jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-05-19 00:00:00

Increases and extends through FY2010 the annual authorization of appropriations for Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) comprehensive service programs for homeless veterans.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-05-21 00:00:00

Help Our Homeless Veterans Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a national media campaign targeted at veterans who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless, with special emphasis on such veterans who are women.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-05-21 00:00:00

Atomic Veterans Relief Act - Includes within the definition of a "radiation-risk activity" for purposes of eligibility for veterans' disability compensation the exposure at any time to ionizing radiation from undetonated weapons or residual contamination resulting from a nuclear detonation. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include in regulations pertaining to the service-connection of veterans' disabilities additional provisions to ensure, in the case of a claim by a radiation-exposed veteran for service-connection of a nonpresumptive disability, that the procedures for establishment of whether the disability is service-connected and which require the mathematical calculation of the level of exposure of the veteran to the ionizing radiation (commonly referred to as dose reconstruction) also require the Secretary to, among other things: (1) determine the facts and circumstances of the exposure while presuming the veteran's recitation of the event as correct, unless clear and convincing evidence establishes otherwise; and (2) obtain a reconstructed dose based on specific facts and circumstances established by the evidence.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-05-21 00:00:00

PROTECT Act or Protecting the Retirement of Our Troops by Ensuring Compensation is Timely Act - Prohibits the Secretary of the military department concerned from presuming deceased a military retiree missing in Iraq or Afghanistan on or after October 7, 2001, until the earlier of seven years after the person was declared missing or the date the death is confirmed and a death certificate is delivered to the next of kin. Requires monthly retired pay to be resumed and any retired pay that may have been due following the declaration of the presumption of death to be retroactively paid to the family of the retiree.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-05-21 00:00:00

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay a $300 plot allowance to a state for spouses and children of certain veterans who are buried in state cemeteries.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-05-21 00:00:00

Veterans Missing in America Act of 2009 - Recognizes the tireless work and dedication of the Missing in America Project, in conjunction with numerous veterans service organizations, in identifying unclaimed remains of veterans. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to cooperate with such organizations to assist entities in possession of unclaimed or abandoned human remains in determining if any such remains are the remains of veterans or other individuals eligible for burial in a national cemetery. Requires the Secretary, upon a positive determination with respect to any such remains, to provide for and cover the cost of the burial and funeral expenses if the Secretary determines that: (1) there is no next of kin or other person claiming the remains; and (2) there are no other sufficient resources to cover such expenses. Directs the Secretary to establish a publicly accessible database of the names of any veteran or other individual so identified.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2009-06-03 00:00:00

Help Veterans Own Franchises Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow business franchisors and veterans who purchase a franchise tax credits for a specified percentage of the fees paid to purchase the franchise. Requires the Administrator of the Small Business Administration and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide information about the tax credits in this Act to veterans service organizations and advocacy groups.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-06-03 00:00:00

Makes the pension amount payable to the surviving spouses of veterans who served during a period of war equal to the pension paid to such veterans.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2009-06-03 00:00:00

Military Personnel Protection Act of 2009 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose criminal penalties for willfully causing, or attempting to cause, bodily injury to any person because of the actual or perceived status of such person as an active, guard, reserve, or retired member of the Armed Forces.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Congress
Date: 2009-06-03 00:00:00

Establishes the American Veterans Congressional Internship Program, under which each Member of the House of Representatives may hire for a maximum 12-month period one additional employee who meets specified eligibility criteria to serve as the American Veteran Congressional Intern. Requires such an Intern to be honorably discharged from service in the U.S. armed forces or in their reserve components.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-06-04 00:00:00

Veterans and Survivors Behavioral Health Awareness Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide scholarships to individuals pursuing education or training in behavioral health care specialties that are critical to the operations of Vet Centers (centers for readjustment counseling and related mental health services for veterans) in order to recruit and retain individuals with such specialties for service in Vet Centers. Conditions the scholarship on the recipient's agreeing to serve in such a capacity for whatever period the Secretary specifies in the agreement. Directs the Secretary, on receipt of a request for counseling from an individual who has been discharged or released from active service, to: (1) provide referrals to assist the individual in obtaining mental health care and services outside the VA; and (2) if pertinent, advise such individual of the individual's rights to apply for review of the discharge or release. Directs the Secretary to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide emotional support services for survivors of deceased members of the Armed Forces and deceased veterans through the survivors' peers.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-06-04 00:00:00

Armed Forces Behavioral Health Awareness Act - Makes any member of the Armed Forces who is deployed in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom or Enduring Freedom eligible for readjustment counseling and related mental health services through Vet Centers (centers for such counseling and services for veterans), regardless of the member's duty status. Directs the Secretary of Defense to award grants to nonprofit organizations that provide emotional support services for family members of members of the Armed Forces, including members of the reserves. Requires the Secretary of the Army to carry out a pilot program to enhance awareness of post-traumatic-stress-disorder (PTSD) among members of the Army.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-06-04 00:00:00

