hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Every Supreme Court Nominee Deserves Timely Consideration Act

Bill: 118-s-859
Sponsor: Sen. Merkley, Jeff [D-OR]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

Every Supreme Court Nominee Deserves Timely Consideration Act

 
This bill establishes procedures under Senate rules through which any Senator may expedite the vote on a nominee for the Supreme Court.
 
Currently, most nominations, including for Supreme Court Justices, must be referred for consideration to the Senate committee with relevant jurisdiction before the nominations receive a vote in the Senate. A committee considering a nomination may (1) report out the nomination favorably, unfavorably, or without recommendation; or (2) choose to take no action. Nominations that are pending when the Senate adjourns at the end of a session or recesses for more than 30 days are typically returned to the President.
 
Under this bill, if the Judiciary Committee fails to report out a nomination for a Supreme Court Justice within 60 continuous days of session, any Senator may publish a notice of intent to discharge the nomination from the committee in the 
Congressional Record
. Next, if 30 Senators support discharging the nomination within the 20 days following the publication of the notice, the nomination must be placed on the Senate calendar for debate and vote.
 
The bill limits the duration of the debate and permits Senators to object to the consideration of debatable motions and appeals related to the nomination. The vote on the nomination must be held immediately following the debate.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Protecting American Capital Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-860
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

Protecting American Capital Act of 2023 

 
This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to annually report to Congress on U.S. portfolio investments in China. The report must include 
 
 
the U.S. persons making the investments, including state pension funds and those making more than 2% of the total annual investments; and 
 
the Chinese entities receiving the investments, including Chinese entities subject to U.S. sanctions and Chinese entities receiving more than $100 million. 
 
 
The initial report must include investment information back to January 1, 2008.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
PATRIA Y VIDA Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-861
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

Protecting Against Tyrants by Restoring Internet Access and Yielding Vital Interconnectivity in Designated Areas Act of 2023 or the PATRIA Y VIDA Act
 
of 2023

 
This bill requires activities to expand the capacity of the U.S. government to transmit internet access and counter foreign internet censorship.
 
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) must obtain the capacity to transmit internet access domestically in the event of emergency-related network disruptions, while the Department of State must obtain the capacity to transmit internet access in foreign countries with repressive regimes. FEMA and the State Department must consult with other federal agencies on their efforts, including the National Telecommunications and Information Administration and the Federal Aviation Administration. Consulted agencies must provide necessary authorizations and support to allow FEMA and the State Department to transmit internet access.
 
In addition, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) must identify effective tools to counter large-scale internet censorship by foreign governments. In the event of increased demand for the tools, the FCC must rapidly provide funding to U.S. companies capable of deploying the tools to significant numbers of simultaneous users to circumvent internet censorship.
 
The FCC and the U.S. Agency for Global Media must jointly report on matters concerning the capacity to domestically and globally transmit internet access and tools to circumvent internet censorship by foreign governments.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Restoring America’s Health Care Workforce and Readiness Act

Bill: 118-s-862
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Department of Health and Human Services
Emergency medical services and trauma care
Executive agency funding and structure
Government lending and loan guarantees
Health care coverage and access
Health personnel
Health programs administration and funding
Higher education
National and community service
Public contracts and procurement
Student aid and college costs

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 
 
Restoring

 America's Health Care Workforce and Readiness Act
 
This bill extends and increases enhanced funding for the National Health Services Corps (NHSC) through FY2026 and establishes an emergency services demonstration program within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide supplemental student loan repayment to current and former NHSC participants. The NHSC provides scholarships and student loan repayment awards to health care providers who agree to work in areas with health care provider shortages.
 
To receive supplemental payments, individuals must agree to participate in the National Disaster Medical System. This system is a partnership between HHS, the Department of Defense, and other federal departments that responds to public health and other emergencies, including by deploying medical response teams.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (text: CR S831-832)
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to establish a temporary commission to develop a consensus and actionable recommendations on a comprehensive grand strategy with respect to the United States relationship with the People's Republic of China for purposes of ensuring a holistic approach toward the People's Republic of China across all Federal departments and agencies.

Bill: 118-s-863
Sponsor: Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 
This bill establishes a commission to develop a comprehensive grand strategy and whole-of-government approach with respect to the U.S.-China relationship. The purposes of the commission include (1) defining steps to build a stable international order that includes China, (2) providing recommendations to protect U.S. national security interests, and (3) ensuring a holistic approach towards China across all federal departments and agencies. 
 
Membership on the commission includes 6 specified executive branch officials and 12 members nominated by designated congressional leaders. 
 
