hyperdemocracy/usc-billstatus huggingface dataset:
Expel Illegal Chinese Police Act of 2025

Bill: 119-s-49
Sponsor: Sen. Cotton, Tom [R-AR]
Introduced: 2025-01-09 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: 

Expel Illegal Chinese Police Act of 2025

This bill requires sanctions on certain foreign persons associated with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) or Chinese law enforcement institutions, including those seeking to establish a Chinese police presence in the United States. 

The bill requires the President to impose visa-blocking sanctions on certain non-U.S. nationals (
aliens
 under federal law), including those who are (1) employees of Chinese law enforcement institutions or their immediate family members, or (2) directly associated with a Chinese police or United Front Work Department (UFWD) presence in the United States. (The CCP's UFWD seeks to win support for the CCP from non-CCP groups at home and abroad, with a focus on ethnic-Chinese diaspora communities.)

The President must also impose property-blocking sanctions on foreign individuals or entities that are (1) Chinese law enforcement institutions, their senior leaders, or those acting under the control of such institutions; (2) directly associated with establishing or maintaining a Chinese police presence in the United States; or (3) acting under the control of the UFWD with the intention of covertly monitoring or intimidating those living in the United States.

Additionally, the bill requires the President to prohibit federal agencies from participating in investigations into foreign persons subject to these sanctions unless the investigation is (1) initiated by the U.S. government; or (2) the President determines that such participation is vital to the health, safety, and well-being of U.S. citizens.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Transnational Criminal Organization Illicit Spotter Prevention and Elimination Act

Bill: 119-s-50
Sponsor: Sen. Ernst, Joni [R-IA]
Introduced: 2025-01-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: 

Transnational Criminal Organization Illicit Spotter Prevention and Elimination Act

This bill provides for criminal penalties for certain conduct that interferes with U.S. border control measures.

Specifically, a person who knowingly transmits the location or activities of law enforcement with the intent to further a crime related to immigration, customs, controlled substances, or other border controls may be imprisoned for a maximum of 10 years. A person who knowingly damages or destroys a device deployed to control the border or a port of entry may be imprisoned for a maximum of 10 years.

Additionally, the bill provides for enhanced punishment for carrying or using a firearm in connection with certain criminal immigration violations such as assisting a non-U.S. national (
alien
 under federal law) who is inadmissible due to a felony conviction enter the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Washington, D.C. Admission Act

Bill: 119-s-51
Sponsor: Sen. Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]
Introduced: 2025-01-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional districts and representation
Congressional elections
Constitution and constitutional amendments
District of Columbia
Elections, voting, political campaign regulation
Government buildings, facilities, and property
House of Representatives
Legislative rules and procedure
Members of Congress
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: 

Washington, D.C. Admission Act

This bill provides for the establishment of the State of Washington, Douglass Commonwealth, and its admission into the United States.

The state is composed of most of the territory of the District of Columbia (DC), excluding a specified area that encompasses the U.S. Capitol, the White House, the U.S. Supreme Court building, federal monuments, and federal office buildings adjacent to the National Mall and the U.S. Capitol. The excluded territory shall be known as the Capital and serve as the seat of the government of the United States, as provided for in Article I of the Constitution. The state may not impose taxes on federal property except as Congress permits.

The bill provides for the DC Mayor to issue a proclamation for the first elections to Congress of two Senators and one Representative of the state. The bill eliminates the office of Delegate to the House of Representatives.

The bill applies current DC laws to the state. DC judicial proceedings and contractual obligations shall continue under the state’s authority. The bill also provides for specified federal obligations to transfer to the state upon its certification that it has funds and laws in place to assume the obligations. These include maintaining a retirement fund for judges and operating public defender services. 

The bill establishes a commission that is generally comprised of members who are appointed by DC and federal government officials to advise on an orderly transition to statehood.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Introduced in Senate
End Child Trafficking Now Act

Bill: 119-s-52
Sponsor: Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
Introduced: 2025-01-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: 

End Child Trafficking Now Act

This bill imposes restrictions related to adult non-U.S. nationals (
aliens
 under federal law) being admitted into the United States with a minor.