Disabled Veterans Life Insurance Enhancement Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide a two-year period, beginning on the date of enactment of this Act, to allow a person who was eligible for service disabled veterans life insurance but did not apply within the required two-year period after their disability was determined to apply for such insurance. Increases from: (1) $10,000 to $100,000 the maximum authorized amount of U.S. government or National Service life insurance; and (2) $20,000 to $50,000 the maximum authorized amount of supplemental insurance for totally disabled veterans.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-06-04 00:00:00

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reimburse family caregivers of disabled veterans for travel expenses, including lodging and subsistence, in connection with authorized VA treatment for such veterans.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-06-09 00:00:00

Military Overpayment Fairness Act of 2009 - Reduces the maximum amount that may be deducted from the pay of a member of the Armed Forces for recovery of an overpayment of military pay paid to the member from 20% to 10% of the member's pay for that month (unless such member requests collection at an accelerated rate). Requires the Secretary of the military department concerned to consult with the member regarding the repayment rate, taking into account the financial ability of the member to pay and avoiding the imposition of undue hardship on the member and his or her dependents. Provides specified delays in collection of overpayments from members injured or wounded during hostile action or incurring a wound, injury, or illness during active duty in a combat operation or combat zone. Imposes a five-year statute of limitations on the collection of overpayments. Allows for the cancellation of repayment when the Secretary concerned determines that the person: (1) relies on social security benefits or disability compensation for more than half the person's annual income; or (2) would suffer undue hardship in repaying the indebtedness.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-06-09 00:00:00

Families of Veterans Financial Security Act - Makes permanent the two-year extension of the free Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance coverage period for totally disabled veterans following separation from active or reserve duty.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-06-11 00:00:00

National Guard and Reservist Suicide Prevention and Community Response Act - Amends the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 to require the Department of Defense (DOD) Office for Reintegration Programs, as part of the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program, to establish a program to provide National Guard and Reserve members, their families, and their communities with training in suicide prevention and community healing and response to suicide. (Under current law, suicide prevention activities are one category of activities that may be included in the Office's development of outreach services.)
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-06-12 00:00:00

Protect the Homeland from North Korean and Iranian Ballistic Missiles Act - States the concern of Congress over North Korean and Iranian long-range ballistic missile technology and the spread of such technology. Expresses support for ballistic missile protection of U.S. allies and forward deployed forces but also the belief that this should not come at the expense of U.S. homeland protection. Directs the Secretary of Defense to deploy specified numbers of ground-based interceptors in Alaska and California and such number in other locations as determined to be appropriate by the President. Authorizes funding for the ground-based midcourse defense system of the Missile Defense Agency.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-06-12 00:00:00

U.S. Military Medals and Insignia Pride and Patriotism Act of 2009 - Prohibits a military exchange store or other nonappropriated fund instrumentality of DOD from purchasing for resale any military decorations, ribbons, badges, medals, insignia, or other military accoutrements not produced in the United States (Buy American requirement). Provides an exception when the Secretary determines that a satisfactory quality and sufficient quantity of an item produced in the United States cannot be procured. Includes U.S. territories and possessions within the definition of "United States" for purposes of this Act.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-06-15 00:00:00

Helping Active Duty Deployed Act of 2009 - Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to prohibit a cell phone company from charging an early termination penalty for a cellular telephone contract entered into on behalf of a service member who has received orders for foreign deployment or for permanent change of station within the United States. (Current law provides such protection for a contract entered into by the service member.) Revises provisions concerning arrearages and other obligations to prohibit a lessor from charging an early termination charge with respect to a residential, professional, business, or agricultural rental lease or a motor vehicle lease entered into by a person who subsequently enters military service, or for a service member who has received orders for permanent change of station or for deployment in support of a military operation. States that: (1) lease amounts for a period preceding the lease termination shall be paid on a prorated basis; and (2) other unpaid lease charges shall be paid by the lessee. Amends the Higher Education Act of 1965 to require an institution of higher education to refund the tuition and fees paid by a student whose absence is due to military service for the payment period or period of enrollment for which such student did not receive academic credit as a result of such absence.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-06-16 00:00:00

Wounded Warrior Caregiver Assistance Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make interactive training sessions available for family caregivers and individuals who provide such caregivers support (including respite care providers, nursing care providers, and counselors). Directs the Secretary to provide family caregivers with information concerning public, private, and nonprofit agencies that offer support to such caregivers, including by contracting with a private entity to provide family caregivers with an Internet-based service with: (1) a directory of county level services; (2) message boards and other tools that allow interaction to foster peer support and the creation of support networks; and (3) comprehensive information explaining relevant health-related topics and issues. Directs the Secretary to conduct outreach to inform disabled veterans and their families of these services. Makes family caregivers eligible for counseling, training, and mental health services under existing provisions. Authorizes the Secretary to furnish respite care to a veteran who receives care from a family caregiver under existing provisions.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-06-17 00:00:00

Amends requirements for the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Program to entitle an eligible veteran of the Armed Forces (including eligible dependents) pursuing a full-time educational program of apprenticeship or other on-job training to a monthly benefit payment equal to: (1) 85% of the national average cost of tuition at an institution of higher education for each of the first six months of the program; (2) 65% of such amount for each of the second six months of the program; and (3) 45% of such amount for each of the months following the first 12 months of the program. Reduces the payment an individual receives in any month in which the individual fails to complete 120 hours of training under the program of education.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-06-17 00:00:00