The commission is required to issue a final report on its findings and recommendations no later than September 1, 2025. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
TASK Act

Bill: 118-s-864
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

Transaction and Sourcing Knowledge Act or the TASK Act 

 
This bill requires the Securities and Exchange Commission to mandate the reporting of certain information by publicly traded companies. Specifically, companies must report on 
 
 
the sourcing and due diligence involving products imported into the United States utilizing forced labor from Xinjiang, China; 
 
transactions with companies on the Department of Commerce's trade restriction list or designated as Chinese military-industrial complex companies; and 
 
for U.S. companies with facilities in China, whether there is a Chinese Communist Party committee in the operations of the company, and a summary of that committee's activity.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
PCAOB Enforcement Transparency Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-865
Sponsor: Sen. Reed, Jack [D-RI]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

PCAOB Enforcement Transparency Act of 2023

 
This bill makes Public Company Accounting Oversight Board disciplinary proceedings open to the public unless the board, on its own motion or after considering the motion of a party, orders otherwise.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S832)
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
American Innovation and Jobs Act

Bill: 118-s-866
Sponsor: Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation
Subjects: Business expenses
Income tax credits
Income tax deductions
Research and development
Small business

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

American Innovation and Jobs Act

 
 This bill revises and expands the deductibility of research and experimental expenditures to allow immediate expensing of such expenditures. It also allows the amortization over a period of at least 60 months of certain other types of research and experimental expenditures not treated as expenses. 
 
The bill increases the maximum amount eligible for the tax credit for new and small businesses and increases to 20% the rate of the credit for business startups.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
State Firearms Dealer Licensing Enhancement Act

Bill: 118-s-867
Sponsor: Sen. Schatz, Brian [D-HI]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Firearms and explosives
Government information and archives
Intergovernmental relations
Licensing and registrations
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

State Firearms Dealer Licensing Enhancement Act

 
This bill authorizes the Department of Justice to award grants to states and tribal governments for the development, implementation, improvement, or evaluation of firearms dealer licensing programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Defending Our Defenders Act

Bill: 118-s-868
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Assault and harassment offenses
Crime victims
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Law enforcement officers
Political movements and philosophies
Terrorism
Violent crime

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

Defending Our Defenders Act

 
This bill establishes federal criminal offenses involving the murder of federal, state, or local law enforcement officers. Violators are subject to life in prison or death. 
 
The bill sets forth aggravating factors (e.g., intent to ambush or prior history of promoting violence against a law enforcement officer) to be considered in determining whether to impose the death penalty.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
CDFI Bond Guarantee Program Improvement Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-869
Sponsor: Sen. Smith, Tina [D-MN]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector
Subjects: Banking and financial institutions regulation
Business investment and capital
Community Development Financial Institutions Fund
Community life and organization
Congressional oversight
Credit and credit markets
Government information and archives
Government lending and loan guarantees
Government studies and investigations
Housing and community development funding
Securities

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

CDFI Bond Guarantee Program Improvement Act of 2023 

 
This bill reauthorizes for four years and otherwise revises the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Bond Guarantee Program. Specifically, the bill (1) reduces the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program minimum issuance amount from $100 million to $25 million, (2) eliminates the cap on the annual number of guarantees, and (3) revises the amount to be held in a CDFI's relending account. 
 
(CDFIs are financial institutions serving low-income communities. Designation as a CDFI allows an institution to participate in programs such as the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program. The program provides financing to CDFIs through federal credit subsidies that allow CDFIs to issue bonds.)


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-02-01
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. Hearings held.
action_date: 2023-10-17
text: Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development. Hearings held.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to amend section 7014 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to advance toward full Federal funding for impact aid, and for other purposes.

Bill: 118-s-871
Sponsor: Sen. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Education

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

This bill reauthorizes through FY2029 certain activities under the Impact Aid Program. The program provides funding to local educational agencies that have lost property tax revenue due to the presence of tax-exempt federal property or to those that have experienced increased expenditures due to enrollment of federally connected children (e.g., children living on Indian lands or military bases).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
SAFETY on Social Media Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-872
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

Stopping Attempts by Foreign Entities to Target Youths on Social Media Act Act [
sic
] of 2023 or the SAFETY on Social Media Act of 2023

 
This bill restricts domestic access to computer or mobile apps or websites (e.g., TikTok) of social media companies owned or controlled by countries of concern (China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia).
 
The President must annually publish a list of these companies and block certain transactions involving them. A company must be listed if it
 
 
is a foreign entity owned or controlled by a country of concern;
 
has more than a specified number of users or downloads; and
 
has altered or may alter the content of apps or websites at the request of, or shared data about U.S. persons (individuals or entities) with, a country of concern.
 
 
Additionally, the Federal Communications Commission must prohibit access to listed companies' apps or websites through U.S. app stores and internet service providers.
 