Such an adult may not be admitted with a minor unless the adult (1) presents documents and witness testimony proving that the adult is a relative or guardian of the minor, or (2) submits to a DNA test that proves such a relationship. The Department of Homeland Security may request a DNA test only if the required relationship cannot be established by the presented documents and witness testimony. An adult who does not consent to a requested DNA test shall be inadmissible.

If the required relationship cannot be established and the immigration officer believes the adult is guilty of a felony offense, the officer may arrest the adult.

The bill makes it a crime for an adult to knowingly use a minor to whom the adult is not a relative or guardian to enter the United States.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Introduced in Senate
PRINTS Act

Bill: 119-s-53
Sponsor: Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
Introduced: 2025-01-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: 

Preventing the Recycling of Immigrants is Necessary for Trafficking Suspension Act or the PRINTS Act

This bill addresses migrant minor children entering the United States. Specifically, the bill makes it a crime for a person to knowingly use a minor to gain entry to the United States if the minor is not a close relative or if the person is not the minor’s guardian. In addition, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) must fingerprint all non-U.S. nationals (
aliens
 under federal law) entering the United States who are younger than 14 years of age if a CBP officer suspects that the child is victim of human trafficking.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) must share with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) any fingerprints collected under this bill from an unaccompanied child if that child is transferred to HHS custody.

DHS must report to Congress on the number of children fingerprinted annually under this bill. DHS must also publish on a monthly basis the number of individuals apprehended for falsely claiming a child accompanying them into the United States was a close relative. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to authorize an additional district judgeship for the district of Idaho.

Bill: 119-s-54
Sponsor: Sen. Crapo, Mike [R-ID]
Introduced: 2025-01-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Federal district courts
Idaho
Judges

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: 
This bill increases from two to three the total number of U.S. district court judgeships for the District of Idaho. The President must appoint, with the advice and consent of the Senate, one additional judge for that judicial district.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Read the Bills Act

Bill: 119-s-55
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2025-01-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: 

Read the Bills Act

This bill establishes requirements for bills and resolutions to be introduced or considered by the Senate or the House of Representatives.

First, the bill requires any bill or resolution to cite the specific powers granted to Congress in the Constitution to enact all provisions in the proposed measure. Without this information, the measure may not be accepted by the Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the Senate or submitted for a final vote. Each measure must also set forth the current law such measure is amending and show the proposed modifications to the law (except where a complete section of law is stricken). 

Further, a vote on final passage of such measure may not occur unless (1) the full text of the measure is published at least seven days before the vote, (2) public notice of the calendar week during which the vote is scheduled to take place is posted at least six days before the Monday of such week, and (3) the full text of the measure is read verbatim to the assembled body in each chamber. Members must affirm in writing that they read the measure in full or were present throughout the reading before voting in favor of passing the measure (i.e., such requirements do not apply for a member who votes against passage).

The bill also authorizes a person aggrieved by a violation of the bill's provisions to sue for appropriate relief (such as an injunction against enacting the measure).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Introduced in Senate
SAP Act

Bill: 119-s-56
Sponsor: Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]
Introduced: 2025-01-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food
Subjects: Agricultural education
Agricultural marketing and promotion
Agricultural prices, subsidies, credit
Agricultural research
Food industry and services
Forests, forestry, trees

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: 

Supporting All Producers Act or the SAP Act
 

This bill directs the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to solicit input from maple industry stakeholders with respect to the research and education priorities of the maple industry for the Acer Access and Development Program (Acer). Specifically, the bill amends Acer to require USDA to consider the information provided through consultation with the maple industry when making program grants.

The bill also extends the program's authorization through FY2030.

