jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2011-07-25 00:00:00

Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of State to provide assistance to address the health care needs of covered individuals. Defines a "covered individual" as an individual who is: (1) a resident of Vietnam, and (2) affected by health issues related to exposure to Agent Orange during the Vietnam era. Requires such assistance to include assistance to: (1) institutions in Vietnam that provide health care to such individuals, (2) repair and rebuild substandard homes in Vietnam, (3) remediate areas in Vietnam that continue to contain high levels of contaminants, and (4) support research relating to health issues of covered individuals. Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to: (1) establish at least two regional medical centers of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) designed to address the medical needs of descendants of Vietnam era veterans, (2) make grants to appropriate public health organizations and Vietnamese-American organizations to conduct a broad health assessment of Vietnamese-Americans who may have been exposed to Agent Orange and their children, and (3) ensure that the National Vietnam Veterans Readjustment Study is expanded to include a mortality and morbidity study examining the health outcomes of Vietnam veterans. Defines a "victim" as any individual who is a Vietnamese national, Vietnamese-American, or U.S. veteran who was exposed to Agent Orange, or the progeny of such an individual, and who has a disease or disability associated with this exposure.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Immigration
Date: 2011-07-25 00:00:00

Military Families Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to adjust the status of an eligible alien to that of an alien lawfully admitted for permanent residence if the alien: (1) applies for adjustment (with a time limit for an alien applying as a family member of a deceased Armed Forces member), (2) is admissible to the United States as an immigrant, and (3) is physically present in the United States. Applies such provision to an alien who is: (1) a parent, spouse, child, son, daughter, or the legal guardian of a child of a living Armed Forces member or of a deceased Armed Forces member who died as a result of service-incurred injury or disease; or (2) the spouse, child, son, or daughter of an alien described in clause (1). Defines "Armed Forces member" as a person who: (1) is, or was at the time of the person's death, a U.S. national or lawfully admitted permanent resident; (2) served honorably on or after October 7, 2001, as a member of the National Guard or the Selected Reserve of the Ready Reserve, or in an active-duty status in the U.S. military; and (3) if separated from service was separated under honorable conditions. Waives specified grounds of inadmissibility and authorizes the waiver of additional grounds of inadmissibility. Filipino Veterans Family Reunification Act - Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt from worldwide or numerical limitations on immigrant visas the sons and daughters of Filipino World War II veterans who were naturalized under the Immigration Act of 1990 or other specified federal law.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-07-26 00:00:00

Don't Default on Military Families Act - Amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to, during a funding gap affecting the Armed Forces: (1) require a court order to evict a servicemember (or dependents) from a primary residence during a period of the servicemember's military service (currently, such a court order is required only when monthly rent for the residence is below a specified amount); (2) bar subjecting such premises to distress; and (3) prohibit, after a servicemember enters military service, rescinding or terminating a contract for the purchase, lease, or bailment of real or personal property for a breach occurring before or during that person's military service (currently, such protections apply only when a servicemember pays a deposit or installment before entering military service). Modifies existing requirements for staying proceedings, adjusting obligations, or selling, foreclosing, or seizing property for a breach of obligation when an underlying mortgage or other secured interest on real or personal property originates before a funding gap that is the cause of such actions (currently, such protections apply only when the obligations originated before the period of the servicemember's military service). Prohibits a servicemember's failure or delay to make a mortgage payment (without regard to other considerations) from providing a basis for an adverse credit report if in good faith such servicemember notifies the creditor that such a funding gap is the cause of the failed or delayed payment.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-07-28 00:00:00

Honoring Ezeagwula and Long Act or the HEAL Act - Requires that Armed Forces members who were killed or wounded in the attack that occurred at a recruiting station in Little Rock, Arkansas, on June 1, 2009, be treated as having been killed or wounded in a combat zone as the result of an act of an enemy of the United States for the purposes of all applicable federal laws, regulations, and policies.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-08-01 00:00:00