Further, the bill requires agents of listed companies to register with the Department of Justice and restricts access to U.S. visas by foreign nationals employed by listed companies. Foreign nationals are ineligible for U.S. visas (1) while employed by a listed company, and (2) for three years after either they terminate that employment or their employer is removed from the list. A foreign national of a country of concern who is employed by a listed company is also permanently ineligible for an H-1B visa (nonimmigrant workers in specialty occupations and fashion models).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
Farm Operations Support Act

Bill: 118-s-874
Sponsor: Sen. Ossoff, Jon [D-GA]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

Farm Operations Support Act 

 
This bill freezes the minimum wage for H-2A (temporary agricultural workers) through December 31, 2023.
 
Specifically, the adverse effect wage rate that was in effect in a state on December 1, 2022, shall remain in effect through December 31, 2023.
 
(Generally, the minimum wage for an H-2A worker is the highest of the adverse effect wage rate, the prevailing hourly wage or piece rate, the federal minimum wage, or the applicable state minimum wage.) 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
No Funds for Enablers of Adversarial Propaganda Act

Bill: 118-s-875
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-03-16 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: 

No Funds for Enablers of Adversarial Propaganda Act

 
This bill prohibits the receipt of federal funds by individuals or entities (including a government entity) conducting business with social media companies associated with countries of concern, defined as China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela.
 
Specifically, no individual or entity may receive federal funds if it has in place any agreement, partnership, or advertising relationship with a social media company domiciled in, headquartered in, organized under the laws of, or whose principal place of business is located in a country of concern.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2023-03-16
text: Introduced in Senate
90-Day Review Act

Bill: 118-s-876
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2023-03-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-21
text: 

90-Day Review Act

 
This bill reduces the time limit to file a petition for judicial review of a federal permit, license, or approval for a highway or public transportation capital project. Specifically, the bill reduces the current 150-day time limit to 90 days. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2023-03-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Federal Permitting Modernization Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-877
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2023-03-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-21
text: 

Federal Permitting Modernization Act of 2023

 
This bill revises environmental review requirements for certain infrastructure projects under the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) and the Fixing America's Surface Transportation Act. Specifically, this bill establishes deadlines for federal agencies to complete the environmental review of such projects.
 
In addition, the bill limits when a court may provide injunctive relief in a case about the environmental review or authorization of an infrastructure project. A court may not issue a temporary restraining order or preliminary injunction against an agency or a project sponsor in connection with the review or authorization of an infrastructure project unless the court determines that (1) the environmental review has failed substantially and materially to comply with the requirements of NEPA, and (2) the failure cannot be cured by supplementing the environmental document or other mitigation and monitoring measures.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Environment and Public Works.
action_date: 2023-03-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Fairness in Fentanyl Sentencing Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-878
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2023-03-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative law and regulatory procedures
Criminal procedure and sentencing
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Postal service
Trade restrictions
U.S. Sentencing Commission

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-21
text: 

Fairness in Fentanyl Sentencing Act of 2023

 
 This bill modifies the drug quantity thresholds that trigger a mandatory minimum prison term for a defendant who manufactures, distributes, imports, exports, or possesses with intent to distribute fentanyl.
 
Specifically, the bill reduces from 400 to 20 grams the fentanyl quantity and from 100 to 5 grams the fentanyl analogue quantity that trigger a mandatory minimum prison term for high-level first-time or repeat offenders. It also reduces from 40 to 2 grams the fentanyl quantity and from 10 to 0.5 grams the fentanyl analogue quantity that trigger a mandatory minimum prison term for low-level first-time or repeat offenders.
 
Additionally, the bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to increase the availability of chemical screening devices and dedicate the appropriate number of personnel to interdict fentanyl and other substances that are unlawfully imported into the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-03-21
text: Introduced in Senate
Energy Freedom Act

Bill: 118-s-879
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2023-03-21 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
action_date: 2023-03-21
text: 

Energy Freedom Act

 
This bill establishes requirements to provide for domestic energy production.
 
Specifically, the bill establishes deadlines to expedite the review of permits and other authorizations for natural gas transmission projects, natural gas interstate pipelines, and the exportation of natural gas. The bill also requires a minimum number of annual sales of leases on federal lands and waters for oil and gas development. It also requires sales of leases of federal land for wind, solar, and geothermal development.
 
The President and federal agencies must obtain the approval of Congress before (1) declaring a moratorium on the leasing of federal lands or waters for the drilling, mining, or collection of oil, gas, or coal; (2) prohibiting or substantially delaying certain new energy leases, mineral leases, or permits on federal lands; and (3) withdrawing certain federal lands from mineral and geothermal leasing activities. Further, the bill eliminates the requirement for certain cross-border energy projects to obtain presidential approval.
 
In addition, the bill allows the Department of the Interior to grant licenses for the exploration and mining of hardrock minerals on the Outer Continental Shelf.
 
Finally, the bill reinstates specified rules concerning waters of the United States, oil and gas, civil penalties, environmental review, and discharge and dredged materials.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-03-21
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2023-03-21
text: Introduced in Senate