hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Afghanistan War Commission Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2922
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2021-09-30 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2021-09-30
text: 

Afghanistan War Commission Act of 2021

 
This bill establishes the Afghanistan War Commission.
 
The commission must conduct a study of various matters related to the war in Afghanistan, including (1) U.S. actions immediately prior to the attacks on September 11, 2001; (2) U.S. actions during the invasion of Afghanistan; (3) peace negotiations involving the United States, the government of Afghanistan, and the Taliban; and (4) the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan. 
 
The commission must annually report to Congress on the progress of its study. Within four years of the commission's first meeting, it must submit to Congress and the President a final report with its findings, conclusions, and recommendations to address any mistakes in the conduct of the war. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-09-30
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-09-30
text: Introduced in Senate
Vet Center Outreach Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2924
Sponsor: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Introduced: 2021-10-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Community life and organization
Department of Veterans Affairs
Government information and archives
Mental health
Military personnel and dependents
Personnel records
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-04
text: 

Vet Center Outreach Act of 2021

 
This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to take specified actions to provide information on Vet Centers to service members who are transitioning to civilian life. Vet Centers are community-based counseling centers that provide social and psychological services to eligible veterans, active duty service members, and their families. 
 
Specifically, the VA must electronically transmit, within seven days after a service member separates from the Armed Forces, specified personnel information (e.g., contact information) to the Vet Center nearest to where that service member intends to permanently reside after their separation.
 
The VA must ensure that the information is used to contact members and former members of the Armed Forces who are transitioning to civilian life within 14 days of receiving the information.
 
As part of the Transition Assistance Program, the VA must provide members of the Armed Forces with information on how to locate Vet Centers and how to use services provided through Vet Centers (e.g., mental health services).
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-20
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2021-10-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2021-10-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Strategic Planning for Emergency Medical Manufacturing Act

Bill: 117-s-2925
Sponsor: Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
Introduced: 2021-10-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-04
text: 

Strategic Planning for Emergency Medical Manufacturing Act

 
This bill requires the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to maintain a voluntary network of domestic manufacturers that have agreed to produce critical supplies during emergencies and other supply chain disruptions.
 
As part of maintaining the network, the office must identify critical supplies and share information about the network with state, tribal, and local governments when supply shortfalls are anticipated. In addition, a participating manufacturer must develop a plan that identifies the supplies the manufacturer could produce, its manufacturing capacity, and support it would need to produce the supplies in an emergency.
 
The bill also requires HHS to issue guidance on applicable quality standards for supplies produced by manufacturers in the network.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-10-04
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require certain entities to disclose to the Secretary of Homeland Security ransom payments, and for other purposes.

Bill: 117-s-2926
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-10-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Currency
Digital media
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-04
text: 

This bill requires certain entities to disclose ransom payments to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
 
Specifically, within seven days of paying a ransom, disclosure must be made to DHS by any entity that (1) is engaged in interstate commerce, (2) is engaged in an activity affecting interstate commerce, or (3) receives federal funds.
 
DHS must publish annually information disclosed, including the total dollar amount paid, without revealing identifying information.
 
DHS must conduct a study to determine if there are commonalities with respect to the information disclosed and the extent to which cryptocurrency has facilitated the kinds of attacks that resulted in such payments.
 
DHS must establish a website by December 21, 2021, through which individuals may voluntarily report the payment of a ransom by the individual.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-10-04
text: Introduced in Senate
National Civilian Medals Improvement Act

Bill: 117-s-2927
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-10-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-04
text: 

National Civilian Medals Improvement Act

 
This bill revises the requirements for awarding the National Medal of Science, the National Medal of Arts, and the National Technology and Innovation Medal and establishes a National Humanities Medal and a National Medal of Social Sciences. The bill prohibits such medals from being awarded to certain public officials or posthumously.
 
With respect to the National Medal of Arts, the President must award at least one award annually but not more than five in any calendar year.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-10-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Election Worker and Polling Place Protection Act

Bill: 117-s-2928
Sponsor: Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]
Introduced: 2021-10-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Crimes against property
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Sex offenses
Violent crime
Voting rights

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-04
text: 

Election Worker and Polling Place Protection Act

 
This bill expands criminal civil rights offenses involving interference with federally protected activities. 
 
Current law prohibits the use of force or threat of force to injure, intimidate, or interfere with an individual because of that individual's participation in certain enumerated federally protected activities (e.g., voting or jury duty).
 
This bill broadens the scope of prohibited conduct to include violence or threat of harm to any person or property to injure, intimidate, or interfere with an individual because of that individual's participation in a federally protected activity.
 
