jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2009-06-02 00:00:00

Government Accountability Office Improvement Act of 2009 - (Sec. 2) Authorizes the Comptroller General to: (1) obtain federal agency records required to discharge his or her duties, including through bringing civil actions under this Act; and (2) make and retain copies of agency records and interview federal agency officers and employees. (Sec. 3) Requires the Comptroller General's express consent for other Government Accountability Office (GAO) employees to administer oaths to witnesses in matters other than auditing and settling accounts. (Sec. 4) Requires agency statements on actions taken or planned in response to Comptroller General recommendations to be submitted to the congressional committees with jurisdiction over the pertinent agency program or activity and to GAO. (Sec. 5) Authorizes the Comptroller General, for five years following enactment of this Act, to conduct reviews, including on-site examinations, of credit facilities established by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System or any federal reserve bank, and of the establishment of such facilities, in: (1) carrying out any action or function approved by the Board under provisions authorizing a federal reserve bank to discount for any individual, partnership, or corporation, notes, drafts, and bills of exchange when they are endorsed or otherwise secured to the satisfaction of the bank; or (2) in providing temporary assistance to private institutions as the lender of last resort. Lists as credit facilities to which this section applies: (1) the Money Market Investor Funding Facility; (2) the Asset-Backed Commercial Paper Money Market Mutual Fund Liquidity Facility; (3) the Term Asset-Backed Securities Loan Facility; (4) the Term Auction Facility; (5) the Primary Dealer Credit Facility; (6) the Commercial Paper Funding Facility; (7) the Term Securities Lending Facility, including the Term Securities Lending Facility Options Program; (8) the Revolving Credit Facility; (9) reciprocal currency arrangements with foreign central banks; (10) the Mortgage Backed Securities Purchase Program, as well as the purchase of debt obligations from a government sponsored enterprise; and (11) any special purpose vehicle through which any such credit facility conducts any activity or lending. Requires the Comptroller General to report to Congress within 90 days of each review's completion. Provides for access by the Comptroller General to all records and property used by any such credit facility established by an agency. Directs the Comptroller General to prevent unauthorized access to records or property of or used by any such credit facility.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2009-06-03 00:00:00

Freedom from Government Competition Act of 2009 - Requires each executive or military department or independent establishment to obtain all goods and services necessary for or beneficial to the accomplishment of its authorized functions by procurement from private sources, except if: (1) such goods or services are required by law to be produced or performed by such agency; or (2) the head of the agency determines and certifies that federal production or performance is necessary for the national defense or homeland security, that a good or service is so inherently governmental in nature that it is in the public interest to require production or performance by government employees, or that there is no private source capable of providing the good or service. Requires such private sector provision of goods and services to be performed through: (1) the divestiture of federal involvement; (2) the award of a contract using competitive procedures; (3) converting an activity to performance by a qualified firm under at least 51% ownership by an Indian tribe or a Native Hawaiian Organization; or (4) conducting a public-private competitive sourcing analysis in accordance with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) procedures and determining that using the private sector is in the best interest of the United States and provides the best value to the taxpayer. Authorizes an agency head to utilize federal employees to provide goods or services previously provided by a private sector entity upon completion of a public-private competitive sourcing analysis and after determining that provision by federal employees provides the best value. Requires the Director to carry out a study, in conjunction with the Comptroller General, to evaluate the activities carried out in each agency.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2009-06-04 00:00:00

Detainee Photographic Records Protection Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Defense to submit a certification to the President for any photograph relating to the treatment of individuals engaged, captured, or detained after September 11, 2001, by the U.S. Armed Forces in operations outside of the United States if the Secretary determines that disclosure of such photograph would endanger U.S. citizens or members of the Armed Forces or U.S. government employees deployed outside the United States. Authorizes the Secretary to submit a renewal of a certification at any time. Provides that a certification or a renewal shall expire five years after submission. Exempts such a certified photograph from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Health
Date: 2009-06-04 00:00:00

Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) Reform Act of 2009 - Amends title XVIII (Medicare) of the Social Security Act to rename the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) the Medicare Payment and Access Commission, make it an independent executive branch (instead of a legislative branch) agency, and revise its membership requirements. Directs MedPAC to determine payment rates for items and services furnished under Medicare. Requires the Comptroller General to study and report annually to Congress on changes to payment policies under the Medicare program as a result of the amendments made by this Act. Makes it in order in the Senate or the House to consider any measure that would overrule a MedPAC determination with respect to such payments if three-fifths of the Members agree to such consideration. Authorizes MedPAC to advise the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), through the Director of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and the Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), on priorities for health services research. Directs MedPAC to establish: (1) an office of ombudsman to handle complaints on the implementation of certain regulations; and (2) a council of health and economic advisers to advise it on its development, analyses, and implementation of payment policies. Establishes: (1) a consumer advisory council to advise MedPAC on the impact of Medicare payment policies on consumers; and (2) a federal health advisory council.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2009-06-04 00:00:00

Senior Executive Service Diversity Assurance Act - Requires the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish within OPM the Senior Executive Service Resource Office (SES Resource Office). Makes it the mission of the SES Resource Office to: (1) improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity of the Senior Executive Service (SES) through policy formulation and oversight; (2) advance the professionalism of the SES; and (3) recruit qualified individuals from appropriate sources to ensure that the SES is reflective of the nation's diversity. Sets forth the functions of the SES Resource Office with respect to the management, training, oversight, and recruitment activities of the SES. Revises the career appointments recruiting process to require agency heads to ensure diversity of executive resources boards and any subgroup or other evaluation panel related to the merit staffing process for career appointees by including members of racial and ethnic minority groups, women, and individuals with disabilities. Requires each federal agency to submit to OPM a plan to enhance and maximize opportunities for the advancement and appointment of minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities to the SES.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2009-06-04 00:00:00

Correction of Long-Standing Errors in Agencies' Unsustainable Procurements Act of 2009 or the CLEAN-UP Act - Requires executive agencies to ensure that: (1) inherently governmental functions, functions closely related to such functions, and mission-essential functions are performed by federal employees; (2) other functions are performed by the more efficient form of personnel, whether federal employees, contractors, or military personnel; and (3) consideration is given to using federal employees to perform new functions on a regular basis. Requires each agency head to submit to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): (1) an annual report on service contracts for new work; (2) a Functions At Risk Report that describes those functions required to be performed by federal employees that are actually performed by contractors (requires agencies to reduce the total number of contractor employees described in that Report by 70% within six years); and (3) a strategic human capital plan to ensure the capability of the agency's federal employee workforce to perform agency functions. Prohibits an agency from conducting a public-private competition for any function that such plan identifies as experiencing a gap in its federal employee workforce. Requires agencies subject to the Federal Activities Inventory Reform Act of 1998 (other than the Department of Defense [DOD]) to: (1) submit an annual inventory of activities performed pursuant to contracts for services; (2) review those contracts and identify activities that should be considered for conversion to performance by civilian employees; and (3) develop a plan for such conversion by June 30 of the following year. Authorizes agency heads to expedite the hiring of certain professionals in shortage category positions. Requires the Director to: (1) develop guidelines for the establishment of business process re-engineering projects; and (2) conduct annual performance reviews of such projects that are ongoing. Sets forth revisions, requirements, and restrictions applicable to studies and public-private competitions for the conversion of agency functions to contractor performance pursuant to OMB Circular A-76.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2009-06-11 00:00:00

Public Corruption Prosecution Improvements Act - Amends the federal criminal code to: (1) establish a six-year limitation period for the prosecution of certain public corruption crimes, including bribery, theft of government property, mail fraud, and racketeering; (2) expand the penalties for theft or bribery involving programs receiving federal funds; (3) expand the prohibition against theft of public money or property to include thefts in the District of Columbia; (4) include certain government theft and bribery offenses as predicates for racketeering and money laundering prosecutions and wiretaps; and (5) expand the definition of "official act" for purposes of the crime of bribery of public officials and witnesses. Authorizes appropriations for additional Department of Justice (DOJ) personnel to investigate and prosecute public corruption offenses.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2009-06-15 00:00:00

