jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Bill 113-HR-1804 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Veterans Accountability Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to report semiannually to the congressional veterans committees on covered travel made by VA employees while on official business. Defines covered travel as travel: (1) outside the United States or its territories, possessions, or territorial waters, if paid for by the VA or another element of the government; or (2) to any location, if paid for by any person or entity other than the government. Requires each report to include the name of each employee and the destination, purpose, duration, total cost, and identity of a payor other than the government.

Directs the Secretary to report each case of reportable infectious disease or condition (a disease or condition that a state requires to be reported) that occurs at a VA medical facility to the appropriate state entity and to report to the accrediting organization of such facility each case classified as a health-care-associated infection sentinel event. Requires the Secretary, upon a failure to report, to pay to a state the same penalty that a non-federal facility of such state would pay for a failure to report. Allows a state to file a civil action against the VA for the recovery of such amount. Requires the VA Inspector General to investigate and suspend and impose other appropriate administrative disciplinary action against a director of a Veterans Integrated Service Network who has failed to comply with such requirement.

Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations to ensure that any visual recording made by the Secretary of a patient during the course of furnishing care through the VA is carried out only with the full and informed consent of that patient. Allows the Secretary to waive such requirement if the recording is made: (1) upon a determination by a physician or psychologist that the recording is medically necessary or necessary for the patient's safety, (2) pursuant to a warrant or order of a court of competent jurisdiction, or (3) in a public setting where a person would not have a reasonable expectation to privacy (such as a waiting room or hallway) and the recording is for general security purposes not particularized to the patient.
Bill 113-HR-1805 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Veterans Claims Efficiency Through Automation Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to include in a required annual VA activities and costs report to Congress a report on the automatic processing of claims for compensation during the preceding year, including each medical condition for which claims were processed and the number of claims for each condition.
Bill 113-HR-1809 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to post notices of average times for the processing of compensation claims, as well as the percentage of claims approved, in a conspicuous place in each VA regional office and claims intake facility and on the VA website.

Requires the Secretary to notify each person submitting a claim of the above information, as well as the person's eligibility to receive up to an extra year of benefit payments upon filing a claim that is fully developed.

Requires the notice information to be updated at least quarterly.
Bill 113-HR-1824 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

VA Regional Office Accountability Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include in a required annual report on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) expenditures and activities a report on each VA regional office that failed to reach administrative goals concerning the timeliness and accuracy of veterans' claims adjudication.
Bill 113-HR-1832 — Defense / Other
Subject: Government operations and politics

Gold Star Fathers Act of 2013 - Includes as a preference eligible for federal employment purposes a parent (currently, the mother only) of either an individual who lost his or her life under honorable conditions while serving in the Armed Forces during a war, in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized, or during the period beginning April 28, 1952, and ending July 1, 1955, or a service-connected permanently and totally disabled veteran, if: (1) the spouse of such parent is totally and permanently disabled; or (2) such parent, when preference is claimed, is unmarried or legally separated from his or her spouse.
Bill 113-HR-1855 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to establish a process for determining whether individuals who served in the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines or in the Philippine Scouts while in the service of the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II and who are not included in the Missouri List are eligible for certain benefits relating to their U.S. service.
Bill 113-HR-1936 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Honoring Our WWII Merchant Mariners Act of 2013 - Establishes in the Treasury the Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund for payments by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) of a monthly benefit of $1,000 to each individual who, between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, was a documented member of the U.S. merchant marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) serving as a crewmember of a vessel that was operated in U.S. waters by the War Shipping Administration or the Office of Defense Transportation and under contract to, or the property of, the United States. Requires such individuals to: (1) apply for such benefit within one year after the enactment of this Act, and (2) not have received benefits under the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944.

