hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Veteran Education Empowerment Act

Bill: 118-s-498
Sponsor: Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
Introduced: 2023-02-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Disability and paralysis
Education programs funding
Higher education
Military personnel and dependents
National Guard and reserves
Teaching, teachers, curricula
Veterans' education, employment, rehabilitation

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: 

Veteran Education Empowerment Act

 
This bill reauthorizes through FY2031 and otherwise revises a Department of Education (ED) grant program for student veteran centers. 
Specifically, ED must make grants to institutions of higher education (IHEs) or consortia of IHEs to establish, maintain, improve, or operate a student veteran center. A student veteran center is a dedicated space on a campus that provides students who are veterans or members of the Armed Forces with (1) a lounge or meeting space for themselves, their spouses or partners, their children, and veterans in the community; and (2) a centralized office for student veteran services that serves as a single point of contact to coordinate comprehensive support services for student veterans.

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-04-26
text: Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Hearings held. Hearings printed: S.Hrg. 118-160.
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Debbie Smith Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-499
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2023-02-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Crimes against women
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Criminal justice information and records
Evidence and witnesses
Genetics
Law enforcement administration and funding
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Sex offenses
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: 

Debbie Smith Act of 2023

 
This bill reauthorizes through FY2029 the Debbie Smith DNA Backlog Grant Program. The program provides grants to state and local governments to improve and expand the collection and analysis of DNA evidence, including evidence in sexual assault kits.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-11-06
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2023-11-06
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2023-11-06
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2023-11-02
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2023-11-02
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Voice Vote.
action_date: 2023-11-02
text: Measure laid before Senate by unanimous consent.
action_date: 2023-11-02
text: Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2023-11-02
text: Senate Committee on the Judiciary discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Eliminating Leftover Expenses for Campaigns from Taxpayers (ELECT) Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-500
Sponsor: Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
Introduced: 2023-02-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: 

Eliminating Leftover Expenses for Campaigns from Taxpayers (ELECT) Act of 2023

 
This bill terminates (1) the taxpayer election to designate $3 of income tax liability for financing of presidential election campaigns, (2) the Presidential Election Campaign Fund, and (3) the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account. The Department of the Treasury must transfer funds remaining in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund to the treasury for the sole purpose of reducing the deficit.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Presidential Allowance Modernization Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-501
Sponsor: Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
Introduced: 2023-02-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: 

Presidential Allowance Modernization Act of 2023

 
This bill replaces provisions governing the compensation provided to a former President. 
 
Each former President shall receive from the United States (1) an annuity of $200,000 per year for the remainder of his or her life, and (2) a monetary allowance of $200,000 per year. Such allowance shall be reduced by the amount the former President's earned income exceeds $400,000. These monetary amounts are subject to a cost-of-living increase.
 
The bill increases and provides for cost-of-living adjustments to the monetary allowance for surviving spouses of former Presidents.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Healthy Dog Importation Act

Bill: 118-s-502
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2023-02-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Animals

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: 

Healthy Dog Importation Act 

 
This bill imposes requirements on the importation of live dogs.
 
Specifically, the bill prohibits the importation of a live dog into the United States unless the Department of Agriculture (USDA) determines the dog (1) is in good health; (2) has received all necessary vaccinations, internal and external parasite treatment, and demonstrated negative test results as evidenced by a certificate from a licensed veterinarian; and (3) is officially identified by a permanent method approved by USDA. Additionally, dogs entering the United States for transfer must be at least six months of age and accompanied by a USDA permit. 
Transfer
 is defined as a change of ownership or control of an imported dog to another person, including by sale, adoption, exchange, or donation.
 
USDA must provide an exception to any requirements under the bill for dogs that are transferred for (1) research purposes; (2) veterinary treatment under certain conditions, including appropriate quarantining; or (3) lawful importation into the state of Hawaii if the dog is not transported out of Hawaii for transfer at less than six months of age. 
 
USDA also has enforcement authority under the bill.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Space National Guard Establishment Act

Bill: 118-s-503
Sponsor: Sen. Feinstein, Dianne [D-CA]
Introduced: 2023-02-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Department of Defense
Executive agency funding and structure
Military command and structure
Military readiness
National Guard and reserves
Space flight and exploration
Spacecraft and satellites

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: 

Space National Guard Establishment Act

 
This bill establishes a Space National Guard as the reserve component of the U.S. Space Force.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Introduced in Senate
DEMOCRACIA Act

Bill: 118-s-504
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-02-16 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: 

Denying Earnings to the Military Oligarchy in Cuba and Restricting Activities of the Cuban Intelligence Apparatus Act or the DEMOCRACIA Act

 
This bill provides for asset- and visa-blocking sanctions for conduct relating to Cuba. It also establishes an interagency task force to facilitate access to uncensored internet in Cuba.
 