Detainee Photographic Records Protection Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Defense to: (1) submit a certification to the President for any photograph taken between September 11, 2001, and January 22, 2009, that relates to the treatment of individuals engaged, captured, or detained after September 11, 2001, by the U.S. Armed Forces in operations outside of the United States if the Secretary determines that disclosure of such photograph would endanger U.S. citizens or members of the Armed Forces or U.S. government employees deployed outside the United States; and (2) submit timely notice of such certification to Congress. Authorizes the Secretary to submit a renewal of a certification at any time. Provides that a certification or a renewal shall expire after three years. Exempts such a certified photograph from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), but does not preclude voluntary disclosure.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2009-06-16 00:00:00

Government Ownership Exit Plan Act of 2009 - Prohibits the federal government from acquiring, directly or indirectly, any ownership interest in a troubled asset described in the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (EESA) that was purchased from a financial institution by the Secretary of the Treasury. Requires the Secretary to divest the government of any such interest not later than July 1, 2010, with exceptions allowing ownership interests of not more than six months if: (1) divestiture would have a significant adverse impact on taxpayers; and (2) there is a reasonable expectation that a waiver would allow recovery of the cost of acquiring such interest. Amends EESA to state that the limit of authority to purchase troubled assets is $700 billion (under current law, such limitation, reduced by $1.259 billion, is described as "outstanding at any one time"). Requires all repayments of obligations arising under EESA, and all proceeds from the sale of assets acquired by the government under that Act, to be paid into the general fund of the Treasury for reduction of the public debt. Makes it unlawful for an officer or employee of the executive branch to knowingly make, with the intent to influence, a communication regarding a significant management decision of a recipient of EESA assistance to any officer or employee of the recipient. Makes the Financial Stability Oversight Board responsible for reviewing the ownership interest termination provisions of this Act. Establishes requirements for reports by the Secretary on: (1) ownership interests; (2) plans for compliance with this Act, including for winding down and divestiture; and (3) ending conservatorship and direct ownership by the government of the Federal National Mortgage Association and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, respectively).
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2009-07-09 00:00:00

Young Adults Financial Literacy Act - Authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury to make competitive grants to, and enter contracts with, eligible institutions to establish centers of excellence to support research, development and planning, implementation, and evaluation of effective programs in financial literacy education for young adults and families ages 15-24 years old. Defines "eligible institution" as any partnership consisting of an institution of higher education and any of the following: (1) one or more local educational agencies; (2) a nonprofit agency, organization, or association; (3) a community-based organization; or (4) a financial institution.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2009-07-29 00:00:00

Post-9/11 Terrorist Financing Review Act - Directs the President, through the Secretary of the Treasury, to submit the report on the current state of U.S. efforts to curtail the international financing of terrorism that is required to be submitted under the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2009-07-29 00:00:00

Fair and Cost Effective Federal Travel Act of 2009 - Prohibits any federal department or agency from establishing a travel or conference policy that takes into account the perception of a location as a resort or vacation destination in determining the location for an event.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2009-07-31 00:00:00

Scrapping Unsustainable Redundant Programs Leaves Us Solvent Act of 2009 or the SURPLUS Act - Requires the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Defense, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services (HHS), Homeland Security (DHS), Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Interior, Labor, State, Transportation (DOT), Treasury, and Veterans Affairs (VA), the Attorney General, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to: (1) determine if any federal programs within his or her agency are duplicative; (2) submit to Congress, and make available to the public, a report on the results; and (3) terminate or consolidate programs performing similar functions, except for any program that is required or authorized by statute. Considers to be duplicative: (1) a grant program the purpose of which the Secretary determines to be to benefit a specific group that is identical or substantially similar to a group that is eligible for another grant program; and (2) any other program the Secretary determines to be performing the same essential function as another program.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Date: 2009-10-07 00:00:00

