hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
TORNADO Act

Bill: 119-s-258
Sponsor: Sen. Wicker, Roger F. [R-MS]
Introduced: 2025-01-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Atmospheric science and weather
Congressional oversight
Earth sciences
Emergency communications systems
Emergency planning and evacuation
Floods and storm protection
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Natural disasters
Performance measurement
Research and development

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-27
text: 

Tornado Observations Research and Notification Assessment for Development of Operations Act or the TORNADO Act

This bill requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to evaluate and improve its communications about hurricanes, tornadoes, winter storms, and other hazardous weather events.

Specifically, NOAA must establish a Risk Communication Office to evaluate the effectiveness of NOAA's communications and to identify ways to provide simpler and clearer information to the public about hazardous weather events. NOAA must also (1) establish a research program to modernize its communication systems, and (2) establish a pilot program to implement the research with respect to communications about tornadoes.

Additionally, the bill requires NOAA to develop a strategic plan for implementing the Warn-on-Forecast System, which aims to provide more advanced warnings of thunderstorm-related events (e.g., tornadoes). The bill also requires NOAA to evaluate its tornado rating system and to conduct post-storm assessments of significant events.

The bill also provides statutory authority for NOAA's Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment (known as VORTEX-USA), a collaborative project between meteorologists and social scientists to study the conditions that contribute to dangerous tornadoes in the Southeast and the best ways to communicate these events to the public.

Finally, the Government Accountability Office must report on the National Weather Service's communication technology, particularly with respect to timely notices of hazardous weather events.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-06-02
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 88.
action_date: 2025-06-02
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with amendments. With written report No. 119-26.
action_date: 2025-06-02
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz with amendments. With written report No. 119-26.
action_date: 2025-02-05
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported with amendments favorably.
action_date: 2025-01-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2025-01-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act

Bill: 119-s-259
Sponsor: Sen. Fischer, Deb [R-NE]
Introduced: 2025-01-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications
Subjects: Asia
Caribbean area
China
Corporate finance and management
Cuba
Foreign and international corporations
Government information and archives
Iran
Latin America
Licensing and registrations
Middle East
North Korea
Russia
Venezuela

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-27
text: 

Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act

This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to annually publish a list of entities that hold a license or other authorization granted by the FCC and have ties to specified foreign countries.

With respect to entities holding cable landing licenses (for the placement and operation of submarine communications cables) or other licenses granted via competitive auction, the FCC must publish a list of all such entities (1) in which a covered entity holds a specified voting or equity interest, or (2) that have been determined by a national security agency to be subject to the control of a covered entity. 

With respect to entities holding all other categories of FCC licenses or other authorizations, the FCC must first issue rules facilitating the collection of information on such licensees’ ownership structure. After that information is obtained, the FCC must add to the published list any such entity in which a covered entity holds a specified voting or equity interest. 

Under the bill, a 
covered entity
 is defined as an entity organized in China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia; a subsidiary of such an entity; or the government of China, Iran, North Korea, or Russia.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-07-09
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 110.
action_date: 2025-07-09
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-36.
action_date: 2025-07-09
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-36.
action_date: 2025-04-30
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2025-01-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2025-01-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act

Bill: 119-s-260
Sponsor: Sen. Duckworth, Tammy [D-IL]
Introduced: 2025-01-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Transportation and Public Works
Subjects: Aviation and airports
Child health
Child safety and welfare
Congressional oversight
Government studies and investigations
Health technology, devices, supplies
Transportation safety and security

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-27
text: 

Bottles and Breastfeeding Equipment Screening Enhancement Act

This bill directs the Transportation Security Administration to issue or update guidance to minimize the risk for contamination of breast milk, baby formula, purified deionized water for infants, juice, and related products that are subject to re-screening or additional screening, including by ensuring adherence to hygienic standards. Related products include ice packs, freezer packs, frozen gel packs, and other accessories required to cool breast milk, baby formula, and juice.

In addition, the bill directs the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General to audit compliance with these requirements and submit a report to Congress.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-05-15
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2025-05-15
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2025-05-15
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2025-05-14
text: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S2933; text: CR S2933)
action_date: 2025-05-14
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate without amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2025-05-06
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 68.
action_date: 2025-05-06
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-19.
action_date: 2025-05-06
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Reported by Senator Cruz without amendment. With written report No. 119-19.
action_date: 2025-02-05
text: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2025-01-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
action_date: 2025-01-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Halt All United States Investments in Venezuela’s Energy Sector Act of 2025

Bill: 119-s-261
Sponsor: Sen. Durbin, Richard J. [D-IL]
Introduced: 2025-01-27 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S396; text: CR S396-397)
action_date: 2025-01-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds Congressional Gold Medal Act

Bill: 119-s-262
Sponsor: Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
Introduced: 2025-01-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Conflicts and wars
Congressional tributes
Military history
Military personnel and dependents

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-27
text: 

Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds Congressional Gold Medal Act

