hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Food Deserts Act

Bill: 119-hr-484
Sponsor: Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]
Introduced: 2025-01-16 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural marketing and promotion
Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Employee hiring
Food assistance and relief
Fruit and vegetables
Government lending and loan guarantees
Health promotion and preventive care
Inflation and prices
Nutrition and diet
Poverty and welfare assistance
Retail and wholesale trades
Urban and suburban affairs and development

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: 

Food Deserts Act 

This bill establishes a grant program within the Department of Agriculture to reduce food deserts. Under the program, grants are provided to states for revolving funds that support the establishment and operation of grocery stores in underserved communities. 
Underserved communities
 are communities that have (1) limited access to affordable, healthy foods, including fresh fruits and vegetables, in grocery retail stores or farmer-to-consumer direct markets; and (2) a high rate of hunger, a high rate of food insecurity, or a high poverty rate.

The bill requires states to use such funds for loans that support grocery stores in underserved communities, including for opening a store (excluding new construction), or supporting an existing store.

In order to qualify for loans, grocery stores must meet criteria enumerated in the bill. For example, grocery stores must (1) emphasize unprocessed, healthful foods; (2) provide staple foods and a variety of raw fruits and vegetables; and (3) charge affordable prices at or below market values.

Further, states must prioritize loan applications from entities that meet criteria related to

hiring workers from the underserved community,

providing classes or educational information about a healthful diet,

sourcing food from local urban farms and gardens, and

demonstrating existing supply chain relationships in the grocery industry.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-02-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.
action_date: 2025-02-14
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Nutrition and Foreign Agriculture.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E41)
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
Muhammad Ali Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill: 119-hr-485
Sponsor: Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]
Introduced: 2025-01-16 in the House
Policy area: Sports and Recreation

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: 

Muhammad Ali Congressional Gold Medal Act

 
This bill provides for the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Muhammad Ali.
 
There is authorized to be charged against the U.S. Mint Public Enterprise Fund such amounts as may be necessary to pay for the costs of the medals struck under this bill.
 
Sums received from the sale of duplicate bronze medals authorized by this bill shall be deposited into that fund.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Financial Services.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E43-44)
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
Young Americans Financial Literacy Act

Bill: 119-hr-486
Sponsor: Rep. Carson, André [D-IN-7]
Introduced: 2025-01-16 in the House
Policy area: Finance and Financial Sector

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: 

Young Americans Financial Literacy Act

This bill requires the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to award competitive grants to eligible institutions for the establishment of financial literacy education programs for young people and families.

An 
eligible institution
 is a partnership among two or more of the following:

an institution of higher education;

a state or local government agency specializing in financial education;

a nonprofit agency, organization, or association;

a financial institution; or

another small organization.

Authorized grant funded activities shall include

developing and implementing comprehensive, research based, financial-literacy education programs for young people;

developing and supporting the delivery of professional development programs in financial literacy education;

developing educational programs to reduce student loan default rates; and

conducting ongoing research and evaluation of financial literacy education programs.

The grant program shall terminate after FY2029.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Financial Services, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Sponsor introductory remarks on measure. (CR E40)
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
Hawaii Invasive Species Protection Act

Bill: 119-hr-487
Sponsor: Rep. Case, Ed [D-HI-1]
Introduced: 2025-01-16 in the House
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: 

Hawaii Invasive Species Protection Act 

This bill directs the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to conduct preclearance quarantine inspections for high-risk invasive species and agricultural materials on persons, baggage, cargo, and any other articles destined for direct movement to or from the state of Hawaii. The visual, x-ray, and canine inspections must be conducted at airports, ports, and postal sorting facilities.

APHIS must also consult with the state of Hawaii to develop and publish a list of items subject to inspection for high-risk invasive species and agricultural materials.

User fees must be prescribed and collected to cover the cost of the inspections.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025

Bill: 119-hr-488
Sponsor: Rep. Ciscomani, Juan [R-AZ-6]
Introduced: 2025-01-16 in the House
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Computer security and identity theft
Congressional oversight
Drug trafficking and controlled substances
Firearms and explosives
Fraud offenses and financial crimes
Human trafficking
Intellectual property
Intergovernmental relations
Internet, web applications, social media
Organized crime
Right of privacy
Smuggling and trafficking

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: 

Combating Cartels on Social Media Act of 2025

This bill requires the Departments of Homeland Security, Justice, and State to combat the use of social media by transnational criminal organizations to recruit individuals in the United States for illicit activities. 

