hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Easy Enrollment in Health Care Act

Bill: 118-s-423
Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
Introduced: 2023-02-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Appropriations
Computer security and identity theft
Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Department of Health and Human Services
Department of the Treasury
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Health care costs and insurance
Health care coverage and access
Intergovernmental relations
Medicaid
Poverty and welfare assistance
State and local government operations
Tax administration and collection, taxpayers

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-14
text: 

Easy Enrollment in Health Care Act

 
This bill revises the procedures related to enrollment in health insurance affordability programs, including Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and state-operated Basic Health Programs. The bill provides funding to support the changes.
 
Specifically, the bill permits individuals who do not have minimum essential coverage to, in conjunction with filing their tax return, determine whether any members of their household are eligible for an insurance affordability program and enroll in minimum essential coverage.
 
The bill makes individuals eligible for Medicaid or CHIP based on a prior finding of eligibility for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program or the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
 
Additionally, the bill provides access to certain information to support enrollment in insurance affordability programs.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2023-02-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Protect Our Seniors Act

Bill: 118-s-424
Sponsor: Sen. Scott, Rick [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-02-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-14
text: 

Protect Our Seniors Act

 
This bill rescinds certain federal funds made available to the Internal Revenue Service for enforcement and operations support. The rescinded funds must be transferred, in equal proportion, to the Federal Old Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund (which supports certain Social Security programs) and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund (which supports certain Medicare programs).
 
The bill also permits Senators to raise a budget point of order to object to the consideration of any measure that (1) reduces Medicare or Social Security benefits, or (2) offsets the cost of provisions unrelated to carrying out Medicare using a decrease in outlays for or an increase in revenues from that program. A point of order raised on these grounds may be waived or suspended only by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Senators.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 16.
action_date: 2023-02-14
text: Introduced in the Senate. Read the first time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under Read the First Time.
action_date: 2023-02-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Secure and Protect Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-425
Sponsor: Sen. Graham, Lindsey [R-SC]
Introduced: 2023-02-14 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-14
text: 

Secure and Protect Act of 2023 

 
This bill makes changes to the handling of unaccompanied alien children and asylum applications. (
Aliens 
is the term in federal law used to describe non-U.S. nationals.)
 
The 
Flores
 settlement (a court settlement imposing conditions on the treatment of detained alien minors) shall not restrict any activities. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shall have sole discretion as to the conditions of detention for such minors. 
 
Statutory provisions governing the handling of unaccompanied alien children from U.S.-bordering countries shall now govern all unaccompanied alien children. The bill provides for requirements relating to the handling of such children. Certain immigration officer determinations relating to unaccompanied alien children shall be unreviewable.
 
DHS may detain accompanied alien children while removal proceedings are pending (some courts have ruled that 
Flores
 limits the detention of certain children to 20 days). States may not impose licensing requirements for family detention facilities.
 
An unaccompanied alien child may not be released from custody while immigration or removal proceedings are pending, with some exceptions.
 
The bill limits asylum eligibility to individuals entering the United States at a designated port of entry and provides for additional grounds for asylum ineligibility. A 
credible fear of persecution
 is redefined to mean that it is more likely than not that the individual would be able to establish eligibility for asylum.
 
The Department of State must establish refugee application and processing centers in Mexico and Central America. 
 
The bill also requires the hiring of additional immigration judges, support staff, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement attorneys.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2023-02-14
text: Introduced in Senate
Inflation-Adjusted Education Investment Act

Bill: 118-s-426
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2023-02-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: 

Inflation-Adjusted Education Investment Act

 
This bill modifies provisions relating to qualified tuition programs (i.e., tax-exempt 529 plans). Specifically, it increases from $10,000 to $12,000 the limitation under such programs on payments for educational expenses, including expenses for tuition in connection with enrollment or attendance at an elementary or secondary public, private, or religious school. The bill provides for an annual inflation adjustment to the increased limitation amount for taxable years beginning after 2023.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Financial Freedom Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-427
Sponsor: Sen. Tuberville, Tommy [R-AL]
Introduced: 2023-02-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Labor and Employment

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: 

Financial Freedom Act of 2023

 
This bill prohibits the Department of Labor from limiting the type or range of investments that fiduciaries may offer participants and beneficiaries in certain employer-sponsored retirement plans. The bill applies to certain defined contribution plans that permit participants or beneficiaries to exercise control over the assets in the account, such as a 401(k) plan that allows participants or beneficiaries to select additional investment options through a self-directed brokerage window. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Introduced in Senate
FIND Act

Bill: 118-s-428
Sponsor: Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT]
Introduced: 2023-02-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Firearms and explosives
Public contracts and procurement

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: 

Firearm Industry Non-Discrimination Act or the FIND Act

 
This bill prohibits the federal government from entering into contracts with an entity that discriminates against firearm trade associations or businesses that deal in firearms, ammunition, or related products.
 
