jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-10-29 00:00:00

Helping Heroes Keep Their Homes Act of 2010 - Amends the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 to extend through December 31, 2015, specified protections for servicemembers relating to mortgages and mortgage foreclosures. Delays until January 1, 1916, revival of provisions of the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act: (1) allowing, or upon servicemember application requiring, a stay of court proceedings to enforce and adjust a mortgage obligation when the servicemember's ability to comply with such obligation is materially affected by military service; and (2) invalidating the sale, foreclosure, or seizure of property due to a servicemember's breach of obligation, except in certain circumstances. Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to state that its requirements governing a servicemember's real or personal property secured by a mortgage apply also to the surviving spouse of a servicemember who dies while in military service and whose death is service-connected, if the spouse is the successor in interest to such property.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-11-05 00:00:00

Rural Veterans Services Outreach and Training Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a program to make competitive grants to provide financial assistance to state departments of veterans affairs for the training of rural county veteran service officers in order to improve outreach and assistance to veterans, as well as their spouses, children, and parents, who may be eligible to receive veterans' or veterans-related benefits and who are residing in rural counties. Limits each grant to $2 million. Requires grants to be made on an annual basis.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-11-06 00:00:00

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide collaborative recovery coordinator training at a qualified nursing or medical school. Authorizes the qualified nursing or medical school to train 45 recovery coordinators.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2009-11-06 00:00:00

Small Business and Military Family Assistance Act of 2009 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2011 the tax credit for differential wages paid to employees while on active duty in the uniformed services for a period of more than 30 days.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-11-06 00:00:00

Military Spouse Pin Act - Requires the design of a spouse-of-a-combat-veteran lapel button to identify and recognize the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces who is serving in a combat zone for a period of more than 30 days. Directs the: (1) Secretary of the military department concerned to present the button to such a spouse; and (2) Secretary of Defense (DOD) to make the button available to qualifying spouses of veterans of military conflicts that took place before the enactment of this Act.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-11-06 00:00:00

Makes eligible for a $300 plot allowance for burial in a cemetery other than a national cemetery a veteran who is eligible for burial in a national cemetery and who: (1) was discharged from active service for a disability incurred or aggravated in the line of duty; or (2) is a veteran of any war. Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in lieu of furnishing a headstone or marker for an individual so entitled, to reimburse the person entitled to request such headstone or marker for acquiring a non-government headstone or marker for placement in any cemetery other than a national cemetery in connection with the burial or memorialization of the deceased individual.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-11-06 00:00:00

Veterans Burial Benefits Improvement Act of 2009 - Increases the authorized allowance for burial and funeral expenses for deceased veterans who: (1) at the time of death were in receipt of veterans' disability compensation or veterans' pension benefits; or (2) were veterans of any war or were discharged or released from active military service for a service-connected disability and for whom there is no next of kin or sufficient resources to cover funeral and burial costs. Increases the burial plot allowance for veterans who, at the time of death, were receiving hospital or nursing home care in or through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Authorizes the annual adjustment of such allowances by the same percentage increase as adjustments to benefit amounts payable under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-11-06 00:00:00

Veterans to Work Pilot Program Act of 2009 - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to establish the Veterans to Work pilot program to determine: (1) the maximum extent to which apprentices may be employed on designated military construction projects; (2) the maximum extent to which such apprentices are veterans; and (3) the feasibility of expanding the employment of apprentices to military construction projects other than those designated. Requires the Secretary, for each of FY2011-FY2015, to designate for the pilot program at least 20 military construction projects, taking into account specified considerations. Requires each contractor or subcontractor on a designated project to assure that it participates in a qualified apprenticeship or other training program for each craft or trade classification of worker that it intends to employ on the construction project.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-11-16 00:00:00

Rural Veterans Reimbursement Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to use the travel allowance or reimbursement rate in effect for federal employees traveling on official business in reimbursing a veteran for travel in connection with treatment for a service-connected disability or a scheduled compensation and pension examination when such travel is either more than 150 miles from the veteran's residence or requires lodging and subsistence because of inclement weather (as determined by the Secretary).
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-11-17 00:00:00

Fort Hood Families Benefits Protection Act - Treats members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees of the Department of Defense (DOD) who were killed or wounded in the shootings at Fort Hood, Texas, as members killed or wounded in a combat zone or civilian employees killed or wounded in a terrorist attack or while serving in a contingency operation, respectively, for purposes of specified laws, regulations, and policies concerning compensation, awards, and other benefits for which such members and employees are eligible. Provides the maximum amount of coverage ($400,000) under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance for any member killed in such shootings, as well as any member who dies of wounds sustained in the shootings, notwithstanding that the member elected to be insured in a lesser amount. Excludes from the above provisions members whose wounds or death is the result of willful misconduct.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2009-11-18 00:00:00

Prohibits the Department of Justice (DOJ) from prosecuting any unprivileged enemy combatant (any individual who has engaged in or supported hostilities against the United States or its coalition partners or was a part of al Qaeda) for any offense.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-11-19 00:00:00