 
This bill provides for the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Roddie Edmonds in recognition of his achievements and heroic actions during World War II. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs.
action_date: 2025-01-27
text: Introduced in Senate
FAIR Act of 2025

Bill: 119-s-263
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2025-01-27 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Administrative remedies
Civil actions and liability
Congressional oversight
Criminal investigation, prosecution, interrogation
Customs enforcement
Due process and equal protection
Evidence and witnesses
Government trust funds
Judicial procedure and administration
Lawyers and legal services
Legal fees and court costs
Property rights
State and local government operations

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-27
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2025-01-27
text: Introduced in Senate
Improving Veterans’ Experience Act of 2025

Bill: 119-s-264
Sponsor: Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]
Introduced: 2025-01-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Armed Forces and National Security
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Department of Veterans Affairs
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Government studies and investigations
Veterans' pensions and compensation

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: 

Improving Veterans’ Experience Act of 2025

This bill establishes the Veterans Experience Office within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out the key customer experience initiatives of the VA relating to veterans’ and beneficiaries’ satisfaction with and usage of VA benefits and services.

Additionally, the office must

require the heads of other organizations and offices within the VA to report regularly on customer experience metrics, action plans, and other customer experience improvement efforts;

collect veteran-derived data to determine satisfaction and for use in policymaking;

provide strategic guidance and strategies to VA entities for engaging with veterans and beneficiaries;

assess and advise the VA on the accuracy and helpfulness of websites and customer-facing information of the VA; and

assess and advise the VA on the status and opportunities for improvement of the customer service efforts of the VA.

The requirements of this bill terminate on September 30, 2028.

The Government Accountability Office must analyze and report on the methodology, effectiveness, and implementation of the VA’s approach to improving veteran and beneficiary customer experience and satisfaction.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Freedom from Government Surveys Act

Bill: 119-s-265
Sponsor: Sen. Risch, James E. [R-ID]
Introduced: 2025-01-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Census and government statistics

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act

Bill: 119-s-266
Sponsor: Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
Introduced: 2025-01-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Drug, alcohol, tobacco use
Health personnel
Health promotion and preventive care
Mental health

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: 

Dr. Lorna Breen Health Care Provider Protection Reauthorization Act

This bill reauthorizes through FY2029 and revises Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) grants for programs and training to improve mental health among health care professionals and a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initiative to educate health care professionals about their mental health and related services.

Specifically, the bill reauthorizes HRSA grants to health care service providers and medical professional associations to implement programs supporting these professionals’ mental health, such as through peer-support programs or providing mental health care. It also authorizes HRSA to prioritize applicants that focus on reducing administrative burden on health care workers.

Also, the bill reauthorizes HRSA grants to government and certain educational entities for training health care students and professionals on how to address mental health and related issues. It also specifies that grants or contracts awarded under the program must be for not less than three years.

Additionally, the bill reauthorizes a CDC education and awareness initiative to help health care professionals understand and seek support for their mental health. It also requires the CDC to submit annual reports to specified congressional committees on the initiative’s activities and outcomes.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Restoring Access to Mountain Homes Act

Bill: 119-s-267
Sponsor: Sen. Budd, Ted [R-NC]
Introduced: 2025-01-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: 

Restoring Access to Mountain Homes Act

This bill authorizes the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to provide Public Assistance (PA) grant funding, under certain conditions, to reimburse government entities covered under the major disaster declaration for North Carolina relating to Tropical Storm Helene for the costs of repairing, replacing, or restoring private roads and bridges damaged by Helene.

Under current law, the PA program provides grants for repairing disaster damage to infrastructure owned or legally maintained by government entities (or certain nonprofits). The bill authorizes PA funding for permanent repair work on privately owned and maintained roads and bridges significantly damaged by Helene in North Carolina, as costs incurred by state, tribal, or local governments for such work are eligible for reimbursement. 

Also, under current law, the costs of repairing damage that existed before the disaster are generally ineligible for PA. The bill makes the repair, replacement, or restoration costs eligible for reimbursement under PA regardless of pre-existing condition.

Additionally, the bill contains criteria and conditions for reimbursement, including that to be eligible a road or bridge must be used as the sole means of accessing primary residences or essential community services. Reimbursement is under PA’s alternative procedures, and the bill requires FEMA to determine eligible costs based on estimates prepared by engineers.

Recipients of funds from FEMA’s Individuals and Households Program (IHP) before the bill’s enactment may use IHP funds for repairs eligible under the bill without those costs counting against their maximum amount of IHP assistance.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Saving American Workers’ Benefits Act of 2025

Bill: 119-s-268
Sponsor: Sen. Hyde-Smith, Cindy [R-MS]
Introduced: 2025-01-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Taxation

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act

Bill: 119-s-269
Sponsor: Sen. Kennedy, John [R-LA]
Introduced: 2025-01-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Social Welfare
Subjects: Disability assistance
Intergovernmental relations
Social security and elderly assistance

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: 

Ending Improper Payments to Deceased People Act

This bill permanently allows the Department of the Treasury to access certain death records maintained by the Social Security Administration (SSA) in order to facilitate the identification and prevention of improper payments (e.g., payments to deceased individuals). 