Specifically, the departments must jointly assess and implement a strategy to combat the use of social media platforms, messaging services, and other interactive digital platforms by these organizations to recruit individuals to engage in or support unlawful activities in the United States, Mexico, or otherwise near a U.S. international border.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, Foreign Affairs, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, Foreign Affairs, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, Foreign Affairs, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Homeland Security, Foreign Affairs, and Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
Federal Agency Sunset Commission Act of 2025

Bill: 119-hr-489
Sponsor: Rep. Cloud, Michael [R-TX-27]
Introduced: 2025-01-16 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Advisory bodies
Congressional oversight
Executive agency funding and structure
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Legislative rules and procedure
Performance measurement

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: 

Federal Agency Sunset Commission Act of 2025

This bill provides for the establishment of the Federal Agency Sunset Commission to submit to Congress a schedule for review and abolishment of each agency, including each advisory committee. The schedule for review shall be in the form of a joint resolution. Each agency shall be abolished unless reauthorized by Congress. For each agency, the commission must schedule a date of abolishment to occur at least once every 12 years.

The commission must (1) review and evaluate the efficiency and public need for each agency using specified criteria; (2) analyze the authority claimed by the executive branch but not specifically authorized by statute; (3) recommend whether each agency should be abolished, reorganized, or continued; and (4) report to Congress on introduced legislation that would establish a new agency or a new program.

The Government Accountability Office and the Congressional Budget Office, in cooperation with the Congressional Research Service, shall prepare an inventory of federal programs to assist Congress and the commission in carrying out this bill.

The bill provides for expedited congressional consideration of the schedule for review and abolishment.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
Constitutional Emoluments Protection of American Interests Act of 2025

Bill: 119-hr-490
Sponsor: Rep. Cohen, Steve [D-TN-9]
Introduced: 2025-01-16 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Asia
California
Canada
Connecticut
District of Columbia
Europe
Florida
Government ethics and transparency, public corruption
Hawaii
Illinois
India
Indonesia
Ireland
Middle East
Nevada
New Jersey
New York City
New York State
North America
Philippines
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
Public contracts and procurement
South Korea
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom
Uruguay
Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: 

Constitutional Emoluments Protection of American Interests Act of 2025

This bill prohibits the use of federal funds (1) at any property or entity owned by, managed by, or under the control of Donald J. Trump; or (2) to enter into any new contract, grant, or cooperative agreement with such a property.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
Equal COLA Act

Bill: 119-hr-491
Sponsor: Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]
Introduced: 2025-01-16 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Inflation and prices

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: 

Equal COLA Act

This bill applies a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for annuities paid under the Federal Employees Retirement System that is equal to the increase in inflation, regardless of the amount of the increase.

Specifically, for any year in which the Consumer Price Index (CPI) has increased over the previous year, the COLA amount shall be increased by the change in the CPI from the previous year. 

Current law applies an adjustment equal to the change in CPI only if the change is 2% or less. If the change is between 2% and 3%, the adjustment is limited to 2%. If the change is more than 3%, the adjustment is limited to 1% less than the change.



Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-09-16
text: ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Walkinshaw asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 491, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
Saving the Civil Service Act

Bill: 119-hr-492
Sponsor: Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]
Introduced: 2025-01-16 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Federal officials
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: 

Saving the Civil Service Act

This bill generally prohibits changes to the classification of positions in the competitive service and excepted service unless certain conditions are met. (Competitive service positions are subject to competitive examination while excepted service positions are appointed under one of five schedules. Competitive service positions have notice and appeal requirements for adverse actions that are not applicable to most excepted positions, including those of a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character under Schedule C.)

On October 21, 2020, President Donald Trump issued an executive order that placed executive agency positions that are of a confidential, policy-determining, policy-making, or policy-advocating character, and that are not normally subject to change as a result of a presidential transition, under a new Schedule F in the excepted service. The order was subsequently revoked by President Joe Biden.