 Specifically, the bill requires a federal agency to include in each contract for the procurement of goods or services awarded by the agency a clause requiring the prime contractor to certify that it (1) has no policy, practice, guidance, or directive that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association; and (2) will not adopt a policy, practice, guidance, or directive that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association during the term of the contract.
 
The bill establishes (1) a similar requirement with respect to subcontracts, and (2) penalties for violations.
 
The bill makes such prohibition inapplicable to a contract for the procurement of goods or services that is a sole-source contract. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act

Bill: 118-s-429
Sponsor: Sen. Lujan, Ben Ray [D-NM]
Introduced: 2023-02-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Environmental Protection
Subjects: Air quality
Alternative and renewable resources
Climate change and greenhouse gases
Electric power generation and transmission
Environmental assessment, monitoring, research
Research and development
Water storage
Water use and supply

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: 

Abandoned Well Remediation Research and Development Act

 
This bill requires the Department of Energy (DOE) to establish a research, development, and demonstration program concerning abandoned oil and gas wells. Under the program, DOE must work to improve (1) data collection on the location of abandoned oil or gas wells; (2) the plugging, remediation, reclamation, and repurposing of the wells; and (3) strategies to mitigate potential environmental impacts of documented and undocumented abandoned wells.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to provide authority to enter into a cooperative agreement to protect civilians in Iraq and the Arabian Peninsula from weaponized unmanned aerial systems.

Bill: 118-s-430
Sponsor: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
Introduced: 2023-02-15 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: 
This bill authorizes the President to enter into a cooperative project agreement with Iraq and countries on the Arabian Peninsula to develop and produce defense articles and defense services for detecting and destroying armed unmanned aerial systems. (Under the Arms Export Control Act, such cooperative project agreements are currently authorized for NATO nations and friendly foreign countries outside of NATO). 
 

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Introduced in Senate
UNRWA Accountability and Transparency Act

Bill: 118-s-431
Sponsor: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
Introduced: 2023-02-15 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: 

UNRWA Accountability and Transparency Act

 
This bill makes changes to U.S. foreign policy in matters concerning the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).
 
For purposes of this policy, the bill defines 
Palestinian refugee
 as a person who (1) resided from June 1946 to May 1948 in Mandatory Palestine (a region controlled by Britain until 1948), (2) was personally displaced as a result of the 1948 Arab-Israeli conflict, and (3) has not accepted citizenship or other permanent adjustment in status in another country. Furthermore, under U.S. policy, derivative refugee status may only extend to the spouse or minor child of such a Palestinian refugee.
 
The bill withholds U.S. funding for the UNRWA unless the Department of State makes certifications concerning the UNRWA's staff, partners, and funding. Specifically, the State Department must certify that neither UNRWA staff and partners nor its funding and facilities are affiliated with terrorism or disseminating certain rhetoric, such as calling for the destruction of Israel or describing Israelis as 
occupiers 
or 
settlers
. Additionally, the State Department must certify that the UNRWA is (1) subject to comprehensive independent financial audits, and (2) not affiliated with any financial institutions complicit in money laundering or terror financing.
 
The State Department must also implement a plan to encourage other countries to align their UNRWA-related activities with U.S. policy objectives, including the phaseout of the UNRWA by resettling Palestinian refugees outside of Israel. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Nulhegan River and Paul Stream Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-432
Sponsor: Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]
Introduced: 2023-02-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Lakes and rivers
Vermont
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: 

Nulhegan River and Paul Stream Wild and Scenic River Study Act of 2023

 
This bill designates for study specified segments of the Nulhegan River and Paul Stream in Vermont for potential addition to the Wild and Scenic Rivers System. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2024-12-19
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2024-12-19
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2024-12-19
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2024-12-18
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S7153; text: CR S7155)
action_date: 2024-12-18
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2024-01-09
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 301.
action_date: 2024-01-09
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin without amendment. With written report No. 118-149.
action_date: 2024-01-09
text: Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Manchin without amendment. With written report No. 118-149.
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: 2023-02-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to require the Secretary of Agriculture to convene a blue ribbon panel to review the forest inventory and analysis program of the Forest Service, and for other purposes.

Bill: 118-s-433
Sponsor: Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
Introduced: 2023-02-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: 
This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to convene a blue ribbon panel to review the forest inventory and analysis program (a program that accounts for public and private forests and their resources in the United States). 
 
The panel shall conduct a review of the past progress, current priorities, and future needs of such program with respect to national monitoring of forest carbon, climate change, forest health, and sustainable wood products.
 
The review shall include consideration of 
 
 
the modernization of the program broadly and specifically relating to the integration of advanced remote sensing technologies and methods such as small area estimation; and 
 
 the possibility of more public-private-academic partnerships under the program to help meet the goals of the program and external needs, particularly relating to research priorities, operational implementation of current or ongoing science, and decision support.
 
 
The panel shall report to USDA, the Department of the Interior, and Congress describing the review by March 31, 2024.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Introduced in Senate
PAID OFF Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-434
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2023-02-15 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: 

Preventing Adversary Influence, Disinformation, and Obscured Foreign Financing Act of 2023 or the PAID OFF Act of 2023

 
This bill requires certain persons to register as agents of a foreign principal if the foreign principal in question is China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, or Syria.
 