Requires the Secretary to include, in annual budget documents submitted to Congress, detailed information on the Fund's operation.
Bill 113-HR-1957 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Volunteer Veterans for Cemetery Service Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) or the Secretary of the military department concerned to accept voluntary services performed by a veteran or veterans organization at a national cemetery, including the veteran's sharing with visitors of the story of the veteran's military service.
Bill 113-HR-1980 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery Act - Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), during the six-year period after the enactment of this Act, from requesting a medical examination in connection with a claim for veterans' disability compensation when the claimant submits medical evidence provided by a non-VA medical professional that is competent, credible, probative, and otherwise adequate for making a claim decision.

Requires the Secretary, during the same period: (1) to assign a prestabilization disability rating of total, 50%, or 30%, as appropriate; (2) to provide temporary minimum disability ratings for veterans not assigned a permanent rating; and (3) to not count any veteran assigned a prestabilization or temporary minimum rating under any backlog of unassigned ratings.

Authorizes the Secretary, during the same period, to certify benefit payments by mail or account deposit before the first day of the month for which such payments are due.
Bill 113-HR-1987 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Veterans' Dignity and Honor Act - Increases the amounts payable through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for: (1) burial and funeral expenses of certain veterans, and (2) such expenses in connection with a veteran's death due to a service-connected disability.
Bill 113-HR-2011 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education Improvement Act of 2013 - Extends through the end of 2015 the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education.

Requires the Committee to include veterans representative of the post-9/11 operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Bill 113-HR-2018 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Honor Those Who Served Act of 2013 - Revises veterans' burial benefits provisions to allow a person to request a headstone or marker from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to commemorate an eligible individual if such person is: (1) the decedent's next of kin; (2) a person authorized by the next of kin to make such request; (3) a personal representative authorized by the decedent to make such request; (4) in the case of a decedent for whom there is no person under (1) through (3) identified, a state veterans agency, a military researcher, a local historian, a genealogist, or other person familiar with methods necessary to prove the identity of the decedent; or (5) in the case of a veteran who served on active duty at least 62 years before the date on which the headstone or marker is requested, any person.

Allows for the request of a headstone or marker without an emblem of religious belief.
Bill 113-HR-2063 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Authorizes enrollment in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) patient enrollment system (and thereby, eligibility for VA hospital care and medical services) for veterans who served during World War II who are not otherwise eligible for such care.
Bill 113-HR-2065 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Safe Housing for Homeless Veterans Act - Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) from making a grant or providing other assistance to any entity for the provision of housing or housing services to homeless veterans unless such entity submits to the Secretary a certification that the building proposed for such housing or services is in compliance with all local codes relevant to operations and level of care provided, as well as any other local requirements regarding the condition of the structure and the operation of the supportive housing or service center. Directs the Secretary to include, in a currently-required annual report on assistance to homeless veterans, an evaluation of the safety and accessibility of such facilities.
Bill 113-HR-2082 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Authorizes and requests the President to award the Medal of Honor to James Megellas for acts of valor on January 28, 1945, during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.
Bill 113-HR-2086 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Pay As You Rate Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), prior to adjudicating a claim which requires decisions with respect to two or more disabilities, to make interim payments based on any disability for which the Secretary has already made a decision.

Requires the Secretary, upon claim adjudication, to pay the benefits awarded less the amount of the interim payments.
Bill 113-HR-2088 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a three-year pilot program to establish 12 VA claims adjudication centers of excellence by selecting the three highest performing regional offices in each of the four areas of the Veterans Benefits Administration. Requires each center to focus on adjudicating claims relating to one medical condition selected by the Secretary.

Provides for appropriate employee specialized training with respect to such medical conditions. Prohibits any employee from working concurrently at more than one center, but allows an employee to move from one center to another as long as the employee receives the training appropriate for that center.

Authorizes the Secretary to assign additional full-time employees to a center as necessary.

Requires the Secretary to select the focus medical conditions within 90 days after the enactment of this Act.
Bill 113-HR-2106 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Authorizes and requests the President to award the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing for acts of valor during the Civil War.
Bill 113-HR-2119 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Veterans Access to Speedy Review Act - Requires the Board of Veterans' Appeals, for purposes of scheduling a veteran's appeal hearing at the earliest possible date, to determine whether to provide such hearing: (1) at its principal location or at another Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility or other federal facility, and (2) through the use of videoconferencing or by an appellant's personal appearance.