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to designate one city in the United States each year as an "American World War II City" based on: (1) contributions to the war effort during World War II; and (2) efforts to preserve the history of such contributions, including preservation organizations or museums, restoration of World War II facilities, and recognition of World War II veterans. Designates Wilmington, North Carolina, as the first such city.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-08-01 00:00:00

Limits the role of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs in interments or funerals, memorial services, or ceremonies of deceased veterans to providing: (1) such veterans with benefits earned by serving the United States, (2) any necessary maintenance of national cemeteries and other facilities under control of the National Cemetery Administration, and (3) any necessary security or traffic control with respect to such services at national cemeteries and facilities under such Administration's control. Directs the Secretary to ensure that: (1) a suitable chapel is provided to the deceased's family, and (2) any requested honor guard or other nongovernmental group is provided access to such services and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) health care facilities. Requires each VA cemetery director to be a veteran. Prohibits federal government officials, including the Secretary, from interfering with the content and creed of such services, as expressed by the last will and testament of the individual or as determined by the family or agent of the individual, as provided under state law.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2011-08-26 00:00:00

Combat Veterans Back to Work Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) allow nongovernmental employers an exemption from, or reduction in, employment taxes for the period beginning after the enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2012, for wages paid to a qualified individual; and (2) allow an employer a business tax credit for each such worker retained by such employer who has been employed for not less than 52 consecutive weeks at a specified wage level.  Defines a "qualified individual" as any individual who: (1) begins employment after June 30, 2011, and before January 1, 2013; (2) is a current member of the National Guard or a reserve component; (3) within 18 months before beginning such employment, returned from a deployment of at least 180 days in support of a contingency operation; and (4) has not been hired to replace another employee unless such other employee separated from employment voluntarily or for cause.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-09-07 00:00:00

Veterans' Religious Freedom Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that: (1) the family members of each veteran who is buried in a national cemetery or is eligible for certain veterans' burial benefits are informed of all options available for the funeral or memorial service for such veteran, and (2) the director of each national cemetery is a qualified veteran. Prohibits the Secretary from: (1) prescribing regulations to censor or otherwise limit the type of religious speech that may be performed by a member of a veterans service organization at the funeral or memorial service of a veteran, or (2) censoring or otherwise limiting the type of religious speech of private speakers who have been invited to speak on property of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Economics and public finance
Date: 2011-09-12 00:00:00

Strengthening Homeland Security, Intelligence, and Essential Law Enforcement Departments Act of 2011 or SHIELD Act of 2011 - Requires, in the event that the U.S. public debt limit is reached, priority payment of the pay and allowances of: (1) members of the Armed Forces, including reserves, who perform active service; and (2) critical law enforcement officers employed by federal agencies. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, during a period of lapsed appropriations for the Armed Forces or federal agencies employing critical law enforcement officers, to make available necessary amounts to continue such pay and allowances.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2011-09-12 00:00:00

Help Veterans Own Franchises Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow a business-related tax credit for 25% of a qualified franchise fee of up to $400,000 paid or incurred by a veteran for the purchase of a franchise. Directs the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide information about the tax credit allowed by this Act to veterans service organizations and veteran advocacy groups.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-09-14 00:00:00

Josh Birchfield Security Contractor Oversight Improvement Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to establish a Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan setting standards to be incorporated in DOD oversight plans governing all security contractors operating in Afghanistan, and other future contingency operations, under a contract or subcontract funded by DOD. Requires: (1) the plan to be implemented within six months after the enactment of this Act, and (2) the Comptroller General to assess DOD compliance with the plan and report assessment results to Congress.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-09-21 00:00:00

Veteran's I.D. Card Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to issue a veteran's identification card to any veteran who requests such card and is neither entitled to military retired pay nor enrolled in the VA system of patient enrollment. Requires such card, among other things, to: (1) display their name and photograph, and (2) serve as proof that the veteran honorably served in the Armed Forces and has a DD-214 form or other official document in their personnel file that describes their military service. Directs the Secretary to charge a card fee. States that such card shall not serve as proof of entitlement to any benefits.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2011-09-21 00:00:00

