States. 
 
The bill nullifies the Migratory Bird rule and a 2008 guidance document about the definition of waters under the jurisdiction of the Clean Water Act. The bill prohibits the EPA and the Corps from issuing new rules or guidance that expands or interprets the definition of 
navigable waters
 unless expressly authorized by Congress.
 
Federal agencies must obtain consent from private property owners to collect information about navigable waters on their land. If regulations relating to navigable waters or waters of United States diminish the value of a property, then the federal government must pay the property owner an amount equal to twice the value of the loss.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Military PFAS Testing Disclosure Act

Bill: 117-s-2518
Sponsor: Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Government information and archives
Hazardous wastes and toxic substances
Military facilities and property
National Guard and reserves
Public utilities and utility rates
Water quality
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 

Military PFAS Testing Disclosure Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to publicly disclose the results of any testing for perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, commonly referred to as PFAS, conducted on or at areas surrounding DOD military installations in the United States and National Guard facilities. 
 
DOD must also disclose the expected timing and location of any planned testing for PFAS at the specified sites.
 
DOD may satisfy the disclosure requirements by publishing the information, data sets, and results relating to the testing on a publicly available DOD website or in the Federal Register. 
 
Prior to conducting any testing for PFAS, DOD must provide notice to (1) the managers of the public water system serving the areas located immediately adjacent to the military installation being tested, (2) the municipal government serving the areas located immediately adjacent to the military installation being tested, and (3) all Restoration Advisory Board members for the military installation where the testing is to occur.
 
DOD must test for all PFAS for which a method of measurement in drinking water has been validated by the Environmental Protection Agency.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in Senate
RIP MSP Act

Bill: 117-s-2519
Sponsor: Sen. Johnson, Ron [R-WI]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 

Repeal Insurance Plans of the Multi-State Program Act or the RIP MSP Act

 
 This bill repeals the multi-state insurance plan program. (The multi-state plan program requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to contract with insurance issuers to provide a qualified health plan through the health insurance exchanges in multiple states.) The OPM must report about the process and timeline for ending the program within 60 days.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to treat certain tribal benefits and Alaska Permanent Fund dividends as earned income for purposes of the kiddie tax.

Bill: 117-s-2522
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Disability and paralysis
Federal-Indian relations
Income tax rates
Tax treatment of families

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 
This bill treats certain disability payments and other payments made by Indian tribes or Native Corporations to children as the earned income of such children. This exempts such income from the 
kiddie tax
 which taxes the unearned income of children at the parent's marginal tax rate.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Tribal Economic Development Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2523
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Business investment and capital
Community life and organization
Corporate finance and management
Economic development
Gambling
Government lending and loan guarantees
Housing and community development funding
Indian social and development programs
Securities
State and local taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 

Tribal Economic Development Act of 2021

 
This bill amends provisions relating to tribal economic development (TED) bonds issued to promote community development projects in Alaskan Indian tribal areas. 
 
Specifically, the bill increases the national tribal economic development bond limitation to $4 billion. It also eliminates the requirement that TED bond proceeds be used solely on Indian reservations and permits bond proceeds to be used for economic development by any qualified Native user which includes any tribal entity, Alaska Native Corporation, and entity that is majority-owned and controlled by an Indian tribe or Alaska Native Corporation. The bill also allows third parties to guarantee the repayment of TED bonds.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act to exclude certain payments to aged, blind, or disabled Alaska Natives or descendants of Alaska Natives from being used to determine eligibility or certain programs, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-s-2524
Sponsor: Sen. Murkowski, Lisa [R-AK]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Native Americans
Subjects: Alaska Natives and Hawaiians
Disability assistance
Food assistance and relief
Indian claims
Poverty and welfare assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 
This bill excludes certain settlement trust payments to an Alaska Native or descendant of an Alaska Native who is aged, blind, or disabled for purposes of determining the individual's eligibility for need-based federal programs (e.g., the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). 

action_date: 2022-02-10
text: 
This bill excludes certain settlement trust payments to an Alaska Native or descendant of an Alaska Native who is aged, blind, or disabled for purposes of determining the individual's eligibility for need-based federal programs (e.g., the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program). 

action_date: 2022-12-22
text: 
This bill excludes certain settlement trust payments to an Alaska Native or descendant of an Alaska Native who is aged, blind, or disabled for purposes of determining the individual's eligibility for need-based federal programs (e.g., the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-23
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2022-12-23
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2022-12-23
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2022-12-22
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S10104; text: CR S10104)
action_date: 2022-12-22
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.(consideration: CR S10104; text: CR S10104)
action_date: 2022-02-10
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 271.
action_date: 2022-02-10
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin without amendment. With written report No. 117-72.
action_date: 2022-02-10
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin without amendment. With written report No. 117-72.
action_date: 2021-11-18
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2021-10-19
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Domains Critical to Homeland Security Act

Bill: 117-s-2525
Sponsor: Sen. Portman, Rob [R-OH]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management
Subjects: Economic performance and conditions
Foreign and international corporations
Government studies and investigations
Homeland security
Infrastructure development
Intellectual property
Manufacturing
Research and development
Trade secrets and economic espionage

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 

Domains Critical to Homeland Security Act

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct research and development to identify U.S. critical domains for economic and homeland security and evaluate the extent to which disruption, corruption, exploitation, or dysfunction of any such domain poses a substantial threat to homeland security. The bill defines
 United States critical domains for economic security
 as the critical infrastructure and other associated industries, technologies, and intellectual property, or any combination thereof, that are essential to U.S. economic security. 
 