Veterans Appeals Improvement and Modernization Act of 2009 - Provides that if a veteran claimant submits evidence in support of a case for which a substantive appeal has been filed to the Board of Veterans' Appeals, such evidence shall be submitted directly to the Board and not to a regional office of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), unless the claimant requests that the evidence first be reviewed by the regional office. Empowers the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims to affirm, modify, reverse, remand, or vacate and remand a decision of the Board after deciding all relevant assignments of error raised on appeal. Provides that whenever the Court reverses a decision on the merits of a particular claim and orders an award of benefits, the Court need not decide any additional assignments of error relating to that claim. Establishes the Veterans Judicial Review Commission to evaluate and make specific decisions to improve the administrative and judicial appellate review processes of veterans' and survivors' benefits determinations.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-11-19 00:00:00

Requires trial by military commission when an unprivileged enemy belligerent is being tried for alleged conduct for which a term of incarceration or the death penalty may be sought or obtained.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Water resources development
Date: 2009-12-01 00:00:00

Makes permanent the authority of the Secretary of the Army to accept and expend funds contributed by non-federal public entities to expedite the evaluation of permits under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Army.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-12-02 00:00:00

Honest and Open Testimony Act - Includes within communications by a member of the Armed Forces that are protected from retaliatory personnel actions any testimony provided in a congressional hearing regarding the disclosure of sexual orientation, including that the member is homosexual, bisexual, or transgender.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-12-03 00:00:00

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that a veteran may receive Post-9/11 educational assistance payments through direct deposit.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-12-08 00:00:00

Department of Veterans Affairs Acquisition Improvement Act of 2009 - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include in the responsibilities of the Assistant Secretaries responsibilities for acquisition, construction, and asset management functions. Requires the Secretary to assign one Deputy Assistant Secretary to each of the following: (1) information technology acquisition; (2) acquisition services for the Veterans Benefits Administration, the National Cemetery Administration, and the Department headquarters; (3) construction acquisitions and leasing; (4) acquisition services for the Veterans Health Administration (VHA); (5) national contracts, including contracts for health care products and services awarded by the National Acquisition Center (other than contracts for information technology); (6) policy; and (7) asset enterprise management and logistics. Establishes in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA): (1) a Chief Acquisition Officer, with the Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, Construction, and Asset Management serving as the Chief Acquisition Officer; (2) a Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Acquisition, Construction, and Asset Management; and (3) seven Deputy Assistant Secretaries for Acquisition, with the seven functions listed in the preceding paragraph. Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish and maintain a Department-wide acquisition program under which the Secretary shall develop, implement, and enforce a streamlined approach to entering into contracts and purchasing goods and services. Authorizes the Secretary to enter into personal services contracts for medical specialist services and the sharing of VA health care resources. Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to include under the term "competitive procedures" the procedures established by the Secretary for the use of federal supply schedules that are open to all responsible sources and result in the lowest cost alternative to meet the needs of the government. Requires the Secretary to prescribe regulations to provide procedures for soliciting, negotiating, awarding, and administering such supply schedules. Revises VA small business contracting goals. Prohibits the Secretary from including in a database of small businesses owned and controlled by veterans a small business that is the vendor of a commercial item unless the vendor is the manufacturer or regular dealer of the item, unless the Secretary specifically provides a waiver with respect to that vendor. Requires the Secretary to: (1) establish specific criteria for verifying the status of each small business proposed to be included in the database; and (2) specify the North American Industry Classification System code or codes of the goods and services that may be procured from each small business so listed.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-12-10 00:00:00

Military Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act - Provides whistleblower protections to a member of the Armed Forces who complains or discloses evidence of ideologically based threats or actions of another member that the providing member reasonably believes could be counterproductive or detrimental to U.S. interests or security.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-12-10 00:00:00

Battlefield Excellence through Superior Training Practices Act or BEST Practices Act - Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD), no later than October 1, 2013, to only use human-based training methods for training members of the Armed Forces in the treatment of combat trauma injuries and the management of chemical and biological casualties. Prohibits the use of animals in such training.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Housing and community development
Date: 2009-12-11 00:00:00

Amends the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to provide that the federal share of the cost of projects assisted by economic adjustment grants made to communities that have suffered economic injury as a result of a military base closure or realignment, defense contractor reduction in force, or Department of Energy (DOE) defense-related funding reduction shall be 100%.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-12-15 00:00:00

Amends the Demonstration Cities and Metropolitan Development Act of 1966 to expand access to Department of Defense (DOD) homeowners assistance for qualified members of the Armed Forces permanently reassigned during a designated mortgage crisis to allow the Secretary of Defense greater flexibility regarding the dates of the availability of such assistance. Directs the Secretary, in exercising such authority, to consult with the Secretaries of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Treasury regarding the condition of housing markets in the area of a base or installation.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-12-16 00:00:00

Securing Patriots Access to Convenient and Economic Air Travel Act of 2009 or SPACE-A Travel Act of 2009 - Requires transportation on Department of Defense (DOD) aircraft, on a space-available basis and on the same basis as a spouse of a retired member of the Armed Forces, for: (1) the unremarried surviving spouse of a retired member; (2) the unremarried surviving spouse of a former member who is entitled to dependency and indemnity compensation; and (3) any dependents accompanied by such surviving spouses.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-01-12 00:00:00