Additionally, with respect to voting activities, the bill extends protection to an individual who participates in an election as an agent, contractor, or vendor. Current law already protects an individual who participates as a candidate, voter, poll watcher, or election official. 
 
Finally, the bill establishes new offenses involving physical damage to or threats to physically damage a polling place, tabulation center, or other election infrastructure.
 
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2021-10-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Joint Select Committee on Afghanistan Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2929
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced: 2021-10-04 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-04
text: 

Joint Select Committee on Afghanistan Act of 2021

 
This bill establishes the Joint Select Committee on Afghanistan as a joint committee of Congress, required to investigate the 2021 U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-04
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2021-10-04
text: Introduced in Senate
Improving Mental Health and Wellness in Schools Act

Bill: 117-s-2930
Sponsor: Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Introduced: 2021-10-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: 

Improving Mental Health and Wellness in Schools Act

 
This bill incorporates mental health promotion and education into guidelines for school wellness policies that are used by local educational agencies participating in school meal programs. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: Introduced in Senate
FARM Act

Bill: 117-s-2931
Sponsor: Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL]
Introduced: 2021-10-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Federal officials
Government studies and investigations
U.S. and foreign investments

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: 

Foreign Adversary Risk Management Act or the FARM Act

 
This bill places the Secretary of Agriculture on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, and it requires the committee to review any investment that could result in foreign control of any U.S. agricultural business.
 
Further, it includes agricultural systems and supply chains in the definitions of critical infrastructure and critical technologies for the purposes of reviewing such investments.
 
The Department of Agriculture and the Government Accountability Office must each analyze and report on foreign influence in the U.S. agricultural industry.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 430 South Knowles Avenue in New Richmond, Wisconsin, as the "Captain Robert C. Harmon and Private John R. Peirson Post Office Building".

Bill: 117-s-2932
Sponsor: Sen. Baldwin, Tammy [D-WI]
Introduced: 2021-10-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Postal service
Wisconsin

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: Designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 430 South Knowles Avenue in New Richmond, Wisconsin, as the "Captain Robert C. Harmon and Private John R. Peirson Post Office Building."

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2022-05-27
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2022-05-27
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2022-05-25
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2022-05-25
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2679; text: CR S2679)
action_date: 2022-05-25
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 189.
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2021-12-16
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Reported by Senator Peters without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2021-12-15
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Chinese Communist Party Accountability Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2933
Sponsor: Sen. Marshall, Roger [R-KS]
Introduced: 2021-10-05 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Asia
Cardiovascular and respiratory health
China
Congressional oversight
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Employment discrimination and employee rights
Foreign property
Health programs administration and funding
Human rights
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
News media and reporting
Political parties and affiliation
Sanctions
Visas and passports
World health

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: 

Chinese Communist Party Accountability Act of 2021 

 
This bill requires sanctions on certain members of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and officials of Chinese health agencies.
 
The President must impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on any foreign person who is a CCP official and who is knowingly responsible for or complicit in (1) the disappearances of whistleblowers and citizen journalists in China relating to COVID-19, or (2) limiting free speech and academic freedom in China relating to COVID-19. 
 
The President must also impose such sanctions on specified individuals who have leadership positions in China's Center for Disease Control and Prevention and China's National Health Commission.
 
The authority to impose such sanctions shall end when the President certifies to Congress that an independent and unimpeded investigation into the potential origin of COVID-19 from the Wuhan Institute of Virology has taken place.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Bicameral Congressional Trade Authority Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2934
Sponsor: Sen. Toomey, Patrick [R-PA]
Introduced: 2021-10-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Foreign Trade and International Finance
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Energy storage, supplies, demand
Government studies and investigations
Infrastructure development
Legislative rules and procedure
Military procurement, research, weapons development
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Tariffs
Trade restrictions

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: 

Bicameral Congressional Trade Authority Act of 2021

 
This bill requires congressional approval for a presidential import adjustment due to a national security threat from an import related to military equipment, energy resources, or critical infrastructure essential to national security. Specifically, the bill requires the President to submit a proposal to Congress, which Congress may approve by a joint resolution. Under current law, the President determines whether any adjustment of an import is necessary and must submit to Congress the reasons for any action taken or not taken. 
 
The Department of Defense (currently, the Department of Commerce) must investigate the effect of these imports on national security.
 