DHS may conduct additional research into high-risk critical domains under specified circumstances.

action_date: 2022-12-19
text: 

Domains Critical to Homeland Security Act

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to conduct research and development to identify U.S. critical domains for economic and homeland security and evaluate the extent to which disruption, corruption, exploitation, or dysfunction of any such domain poses a substantial threat to homeland security. The bill defines
 United States critical domains for economic security
 as the critical infrastructure and other associated industries, technologies, and intellectual property, or any combination thereof, that are essential to U.S. economic security. 
 
DHS may conduct additional research into high-risk critical domains under specified circumstances.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-12-19
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 671.
action_date: 2022-12-19
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters without amendment. With written report No. 117-272.
action_date: 2022-12-19
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters without amendment. With written report No. 117-272.
action_date: 2021-08-04
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to authorize the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to enter into agreements for the planning, design, and construction of facilities to be operated as shared medical facilities, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-s-2526
Sponsor: Sen. Sullivan, Dan [R-AK]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Appropriations
Building construction
Defense spending
Department of Defense
Department of Veterans Affairs
Executive agency funding and structure
Health facilities and institutions
Military medicine
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 
This bill authorizes the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to enter into agreements for the planning, design, and construction of facilities to be operated as shared medical facilities.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-20
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Disclose Government Censorship Act

Bill: 117-s-2527
Sponsor: Sen. Hagerty, Bill [R-TN]
Introduced: 2021-07-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: 

Disclose Government Censorship Act

 
This bill requires officers and employees of the legislative and executive branches to disclose communications with providers of interactive computer services (e.g., internet service providers) regarding restricting speech.
 
Specifically, executive and legislative branch officers and employees must disclose their communications with a provider or operator of an interactive computer service regarding action to restrict access to material posted by another information content provider. The bill makes exceptions for legitimate law enforcement and national security purposes.
 
The disclosure must be made within seven days of the date on which the communication is made.
 
The bill establishes penalties for violations.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-07-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Journalist Protection Act

Bill: 117-s-2528
Sponsor: Sen. Blumenthal, Richard [D-CT]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Journalist Protection Act

 
This bill establishes new criminal offenses for intentional acts (or attempts to commit acts) that cause bodily injury to a journalist.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in Senate
IGNITE American Innovation Act

Bill: 117-s-2529
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business expenses
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
Corporate finance and management
Disability assistance
Drug therapy
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Health promotion and preventive care
Health technology, devices, supplies
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Medical research
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Prescription drugs
Research and development

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Innovation and Growth Now by Investing in Tomorrow's Enterprises Act or the IGNITE American Innovation Act

 
This bill allows certain C corporation taxpayers to elect an increased advance refund of net operating loss carryovers attributable to COVID-19 research expenditures in 2020 and 2021. The bill also allows such taxpayers an advance refund of certain other net operating loss carryovers arising during 2015 through 2021. 
 
The bill allows an increased research tax credit for COVID-19 research expenditures paid or incurred on or after February 15, 2020, and before January 1, 2022.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Charitable Equity for Veterans Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2530
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Charitable contributions
Income tax deductions
Veterans' organizations and recognition

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Charitable Equity for Veterans Act of 2021

 
This bill expands the deductibility of charitable contributions to all federally-chartered tax-exempt organizations serving current and former members of the Armed Forces.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Fair Drug Prices for Kids Act

Bill: 117-s-2531
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Fair Drug Prices for Kids Act

 
This bill allows states to apply the requirements of the Medicaid Drug Rebate Program to covered outpatient drugs under the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in Senate
Congressional Whistleblower Protection Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2532
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2021-07-29 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: 

Congressional Whistleblower Protection Act of 

2021

 
This bill creates certain administrative and judicial remedies for federal employees whose right to provide information to Congress is interfered with or denied.
 
Under current law, federal employees have the right to petition or furnish information to Congress or to individual Members of Congress, and this right may not be interfered with or denied. The bill explicitly allows employees who are aggrieved by a violation of this right to seek administrative remedies that are currently available to whistleblowers who are fired or experience other forms of retaliation. The bill also establishes a private right of action for aggrieved employees, including the option of a jury trial, if an administrative remedy is not issued within 210 days of a complaint being made.
 
The bill applies to employees and contractors of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches of government, including members of the intelligence community. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. (text: CR S5179-5180; Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S5179)
action_date: 2021-07-29
text: Introduced in Senate