Kyle Barthel Veterans and Service Members Mental Health Screening Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense to ensure that each member of the Armed Forces on active duty is required to participate in confidential, in-person screenings for mental health conditions by a licensed mental health professional to reduce the prevalence of suicide among service members, future veterans, and veterans. Prohibits the Secretary from using the results of such a screening to prohibit a member from returning to the United States, prohibit a member from being discharged from the Armed Forces, or involuntarily discharge a member. Directs the Secretary to require that each member on active duty is screened for a traumatic brain injury by a licensed professional who is qualified to conduct such screening. Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a joint protocol to share existing and future reports concerning screenings conducted under this Act to help aid members and veterans who are transitioning from receiving health care and treatment through the Department of Defense to receiving such care and services through the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-06-19 00:00:00

Authorizes the payment of assignment pay in a total amount of $250,000 to members of the armed forces who agree to serve on active duty in Afghanistan for six years or for the duration of the U.S. mission in Afghanistan, whichever occurs first. Provides for an increase in the amount of such pay if such a member scores a 4.0 on the Foreign Service Institute test for the dominant languages of Pashto and Dari.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-06-19 00:00:00

Eliminates the required reduction in the amount of the accelerated death benefit payable to certain terminally ill persons insured under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance or Veterans' Group Life Insurance.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-06-19 00:00:00

Allows veterans' disability compensation benefits to be paid to the survivor of a veteran whose service-connected disability was continuously rated totally disabling for at least one year immediately preceding death. (Current law allows such survivor right of payment if the disability was rated total for periods of up to ten years under various circumstances.)
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-06-26 00:00:00

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, subject to appropriations, to carry out a program of grants to public entities and private nonprofit organizations to: (1) make payments for up to three months to a covered veteran's landlord, mortgage company, or utility company for amounts of rent or mortgage that are in arrears, security deposits for rental properties, or utility bills or arrears; and (2) ensure that, when the payments begin, the veteran is in receipt of supportive services to further prevent homelessness. Allows those services to include job training, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and other services identified by the Secretary. Defines "covered veteran" as a veteran who is at risk of becoming homeless and who: (1) is in imminent danger of eviction or foreclosure; and (2) demonstrates a compromised ability to make rental or mortgage payments based on income.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-06-26 00:00:00

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to make a decision on each benefits claim, and notify the claimant of the decision, by no later than 18 months after the date on which the claim is submitted. Requires approval of any claim for which a decision has not been made by that deadline. Requires that the Department's Inspector General establish a task force to monitor the process by which benefits claims are decided and to ensure that claims are not denied arbitrarily and are decided appropriately.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-07-09 00:00:00

Designates the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) outpatient clinic in Alexandria, Minnesota, that is expected to open in September 2009 as the "Max J. Beilke Department of Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic."
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-07-15 00:00:00

Requires (under current law, allows) a contracting officer of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) award a contract to a small business concern owned and controlled by veterans using other than competitive procedures (often referred to as a sole source contract) in specified circumstances. Prohibits using ownership and control by a veteran or veterans of more than one small business as grounds for disqualification from inclusion in an existing database of veteran-owned businesses.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-07-17 00:00:00

Military Family Leave Act of 2009 - Entitles an employed family member of a member of the Armed Forces who receives notification of a call or order to active duty in support of a contingency operation, or who is deployed in connection with a contingency operation, to two workweeks of leave per year for each family member who is so called or deployed. Allows such leave to: (1) be taken intermittently or on a reduced leave schedule; and (2) consist of paid or unpaid leave, as the employer considers appropriate. Allows an employer to require certification of entitlement to such leave within a leave request. Provides employment and benefits protection for employees upon their return from such leave. Prohibits an employer from interfering with or otherwise denying the exercise of such leave rights.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-07-20 00:00:00

Directs the Secretaries of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (VA) to jointly establish the Wounded Warrior K-9 Corps program for the awarding of grants to nonprofits to assist them in establishing programs to provide assistance dogs to certain members of the Armed Forces and veterans who have certain disabilities. Defines the term "assistance dog" to mean a dog specifically trained to perform physical tasks to mitigate the effects of such a disability, except that such term does not include a dog specifically trained for comfort or personal defense.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-07-21 00:00:00

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a grant program to provide innovative transportation options to veterans in highly rural areas. Requires an annual report concerning such grants.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-07-21 00:00:00

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out demonstration projects to examine alternatives for expanding care for veterans in rural areas. Requires a report on such projects.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-07-21 00:00:00

Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to pay travel expenses for veterans receiving treatment at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities at the rate of 41.5 cents per mile. (Under current law the rate is that provided to federal employees in connection with the performance of official duties.) Requires an annual report concerning such expenses.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-07-24 00:00:00

Stable Future for Veterans' Children Act - Authorizes monthly annuity payments under the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) to a supplemental or special needs trust established for the sole benefit of a disabled dependent child who is incapable of self-support because of mental or physical incapacity.