lcalvobartolome/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Congress
Date: 2007-01-09 00:00:00

Lobbying and Ethics Reform Act of 2007 - Revises the Standing Rules of the Senate or prescribes requirements with respect to: (1) conference reports; (2) elimination of certain floor privileges and other benefits and privileges for former Members, Senate officers, and Speakers of the House who are lobbyists or seek financial gain; (3) a ban on gifts from lobbyists; (4) travel restrictions and disclosure; (5) post-employment restrictions; (6) public disclosure by Members of employment negotiations; (7) conflicts of interest with respect to a Member's spouse or immediate family members; (8) a Member's use of influence on certain hiring decisions; and (9) notices of intent to object to proceeding to a measure or matter. Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 (LDA) and the Foreign Agents Registration Act with respect to various specified disclosures by registered lobbyists and foreign government lobbyists. Requires: (1) the Comptroller General to audit lobbying registration and related reports annually; and (2) the Select Committee on Ethics to provide certain ethics training and awareness programs for Senators and their staff. Expresses the sense of the Senate that the lobbying community should develop specified proposals for multiple self-regulatory organizations. Amends the federal criminal code to extend from one to two years the ban on lobbying contacts by former very senior executive personnel, former Members of Congress, and officers of the legislative branch with any Member, officer, or employee of the entity in which such person served before his or her tenure terminated. Prohibits former employees of either chamber of Congress, within two years after leaving office, from making lobbying contacts with a Member, officer, or employee of either chamber. Amends the LDA to prohibit a registered lobbyist from knowingly making a gift or providing travel to a Member, officer, or employee of Congress, unless the gift or travel may be accepted under the rules of the House or the Senate. Establishes the Senate Office of Public Integrity.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2007-02-06 00:00:00

Congressional Whistleblower Protection Act of 2007 - Amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to apply whistleblower rights and protections to legislative branch employees, including those of the Government Accountability Office or the Library of Congress. Prescribes for violation of this Act the same remedy as would be appropriate if awarded with respect to a prohibited federal personnel practice in the executive branch.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Congress
Date: 2007-05-01 00:00:00

District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Considers the District of Columbia a congressional district for purposes of representation in the House of Representatives. Declares that the District shall not be considered a state for purposes of representation in the Senate. Applies to the District in the same manner as it applies to a state the federal law providing for the fifteenth and subsequent decennial censuses and for apportionment of Representatives in Congress. Limits the District to one Member under any reapportionment of Members. Modifies the formula regarding the number of presidential electors to subject it to the 23rd amendment to the Constitution in the case of the District. (Sec. 3) Increases membership of the House from 435 to 437 Members. Provides for a reapportionment of Members resulting from such increase. Requires the: (1) President to submit to Congress a revised version of the most recent statement of such apportionment identifying Utah as the state entitled to one additional Representative; and (2) Clerk of the House, upon receipt of such revision, to identify such state to the Speaker of the House. (Sec. 5) Repeals provisions of: (1) the District of Columbia Delegate Act establishing the office of District of Columbia Delegate to the House of Representatives; and (2) the District of Columbia Statehood Constitution Convention Initiative of 1979 providing for election of a Representative for the District. Makes conforming amendments to the District of Columbia Elections Code of 1955. (Sec. 7) Sets forth procedures for expedited judicial review of any action brought to challenge the constitutionality of any provision of this Act or any amendment made by it.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Congress
Date: 2007-05-25 00:00:00

Authorizes the Secretary of the Senate to transfer from the Senate Gift Shop Revolving Fund to the Senate Employee Child Care Center proceeds from the sale of holiday ornaments in order to fund necessary Center activities and expenses, including scholarships, educational supplies, and equipment.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Congress
Date: 2007-06-29 00:00:00