Minerals Management Service Reform Act - Reestablishes the Minerals Management Service (MMS) as an independent establishment in the executive branch (currently, it is a bureau of the Department of the Interior). Requires the MMS Director to exercise all powers and discharge all duties of MMS and to carry out all functions, powers, and duties that are vested in the Department of the Interior relating to: (1) bidding, leasing, and managing all offshore oil and gas, including with respect to the Gulf of Mexico and other areas of the Outer Continental Shelf; and (2) collection of revenue (other than taxes) generated by such oil and gas.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2009-10-08 00:00:00

Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2009 - Rewrites provisions regarding congressional review of agency rulemaking to require congressional approval of major rules of the executive branch before they may take effect (currently, major rules take effect unless Congress passes and the President signs a joint resolution disapproving them). Provides that if a joint resolution of approval of a major rule is not enacted by the end of 90 session days or legislative days after such resolution is introduced, the rule shall be deemed not to be approved and shall not take effect. Permits a major rule to take effect for 90 calendar days without such approval if the President determines such rule is necessary because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency, for the enforcement of criminal laws, for national security, or to implement an international trade agreement. Sets forth procedures of the House of Representatives and the Senate for joint resolutions: (1) approving major rules; and (2) disapproving nonmajor rules.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2009-10-20 00:00:00

Department of Justice Inspector General Authority Improvement Act of 2009 - Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to eliminate restrictions on the authority of the Inspector General of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to refer allegations of misconduct involving DOJ attorneys, investigators, or law enforcement personnel to the Office of Professional Responsibility.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Emergency management
Date: 2009-11-02 00:00:00

Redundancy Elimination and Enhanced Performance for Preparedness Grants Act - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to direct the Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to submit to the appropriate congressional committees not later than 90 days after this Act's enactment a report that includes: (1) an assessment of redundant reporting requirements imposed by the Administrator on state, local, and tribal governments in connection with the awarding of covered grants; (2) a plan for eliminating any redundant and unnecessary reporting requirements identified; and (3) a plan for promptly developing a set of quantifiable performance measures and metrics to assess the effectiveness of the programs under which the grants are awarded. Defines "covered grants" as homeland security preparedness grants awarded under the Urban Area Security Initiative and the State Homeland Security Grant Program and other grants specified by the Administrator.Requires the Administrator to submit to such committees within one year after such report is required and every two years thereafter a grants management report that includes: (1) the status of efforts to eliminate such redundant and unnecessary reporting requirements; (2) the status of efforts to develop quantifiable performance measures and metrics; and (3) a performance assessment of each covered grant program.Directs the Administrator to: (1) enter into a contract for the National Academy of Public Administration to assist the Administrator in studying, developing, and implementing performance measures and metrics to assess the effectiveness of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grants and the programs under which covered grants are awarded; and (2) report on the study's findings and recommendations within one year after such contract is awarded.Authorizes appropriations.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2009-12-11 00:00:00

Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to: (1) include grants for maximizing efficiency in administering governmental functions among grants the Secretary of Commerce may make that would be useful in alleviating or preventing conditions of excessive unemployment or underemployment; and (2) allow use of such grants for developing and conducting or implementing county or municipal government efficiency assessments.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2010-01-26 00:00:00

Freedom From Foreign-Based Manipulation in American Elections Act of 2010 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to apply the ban on contributions and expenditures by foreign nationals in connection with a federal, state, or local election to corporations with respect to which: (1) the number of shares owned directly or indirectly by foreign principals is equal to or greater than 5% of the total number of the corporation's outstanding shares; (2) one or more foreign principals serves on the board of directors; or (3) one or more foreign principals is employed in a senior executive position. Increases the civil monetary penalties applicable to foreign nationals that violate the ban.