lcalvobartolome/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-01-22 00:00:00

Putting Our Veterans Back to Work Act of 2013 - Amends the: (1) VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 to extend through March 31, 2016, the veterans retraining assistance program; and (2) Wounded Warrior Act to extend through 2016 the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) (Secretary) to provide the same rehabilitation and vocational benefits to members of the Armed Forces (members) with severe injuries or illnesses as are provided to veterans.

Extends through: (1) March 31, 2016, additional VA rehabilitation programs for certain disabled veterans who have completed a VA rehabilitation program and have exhausted their rights to state unemployment benefits; and (2) FY2015 the collaborative veterans' training, mentoring, and placement program.

Directs the Secretary to develop a single, unified federal web-based employment portal for veterans to access information on federal programs and activities concerning veterans employment, unemployment benefits, and training.

Directs the: (1) Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to award grants to hire veterans as firefighters, and (2) Attorney General (AG) to award grants to hire veterans as law enforcement officers.

Requires the head of each executive and defense agency to consider favorably, as an evaluation factor in federal solicitations for contracts and task or delivery orders valued at or above $25 million, the employment by a prospective contractor of veterans constituting at least 5% of the contractor's workforce.

Allows a veteran on whose behalf a complaint of a violation of employment or reemployment rights under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) is made by the AG to intervene in such action, and to obtain appropriate relief. Requires the AG, within 60 days after receiving a referral of an unsuccessful attempt to resolve a complaint relating to a state or private employer, to notify the person on whose behalf the complaint is submitted of either the decision to commence such an action or of when such decision is expected to be made. Requires, in the latter case, such decision to be made within an additional 30 days. Requires the AG to commence such an action when there is reasonable cause to believe that a state or private employer is engaged in a pattern or practice of resistance to the full enjoyment of such rights and benefits, and that the pattern or practice denies the full exercise of such rights and benefits.

Authorizes the suspension, termination, or debarment of federal contractors for repeated failures or refusals to comply with USERRA protections.

Provides the Special Counsel with subpoena power to require the attendance and testimony of, and production of documents from, federal employees, to be enforced through the Merit Systems Protection Board.

Authorizes the AG, in employment or reemployment rights investigations, to issue and serve a civil investigative demand for the production of documentary material.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-01-24 00:00:00

Women Veterans and Other Health Care Improvements Act of 2013 - (Sec. 2) Includes fertility counseling and treatment within authorized Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical services.

(Sec. 3) Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Secretary) to furnish such counseling and treatment, including the use of assisted reproductive technology, to a spouse or surrogate of a severely wounded, ill, or injured veteran who has an infertility condition incurred or aggravated in the line of duty and who is enrolled in the VA health care system, as long as the spouse and veteran apply jointly for such counseling and treatment.

(Sec. 4) Authorizes the Secretary to pay to any such veteran an amount to assist in the adoption of one or more children. Provides cost limits.

(Sec. 5) Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations on the furnishing of such counseling, treatment, and adoption assistance.

(Sec. 6) Requires the Secretary and the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to share best practices and facilitate referrals on the furnishing of such counseling and treatment.

(Sec. 7) Directs the Secretary to facilitate research conducted collaboratively by the Secretaries of Defense and Health and Human Services (HHS) in order to improve VA's ability to meet the long-term reproductive health care needs of veterans who have a service-connected genitourinary disability or a condition that was incurred or aggravated in the line of duty, such as a spinal cord injury, that affects the veterans' ability to reproduce. Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on such research.

(Sec. 8) Directs the Secretary to report annually to the congressional veterans committees on the counseling and treatment provided under this Act.

(Sec. 9) Directs the Secretary to carry out a program of providing assistance to veterans to obtain child care during the period they are receiving mental health services. Requires the program to be carried out in at least three Veterans Integrated Service Networks selected by the Secretary. Directs the Secretary to carry out a similar program to provide assistance to the primary caretaker of a child or children who is receiving or in need of readjustment counseling and related mental health services from the VA. Requires the latter program to be carried out in at least three Readjustment Counseling Service Regions selected by the Secretary.

(Sec. 10) Directs the Secretary to provide, through the Readjustment Counseling Service of the Veterans Health Administration, reintegration and readjustment services in group retreat settings to women veterans who are recently separated from service after a prolonged deployment. Requires the receipt of services to be at the election of the veteran. Repeals superseded pilot program authority under the Caregivers and Veterans Omnibus Health Services Act of 2010.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-01-31 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.

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Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-02-04 00:00:00

Stolen Valor Act of 2013 - Amends the federal criminal code to rewrite provisions relating to fraudulent claims about military service to subject to a fine, imprisonment for not more than one year, or both an individual who, with intent to obtain money, property, or other tangible benefit, fraudulently holds himself or herself out to be a recipient of:

 a Congressional Medal of Honor, a distinguished-service cross, a Navy cross, an Air Force cross, a silver star, a Purple Heart, a Combat Infantryman's Badge, a Combat Action Badge, a Combat Medical Badge, a Combat Action Ribbon, a Combat Action Medal, or any replacement or duplicate medal for such medal as authorized by law.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-02-07 00:00:00

Retired Pay Restoration Act of 2013 - Allows the receipt of both military retired pay and veterans' disability compensation with respect to any service-connected disability (under current law, only a disability rated at 50% or more).

