jiayi-li23/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-07-29 00:00:00

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to ensure that the Women Veterans Bill of Rights is printed on signs in accessible formats and displayed prominently in each VA facility and distributed widely to such veterans. Enumerates health care rights to be included in the Bill of Rights, including the right to: (1) coordinated, comprehensive, primary women's health care at every VA medical facility; (2) treatment by clinicians with specific training and experience in women's health issues; and (3) gender equity in access to and the provision of clinical health care services. Directs the Secretary to ensure that the Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights is printed on signs in accessible formats and displayed prominently in each VA prosthetics and orthotics clinic. Enumerates rights to be included in such Bill of Rights, including the right to: (1) access the highest quality prosthetic and orthotic care; (2) select the practitioner that best meets their prosthetic and orthotic needs; and (3) timely and efficient prosthetic and orthotic care. Requires the Secretary to collect information relating to alleged mistreatment of injured and amputee veterans. Directs the Secretary to: (1) ensure that all VA employees receive training on the Women Veterans Bill of Rights, and that appropriate VA employees receive training on the Injured and Amputee Veterans Bill of Rights; and (2) conduct outreach to inform veterans about both Bills of Rights, and to make them available on the VA Internet website.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-07-29 00:00:00

Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to ensure that a member of the Armed Forces serving on active duty who is at least 18 and less than 21 years old may purchase and consume beer and wine from a location on a military installation where such beer and wine is intended to be consumed on-site (including restaurants, enlisted clubs, and morale, welfare, and recreation facilities), if such member presents a valid common access card when making the purchase. Provides an exception with respect to the purchase of beer and wine at: (1) Army-Air Force Exchange Services and Navy Exchange facilities; (2) shoppettes; and (3) other facilities that sell beer and wine to be consumed off-site.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-07-30 00:00:00

Increases from $300 to $500 the plot allowances for veterans who die in a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital, nursing home, or domiciliary care facility and are buried in a national or state cemetery. Directs the Secretary to pay to a state or an agency or political subdivision thereof a plot allowance of $500 for each spouse and child of certain veterans who are eligible for interment in a national cemetery but are buried in a state cemetery. Directs the Secretary to annually adjust the $500 plot allowance by an amount equal to the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index. Prohibits any such adjustment with respect to FY2011.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Commerce
Date: 2010-07-30 00:00:00

Veteran-Owned Small Business Contracting Fairness Act of 2010 - Amends the Small Business Act to authorize (current law requires) a federal contract opportunity to be awarded on the basis of competition restricted to qualified HUBZone (historically underutilized business zone) small businesses if the contracting officer reasonably believes that at least two qualified HUBZone small businesses will submit offers and the award can be made at a fair market price. Prohibits a business from being included in a database maintained by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) of small businesses owned and controlled by veterans or service-disabled veterans (for purposes of participation in a federal procurement contract program) until the Secretary verifies that the business is owned and controlled by veterans or service-disabled veterans. Subjects to certain penalties any person misrepresenting the status of a business as a small business owned and controlled by service-disabled veterans in order to obtain a federal procurement contract or subcontract.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2010-07-30 00:00:00

Amends the federal criminal code to allow tobacco products to be mailed to a member of the Armed Forces who is serving in a combat zone.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-07-30 00:00:00

Dignity for our Nation's Heroes Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to cover the burial and funeral expenses of a deceased veteran: (1) who is homeless, has no next of kin or other person claiming the body, and does not have sufficient resources to cover such expenses; (2) whose service in the Armed Forces was not during wartime; and (3) who was either discharged under honorable conditions or died during a period deemed to be active service. Prohibits any deduction from the burial allowance because of a veteran's assets or because of any contribution toward the burial and funeral expenses, unless the expenses incurred are covered by the United States, a state, an agency or political subdivision of the United States or a state, or the veteran's employer.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-07-30 00:00:00

