lcalvobartolome/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2007-01-17 00:00:00

Presidential Succession Act of 2007 - Modifies the presidential succession list to include, following the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Ambassador to the United Nations, the Ambassador to Great Britain, the Ambassador to Russia, the Ambassador to China, and the Ambassador to France. Revises the provision specifying how long an acting President shall serve to provide that an acting President shall continue to serve as such until the expiration of the then current Presidential term or until the disability of the President or Vice-President is removed. Expresses the sense of Congress with respect to: (1) votes by electors after the death or incapacity of nominees; and (2) the continuity of government and the transition of executive power.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Economics and public finance
Date: 2007-01-19 00:00:00

Stimulating Leadership in Limiting Expenditures Act (or SLICE Act) of 2007 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to authorize the President to propose, at any time and in any manner provided in this Act, the rescission of any budget authority in an appropriation Act. Prohibits funds made available for obligation under this procedure from being proposed for rescission again. Sets forth requirements for: (1) the President's transmittal to Congress of a special message regarding a proposed rescission; and (2) expedited consideration of such proposal.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Civil rights and liberties, minority issues
Date: 2007-01-31 00:00:00

Declares Executive Order 13166, "Improving Access to Services for Persons with Limited English Proficiency," to be null and void.Prohibits the use of funds for the promulgation or enforcement of an executive order that creates an entitlement to services provided in a language other than English.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2007-02-07 00:00:00

Accountability in Government Act of 2007 - Prohibits a federal agency head from continuing in office without reappointment by the President, with the advice and consent of the Senate, in any case in which the Comptroller General's annual report under the Federal Financial Management Improvement Act of 1996 states that the agency is not in substantial compliance with federal financial management systems requirements, applicable accounting standards, and the U.S. Government Standard Ledger at the transaction level.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2007-02-07 00:00:00

Iraq and Afghanistan Contractor Sunshine Act - Requires the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Administrator of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide Congress with: (1) copies and descriptions of contracts and task orders in excess of $5 million for work to be performed or that was performed beginning on October 1, 2001, in Iraq and Afghanistan; and (2) a report describing the number of persons working in Iraq and Afghanistan under contracts, the cost of such contracts, the number of persons wounded or killed working under such contracts, and information on laws that may have been broken and disciplinary actions taken by the contractor, the U.S. government, the government of Iraq, or the government of Afghanistan.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Congress
Date: 2007-02-16 00:00:00

Ethics Reform Act of 2007 - Amends Rule X (Organization of Committees) of the Rules of the House to abolish the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. Establishes within the legislative branch an Independent Ethics Commission to perform the duties of the Committee. Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to transfer functions of the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House to the Commission with respect to: (1) registration of lobbyists; (2) disclosure and enforcement; (3) penalties; and (4) rules of construction. Requires quarterly instead of semiannual filing of lobbying disclosure reports with the Commission in an electronic form to made available to the public free of charge over the Internet. Requires the Commission to continue any investigations pending before the Committee six months after the enactment of this Act. Sets forth House procedures for consideration of Commission recommendations.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2007-02-16 00:00:00

Iraq Contingency Planning Act - Requires the President by June 30, 2007, to report to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees detailing U.S. and U.S. Armed Forces contingency plans to respond to the following three scenarios regarding future developments in Iraq as identified by the most recent National Intelligence Estimate on Iraq: (1) chaos leading to partition; (2) emergence of a Shia strongman; and (3) anarchic fragmentation of power.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2007-02-28 00:00:00

Puerto Rico Self-Determination Act of 2007 - Recognizes the inherent authority of the People of Puerto Rico to call a Constitutional Convention for the purpose of proposing a Self-Determination Option for a new or modified commonwealth status, statehood, or independence. Requires such proposal, if approved by the people of Puerto Rico in a referendum, to be presented to Congress, which shall enact a joint resolution approving it and providing for its implementation. Requires a proposal that is changed or amended by Congress to be submitted to the people of Puerto Rico for approval in a referendum before it shall become effective.Authorizes the Constitutional Convention: (1) if a self-determination proposal is rejected by Congress or by the people of Puerto Rico, to reconvene for the purpose of deliberating to adopt another proposal; and (2) to remain in session until a proposal is enacted.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2007-03-01 00:00:00