Makes eligible for the full concurrent receipt of both veterans' disability compensation and either military retired pay or combat-related special pay those individuals who were retired or separated from military service due to a service-connected disability.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-02-14 00:00:00

Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to provide transportation on scheduled and unscheduled military flights within the United States and on scheduled overseas flights on a space-available basis for veterans with a service-connected, permanent disability rated as total.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-02-28 00:00:00

Veterans Small Business Opportunity and Protection Act of 2013 - Treats the surviving spouse of a service-disabled veteran who acquires the ownership interest in a small business of the deceased veteran as such veteran, for purposes of eligibility for VA service-disabled small business contracting goals and preferences, for a period of: (1) 10 years after the veteran's death, if such veteran was either 100% disabled or died from a service-connected disability; or (2) 3 years after such death, if the veteran was less than 100% disabled and did not die from a service-connected disability.

Treats a small business acquired by the surviving spouse or dependent from a member killed during active duty as a small business owned and controlled by a service-disabled veteran, for purposes of VA small business contracting goals and preferences. Continues such treatment for the period beginning on the date of the member's death and ending on the earlier of: (1) the date on which the surviving spouse remarries or relinquishes, or the date on which the surviving dependent relinquishes, such ownership interest; or (2) ten years after the member's death.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-03-05 00:00:00

Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to transport individuals to and from facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in connection with vocational rehabilitation, counseling, examination, treatment, or care.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-03-07 00:00:00

Requires a state, as a condition for receipt of a grant or contract from the Department of Labor for support of disabled veterans' outreach specialists and local veterans' employment representatives, to establish a program which issues a license or credential to a veteran without requiring any training or apprenticeship if such veteran: (1) receives a satisfactory score on completion of an examination administered by that state, and (2) has at least 10 years of experience in a military occupational specialty that is similar to the civilian occupation for which such license or credential is required.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-03-11 00:00:00

Includes under the Yellow Ribbon G.I. Education Enhancement Program (public-private contributions for educational assistance in addition to post-9/11 educational assistance) the child of an individual who, on or after September 11, 2001, dies in the line of duty while serving on active duty.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-03-11 00:00:00

Wounded Warrior Workforce Enhancement Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to award grants to eligible institutions to: (1) establish a master's or doctoral degree program in orthotics and prosthetics, or (2) expand upon an existing master's degree program in such area. Requires a grant priority for institutions in partnership with a medical center administered by the VA or a facility administered by the Department of Defense (DOD). Provides grant amounts of at least $1 million and up to $1.5 million. Defines as eligible institutions those either accredited by the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education or demonstrating an ability to meet such accreditation requirements if receiving a grant.

Requires the Secretary to award a grant to an institution with orthotic and prosthetic research and education experience to: (1) establish the Center of Excellence in Orthotic and Prosthetic Education; and (2) improve orthotic and prosthetic outcomes for veterans, members of the Armed Forces, and civilians by conducting orthotic and prosthetic-based research.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-03-13 00:00:00

VISN Reorganization Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to organize the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) into 12 geographically defined Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs).

Directs the Secretary to ensure that each VISN: (1) is aligned with the mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the specific health care requirements of veterans in that network; (2) implements VA national goals within their network and associated medical centers; (3) maintains a regional integrated health care system; (4) identifies and reduces the duplication of functions in VHA clinical, administrative, and operational processes and practices; (5) works to achieve maximum effectiveness in patient care and safety, graduate medical education, and research; (6) assesses the consolidation or realignment of institutional functions, in collaboration and cooperation with other VISNs and specified offices or entities within their network; and (7) develops and shares innovations and best practices with each other at the local, regional, and national levels.

Prohibits more than one headquarters for each VISN, with no more than 65 full-time employees. Requires the Secretary to report at least annually to the congressional veterans committees on employment at VISN headquarters.

Directs the Secretary, at least every three years, to: (1) review and assess VISN structure and operations, and (2) submit review results to such committees.

Requires the Secretary, in order to comply with the requirements of this Act, to realign and combine the current 21 VISNs into 12 geographically defined VISNs, and to appropriately consolidate VISN headquarters. Directs the Secretary to submit to such committees a realignment implementation plan.

Provides for the relocation of leased VISN headquarters, requiring the Secretary to notify such committees if renewing or engaging in a new lease for any headquarters.