Responsible End to the War in Afghanistan Act - States that it is the policy of the United States to ensure that funds made available for operations of the Armed Forces in Afghanistan are to be used only for providing for the safe and orderly withdrawal of all U.S. military personnel and Department of Defense (DOD) contractor personnel in Afghanistan. Allows such funds to be obligated and expended only for such purpose.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-07-30 00:00:00

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). Increases the authorized allowance for burial and funeral expenses for veterans who die as a result of a service-connected disability. 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: 2010-08-10 00:00:00

Allows members of the Armed Forces and veterans who are out of uniform to render the military salute during the recitation of the pledge of allegiance.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-09-14 00:00:00

Veterans' Traumatic Brain Injury Rehabilitative Services' Improvements Act of 2010 - Includes within a program of individualized rehabilitation and reintegration plans for veterans with traumatic brain injury (TBI): (1) the goal of maximizing the individual's independence and quality of life; and (2) improving such veterans' behavioral and mental health functioning. Requires the inclusion of rehabilitative services in a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) comprehensive program of long-term care for veterans' TBI that has residential, community, and home-based components utilizing interdisciplinary treatment teams.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-09-15 00:00:00

Extension of Health Care Eligibility for Veterans Who Served at Qarmat Ali Act - Makes eligible for hospital and nursing home care and medical services for any disability, notwithstanding sufficient medical evidence to conclude that such disability is associated with exposure to sodium dichromate (or other toxic substances), a veteran who: (1) served on active duty at or near the water injection plant at Qarmat Ali, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom; (2) is notified by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) of possible exposure to sodium dichromate during such service; and (3) enrolls in the VA patient enrollment system within five years after such notification. Authorizes the Secretary to base a notification of possible exposure to sodium dichromate (or other toxic substances) on information received from the Secretary of Defense (DOD).
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-09-15 00:00:00

Veterans Benefits and Economic Welfare Improvement Act of 2010 - (Sec. 2) Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Veterans' Employment and Training to carry out a joint training program to provide eligible veterans with skills relevant to the job market. Makes eligible for such program any veteran who: (1) is not otherwise eligible for education or training services through the VA; (2) has not acquired a marketable skill since being separated or released from military service; (3) was discharged under honorable conditions; and (4) has been unemployed for at least 90 days during the 180-day period preceding program application, or, during such 180-day period, received a maximum hourly pay rate of not more than 150% of the federal minimum wage. Allows for payments to employers for the provision of apprenticeship or on-job training under such program. Authorizes appropriations. Terminates the program at the end of FY2016. (Sec. 3) Allows a VA benefits claimant to waive any claim development period upon submission of a fully developed claim, and requires the Secretary to provide expeditious treatment of such a claim. Requires the Secretary to notify a claimant of a non-fully developed claim within 30 days after that determination. Directs the Secretary, in denying a benefit, to include in a notice of that decision any form or application required to appeal the decision. (Sec. 4) Extends the 120-day time limit for the filing of a notice of appeal of a final decision of the Board of Veterans' Appeals for such time as justice may require, upon a showing of good cause. Applies such extension retroactively to final Board decisions issued on or after July 24, 2008. (Sec. 5) Excludes from annual income, for purposes of eligibility for VA pension benefits for veterans and their surviving spouses and children: (1) reimbursements for expenses resulting from any accident, theft or loss, or casualty loss, or medical expenses or pain and suffering related to such accidents or losses; and (2) payments of up to $5,000 paid by a state or municipality as a veterans' benefit due to injury or disease. (Sec. 6) Extends through FY2015 VA authority to obtain veterans' income verification information from the Commissioner of Social Security or the Secretary of the Treasury. (Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary to establish the VetStar Award Program to recognize annually businesses for their contribution to veterans' employment. (Sec. 8) Increases from $1,000 to $2,000 the special monthly pension for Medal of Honor recipients. (Sec. 9) Requires the budgetary effects of this Act to be determined by reference to the latest statement titled "Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation" for this Act, provided such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-09-22 00:00:00