Presidential Signing Statements Act of 2007 - Prohibits any state or federal court from relying on or deferring to a presidential signing statement as a source of authority when determining the meaning of any Act of Congress. Requires any federal or state court, in any action, suit, or proceeding regarding the construction or constitutionality, or both, of any Act of Congress in which a presidential signing statement was issued, to permit the Senate, through the Office of Senate Legal Counsel, or the House, through the Office of General Counsel for the House, or both, to participate as an amicus curiae, and to present an oral argument on the question of the Act's construction or constitutionality, or both. Authorizes the full Congress, in any such suit, to pass a concurrent resolution declaring its view of the proper interpretation of the Act of Congress at issue, clarifying Congress's intent or its findings of fact, or both. Requires the federal or state court in question to permit Congress, through the Office of Senate Legal Counsel, to submit any such passed resolution into the record of the case as a matter of right. Makes it the duty of each federal or state court, including the U.S. Supreme Court, to advance on the docket and to expedite to the greatest possible extent the disposition of any matter brought under this Act.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Law
Date: 2007-07-23 00:00:00

Security from Political Interference in Justice Act of 2007 - Defines "covered communication" as any communication relating to an ongoing Department of Justice (DOJ) civil or criminal investigation (regardless of whether a civil or criminal indictment or information has been filed). Excludes from such definition any communication relating to policy appointments, legislation, rulemaking, budgets, public relations, programmatic matters, intergovernmental relations, administrative or personnel matters, appellate litigation, or requests for legal advice. Defines "covered Department of Justice officer" as the Attorney General, the Deputy Attorney General, and the Associate Attorney General. Defines "covered White House officer" as the President, the Vice-President, the Counsel to the President, and the Counselor to the President. Requires the Attorney General to submit semi-annual reports to the Judiciary Committees of Congress listing the name and title of each DOJ officer or employee who made a covered communication with any officer or employee of the Executive Office of the President in the previous six-month period. Requires the Counsel to the President to make the same semi-annual reports listing the name and title of each officer or employee of the Executive Office of the President who made a covered communication with any DOJ officer or employee. Allows the exclusion of covered DOJ and White House officers from such reports.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2007-07-25 00:00:00

Authorizes the Archivist of the National Archives and Records Administration to make grants to contribute funds toward the establishment in Staunton, Virginia, of a library to preserve and make available materials related to the life of President Woodrow Wilson and to provide interpretive and educational services that communicate the meaning of his life. Requires non-federal matching funds of at least double the amount of the grant. Prohibits the use of grant amounts for the maintenance or operation of such library. Bars the Archivist from: (1) having any involvement in the actual operation of the library, except at the request of the non-federal entity responsible for its operation; and (2) making such grants after September 30, 2011.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2007-10-17 00:00:00

Get in Line Act - Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to prohibit any lobbyist or lobbyist-employing organization, either registered or required to register, or any employee listed or required to be listed as a lobbyist by a registrant, from making a payment to an individual to reserve a place in line for a seat for such lobbyist, employee, or organization at a congressional committee hearing or business meeting. Requires the lobbyist, employee, or organization to certify in their semiannual reports on certain contributions that they have read and are familiar with this Act and have not violated it. Requires a Senate committee that is unable to accommodate all persons wishing to sit in the hearing room for a committee hearing or business meeting to: (1) make all reasonable accommodations for such overflow, including opening up an overflow room with a video monitor showing the hearing or meeting if possible; and (2) stream the hearing or meeting on the committee website to the extent practicable.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Congress
Date: 2007-10-18 00:00:00

Amends P.L. 109-116 (relating to obtaining a statue of Rosa Parks and placing it in the U.S. Capitol in National Statuary Hall) to extend the time period that the Joint Committee on the Library has to enter into an agreement to obtain a statue of Rosa Parks. Allows the Joint Committee to authorize the Architect of the Capitol to enter into the agreement and related contracts required under such law on its behalf, under such terms and conditions as it may require. Makes such amendments effective as if included in the enactment of P.L. 109-116.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Immigration
Date: 2008-02-28 00:00:00

Children of Military Families Natural Born Citizen Act - Declares that the term "natural born Citizen" in article II, section 1, clause 5 of the Constitution, dealing with the criteria for election to President of the United States, includes any person born to any U.S. citizen while serving in the active or reserve components of the U.S. armed forces.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Congress
Date: 2008-06-19 00:00:00

Enumerated Powers Act - Requires each Act of Congress to contain a concise and definite statement of the constitutional authority relied upon for the enactment of each portion of that Act. Declares that failure to comply with this requirement shall give rise to a point of order in either chamber of Congress.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Law
Date: 2008-09-16 00:00:00