Requires the Board to notify the appellant of such decisions. Allows: (1) the appellant to request a different location or type of hearing, and (2) the Board to grant such request while ensuring that the hearing is scheduled at the earliest possible date.
Bill 113-HR-2129 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Defense Base Act Insurance Improvement Act of 2013 - Amends the Defense Base Act (the Act) to require satisfaction through the Government Defense Base Act self-insurance program of insurance and benefits requirements imposed on defense contractors with respect to on-job injuries.

Directs the Secretaries of Defense (DOD) and Labor to jointly: (1) develop and execute an implementation strategy for a self-insurance program for insurance required by the Act, and (2) report to Congress on such strategy and on the implementation of this Act.
Bill 113-HR-2133 — Defense / Other
Subject: Taxation

Veterans Back to Work Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the work opportunity tax credit for hiring qualified veterans (veterans receiving compensation for a service-connected disability and other federal assistance), and (2) allow employers who hire qualified veterans an exemption from employment and railroad retirement taxes for such veterans' first-year wages. Appropriates amounts to the Social Security Old-Age and Survivors Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund to cover any revenue loss to such Funds resulting from this Act.
Bill 113-HR-2138 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Ending VA Claims Disability Backlog and Accountability Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement the Strategic Plan to Eliminate the Compensation Claims Backlog (Plan) to ensure that, by Memorial Day (May 25) 2015, each VA disability claim is approved or denied within 125 days after its submission, with an accuracy rate of 98%. Requires a supplemental report from the Secretary to Congress on specific measures to assess implementation of the Plan and a detailed timeline to implement each initiative contained in the Plan.

Directs the Secretary to enter into agreements with the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration and the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to ensure that such Commissioner and DOD Secretary transfer to the VA disability or medical records the VA Secretary will use to evaluate a disability claim by not later than 30 days after the VA Secretary requests such records.

Requires the two Secretaries to submit to Congress, and implement, a plan to reduce to 30 days the time needed to provide members of the National Guard and the VA Secretary with the medical records of such members.

Requires the VA Secretary to establish a three-year training program for newly-hired VA claims processors.

Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress every 90 days on the Secretary's progress in implementing the Plan.
Bill 113-HR-2151 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Includes within authorized work-study activities, for individuals entitled to work-study allowances through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in connection with VA rehabilitation, education, or training programs, the following activities carried out at offices of Members of Congress: (1) the distribution of information to members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their dependents concerning available benefits and services under governmental and nongovernmental programs; and (2) the preparation and processing of papers and other documents, including those used to assist in the preparation and presentation of veterans' benefits claims.
Bill 113-HR-2157 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Makes eligible for interment at Arlington National Cemetery (Virginia) an individual who: (1) served honorably in the U.S. Army, (2) served at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as a Tomb Guard, and (3) was awarded the Tomb Guard Identification Badge or a certificate of participation if service occurred prior to the introduction of such Badge.
Bill 113-HR-2169 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Veterans Education Flexibility Act - Provides that if an individual eligible for educational assistance under the all-volunteer force educational assistance program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is enrolled in an educational institution and the period of such individual's entitlement (ten years after discharge or release from active duty) would expire during a quarter or semester of enrollment, that period shall be extended to the end of that quarter or semester. Allows such an extension until the earlier of the end of the course or 12 weeks, in the case of an educational institution not regularly operated on a quarter or semester basis.

Repeals the delimiting period for the use of assistance under the post-Vietnam era veterans' educational assistance program (generally 10 years after the veteran's last discharge or release from active duty).

Applies the assistance extension provided under the all-volunteer force educational assistance program to the post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance program.
Bill 113-HR-2187 — Defense / Other
Subject: Crime and law enforcement

Servicemember Assistance for Lawful Understanding, Treatment, and Education Act or the SALUTE Act - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Attorney General to award grants for developing, implementing, or enhancing veterans' treatment courts or expanding operational mental health or drug courts to serve veterans to ensure that such courts effectively integrate substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, sanctions and incentives, and transitional services, in a judicially supervised court setting with jurisdiction over offenders who are veterans.