Current law requires the SSA to share its Death Master File with the Do Not Pay system maintained by Treasury for three years. The bill makes this requirement permanent.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-10-10
text: Held at the desk.
action_date: 2025-10-10
text: Received in the House.
action_date: 2025-10-08
text: Message on Senate action sent to the House.
action_date: 2025-09-19
text: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent. (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR S6798)
action_date: 2025-09-19
text: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Passed Senate with an amendment by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2025-09-19
text: Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent. (consideration: CR S6798)
action_date: 2025-09-19
text: Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs discharged by Unanimous Consent.
action_date: 2025-07-30
text: Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Natural Disaster Resilience and Recovery Accountability Act

Bill: 119-s-270
Sponsor: Sen. Lankford, James [R-OK]
Introduced: 2025-01-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Emergency Management

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: 

Natural Disaster Resilience and Recovery Accountability Act

This bill establishes the Commission on Federal Natural Disaster Resilience and Recovery within the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to examine and recommend reforms to improve federal programs and activities relating to natural disaster resilience and recovery.

OMB must appoint 15 members to serve on the commission. The bill requires federal agencies to advise the commission and furnish information upon request. 

The commission must hold its first meeting within 240 days after the bill’s enactment. Within two years after its first meeting, the commission must submit a final report to Congress. The report must provide recommendations to improve the federal government’s approach to natural disaster resilience and recovery, including program evaluation and specific policy recommendations. The commission terminates 60 days after it submits the final report.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Stop Illegal Reentry Act

Bill: 119-s-271
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2025-01-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: 

Stop Illegal Reentry Act

This bill increases criminal penalties for certain non-U.S. nationals (
aliens
 under federal law) who illegally reenter the United States after removal or exclusion.

Generally, an individual who had been denied entry into or removed from the United States and who later enters or attempts to enter the United States without prior approval from the Department of Homeland Security shall be fined, imprisoned for up to five years, or both. Current law requires a fine, imprisonment for up to two years, or both, for such an individual.

An individual who had been denied entry or removed three or more times and who later enters or attempts to enter the United States shall be fined, imprisoned for up to 10 years, or both.

An individual who was convicted of an aggravated felony or convicted at least two times before removal or departure and who subsequently enters or tries to enter the United States shall be imprisoned at least 5 years and for up to 20 years and may also be fined. Currently, there is no minimum term of imprisonment for an individual who reenters after a conviction for an aggravated felony, and there are no criminal penalties for a reentering individual who had been convicted at least two times (other than the penalties for illegal reentry generally).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Protect Infant Formula from Contamination Act

Bill: 119-s-272
Sponsor: Sen. Peters, Gary C. [D-MI]
Introduced: 2025-01-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Child health
Congressional oversight
Consumer affairs
Food supply, safety, and labeling
Government information and archives
Manufacturing
Nutrition and diet

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: 

Protect Infant Formula from Contamination Act

This bill imposes certain new requirements on infant formula manufacturers and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) following the discovery of contaminated, adulterated, or misbranded infant formula. 

Specifically, the bill requires infant formula manufacturers to report to the FDA within one business day of learning that formula that was processed by the manufacturer but that is no longer within the manufacturer’s control may not provide required nutrients or may be otherwise adulterated or misbranded. 

Further, if any testing of finished infant formula reveals the presence of specified microorganisms (e.g., salmonella), the manufacturer must notify the FDA within one business day. (Under current law, manufacturers are only required to report contamination to the FDA if the affected formula has left the manufacturer’s control.) The manufacturer must also promptly provide the test results to the FDA and consult with the FDA on proper isolation and disposal of the affected product. The FDA must respond to such a notification and begin discussing proper investigative and corrective action with the manufacturer within one business day. 

Within 90 days of a report of adulterated, misbranded, or contaminated infant formula, the FDA must determine whether the manufacturer that reported the problem has performed, or is performing, appropriate investigative and corrective action. 

Finally, the FDA is required to periodically report on the infant formula supply chain and efforts to improve the safety and supply of infant formula, and must consult with other federal agencies and infant formula stakeholders on these issues. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: Introduced in Senate
Small Business Child Care Investment Act

Bill: 119-s-273
Sponsor: Sen. Rosen, Jacky [D-NV]
Introduced: 2025-01-28 in the Senate
Policy area: Commerce
Subjects: Child care and development
Elementary and secondary education
Government lending and loan guarantees
Preschool education
Small business
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
Tax-exempt organizations

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-02-10
text: Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 9.
action_date: 2025-02-10
text: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Reported by Senator Ernst with an amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2025-02-10
text: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Reported by Senator Ernst with an amendment. Without written report.
action_date: 2025-02-05
text: Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship. Ordered to be reported with an amendment favorably.
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship.
action_date: 2025-01-28
text: Introduced in Senate