OLC Reporting Act of 2008 - Amends the federal judicial code to require the Attorney General to report to Congress on any instance in which the Attorney General or any officer of the Department of Justice issues an authoritative legal interpretation of any provision of a federal statute that: (1) concludes that the provision is unconstitutional or would be unconstitutional in a particular application; (2) relies for its conclusion on a determination that any other interpretation would raise constitutional concerns under article II of the Constitution or separation of powers principles; (3) relies for its conclusion on a legal presumption against applying the provision to the executive branch or any member thereof; or (4) concludes the provision has been superseded or deprived of effect by a subsequently enacted statute where there is no express statutory language stating an intent to do so. Provides for the protection of privileged and classified information contained in a report by the Attorney General on the enforcement of laws.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Congress
Date: 2008-09-22 00:00:00

Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Act of 2008 - Establishes the Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Program for the appointment of individuals who are graduates of accredited law schools to serve as Congressional Clerks in the Senate or House of Representatives.Requires the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Committee on House Administration to each select at least six individuals for a one-year term to serve as employees in their respective chambers.Specifies eligibility criteria for a Congressional Clerk, including that the selected candidate be a graduate of such a law school as of the starting date of his or her clerkship.Requires the committees to ensure that Congressional Clerks selected under this Act are apportioned equally between majority and minority party offices.Entitles each clerk selected to the same compensation as, and comparable benefits to, an individual who holds the position of a judicial clerkship for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia within three months of graduating from law school.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Social welfare
Date: 2008-09-26 00:00:00

Child Care Investment Act of 2008 - Amends part A (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) of title IV of the Social Security Act to increase appropriations for child care assistance grants for FY2009-FY2014. Makes appropriations for FY2009-FY2014 for grants to states to establish: (1) a Quality Rating and Improvement System (or maintain such a system) for center-based child care providers, group home child care providers, family child care providers, and other early childhood education providers; (2) a statewide network of infant and toddler specialists to train such providers; (3) standards that require at least 40 hours of appropriate health, safety, and child development training for an individual before employment with or as a licensed or registered child care provider; and (4) requirements that licensed or registered providers are visited by monitoring staff at least twice a year.Requires the use of such appropriations also to pay reimbursement rates at or above the 75th percentile of market rates for providers of child care services assisted under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2009-01-06 00:00:00

Midnight Rule Act - Amends federal civil service law to provide that a midnight rule (i.e., a rule adopted by an agency within the final 90 days a President serves in office) shall not take effect until 90 days after the agency head is appointed by the new President. Makes exceptions if the President serving his final term makes a determination by executive order, and submits written notice to Congress, that the rule should take effect because it is: (1) necessary because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency; (2) necessary for the enforcement of criminal laws; (3) necessary for national security; or (4) issued pursuant to any statute implementing an international trade agreement.Provides that an exercise by the President of such authority shall have no effect on existing provisions governing congressional disapproval of agency rules.Authorizes the agency head appointed by the new President to disapprove of a midnight rule (by publishing a statement of disapproval in the Federal Register and sending a notice of disapproval to the congressional committees of jurisdiction) no later than 90 days after being appointed.Makes this Act applicable to any rule adopted on or after October 22, 2008.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2009-01-06 00:00:00

Establishes the National Commission on Presidential War Powers and Civil Liberties to investigate, and report to the President and Congress on, the broad range of policies of the Bush Administration that were undertaken under claims of unreviewable war powers, including: (1) detention by the Armed Forces and the intelligence community; (2) the use by such entities of enhanced interrogation techniques or techniques not authorized by the Uniform Code of Military Justice; (3) "ghosting" or other policies intended to conceal an individual's capture or detention; (4) extraordinary rendition; and (5) domestic warrantless electronic surveillance.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Congress
Date: 2009-01-06 00:00:00