Post 9-11 GI Jobs Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow: (1) an increased work opportunity tax credit for hiring post 9-11 veterans and other veterans; and (2) a tax deduction, up to $1,000, for the qualified job training expenses of post 9-11 veterans in the area of green jobs or sustainable manufacturing.  Defines "post 9-11 veteran" as any individual who, after September 11, 2001: (1) served on active duty in the Armed Forces or full-time in the National Guard for more than 180 days, or (2) was discharged or released from active duty for a service-connected disability. Terminates the increase in the tax credit and the tax deduction allowed by this Act after 2014.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-09-21 00:00:00

Gulf War Syndrome "Presumptive Illness" Extension Act of 2011 - Extends to December 31, 2018, the period of time following service in the Persian Gulf War or in Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, or New Dawn during which there is a presumption that certain chronic disabilities or illnesses that become manifest in former active-duty veterans are service-connected and therefore compensable through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2011-09-23 00:00:00

Military Spouse Job Continuity Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow the spouse of a member of the Armed Forces (military spouse) who moves with such member to another state under a permanent change of station order a tax credit for up to $500 of qualified relicensing costs incurred by such spouse. Defines "qualified relicensing costs" as costs for a state license or certification to engage in the profession that such military spouse engaged in while residing in the former state.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Law
Date: 2011-10-06 00:00:00

Equal Justice for Our Military Act of 2011 - Amends the federal judicial code to allow for review by writ of certiorari of certain cases denied relief or review by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces. Declares that the time for application for such a writ shall be as prescribed by rules of the Supreme Court.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-10-12 00:00:00

Veterans Entrepreneurial Transition Act of 2011 or the VET Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a veterans small business entrepreneurship program under which the Secretary may approve an eligible veteran entitled to certain VA educational assistance (under the all-volunteer force or post-9/11 educational assistance programs) to use up to a specified amount of such entitlements to start or acquire a qualifying business enterprise. Limits eligibility for the program to veterans who: (1) have completed at least 36 months of full-time active duty service in the Armed Forces or 24 months of such service before being discharged or separated for a service-connected disability, (2) are entitled to 36 months of such educational assistance, and (3) has last been discharged or separated from active duty service a maximum of 15 years before submitting an application with specified information. Allows a participating veteran to use program benefits, in accordance with limitations the Secretary establishes by rule, for purposes related to starting or acquiring a qualifying business enterprise, including: (1) purchasing goods or services necessary for the operation, expansion, or startup of such an enterprise; (2) funding a project directed toward any economic development objective described under specified provisions of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958; (3) attending an entrepreneurship readiness program to prepare the veteran for, and lead to the immediate subsequent ownership and management by the veteran of, such an enterprise; and (4) acquiring such an enterprise. Directs the Secretary to establish a list of qualifying business enterprise categories including: (1) small businesses, (2) franchise business enterprises, (3) existing business enterprises in which the veteran has an ownership stake, and (4) any other business enterprise determined appropriate by the Secretary. Requires that benefits made available to veterans under the program be taken into account in determining a veteran's creditworthiness for small business loans guaranteed under the Small Business Act and for farm loans made or guaranteed pursuant to the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. Authorizes the Secretary, in the event a veteran dies before receiving the balance of benefits payable under this Act, to pay the approved benefits to a survivor designated by the veteran under specified circumstances.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-10-13 00:00:00

Makes eligible for interment in a national cemetery any individual who: (1) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) determines served in combat support of the Armed Forces in Laos during the period beginning on February 28, 1961, and ending on May 15, 1975; and (2) at the time of death was a U.S. citizen or lawfully admitted alien. Applies this Act to any qualifying individual who dies on or after January 1, 2011.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-10-14 00:00:00