Requires that, if a member of the Armed Forces is being considered for administrative separation, incidents involving the member and information regarding actions of the member occurring more than 10 years before the date of the proceedings may not be taken into consideration, except when: (1) the member consents to the consideration of earlier information; or (2) the information was concealed by the member or another person acting on behalf of the member.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-09-22 00:00:00

Veterans' Homelessness Prevention and Early Warning Act of 2010 - Revises federal provisions relating to default procedures for loans guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, within seven days after receiving notification from a veteran of a defaulted loan so guaranteed, to: (1) provide the veteran with specified financial counseling and advice relating to such foreclosure; (2) notify a VA homelessness case manager of the default; and (3) ensure that such case manager develops a plan to provide alternate housing for the veteran in case of loss of the home.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-09-23 00:00:00

Veterans Back and Spinal Therapy Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a two-year pilot program to: (1) provide covered veterans with non-invasive techniques to treat spinal, back, and musculoskeletal injuries and pain; and (2) use an evidence-based medicine framework to assess the effectiveness of such techniques. Includes as a covered veteran one who: (1) has a service-connected spinal, back, or musculoskeletal injury; or (2) is eligible for VA hospital or nursing home care or medical services by reason of active duty in a theater of combat operations during a period of war after the Persian Gulf War. Requires the Secretary, in selecting program participants, to give a preference to veterans who served in Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, or New Dawn.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-09-28 00:00:00

Inform All Veterans Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), as part of outreach services provided to veterans, to make available at readily accessible locations in VA health care facilities, and to ask each visiting veteran if that veteran wishes to receive, written information concerning: (1) submitting a claim for compensation; (2) establishing a service connection for a disability; and (3) contact information about VA offices that may offer assistance with respect to service-connected disabilities.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-09-28 00:00:00

Excludes bonus payments made by a state or political subdivision thereof to a member of the Armed Forces, including a reserve member, on account of military service from consideration as income in determining the member's eligibility (or the member's spouse or family) for benefits or assistance, or the amount or extent of benefits or assistance, under any federal, state, or local program financed in whole or in part with federal funds. Provides that if a bonus payment is paid to another person on behalf of a deceased member, such exclusion shall apply to that recipient. Applies such exclusion retroactively to any bonus paid: (1) during the period beginning on August 2, 1990, and ending on March 3, 1991; and (2) since September 11, 2001.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-09-28 00:00:00

Fort McClellan Health Registry Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and maintain a special record to be known as the Fort McClellan Health Registry containing the name of each individual who, while serving in the Armed Forces, was stationed at Fort McClellan, Alabama, during the period beginning on January 1, 1935, and ending on May 20, 1999, and who: (1) applies for care or services from the VA; (2) files a claim for compensation on the basis of any disability which may be associated with such service; (3) dies and is survived by a spouse, child, or parent who files a claim for dependency and indemnity compensation on the basis of such service; (4) requests a health examination from the VA; or (5) receives such health examination and requests inclusion in the Registry. Requires the Secretary, upon request, to provide such health examination, as well as consultation and counseling with respect to examination results. Directs the Secretary to: (1) notify individuals in the Registry of significant developments in research on the health consequences of potential exposure to a toxic substance or environmental hazard related to service at Fort McClellan; and (2) carry out appropriate outreach activities with respect to such health examinations, consultation, and counseling.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-09-29 00:00:00

Makes eligible for burial in a national cemetery any member of the reserves, including the Army or Air National Guard, who performed active duty for training and was discharged or released from such duty under conditions other than dishonorable. Applies to such duty the same minimum service requirements applicable to a period of active duty. Increases from $300 to $500 the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) payment for funeral expenses of a veteran who: (1) at the time of death was in receipt of veterans' disability compensation or pension, or was a veteran of any war or was discharged or released from active duty for a disability incurred in the line of duty; or (2) dies in a VA hospital, nursing home, or domiciliary care facility.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-09-29 00:00:00