Presidential Library Donation Reform Act of 2007 - Amends federal law regarding presidential archival depositories to require any presidential library fundraising organization to submit quarterly reports to the National Archives and Records Administration and specified congressional committees on every contributor who: (1) respecting a Presidential archival depository (including a depository of a President who currently holds the Office of President) for which the Archivist of the United States has not accepted, taken title to, or entered into an agreement to use any land or facility for the archival depository, gave a contribution or contributions (whether monetary or in-kind) totaling $200 or more for a quarterly period; or (2) respecting such a depository for which the Archivist has accepted, taken title to, or entered into an agreement to use any land or facility for the archival depository, gave the organization a contribution or contributions (whether monetary or in-kind) totaling $1, 250 or more for a quarterly period. Requires the submission of such information to continue to apply to a Presidential library fundraising organization during the lifetime of the President whose archives benefit from such fundraising. Requires the Archivist to make such information available to the public through the Internet (or a successor technology readily available to the public) as soon as is practicable after each quarterly filing. Requires that such information be made available without a fee or other access charge, in a searchable, sortable, and downloadable database. Prohibits knowing and willful submissions of false information or omissions of material information by contributors or the fundraising organization. Prescribes criminal penalties for violation of such prohibitions. Prohibits any person from knowingly and willfully: (1) making a contribution described above in the name of another person; (2) permitting his or her name to be used to effect such a contribution; and (3) accepting such a contribution that is made by one person in the name of another person. Prescribes penalties for violation of such prohibition. Requires the Archivist to promulgate regulations to carry out this Act. Makes this Act: (1) applicable to an organization established to raise funds for creating, maintaining, expanding, or conducting activities at a Presidential archival depository or any facilities related to such a depository; and (2) only applicable with respect to contributions (whether monetary or in-kind) made after enactment of this Act.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Commemorations
Date: 2007-03-05 00:00:00

Requires the Joint Committee on the Library to enter into an agreement with the Foundation of Hellenes under which the Foundation shall provide a statue of Constantino Brumidi to be displayed in the Capitol Visitor Center. Authorizes the Committee to delegate such requirement to the Architect of the Capitol (AOC).
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Congress
Date: 2007-03-06 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: 2007-03-28 00:00:00

Appropriations Transparency Act of 2007 - Allows a point of order to be made by any Member in the House of Representatives or the Senate against consideration of a conference report that includes any earmark or tax earmark not committed to conference by either chamber. Defines "tax earmark" as any revenue-losing provision that provides a federal tax deduction, credit, exclusion, or preference to only one beneficiary (determined with respect to either present law or any provision of which the provision is a part) under the Internal Revenue Code in any year for which the provision is in effect.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2007-05-08 00:00:00

Requires the President to submit to the congressional foreign relations committees a report that identifies and includes a brief description of every federal program that authorizes or requires the gathering of information on individuals in the United States, established whether in whole or in part pursuant to the "all necessary and appropriate force" clause contained in the Authorization for Use of Military Force.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Congress
Date: 2007-05-24 00:00:00

State Admission Day Recognition Act of 2007 - Requires the Architect of the Capitol (AOC) to honor a state's anniversary of admission to the Union by flying its flag over the Capitol each year on that anniversary. Provides that if a state's anniversary falls on the same day as another state's, the AOC shall fly the flag of each such state on that day. Requires the AOC to: (1) fly the first such flag on the first September 9 which occurs after the enactment of this Act, in honor of California's anniversary; and (2) present it to the Native Sons and Daughters of the Golden West.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Congress
Date: 2007-06-12 00:00:00

Amends federal postal law to prohibit a Member of the House of Representatives from sending as part of a mass mailing: (1) the usual and customary congressional newsletter or press release which may deal with such matters as the impact of laws and decisions on state and local governments and individual citizens, reports on public and official actions taken by Members of Congress, and discussions of proposed or pending legislation or governmental actions and the positions of the Members of Congress on, and arguments for or against, such matters; (2) the usual and customary congressional questionnaire seeking public opinion on any law, pending or proposed legislation, public issue, or subject; or (3) mail matter expressing congratulations to a person who has achieved some public distinction.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Congress
Date: 2007-06-20 00:00:00

Franking Reform Adds Needed Knowledge Act of 2007, or the FRANK Act - Prohibits a Member of the House of Representatives, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner to Congress (Member) from mailing any mass mailing as franked mail unless each piece included in such mailing contains a statement of the aggregate cost of this mailing to the taxpayer to produce and mail it. Requires the House Commission on Congressional Mailing Standards, upon request of a Member, to assist the individual in obtaining such required information to be included in the mass mailing.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Congress
Date: 2007-07-16 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: Government operations and politics
Date: 2007-08-01 00:00:00

Congressional Responsibility and Accountability Act - Amends the Administrative Procedure Act to: (1) require each agency, before adopting a rule, to determine whether compliance with the rule will result in a specified economic impact; and (2) prohibit an agency from enforcing a rule it determines will result in such impact until its requirements are enacted into law.Requires each agency: (1) annually, to determine whether its rules have resulted in a specified economic impact in the preceding year; and (2) not later than 365 days after making such determination, to no longer enforce such a rule until its requirements are enacted into law.Defines "specified economic impact" as: (1) costs to any individual of $5,000 or more in a year; (2) costs to any partnership, corporation, association, or public or private organization of $25,000 or more in a year; (3) costs to all persons (not including the federal government or a state government) in the aggregate of $250,000 or more in a year; or (4) the loss by one or more U.S. citizens of existing employment in a year.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Congress
Date: 2007-09-17 00:00:00

AMERICA Act of 2007: A Modest Effort to Read and Instill the Constitution Again - Expresses the sense of Congress that since Members of Congress swear to uphold the Constitution of the United States, write laws regarding the powers granted to the government, and propose constitutional amendments, they should be required to read this important document, including its amendments. Directs every Senator and Representative to obtain copies of the Constitution, distribute them to their staff, and require the staff to read it at least once during each session of Congress.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Economics and public finance
Date: 2007-09-19 00:00:00