The President must sanction foreign persons that provide financial support to specified Cuban government sectors (e.g., the defense sector) or any other government sector that the President certifies is involved in human rights abuses or terrorism. This includes foreign persons that (1) are military contractors or mercenaries operating on behalf of the Cuban government, or (2) violate laws restricting trade with Cuba. Specified transactions, including remittances to immediate family members (subject to some limitations) and payments related to U.S. military and diplomatic sites, are not subject to these sanctions.
 
The President must also sanction (1) foreign persons complicit or engaged in human rights abuses or corruption, (2) foreign persons supporting such conduct, and (3) specified Cuban government officials and their affiliates. The bill provides humanitarian exceptions to these sanctions, for example, donating food or agricultural commodities to organizations or individuals unaffiliated with the Cuban government.
 
The President may not license sanctionable conduct, and U.S. persons seeking to engage in a permitted transaction must submit a written request to the Office of Foreign Asset Control of the Department of the Treasury. The President may waive the sanctions in the interest of U.S. national security.
 
To terminate the sanctions, the President must certify that the Cuban government has legalized all political activities and taken other steps to promote political rights and freedoms. Congress must then enact a joint resolution approving the termination.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Immigration Parole Reform Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-505
Sponsor: Sen. Grassley, Chuck [R-IA]
Introduced: 2023-02-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: 

Immigration Parole Reform Act of 202

3

 
This bill limits the authority of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to grant immigration parole (i.e., give official permission for an individual to enter and temporarily remain in the United States).
 
Specifically, the bill (1) limits what qualifies as an urgent humanitarian reason or a significant public benefit that would justify granting parole, and (2) prohibits granting parole based on an individual's membership in a defined class of individuals.
 
An urgent humanitarian reason is limited to specified medical emergencies and a significant public benefit is limited to assisting the U.S. government in a law enforcement matter.
 
Individuals granted parole on the basis of an urgent humanitarian reason or a significant public benefit are not permitted to work while in the United States.
 
Additionally, the bill provides statutory authority for DHS to grant parole to certain Cuban nationals and to certain family members of active-duty Armed Forces members. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Stop Reckless Student Loan Actions Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-506
Sponsor: Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]
Introduced: 2023-02-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Education

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: 

Stop Reckless Student Loan Actions Act of 

2023

 
This bill limits executive authority to (1) suspend or defer federal student loan payments or interest accrual on such loans, and (2) cancel federal student loans.
 
Specifically, the bill prohibits the President or the Department of Education (ED) from suspending or deferring federal student loan payments or the accrual of interest on such loans for borrowers with annual household incomes over 400% of the federal poverty line.
 
Further, ED may only suspend or defer federal student loan payments or the accrual of interest for such loans for a total of 90 days after the declaration of a national emergency by the President. ED must submit recommendations to Congress on relief necessary for recipients of student financial-aid assistance.
 
Additionally, the bill prohibits the President or ED from cancelling the outstanding balances or portions of balances on student loans due to the COVID-19 national emergency or any other national emergency.
 
Executive or regulatory action to suspend or defer federal student loan payments or to cancel federal student loans shall be subject to congressional review.
 
The bill also revises the definition of 
affected individual
 for purposes of the Higher Education Relief Opportunities for Students (HEROES) Act of 2003 to exclude from relief under the act (1) an individual who resides or is employed in an area that is declared a disaster area in connection with a national emergency; or (2) an individual who suffered direct economic hardship as a direct result of a war, military operation, or national emergency.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S460)
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Ralph David Abernathy, Sr., National Historic Site Act

Bill: 118-s-507
Sponsor: Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]
Introduced: 2023-02-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Georgia
Historic sites and heritage areas
Parks, recreation areas, trails
Protest and dissent
Racial and ethnic relations
U.S. history

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: 

Ralph David Abernathy, Sr. National Historic Site Act

 
This bill establishes the Ralph David Abernathy, Sr. National Historic Site in Georgia as a unit of the National Park System.
 
The site shall preserve, protect, and interpret the area where the Reverend Dr. Abernathy served as pastor during the height of the modern civil rights movement and his role as an internationally recognized civil rights leader.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-01-09
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 302.
action_date: 2024-01-09
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin without amendment. With written report No. 118-150.
action_date: 2024-01-09
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin without amendment. With written report No. 118-150.
action_date: 2023-09-21
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2023-06-21
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Senate Subcommittee on National Parks. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 118-284.
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Ensuring Work Opportunities in Correctional Facilities Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-508
Sponsor: Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2023-02-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: 

Ensuring Work Opportunities in Correctional Facilities Act of 2023

 
This bill expands job training and education programs in correctional facilities.
 