Authorizes the Attorney General to award such grants to states, state courts, local courts, local governments, and Indian tribal governments for court programs that involve: (1) continuing judicial supervision over offenders who are veterans with substance abuse or mental health problems; (2) coordination with appropriate federal, state, or local prosecutors; (3) coordination with the Veterans Health Administration; and (4) the integrated administration of other sanctions and services, including substance abuse and mental health treatment, supervised release involving the possibility of prosecution, confinement, or incarceration based on non-compliance with program requirements or failure to show satisfactory progress, and offender management. Prohibits the use of grant funds to provide judicial supervision over, treatment of, or other services to violent offenders.

Sets forth application and reporting requirements.

Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study to assess the effectiveness and impact of such grant program.
Bill 113-HR-2209 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Directs the Secretary of the Army to establish a chain of command for Army national military cemeteries, including a military commander of the Army National Military Cemeteries to replace the current civilian director upon the termination of the tenure of such director.
Bill 113-HR-2244 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Honoring Ezeagwula and Long Act or the HEAL Act - Designates the attack that occurred at a recruiting station in Little Rock, Arkansas, on June 1, 2009, in which Private William Long of the U.S. Army was killed and Private Quinton Ezeagwula was wounded, as an international terrorist attack carried out by an enemy of the United States. Entitles Long and Ezeagwula to be awarded the Purple Heart.
Bill 113-HR-2327 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration Act of 2013 - Establishes in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) a Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration (VEOA), headed by the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity, to administer VA programs of economic opportunity assistance to veterans and their dependents and survivors. Requires VEOA to administer the following VA programs: (1) vocational rehabilitation and employment programs; (2) educational assistance programs; (3) veterans' housing loan and related programs; and (4) veterans' small business programs, including the program to increase participation in VA contracts by small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans who have service-connected disabilities and by veterans who do not have such disabilities.

Limits the aggregate number of full-time equivalent employees authorized for the Veterans Benefit Administration and VEOA for FY2014.
Bill 113-HR-2354 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Proper Replacement Of Medals and Performance Tracking Act or the PROMPT Act - Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned, when recipients of certain military decorations or medals (or in some cases when the recipient's immediate next of kin) requests a replacement of such decoration (e.g., when the original medal is lost, stolen, or destroyed), to ensure that: (1) all actions to be taken with respect to the request, including verification of the service record of the recipient, are completed within one year; and (2) the replacement is mailed to the person making the request within a specified period after such verification.

Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to submit to Congress: (1) an annual report regarding compliance by the military departments with such replacement performance standards; and (2) a plan to implement such standards, including an estimate of FY2015 funds necessary to meet or exceed such standards.
Bill 113-HR-2358 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Preference for Local Veteran Contractors Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to give a preference to a local (within a 60-mile radius) contractor in the award of a contract for: (1) the construction or maintenance of a VA facility, or (2) services provided to a particular VA facility or campus. Requires the Secretary, upon awarding such a contract to a non-local contractor, to publish a public explanation of why a local contractor was not awarded the contract.

Includes veterans who are local contractors within a required VA priority for awarding contracts to small businesses.
Bill 113-HR-2382 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Prioritizing Urgent Claims for Veterans Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), in processing veterans claims for compensation, to provide priority over other claimants to: (1) veterans who have attained age 70, (2) veterans who are terminally ill, and (3) veterans who have life-threatening illnesses.
Bill 113-HR-2412 — Defense / Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security

Veterans Health Access Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, when it is determined that Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities are not capable of furnishing economic hospital care or medical services because of geographical inaccessibility or the care or services required, to determine whether or not to furnish such care or services to a veteran in a non-VA facility. Requires such determination to be made within 30 days following the request for such care or services.