jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Health
Date: 2009-05-20 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 of 2009 - 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: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2009-06-11 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: Government operations and politics
Date: 2009-06-17 00:00:00

Establishes the Commission on Congressional Budgetary Accountability and Review of Federal Agencies. Directs the President to designate two Commission co-chairpersons. Requires the Commission to: (1) establish a systematic method for assessing the effectiveness and accountability of agency programs; (2) divide such programs into four equal budgetary parts; (3) evaluate executive agencies and their programs identified in each unit identified in the assessment; and (4) submit to Congress each of the next four years a plan recommending agencies and programs that should be realigned or eliminated and proposing implementing legislation. Provides for expedited consideration of such legislation.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2009-06-25 00:00:00

Improved Financial and Commodity Markets Oversight and Accountability Act - Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to include the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA), the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as establishments the Inspector Generals of which shall be appointed by the President. Applies existing pay requirements under the Inspector General Reform Act of 2008 to the Inspectors General of such entities. Permits such Inspectors General to select, appoint, and employ such officers and employees as necessary and to obtain services of experts or consultants. Authorizes such Inspectors General to subpoena records and testimony necessary in the performance of their assigned functions. Requires the heads of those entities to: (1) take action to address deficiencies identified by their Inspector General; or (2) certify to both houses of Congress that no action is necessary or appropriate.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Health
Date: 2009-06-25 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. Makes it a purpose of MedPAC to: (1) act as the regulatory authority for Medicare payment and coverage policies; and (2) implement specified policies. Divides the responsibilities of MedPAC into three categories: (1) reimbursement policy; (2) coverage policy; and (3) financial stability. Directs MedPAC to determine payment policies, methodologies, and rates for items and services under Medicare, as well as coverage policies and methodologies. Requires the Comptroller General to study and report annually to Congress on changes to such policies, methodologies, and rates 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 matters 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; and (2) a council of health and economic advisers. 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. Directs MedPAC to implement payment policies, methodologies, and rates as well as coverage policies and methodologies estimated to reduce Medicare expenditures by at least 1.5% annually. Requires the Secretary to implement an automatic reduction in reimbursement for service providers and suppliers under the original fee-for-service program under Medicare parts A (Hospital Insurance) and B (Supplementary Medical Insurance) in order to achieve such 1.5% reduction if such policies, methodologies, and rates fail to achieve it. Establishes in Congress the Joint Committee on Medicare to: (1) study the operation and effects of any changes proposed by Congress to the Medicare program; and (2) assist Congress with respect to Medicare-related legislation. Transfers the Office of Research, Development and Information from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to the Assistant Secretary of HHS for Planning and Evaluation. Requires the Office to design and evaluate Medicare demonstration projects.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2009-07-29 00:00:00

Protecting Resort Cities from Discrimination Act of 2009 - Prohibits a federal agency from establishing or implementing an internal policy that discourages or prohibits the selection of a travel, event, meeting, or conference location because it is perceived to be a resort or vacation destination.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2009-10-01 00:00:00

Non-Federal Employee Whistleblower Protection Act of 2009 - Amends the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949 to repeal and replace provisions prohibiting reprisals against employees of government contractors for disclosing to a federal official information relating to a substantial violation of law related to a public contract. Prohibits an employee of any non-federal employer receiving covered funds (i.e., a contract, grant, or other payment any portion of of which is provided by the federal government) from being discriminated against as a reprisal for initiating or participating in any proceeding related to the misuse of federal funds, reasonably opposing the misuse of federal funds, or disclosing to specified federal agencies or officials information that the employee reasonably believes is evidence of: (1) gross mismanagement of an agency contract or grant relating to covered funds; (2) a gross waste of covered funds; (3) a substantial and specific danger to public health or safety, or an abuse of authority, related to the implementation or use of covered funds; or (4) a violation of a law, rule, or regulation related to an agency contract, subcontract, or grant relating to covered funds. Sets forth provisions regarding: (1) time limitations for agency inspector general determinations regarding whether to conduct or continue an investigation of a reprisal complaint; (2) the right of a complainant to pursue a civil remedy if an inspector general decides not to conduct or continue an investigation or an agency denies relief or fails to act with specified periods; (3) a complainant's access to the inspector general's investigative file; (4) the standard of proof for a reprisal; (5) agency actions to deny relief or to remedy a reprisal, including by requiring a compliance program to ensure that an employer commits no further retaliation or by requiring the employee to be paid ten times the amount of lost wages and other compensatory damages where the reprisal is found to have been willful, wanton, or malicious; and (6) non-enforceability of certain provisions waiving rights and remedies or requiring arbitration of disputes.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-10-14 00:00:00