The bill prohibits executive agency positions in the competitive service from being placed in the excepted service, unless such positions are placed in a schedule in the excepted service as in effect on September 30, 2020. The bill also prohibits positions in the excepted service from being placed in any schedule other than the aforementioned schedules.

Additionally, agencies may not (1) transfer occupied positions from the competitive or excepted service into Schedule C without the consent of the Office of Personnel Management, or (2) transfer employees in the excepted service to another schedule or transfer employees in the competitive service to the excepted service without employee consent. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-09-16
text: ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Walkinshaw asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 492, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
FAIR Act

Bill: 119-hr-493
Sponsor: Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]
Introduced: 2025-01-16 in the House
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: 

Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act or the FAIR Act

This bill modifies pay rates for federal employees in 2026. Specifically, the bill increases rates under the statutory pay systems and for prevailing rate employees by 3.3% and increases locality pay by 1%.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-09-16
text: ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Mr. Walkinshaw asked unanimous consent that he may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 493, a bill originally introduced by Representative Connolly, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
To amend the Cybersecurity Enhancement Act of 2014 to make improvements to the Federal Cyber Scholarship for Service Program, and for other purposes.

Bill: 119-hr-494
Sponsor: Rep. Connolly, Gerald E. [D-VA-11]
Introduced: 2025-01-16 in the House
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: 
This bill makes certain changes to the CyberCorps Scholarship for Service program, including increasing available scholarship amounts to cover up to five years of eligible tuition. 

The program offers scholarships to students pursuing higher education in cybersecurity and related fields, including artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and aerospace. Under current law, the scholarship covers up to three years of tuition. Recipients must generally commit to work in cybersecurity for a government agency or institution of higher education following completion of their degree program for a period equivalent to the duration of the scholarship. If a recipient fails to fulfill the postgraduation work requirements, some or all of the scholarship must be repaid or treated as a loan. 

The bill also provides statutory authority for the National Science Foundation to treat as a Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan the full amount of any scholarship award that is treated as a loan. Under current law, Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loans are subject to certain conditions (e.g., interest rates and repayment schedules) and are eligible for student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
Subterranean Border Defense Act

Bill: 119-hr-495
Sponsor: Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2]
Introduced: 2025-01-16 in the House
Policy area: Immigration
Subjects: Border security and unlawful immigration
Government information and archives

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: 

Subterranean Border Defense Act

This bill requires recurring annual reporting by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on the implementation of a strategic plan to counter illicit cross-border tunnel operations. Currently, CBP is only required to report once no later than one year after the plan's development. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-03-11
text: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2025-03-10
text: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
action_date: 2025-03-10
text: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 - 1 (Roll no. 63). (text: CR H1046)
action_date: 2025-03-10
text: Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 402 - 1 (Roll no. 63). (text: CR H1046)
action_date: 2025-03-10
text: Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1057-1058)
action_date: 2025-03-10
text: At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
action_date: 2025-03-10
text: DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 495.
action_date: 2025-03-10
text: Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H1045-1046)
action_date: 2025-03-10
text: Mr. Green (TN) moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Homeland Security.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
Veterans 2nd Amendment Restoration Act of 2025

Bill: 119-hr-496
Sponsor: Rep. Crane, Elijah [R-AZ-2]
Introduced: 2025-01-16 in the House
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Criminal justice information and records
Firearms and explosives

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-02-20
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
Medicaid Third Party Liability Act

Bill: 119-hr-497
Sponsor: Rep. Crenshaw, Dan [R-TX-2]
Introduced: 2025-01-16 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Health care costs and insurance
Medicaid
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: 

Medicaid Third Party Liability Act

 
This bill modifies requirements relating to Medicaid third-party liability.
 
Current law generally requires legally liable third parties (e.g., health insurers) to pay claims before Medicaid. However, Medicaid must pay first (and seek reimbursement from liable third parties) for claims for (1) preventive pediatric care, and (2) services for an individual for whom child support enforcement is being conducted by the state. The bill repeals these exceptions. 
 
Current law also requires state Medicaid programs to take all reasonable measures to identify legally liable third parties. The bill specifically prohibits federal Medicaid payment for services to individuals for whom third-party insurance information was not obtained and verified by the state.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2025-01-16
text: Introduced in House