National Guard and Reserve Soft Landing Reintegration Act - Requires that a member of a reserve component of the Armed Forces who was deployed for more than 179 days for a contingency operation or a homeland defense mission be: (1) retained on active duty in the Armed Forces for 45 days after the end of the member's demobilization from a deployment; (2) allowed to use accrued leave; and (3) paid specified pay and allowances. Requires a member requesting an early release from such active duty to be released within 14 days after such request. Allows such request to be denied only for medical or personal safety reasons. Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned to provide each member so retained (and, as practicable, appropriate family members) reintegration counseling and services.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-09-29 00:00:00

Veteran Medic Corpsmen Physician Assistant Demonstration Program Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a program to examine methods of enabling individuals with military medical or health professional work experience to build on such skills by entering into the physician assistant workforce. Outlines study requirements. Requires: (1) the Secretary to award grants to institutions of higher education with accredited physician assistant programs to carry out demonstration projects under the program; and (2) such institutions to give priority to individuals who serve or have served in the Armed Forces as a paramedic or other similar medical support position.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-09-29 00:00:00

MyCAA Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense, as one of the programs established by the Department of Defense (DOD) to assist spouses of members of the Armed Forces serving on active duty, to continue to carry out the current Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) program, under which such spouses may receive up to $6,000 in tuition assistance for education and training courses and licensing and credentialing fees. Requires the Secretary to establish such assistance programs. Prohibits the Secretary from restricting MyCAA program participation to spouses of members serving in particular grades.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-09-29 00:00:00

Gold Star Parents Annuity Act of 2010 - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to pay a special pension to each person who has received a Gold Star lapel button as a parent of a member of the Armed Forces who died while serving.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-09-29 00:00:00

Spouses of Fallen Heroes Scholarship Act - Entitles to educational assistance under the post-9/11 educational assistance program the surviving spouses of members of the Armed Forces who die while serving on active duty on or after September 11, 2001. Allows such spouses 20 years after the member's death to utilize such assistance. Requires individuals entitled to both post-9/11 educational assistance and survivors' and dependents' educational assistance to utilize the post-9/11 educational assistance first.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-12-02 00:00:00

Amends provisions of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 relating to the Navy's littoral combat ship program to: (1) increase from 10 to 20 the number of such ships authorized to be procured, including any ship control and weapons systems that the Secretary of the Navy determines necessary for such ships; (2) allow one or more contracts to be entered into for such procurement; and (3) require the government to be permitted to conduct a competition for an additional shipyard for ship construction, to build a design specification for that ship.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2010-12-14 00:00:00

Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010 - Provides for repeal of the current Department of Defense (DOD) policy concerning homosexuality in the Armed Forces, to be effective 60 days after the Secretary of Defense has received DOD's comprehensive review on the implementation of such repeal, and the President, Secretary, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) certify to the congressional defense committees that they have considered the report and proposed plan of action, that DOD has prepared the necessary policies and regulations to exercise the discretion provided by such repeal, and that implementation of such policies and regulations is consistent with the standards of military readiness and effectiveness, unit cohesion, and military recruiting and retention. Provides that, until such time as the above conditions are met, the current policy shall remain in effect.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Water resources development
Date: 2010-09-29 00:00:00

Requires the Secretary of the Army, through the Chief of Engineers and at the request of a state in which a federal reservoir operated by the Secretary is located, to calculate the aggregate withdrawals of a non-federal entity by subtracting any return flow. Defines "return flow" as a discharge that flows directly or indirectly into a reservoir from a wastewater or water supply system in accordance with applicable federal law, excluding a discharge of storm water that would have flowed into such a reservoir in the absence of a discharge by a non-federal entity.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-01-06 00:00:00

Directs the Secretary of Defense to permit any former member of the armed forces who is entitled to compensation for a service-connected disability rated total by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to travel on military aircraft to the same extent as retired members of the armed forces.
Topic: Defense — Personnel Issues
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2009-01-06 00:00:00

Authorizes use of Department of Defense commissary and exchange stores by former prisoners of war who have been honorably separated from service and have a service-connected disability rated at 30% or more.