Specifically, the bill authorizes the Bureau of Prisons to provide additional support for occupational education and training programs. The bill requires an annual report that (1) includes a list of programs receiving funding; and (2) analyzes the efficacy of these programs in providing incarcerated workers with valuable job skills, improving their quality of life, and increasing their job prospects upon release.
 
Additionally, the bill reauthorizes through FY2029 grant programs for (1) evaluating and improving educational methods at prisons, jails, and juvenile facilities; (2) offender reentry demonstration projects; and (3) career training demonstration projects.
 
The bill also increases the number of prison work pilot projects that may be designated by the Bureau of Justice Assistance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Supporting Americans Wrongfully or Unlawfully Detained Abroad Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-509
Sponsor: Sen. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ]
Introduced: 2023-02-16 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Detention of persons
Diplomacy, foreign officials, Americans abroad
Family services
Mental health
Transportation costs

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: 

Supporting Americans Wrongfully or Unlawfully Detained Abroad Act of 2023

 
This bill authorizes travel assistance and mental health support to U.S. nationals wrongfully or unlawfully detained abroad and to certain family members of such individuals. 
 
For wrongfully or unlawfully detained U.S. nationals, the bill authorizes the Department of State to provide compensation and assistance if needed for return travel to the United States after their release. The bill also authorizes mental health support for such individuals and certain family members of such individuals.
 
For certain family members or representatives of such detained individuals, the State Department must provide financial assistance to cover travel and lodging expenses for meeting with the U.S. government if (1) such financial assistance is requested, and (2) the family members or representatives live more than 50 miles from Washington, DC. 

action_date: 2023-03-09
text: 

Supporting Americans Wrongfully or Unlawfully Detained Abroad Act of 2023

 
This bill authorizes travel assistance and mental health support to U.S. nationals wrongfully or unlawfully detained abroad and to certain family members of such individuals. 
 
For wrongfully or unlawfully detained U.S. nationals, the bill authorizes the Department of State to provide compensation and assistance if needed for return travel to the United States after their release. The bill also authorizes mental health support for such individuals and certain family members of such individuals.
 
For certain family members or representatives of such detained individuals, the State Department must provide financial assistance to cover travel and lodging expenses for meeting with the U.S. government if (1) such financial assistance is requested, and (2) the family members or representatives live more than 50 miles from Washington, DC. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-09
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 27.
action_date: 2023-03-09
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2023-03-09
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Reported by Senator Menendez without amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2023-03-08
text: Committee on Foreign Relations. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Expediting Israeli Aerial Refueling Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-510
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced: 2023-02-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: 

Expediting Israeli Aerial Refueling Act of 2023

 
This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD), particularly the Department of the Air Force, to provide certain training and support to the air force of Israel.
 
Specifically, the bill requires the U.S. Air Force to train members of the air force of Israel on (1) the operation of the KC-46 aircraft, and (2) maintenance and sustainment requirements of the KC-46 aircraft.
 
Before completing the training required by this bill, DOD must authorize members of the air force of Israel who are associated with the operation of KC-46 aircraft to participate in the U.S. Air Force Military Personnel Exchange Program. DOD must make the program available to such members of the air force of Israel and ensure that they may participate immediately after completing training.
 
DOD must rotationally deploy one or more KC-46 aircraft to Israel until the earlier of five years after the enactment of this bill or the date on which a KC-46 aircraft procured by the military forces of Israel is commissioned into such military forces and achieves full combat capability.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Protect America’s Innovation and Economic Security from CCP Act

Bill: 118-s-511
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-02-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Asia
China
Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Department of Justice
Executive agency funding and structure
Higher education
Intellectual property
Intelligence activities, surveillance, classified information
Trade secrets and economic espionage
U.S. and foreign investments

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: 

Protect America&rsquo;s Innovation and Economic Security from CCP Act

 
This bill reestablishes an initiative related to China within the National Security Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) and outlines the goals and requirements for this initiative.
 
In 2022, DOJ ended a program named the China Initiative. This bill reestablishes and renames it the CCP Initiative to (1) counter nation-state threats to the United States; (2) curb spying by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) on U.S. intellectual property and academic institutions; (3) identify and prosecute individuals engaged in trade secret theft, hacking, and economic espionage; and (4) protect U.S. critical infrastructure from foreign threats.
 
DOJ must annually brief specified congressional committees on the progress and challenges of the initiative.
 
The initiative terminates six years after enactment of this bill. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-02-16
text: Introduced in Senate