Government Shutdown Prevention Act - Provides for automatic continuing appropriations if any regular appropriation for a fiscal year (or, if applicable, for each fiscal year in a biennium) does not become law before the beginning of such fiscal year, or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations is not in effect. Appropriates amounts necessary to continue any project or activity for which funds were provided in the preceding fiscal year: (1) in the corresponding regular appropriation Act for such preceding fiscal year; or (2) if such legislation did not become law, then in the joint resolution making continuing appropriations for such preceding fiscal year. Requires the appropriations and funds made available, and authority granted, for any fiscal year for a project or activity to be available for the period beginning with the first day of a lapse in appropriations and ending with the earlier of: (1) the date on which the applicable regular appropriation bill for such fiscal year becomes law (whether or not such law provides for such project or activity) or a continuing resolution making appropriations becomes law, as the case may be; or (2) the last day of such fiscal year.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Congress
Date: 2007-09-27 00:00:00

U.S. Capitol Police and Library of Congress Police Merger Implementation Act of 2007 - (Sec. 2) Transfers each Library of Congress (LOC) police employee and each LOC civilian employee to the U.S. Capitol Police. States that: (1) a LOC Police employee shall become a member of the Capitol Police on the employee's transfer date if the Chief of the Capitol Police determines and issues a written certification that the employee meets specified eligibility requirements; and (2) if the Chief determines that such requirements are not met, then such employee shall become a civilian employee of the Capitol Police. Requires the determination to be made for all LOC Police employees before FY2010. Exempts LOC Police employees who become members of the Capitol Police from federal mandatory separation law, subject to specified conditions. Entitles any creditable service accrued by such LOC Police employees before becoming a Capitol Police to be included in calculating the employee's service as a member of the Capitol Police for purposes of the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) and the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). Provides that: (1) the transfer of such personnel shall not cause any such employee to be separated or receive a reduction in pay; and (2) any credited annual, sick leave, other leave, or compensatory leave of the individual shall be transferred to the individual's credit as a member or employee of the Capitol Police. Prohibits the Chief from imposing a probationary period with respect to any individual transferred under this Act. Cancels a specified portion of the unobligated balance of the FEDLINK Revolving Fund for the Federal Library and Information Network (FEDLINK) program of the Library of Congress and its Federal Research program. (Sec. 5) Requires the Librarian of Congress to establish standards and regulations for the physical security, control, and preservation of the Library of Congress collections and property, and or maintenance of suitable order and decorum within the Library. (Sec. 6) Amends the Library of Congress Fiscal Operations Improvement Act of 2000 to provide for payment of Capitol Police services for Library of Congress special events.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Congress
Date: 2007-10-03 00:00:00

Earmark Reform Act 2007 - Amends the Congressional Budget of 1974 to subdivide amounts allocated to the congressional appropriations committees into: (1) a specified total of new budget authority and outlays for earmarks in appropriations measures for the first fiscal year of the first concurrent budget resolution; and (2) an amount of total new budget authority and outlays for such earmarks for the first fiscal year of each ensuing budget resolution equal to 1% of total new budget authority and total outlays allocated to such committees. (Thus caps total earmarks at 1% of total new budget authority and total outlays allocated each fiscal year to such committees.) Makes it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, or amendment if its enactment would cause the applicable allocation of new budget authority or outlays for a fiscal year to be exceeded.
Topic: Government Operations — Branch Relations
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2007-10-09 00:00:00

Senior Executive Service Diversity Assurance Act - Requires the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish within OPM the Senior Executive Service Resource Office to make recommendations to the Director with respect to regulations, and to provide guidance to agencies, concerning the structure, management, and diverse composition of the Senior Executive Service (SES).Makes it the Office's mission to: (1) improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity of the SES through policy formulation and oversight; (2) advance the professionalism of the SES; and (3) ensure that, in seeking to achieve an SES reflective of the nation's diversity, recruitment is from qualified individuals from appropriate sources.Requires the Office to make statistics concerning career reserved positions accessible to the public through the official public website of OPM.Revises the career appointments recruiting process to require agency heads to ensure diversity of executive resources boards, and any subgroup or other evaluation panel related to the merit staffing process for career appointees, by including members of racial and ethnic minority groups, women, and individuals with disabilities. Requires the Director to promulgate necessary regulations and report to Congress on agency efforts to improve diversity in executive resources boards and of qualifications review boards, based on the collection of statistics concerning race, ethnicity, sex, and disability required by this Act.Requires each agency, within one year after enactment of this Act, to submit to OPM a plan to enhance and maximize opportunities for the advancement and appointment of minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities in the agency to the SES. Requires the plans to: (1) address how the agency is identifying and eliminating barriers that impair the ability of such employees to obtain appointments and any actions the agency is taking to provide advancement opportunities; and (2) be updated at least biennially. Requires the Director to report to Congress on plans and updates.