Requires a state approving agency (agency) that receives an application from an educational institution for approval of a course of education for purposes of the veterans' educational assistance program to respond in writing to such institution within 90 days. Requires an agency that disapproves of a course of education to transmit to the institution a justification for such disapproval. Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to review and, if appropriate, overturn a negative agency determination.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Law
Date: 2009-11-03 00:00:00

Federal Judicial Fairness Act of 2009 - Repeals the requirement limiting salary increases for federal judges or Supreme Court Justices to those specifically authorized by Act of Congress. Amends the federal judicial code to apply the same automatic annual cost-of-living adjustment to judicial salaries as takes effect under the General Schedule for civilian federal employees.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2009-11-09 00:00:00

Financial Services Systemic Risk Oversight Council Act of 2009 - Establishes the Financial Services Systemic Risk Oversight Council, whose Chairman shall be appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. Prohibits the Chairman from: (1) holding any other office for which appointment by the President and confirmation by the Senate are required; or (2) participating in federal election campaign activities. Designates the following as Council members: (1) the Secretary of the Treasury; (2) the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; (3) the Comptroller of the Currency; (4) the Director of the Office of Thrift Supervision (OTS); (5) one individual, designated by the President, having expertise and experience in the protection of consumers of financial products; (6) the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); (7) the Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC); (8) the Chairman of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC); and (9) one individual designated by the President. Requires the Council to: (1) regulate systemic risk in the U.S. financial system; (2) monitor financial markets and financial companies to identify and address potential systemic risk; (3) evaluate the ability of the financial markets to function appropriately throughout the failure of U.S. Financial companies and foreign financial companies in a way that minimizes systemic risk; (4) establish criteria for the assignment of a primary prudential regulator to financial institutions which may pose a systemic risk which are not already subject to federal prudential regulation; and (5) establish minimum, mandatory prudential standards for the mitigation of systemic risk. Authorizes the Council to assign a primary prudential regulator to any U.S. or foreign nonbank financial company for which the Council determines one is necessary to mitigate systemic risk related to the company. Directs the FDIC to require a U.S. or foreign nonbank financial company that may pose a systemic risk to develop a plan for rapid and orderly resolution that: (1) is designed to mitigate systemic risk; and (2) does not contemplate and is not dependent upon the use of any extraordinary systemic resolution process that requires the President's approval. Authorizes the Council to recommend to the President that systemic resolution procedures be used to effect the orderly failure of a financial company in specified circumstances of default or danger of default. Requires each federal financial regulator to report annually to the Council and to specified congressional committees on actions to prevent, reduce, and mitigate the effects of systemic risk.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2009-12-18 00:00:00

Nullifies Internal Revenue Service Notice 2010-2 (guidance regarding the application of section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code to corporations whose instruments are acquired and disposed of by the Department of Treasury pursuant to the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008). Amends the Internal Revenue Code to prohibit the Secretary of the Treasury from prescribing any regulation after December 18, 2009, that provides an exemption or special rule under such section (provisions limiting net operating loss carryforwards and certain built-in losses following a change in corporate ownership) that is restricted to the disposition of corporate instruments acquired by the Secretary, unless Congress specifically authorizes the exemption or special rule.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2009-12-23 00:00:00