Currently, the Foreign Agents Registration Act exempts certain agents from the act's registration requirements, including agents (1) engaged only in private and nonpolitical activities to advance a foreign principal's bona fide trade or commerce interests, or (2) engaged in certain lobbying activities and where the agent has registered as a lobbyist. Under this bill, these exemptions shall not apply if the foreign principal is one of the countries specified in this bill.
 
The changes made by this bill shall expire on October 1, 2026.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S427)
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Ensuring Military Readiness Act of 2023

Bill: 118-s-435
Sponsor: Sen. Rubio, Marco [R-FL]
Introduced: 2023-02-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: 

Ensuring Military Readiness Act of 2023

 
This bill requires the Department of Defense (DOD) to prescribe regulations regarding military service by individuals who identify as transgender. 
 
Under the regulations, individuals who identify as transgender with a history or diagnosis of gender dysphoria must be disqualified from military service, with some exceptions. (The bill defines 
gender dysphoria
 as a marked incongruence between one's experienced or expressed gender and biological sex.)
 
The regulations must provide exceptions for such individuals if they have been
 
 
stable for 36 consecutive months in their biological sex prior to accession, or
 
diagnosed with gender dysphoria after entering into service if they do not undergo transition procedures and remain deployable within applicable retention standards for their biological sex.
 
 
Under the regulations, members of the Armed Forces who have been diagnosed with gender dysphoria may continue to serve in their biological sex (regardless of any changes previously made to their gender marker in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System, or DEERS) and receive medically necessary treatment for gender dysphoria. However, such treatment may not include gender transition procedures.
 
Individuals who identify as transgender and who seek or have undergone gender transition are disqualified from military service.
 
Additionally, individuals who identify as transgender, do not have a history or diagnosis of gender dysphoria, and are otherwise qualified for service may serve in the Armed Forces in their biological sex.
 
DOD must prescribe regulations updating DEERS to require the gender markers for members of the Armed Forces to match their biological sex, regardless of any previous changes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Introduced in Senate
SAFE Act

Bill: 118-s-436
Sponsor: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
Introduced: 2023-02-15 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: 

Securing Allies Food in Emergencies Act or the SAFE Act

 
This bill requires the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) to develop a strategy for averting a global food security crisis. The bill also relaxes a law requiring that certain goods be transported by U.S. vessels. 
 
The bill authorizes USAID to procure life-saving food aid commodities to provide emergency food assistance to the most vulnerable populations in countries experiencing acute food insecurity. For certain commodities procured under this authority, the bill waives a requirement that a certain percentage of the commodities must be transported by U.S. vessels (such requirements are known as federal cargo preference laws).
 
The bill also removes a mandate from a federal cargo preference law relating to goods obtained by the U.S. government.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Bicycles for Rural African Transport Act

Bill: 118-s-437
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2023-02-15 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: 

Bicycles for Rural African Transport Act

 
This bill provides statutory authority for the U.S. Agency for International Development to administer a bicycle mobility program in rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. 
 
The purpose of the program is to (1) promote rural communities' access to critical services and opportunities by means of affordable bicycles; and (2) provide support to sustainably increase access to critical services in rural areas, including through support for rural-based mechanics, access to spare parts, and reduction of social and gender-based stigma. To the greatest extent practicable, the program must partner with overseas entities that have successful models for providing access to affordable bicycles.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations. (text: CR S427-428)
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Natural Gas Export Expansion Act

Bill: 118-s-438
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2023-02-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Energy

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: 

Natural Gas Export Expansion Act

 
This bill expands the expedited application and approval process for natural gas imports or exports to include a permit to a nation that is not a party to a free trade agreement with the United States, unless the nation is (1) subject to sanctions or trade restrictions, or (2) excluded by the President or Congress for national security reasons.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Introduced in Senate
Preventing Elected Leaders from Owning Securities and Investments (PELOSI) Act

Bill: 118-s-439
Sponsor: Sen. Hawley, Josh [R-MO]
Introduced: 2023-02-15 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress

Summary:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: 

Preventing Elected Leaders from Owning Securities and Investments (PELOSI) Act

 
This bill prohibits Members of Congress (or their spouses) from holding or trading certain investments (e.g., individual stocks and related financial instruments other than diversified investment funds or U.S. Treasury securities).
 
The prohibition does not apply to assets held in a qualified blind trust or to sales by a Member to come into compliance with the bill's requirements. Specifically, the bill allows for sales by current Members during the 180 days following the bill's enactment and for sales by future Members during the 180 days following the commencement of their service.
 
Any profit made in violation of the prohibition must be disgorged to the Treasury and may subject the Member to a civil fine.
 
Each Member must submit an annual certification of compliance, and the Government Accountability Office must audit Members' compliance with the bill's provisions.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2023-02-15
text: Introduced in Senate