As background, Acer provides competitive grants to states, tribal governments, and research institutions to support their efforts to promote the domestic maple syrup industry through activities associated with, among other things, the promotion of (1) research and education related to maple syrup production, and (2) natural resource sustainability in the maple syrup industry.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Introduced in Senate
MAPLE Act

Bill: 119-s-57
Sponsor: Sen. Welch, Peter [D-VT]
Introduced: 2025-01-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Agriculture and Food

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: 

Making Agricultural Products Locally Essential Act or the MAPLE Act

This bill includes maple syrup as one of the eligible foods under the Senior Farmers' Market Nutrition Program (SFMNP). 

As background, the Department of Agriculture's SFMNP provides grants to participating states to provide low-income seniors with coupons/vouchers that may be used at farmers’ markets, roadside stands, and community supported agriculture programs to purchase eligible foods (i.e., fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally-grown fruits, vegetables, herbs, and honey).


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 107 North Hoyne Avenue in Fritch, Texas, as the "Chief Zeb Smith Post Office".

Bill: 119-s-58
Sponsor: Sen. Cruz, Ted [R-TX]
Introduced: 2025-01-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional tributes
Government buildings, facilities, and property
Postal service
Texas

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: 
This bill designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 107 North Hoyne Avenue in Fritch, Texas, as the Chief Zeb Smith Post Office.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Introduced in Senate
One Subject at a Time Act

Bill: 119-s-59
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2025-01-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Congress
Subjects: Appropriations
Civil actions and liability
Government liability
Legislative rules and procedure

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: 

One Subject at a Time Act

This bill requires each bill or joint resolution to include no more than one subject and the subject to be clearly and descriptively expressed in the measure's title.

Further, an appropriations bill may not contain any general legislation or change to existing law that is not germane to the subject of such bill.

The bill voids an entire law or joint resolution that has a title which addresses two or more unrelated subjects. For noncompliant provisions of a law or joint resolution, the bill voids the specific noncompliant provisions. For example, this includes appropriation provisions that are outside of the relevant subcommittee's jurisdiction. 

Additionally, a person (individual or entity) who is aggrieved by the enforcement, or the attempted enforcement, of a law that passed without complying with this bill's requirements may sue the United States for appropriate relief.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Rules and Administration.
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Write the Laws Act

Bill: 119-s-60
Sponsor: Sen. Paul, Rand [R-KY]
Introduced: 2025-01-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Congressional oversight
Congressional-executive branch relations
Government information and archives
Legislative rules and procedure
Presidents and presidential powers, Vice Presidents

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: 

Write the Laws Act

This bill prohibits an act of Congress from containing any delegation of legislative powers, whether to any component within the legislative branch, the President or any other member of the executive branch, the judicial branch, any agency or quasi-public agency, any state or state instrumentality, or any other organization or individual.

The Government Accountability Office must identify to Congress all statutes enacted before the date that is 90 days after this bill's enactment that contain any delegation of legislative power.

Any act of Congress, presidential directive, adjudicative decision, rule, or regulation that is enacted 90 days or more after this bill's enactment and is noncompliant with this bill shall have no force or effect.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Introduced in Senate
National Human Trafficking Database Act

Bill: 119-s-61
Sponsor: Sen. Blackburn, Marsha [R-TN]
Introduced: 2025-01-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Computers and information technology
Congressional oversight
Crime victims
Criminal justice information and records
Department of Justice
Executive agency funding and structure
Government information and archives
Human trafficking
Intergovernmental relations
Internet, web applications, social media
Smuggling and trafficking
Social work, volunteer service, charitable organizations
State and local government operations

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: 

National Human Trafficking Database Act

This bill establishes a framework to collect comprehensive data on human trafficking.

At the federal level, the bill requires the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC) within the Department of Justice to establish an online database that includes human trafficking data for each state.

At the state level, the bill authorizes grants for covered state agencies (e.g., a state bureau of investigation or similar law enforcement agency) to collect and report human trafficking data to the OVC.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Introduced in Senate
America First Act

Bill: 119-s-62
Sponsor: Sen. Lee, Mike [R-UT]
Introduced: 2025-01-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Immigration

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: 

America First Act

This bill limits the eligibility of certain non-U.S. nationals (
aliens
 under federal law) for various federal benefits and grants, makes permanent the child tax credit increase, and requires individuals to provide evidence of satisfactory immigration status prior to receiving specified benefits.