Directs the Secretary to establish up to four regional support centers within the VHA to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the VISNs.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-03-14 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Veterans Second Amendment Protection Act - Prohibits, in any case arising out of the administration of laws and benefits by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), any person who is mentally incapacitated, deemed mentally incompetent, or experiencing an extended loss of consciousness from being considered adjudicated as a mental defective for purposes of the right to receive or transport firearms without the order or finding of a judicial authority of competent jurisdiction that such person is a danger to himself or herself or others.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-03-21 00:00:00

Authorizes payment under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) beneficiary travel program of travel expenses in connection with medical examination, treatment, or care of a veteran with vision impairment, a spinal cord injury or disorder, or double or multiple amputations whose travel is in connection with care provided through a VA special disabilities rehabilitation program, if such care is provided: (1) on an inpatient basis, or (2) while a veteran is provided temporary lodging at a VA facility in order to make such care more accessible.

Requires a report from the Secretary to the congressional veterans committees on the travel program.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-04-10 00:00:00

Veterans Paralympic Act of 2013 - Extends, until FY2018, the yearly: (1) $2 million appropriations authorization for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay a monthly assistance allowance to disabled veterans training or competing for the Paralympic Team; and (2) $8 million appropriations authorization, with amounts appropriated remaining available without fiscal year limitation, for grants to U.S. Paralympics, Inc.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-04-16 00:00:00

Repeals certain provisions which require the offset of amounts paid in dependency and indemnity compensation from Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuities for the surviving spouses of former military personnel who are entitled to military retired pay or would be entitled to such pay, except for being under 60 years of age.

Prohibits recoupment by the Secretary of Defense (DOD) of certain amounts previously paid to SBP recipients in the form of a retired pay refund.

Repeals the optional authority of (and instead requires) the Secretary of the military department concerned to pay an annuity to a member's dependent children when there is no eligible surviving spouse. Directs the Secretary concerned to restore annuity eligibility to a surviving spouse who earlier agreed to transfer such eligibility to a surviving child or children of a member.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-04-16 00:00:00

Survivor Benefits Improvement Act of 2013 - Allows dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) paid through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to the surviving spouses of veterans to be increased for months occurring during the five-year (under current law, two-year) period beginning on the date of entitlement.

Provides that the remarriage after age 55 of the surviving spouse of a veteran shall not bar the furnishing of VA DIC, health care, educational assistance, and housing loans.

Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to provide, to any spina bifida-affected child of a veteran who served on active duty in Thailand beginning on January 9, 1962, and ending on May 7, 1975, and was exposed to a herbicide agent during such service, the same health care, vocational training and rehabilitation, and monetary allowance required to be paid to a similarly-affected child of a Vietnam veteran.

Directs the Secretary to carry out a two-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing grief counseling services for the surviving spouses of veterans who die while serving on active duty.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-04-23 00:00:00

Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to issue to a veteran a card, to be known as a Veterans ID Card, that identifies the veteran as a veteran and includes the veteran's name and photo. Allows the Secretary to issue such a card regardless of whether the veteran is: (1) enrolled in the VA system of annual patient enrollment; or (2) in receipt of VA educational assistance, compensation, or pension.

Authorizes the Secretary to work with national retail chains that offer veterans reduced prices on pharmaceutical and consumer products to ensure that such chains recognize the above cards when offering such prices.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-04-25 00:00:00

Improving the Lives of Children with Spina Bifida Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a three-year pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing contracted case management services (services) to individuals entitled to VA benefits as children of Vietnam and Korean War veterans born with spina bifida, and children of women Vietnam veterans born with certain birth defects who live in a rural area and have no access to such services through the VA or otherwise. Authorizes the Secretary to extend the program for an additional two years. Allows the services to include the coordination and management of needed health care, monetary, general care, and transportation services. Requires the Secretary to: (1) notify eligible individuals, and (2) contract with an appropriate entity for the provision of such services.

Directs the Secretary to carry out an additional pilot program (for the same period and with the same authorized extension) to assess the feasibility and advisability of providing assisted living, group home care or similar services, and transportation to the individuals described above. Requires the Secretary to: (1) notify eligible individuals, and (2) consider entering into an agreement with the appropriate service providers.

Requires preliminary and final reports with respect to, and provides funding for, each pilot program.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-04-25 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Caregivers Expansion and Improvement Act of 2013 - Extends to all veterans with a serious service-connected injury the eligibility to participate in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) program of comprehensive assistance to family caregivers of such veterans. (Under current law, such eligibility is limited to those veterans who incurred such an injury on or after September 11, 2001.)
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-05-07 00:00:00

Filipino Veterans Promise Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to establish a process for determining whether individuals who served in the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines or in the Philippine Scouts while in the service of the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II and who are not included in the Missouri List are eligible for certain benefits relating to their U.S. service.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-05-08 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was introduced. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

 Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase, as of December 1, 2013, the rates of veterans' disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children.

Requires each such increase to be the same percentage as the increase in benefits provided under title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) of the Social Security Act, on the same effective date.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-05-08 00:00:00

Extends from June 30, 2013, to June 30, 2016, the period during which certain work-study activities qualify for an additional veterans' educational assistance allowance under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) educational assistance program. Expands such activities to include, for the same additional period, certain outreach services provided through U.S. congressional offices, including the distribution of information to members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their dependents concerning available benefits and services.

Requires annual reports from the VA Secretary to Congress on work-study allowances paid.