Executive Order Integrity Act of 2009 - Requires revocations, modifications, waivers, and suspensions of presidential proclamations and executive orders to be published in the Federal Register within 30 days after such actions.Requires any such information which is classified to be provided to Congress, using the security procedures established under the National Security Act of 1947, in the form of a classified annex delivered to: (1) the Majority and Minority Leaders of the Senate; (2) the Speaker, and Majority and Minority Leaders of the House of Representatives; (3) the congressional judiciary committees; and (4) if the information pertains to national security matters, the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2010-02-04 00:00:00

Government Accountability Office Improvement Act of 2010 - 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. Requires the Comptroller General's [sic] prior express approval for the Comptroller General to administer oaths to witnesses when investigating fraud or attempts to defraud the United States, or irregularity or misconduct of a federal employee or agent. States that no provision of the Social Security Act, the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976 (including any information disclosed to the Assistant Attorney General of the Antitrust Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for purposes of pre-merger review under the Clayton Act) shall be construed to limit, amend, or supersede the Comptroller General's authority to obtain any information, inspect, or copy any record under this Act. Requires the Comptroller General to prescribe policies and procedures to protect from public disclosure proprietary or trade secret information obtained pursuant to the authority of the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Declares that nothing in this Act shall be construed to: (1) alter or amend the prohibitions against the disclosure of trade secret or other sensitive information prohibited by federal and other applicable laws; or (2) affect the applicability of this Act, including the protections against unauthorized disclosure to obtained information. 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.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2010-02-04 00:00:00

National Institute of Finance Act of 2010 - Establishes an independent National Institute of Finance (NIF) to support the federal financial regulatory agencies, including any systemic risk council or agency established by Congress, by: (1) collecting and providing data; (2) standardizing the types and formats of data reported and collected; (3) performing applied research and essential long-term research; (4) developing tools for risk measurement and monitoring; and (5) making the results of its activities available to financial regulatory agencies. Requires the NIF Director to be appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, and the NIF to be funded through assessments on the financial entities required to report data to it. States that the Institute shall implement its programmatic responsibilities through: (1) the Federal Financial Data Center; and (2) the Federal Financial Research and Analysis Center.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2010-02-23 00:00:00

Job Impact Analysis Act of 2010 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to require the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to include in the statement submitted to an authorizing congressional committee for a public bill or joint resolution reported by that committee for which estimated direct costs of all federal intergovernmental mandates, or all federal private sector mandates, will equal or exceed $5 billion (adjusted annually for inflation) estimates of the potential job creation or job loss in state, local, and tribal governments, or in the private sector, as a result of such mandates. Amends the Regulatory Flexibility Act to require: (1) each initial regulatory flexibility analysis to contain a detailed statement estimating the additional cumulative economic impact of the proposed rule on small businesses; (2) an agency to notify the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration (SBA) of any draft rules that may have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small businesses; (3) each final regulatory flexibility analysis to include the agency's response to any comments filed by the Chief Counsel in response to the proposed rule; and (4) the agency to publish the final regulatory flexibility analysis on its website. Requires each agency: (1) to place on its website its plan for the periodic review of rules, providing for the review of all agency rules at specified intervals; and (2) in reviewing the rules, to consider specified factors, including the continued need for the rule, the nature of complaints received, and the rule's complexity and current impact. Requires: (1) the Office of Advocacy of the SBA to carry out responsibilities concerning the analysis of regulatory functions; (2) each federal budget to include a separate statement of the amount requested for the Office, designated in a separate account in the General Fund of the Treasury; and (3) the SBA Administrator to provide the Office with appropriate office space and necessary equipment, operating budget, communications, and maintenance services.
Topic: Government Operations — Bureaucracy
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2010-03-08 00:00:00

Reduce Bureaucracy Act - Directs the President, acting through the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), to take such actions as necessary to ensure that the total number of political appointees shall not exceed 2,000. Defines "political appointee" to mean any individual who: (1) is employed in specified positions at Levels I through V of the Executive Schedule; (2) is a limited term appointee, limited emergency appointee, or noncareer appointee in the senior executive service; or (3) is employed in a position in the executive branch of a confidential or policy-determining character.