Terrorist Detention and Prosecution Act of 2010 - Replaces the term "unprivileged enemy combatant" in federal military law with the term "unlawful enemy combatant." Includes in the definition, and therefore makes subject to trial by military commissions, an individual who: (1) is closely associated with or has provided material support to al Qaeda or any other organization dedicated to committing acts of terrorism against the United States; (2) has taken up or conspired to take up arms on behalf of al Qaeda; and (3) has committed or conspired to commit acts of terrorism against the United States or American citizens or targets, regardless of the location of the individual's capture. Allows the President to authorize the detention of any unlawful enemy combatant until determining that the individual is no longer a threat to the United States or its allies.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-01-12 00:00:00

Waives, during FY2011, the basic military pay adjustment tied to increases in the Employment Cost Index. Increases, effective January 1, 2011, such basic pay by 1.9%.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-01-13 00:00:00

Combat Operations and Medical Benefit Authorization for Our Troops Act of 2010 or COMBAT Act - Increases the maximum monthly rates of: (1) hazardous duty pay; (2) hostile fire or imminent danger pay; (3) special pay for service as a member of a Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Team; (4) special pay for members extending duty at designated overseas locations; (5) combat-related injury rehabilitation pay; and (6) the family separation allowance. Increases the maximum annual rates of special pay for: (1) officers serving as psychologists and nonphysician health care providers; and (2) special warfare officers extending their active-duty period.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2010-01-13 00:00:00

Veterans Employment Today Act of 2010 or the VET Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to increase the work opportunity tax credit for the hiring of disabled and unemployed veterans.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-01-19 00:00:00

Military Tribunals for Terrorists Act of 2010 - Requires trial only by a military commission for any foreign national who: (1) engages or has engaged in an offense relating to a terrorist attack against persons or property in the United States or U.S. government property or personnel outside the United States; and (2) is subject to trial for that offense by a military commission under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-01-19 00:00:00

Prevent Terrorists from Reuniting with Terrorist Cells Act - Prohibits the transfer or repatriation for release or detention of any individual detained at Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to a nation or region that is recognized by the Department of State or the Department of Defense (DOD) as a haven for terrorist activity or that has been classified as a state sponsor of terrorism.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-01-19 00:00:00

Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to provide for the protection of child custody arrangements for parents who are members deployed in support of a contingency operation. States that if a motion for change of custody of a child of such a member is filed while the member is so deployed, no court may enter an order modifying or amending a previous child custody judgment, except if the court finds that it is in the best interest of the child. Prohibits any court from considering a member's absence due to deployment, or possible deployment, in support of a contingency operation in determining the best interest of the child.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2010-01-26 00:00:00

Ensuring the Collection of Critical Intelligence Act of 2010 - Requires the Attorney General, Deputy Attorney General, or the Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) to consult with the Director of National Intelligence and the Secretary of Defense before allowing any DOJ officer or employee to institute a prosecution of an alien in a United States District Court for a terrorist offense or to interrogate any such alien in a criminal investigation or prosecution of a terrorist offense.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-01-26 00:00:00

Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to permit a state home to provide VA nursing home care to parents who had any children who died while serving in the Armed Forces.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-01-26 00:00:00

Extends through 2013 eligibility for the concurrent receipt of military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation for veterans who were retired or separated due to physical disability, regardless of their disability rating or years of service.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-01-27 00:00:00

Veterans Pensions Protection Act of 2010 - Excludes from annual income, for purposes of eligibility for pensions for veterans and their surviving spouses and children, reimbursements resulting from: (1) any accident; (2) any theft or loss; (3) any casualty loss; (4) medical expenses resulting from any such accident, theft, or loss; and (5) pain and suffering (including insurance settlement payments and general damages awarded by a court) related to such accident, theft, or loss.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-02-02 00:00:00

Establishes the State Veterans' Benefits Commission to evaluate the total amount of benefits provided by each state to resident veterans with a total and permanent disability rating, as well as the method in which each state establishes the amount of such benefits based on such disability rating. Requires the Commission to report evaluation results to the congressional veterans committees.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-02-02 00:00:00

TBI Treatment Act - Directs the Secretaries of Defense (DOD) and Veterans Affairs (Secretaries) to carry out a five-year pilot program under which each Secretary establishes a process for providing payments to facilities for treatments of traumatic brain injury (TBI) or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) received by members of the Armed Forces and veterans in facilities other than military treatment facilities or Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facilities. Subjects such payments to specified conditions, including approved treatment or study protocols. Requires the VA Secretary to notify each veteran with a service-connected injury or disability of the opportunity to receive such treatment or study protocol. Requires the Secretaries to jointly: (1) develop and maintain a database containing data from each patient case involving the use of such treatments; and (2) report annually to Congress on the implementation of this Act.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-02-02 00:00:00

GI Bill Enhancement Act of 2010 - Increases from $19 million to $24 million the annual amount available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reimburse state agencies for expenses incurred in approving courses of education for participation in the veterans' educational assistance program. Directs the Secretary, for each fiscal year, to adjust such amount to account for changes in the cost of living.