VHA Ophthalmologic Service Establishment Act of 2011 - Establishes an ophthalmologic service in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). Adds a Director of Ophthalmologic Service to the VA's Office of the Under Secretary for Health.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-10-24 00:00:00

Efficient Service for Veterans Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to jointly ensure that certain VA readjustment counseling centers have access to the Defense Personnel Record Image Retrieval and the VA/DOD Identity Repository Systems.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-10-25 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 11 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: 2011-10-27 00:00:00

Makes family caregivers of certain veterans with a serious illness eligible for a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) program of comprehensive assistance and support services. (Under current law, only family caregivers of certain veterans with a serious injury are so eligible.)
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-11-01 00:00:00

Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD), and the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) with respect to the Coast Guard, to design a military service identification card to identify and recognize the service of a member of the Armed Forces after the retirement or other separation of the member from the Armed Forces. Requires the card to include, at a minimum, the information contained on the Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty. Directs the Secretary concerned to: (1) establish an application process for a person to request such a card, and (2) make the card available to retired and former members of the Armed Forces who retired or were separated before enactment of this Act. Conditions the issuance of the card upon the payment of an amount sufficient to cover the costs incurred by the United States to manufacture and issue it.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-11-01 00:00:00

Hotels for Heroes Act - Expands the authority of the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to accept travel benefits to facilitate the travel of members of the Armed Forces during leave from active duty to include, as part of such benefits, points or awards for free or reduced-cost hotel accommodations. Includes as benefits purposes: (1) providing humanitarian support to members and eligible beneficiaries receiving care through the military health care system, and (2) support to allow participation by members and their families in DOD-sponsored and authorized programs.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Public lands and natural resources
Date: 2011-11-03 00:00:00

National Parks Freedom Pass Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture (USDA) to make the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass available to members of the Armed Forces or members of the National Guard or Reserves at a reduced rate equal to 50% of the cost of the Pass that is sold to the public. Makes such a Pass valid for one year after its date of issuance. Requires Passes to be made available, at a cost of $10, to veterans who were separated from military service under conditions other than dishonorable. Makes such a Pass valid for the lifetime of a passholder.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-11-03 00:00:00

Help Inspire and Retrain our Exceptional Veterans Act of 2011 or HIRE Veterans Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program to award grants to local chambers of commerce to provide veterans with apprenticeships and career advice. Prohibits more than one grant from being awarded to a local chamber during each five-year period. Provides individual grant amounts of at least $10,000 and not more than $20,000. Terminates the grant program at the end of FY2022. Requires an annual report from the Secretary to Congress after each year of the grant program.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-11-03 00:00:00

Veterans Travel Benefits Modernization Act - Allows the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to waive the $6 round-trip deductible paid by veterans in order to receive travel costs necessitated by required VA medical care until the earlier of: (1) one year after the waiver is granted, or (2) the date on which the Secretary determines that the deduction would no longer cause the veteran severe financial hardship. Makes any waiver granted beginning on January 1, 2011, and ending on June 1, 2012, valid until the earlier of: (1) the birthday of the veteran occurring after June 1, 2012; or (2) the date of the Secretary's determination described above. Requires the Secretary to revise the Veterans Health Administration Handbook to include such waiver periods.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-11-03 00:00:00

Franchise Education for Veterans Act - Allows eligible individuals to use Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) veterans' educational assistance benefits for franchise training. Provides training assistance limits for each 12-month period, prohibiting an individual from receiving more than 12 months and more than $15,000 of such assistance. Authorizes such training assistance under the post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance program, with the same assistance limits.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2011-11-03 00:00:00

Heroes Hiring Heroes Act of 2011 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a program to award grants to states to assist the employment of veterans. Allows the Secretary to award more than one grant per state. Limits grant amounts to $100,000. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to extend through 2016 the work opportunity tax credit for employers hiring previously unemployed veterans after 2011 and before 2017. Increases such credit with respect to such veterans. Provides a special tax credit for veteran-owned employers who hire previously unemployed veterans through a state job fair or forum after 2016.