The bill prohibits asylees, parolees, and individuals withheld from removal from receiving certain federal benefits, including Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), and Supplemental Security Income. The bill further restricts on the basis of immigration status benefits under federal health programs such as Medicare, emergency disaster relief, housing assistance, food assistance, early childhood assistance, student aid, and Community Development Block Grants.

The bill also makes permanent the increase in the child tax credit set to expire at the end of 2025. In addition, this tax credit and the earned income tax credit are not available to asylees, parolees, individuals granted temporary protected status, individuals withheld from removal, individuals granted deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status, and non-U.S. nationals with employment-based immigrant visas.

Federal aid is reduced for elementary and secondary education by 50% annually to jurisdictions that do not assist federal immigration enforcement actions (deemed 
sanctuary jurisdictions
 under the bill).

The bill also removes statutory exemptions for Haitian entrants that allows such entrants to receive various aid.

Certain benefits are prohibited, including Medicaid and SNAP, until an applicant’s satisfactory immigration status is proved.

The bill prohibits tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organizations from using federal funds to support certain non-U.S. nationals.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Introduced in Senate
CBW Fentanyl Act

Bill: 119-s-63
Sponsor: Sen. Banks, Jim [R-IN]
Introduced: 2025-01-09 in the Senate
Policy area: International Affairs

Summary:

Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Introduced in Senate
A bill to direct the United States Postal Service to designate a single, unique ZIP Code for Fairlawn, Virginia, and for other purposes.

Bill: 119-s-64
Sponsor: Sen. Warner, Mark R. [D-VA]
Introduced: 2025-01-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Government Operations and Politics
Subjects: Postal service
Virginia

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: 
This bill requires the U.S. Postal Service to designate a single, unique ZIP Code applicable to Fairlawn, Virginia.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025

Bill: 119-s-65
Sponsor: Sen. Cornyn, John [R-TX]
Introduced: 2025-01-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Crime and Law Enforcement
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
Firearms and explosives
Forests, forestry, trees
Intergovernmental relations
Judicial procedure and administration
Land use and conservation
Legal fees and court costs
Parks, recreation areas, trails
State and local government operations
Wilderness and natural areas, wildlife refuges, wild rivers, habitats

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: 

Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act of 2025 

This bill allows a qualified individual to carry a concealed handgun into or possess a concealed handgun in another state that allows its residents to carry concealed firearms.

A qualified individual must (1) be eligible to possess, transport, or receive a firearm under federal law; (2) carry a valid photo identification document; and (3) carry a valid state-issued concealed carry permit, or be eligible to carry a concealed firearm in his or her state of residence.

 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Transparency in Bureaucratic Communications Act

Bill: 119-s-66
Sponsor: Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]
Introduced: 2025-01-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Science, Technology, Communications

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: 

Transparency in Bureaucratic Communications Act

This bill requires federal offices of inspectors general to include in their existing semiannual reports to Congress information about any communications between their department or agency and certain online platforms and services. 

Specifically, such reports must include details on the contents and circumstances of any communication or attempted communication with an internet platform, information content provider, or access software provider. Covered communications include those addressing specific online content, content moderation practices, and any other topic related to a platform's or service's data inputs, algorithms, modeling and simulation processes, analysis tools, or any related tool. 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Introduced in Senate
Censorship Accountability Act

Bill: 119-s-67
Sponsor: Sen. Schmitt, Eric [R-MO]
Introduced: 2025-01-09 in the Senate
Policy area: Law
Subjects: Civil actions and liability
First Amendment rights
Government employee pay, benefits, personnel management
Lawyers and legal services

Summary:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: 

Censorship Accountability Act

This bill creates a new federal cause of action for the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured by the First Amendment by a federal employee acting under color of any statute, ordinance, custom, or usage of the United States.

The term 
federal employee
 means an individual, other than the President or Vice President, who occupies a position in the Executive Branch.


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.
action_date: 2025-01-09
text: Introduced in Senate