The bill retroactively applies to any proposed action made four years before enactment of this bill. In general, any rate of duty modification occurring in the time period beginning four years before and ending the day before enactment of this bill must revert to the previous rate unless it receives congressional approval. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Parental Bereavement Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2935
Sponsor: Sen. Tester, Jon [D-MT]
Introduced: 2021-10-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-05
text:  
 

Parental Bereavement Act of 2021 or the Sarah Grace-Farley-Kluger Act

 
This bill entitles an eligible employee to up to 12 workweeks of leave during any 12-month period because of the death of a son or daughter.
 
 Such an employee may substitute any available paid leave for any leave without pay.
 
The bill applies the same leave entitlement to federal employees.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend the CARES Act and the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify the treatment of related individuals under the employee retention tax credit.

Bill: 117-s-2936
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced: 2021-10-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Employment taxes
Wages and earnings

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: 
This bill modifies the employee retention tax credit (the credit for payment of wages of employees in businesses adversely affected by COVID-19) to eliminate stock attribution rules for individuals related to a taxpayer.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Voter Choice Act

Bill: 117-s-2939
Sponsor: Sen. Bennet, Michael F. [D-CO]
Introduced: 2021-10-05 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
State and local finance
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: 

Voter Choice Act

 
This bill directs the Election Assistance Commission (EAC) to establish a program to support state and local governments in the transition to ranked choice voting (a system in which voters rank candidates in order of preference).
 
Specifically, the EAC must provide technical assistance to state and local governments that are considering whether to make, or that are in the process of making, the transition to a ranked choice voting system for their elections.
 
The EAC must also award grants to support such transition, including through the acquisition of voting equipment and tabulation software, appropriate ballot design, educational materials, and voter outreach.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2021-10-05
text: Introduced in Senate
Motorsports Fairness and Permanency Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2940
Sponsor: Sen. Stabenow, Debbie [D-MI]
Introduced: 2021-10-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business investment and capital
Income tax deductions
Motor vehicles
Sports and recreation facilities

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-06
text: 

Motorsports Fairness and Permanency Act 

of 2021

 
This bill makes permanent the accelerated depreciation (seven-year recovery period) of motorsports entertainment complexes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2021-10-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2941
Sponsor: Sen. Cassidy, Bill [R-LA]
Introduced: 2021-10-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Disaster relief and insurance
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Evidence and witnesses
Federal preemption
Health care quality
Health personnel
Licensing and registrations
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-06
text: 

Good Samaritan Health Professionals Act of 2021

 
This bill extends liability protection for harm caused by acts or omissions by volunteer health care professionals in the course of providing certain health care services during specified public-health or national emergencies or major disasters. However, such liability protection shall not apply if (1) the harm was caused by willful or criminal misconduct, gross negligence, reckless misconduct, or a conscious flagrant indifference to the rights or safety of the individual harmed; or (2) the health care professional provided services under the influence of alcohol or an intoxicating drug.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2021-10-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area Act of 2021

Bill: 117-s-2942
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2021-10-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-06
text: 

Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area Act of 2021

 
This bill extends the authority of the Department of the Interior to provide assistance for the Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area in New Jersey until September 30, 2036. 
 
The bill removes the limitation on the total amount that may be appropriated for the heritage area.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2021-10-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Ransom Disclosure Act

Bill: 117-s-2943
Sponsor: Sen. Warren, Elizabeth [D-MA]
Introduced: 2021-10-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Currency
Digital media
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Internet and video services
Internet, web applications, social media
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-06
text: 

Ransom Disclosure Act

 
This bill requires certain entities to disclose ransom payments to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
 
Specifically, within 48 hours of paying a ransom, disclosure must be made to DHS by any entity that (1) is engaged in interstate commerce, (2) is engaged in an activity affecting interstate commerce, or (3) receives federal funds.
 
DHS must publish annually information disclosed, including the total dollar amount paid, without revealing identifying information.
 
DHS must conduct a study to determine if there are commonalities with respect to the information disclosed and the extent to which cryptocurrency has facilitated the kinds of attacks that resulted in such payments.
 
DHS must establish a website through which individuals may voluntarily report the payment of a ransom by the individual.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2021-10-06
text: Introduced in Senate
Funding Iron Dome by Defunding the Taliban Act

Bill: 117-s-2944
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2021-10-06 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
action_date: 2021-10-06
text: 

Funding Iron Dome by Defunding the Taliban Act

 
This bill provides $1 billion in supplemental appropriations for the Department of Defense to provide to the government of Israel for the procurement of the Iron Dome defense system to counter short-range rocket threats. The bill also rescinds certain unobligated funds that were provided for reconstruction activities in Afghanistan.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2021-10-06
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Appropriations.
action_date: 2021-10-06
text: Introduced in Senate