District of Columbia House Voting Rights Act of 2009 - Considers the District of Columbia a congressional district for purposes of representation in the House of Representatives in the 112th Congress and each succeeding Congress. Applies to the District in the same manner as it applies to a state the federal law providing for the 15th and subsequent decennial censuses and for apportionment of Representatives in Congress. Limits the District to one Member under any reapportionment of Members. Modifies the formula regarding the number of presidential electors to subject it to the 23rd amendment to the Constitution in the case of the District. Increases membership of the House from 435 to 437 Members. Provides for a reapportionment of Members resulting from such increase. Directs the Clerk of the House to: (1) certify to the Governor of each state the number of Representatives to which the state is entitled; and (2) identify to the Speaker of the House the state (other than the District of Columbia) entitled to one additional Representative. Requires election at large of such additional Representative. Sets forth procedures for expedited judicial review of any action brought to challenge the constitutionality of any provision of this Act or any amendment made by it.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2009-01-07 00:00:00

Congressional Lawmaking Authority Protection Act of 2009 - Prohibits the use of funds made available to the Executive Office of the President, or to any executive agency, to produce, publish, or disseminate any presidential statement made contemporaneously with the signing of any legislation by him (signing statement). Applies this prohibition only to signing statements that contradict, or are inconsistent with, the intent of Congress in enacting a measure or that otherwise encroach upon the congressional prerogative to make laws. Prohibits a governmental entity from taking into consideration any presidential signing statement for purposes of construing or applying any Act of Congress.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Law
Date: 2009-01-07 00:00:00

Contempt of the House of Representatives Subpoena Authority Act of 2009 - Grants the U.S. district court for the District of Columbia original jurisdiction over any civil action brought by the House of Representatives (or any authorized committee or subcommittee) to enforce, to secure a declaratory judgment concerning the validity of, or to prevent a threatened refusal or failure to comply with, any subpoena or order issued by it to any entity acting or purporting to act under color or authority of state law, or to any natural person, to secure the production of: (1) documents or other materials of any kind, or the answering of any deposition or interrogatory; (2) testimony; or (3) any combination of such things. Requires the district court, upon application by the House (or any authorized committee or subcommittee), to issue a mandatory compliance order to an entity or person refusing, or failing to comply with, or threatening to refuse or not to comply with, a subpoena or order. Authorizes the court to hold in contempt any refusal or failure to obey a lawful order. Authorizes the General Counsel of the House of Representatives to bring a civil action under any statute conferring jurisdiction on any U.S. court to enforce, to secure a declaratory judgment concerning the validity of, or to prevent a threatened failure or refusal to comply with, any subpoena or order issued by the House (or a committee or a subcommittee). Prescribes a procedure for consideration in the House of a resolution to direct the General Counsel to bring such an action.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2009-01-07 00:00:00

Special Criminal Contempt of Congress Procedures Act of 2009 - Establishes alternate procedures for the prosecution of current or former officers or employees of the executive branch found in contempt of Congress for refusal to testify or produce documents in response to a congressional subpoena. Requires the Speaker of the House of Representatives to certify a finding of contempt of Congress to the appropriate U.S. attorney for presentation to a grand jury. Requires the Chief Judge of a U.S. district court to appoint a special counsel to prosecute any contempt case certified by the Speaker if the Attorney General or U.S. attorney to whom a finding of contempt was certified declines to prosecute or a grand jury does not return an indictment within a specified time period. Requires such special counsel to be an attorney in good standing with substantial prosecutorial experience who did not serve in the administration of a President in office when a finding of contempt was certified. Grants full power and independent authority to the special counsel to exercise all prosecutorial functions and powers.Sets forth provisions for the removal of the special counsel and the termination of the special counsel's authority. Increases the penalty for refusal of witnesses to testify or produce papers in response to a congressional subpoena.Makes this Act effective on January 20, 2009.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Congress
Date: 2009-01-08 00:00:00

Amends Rule XIII (Calendars and Committee Reports) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require committee reports on measures that would have an impact on the governance of public lands and/or on domestic energy availability to include a domestic energy impact statement prepared by the Comptroller General.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Congress
Date: 2009-01-09 00:00:00

Enumerated Powers Act - Requires each Act of Congress to contain a concise and definite statement of the constitutional authority relied upon for the enactment of each portion of that Act. Declares that failure to comply with this requirement shall give rise to a point of order in either chamber of Congress.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Congress
Date: 2009-01-15 00:00:00

Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to provide that pay for Members of Congress may not be increased by any adjustment scheduled to take effect in a calendar year if the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) determines that the federal aggregate outlays during the last completed fiscal year exceeded the federal aggregate receipts during such fiscal year.