lcalvobartolome/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2014-05-21 00:00:00

Veterans National Remembrance Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), in selecting a location for the establishment of a new national cemetery, to: (1) give priority to a state that does not have a national cemetery and that has the largest population of veterans among states without such a cemetary, and (2) ensure that such location is within 10 miles of a significant amount of the population to be served by such cemetery during the 25 years following its establishment.

Permits the Secretary, after establishing two national cemeteries, to waive the requirement of giving priority to a state that does not have a national cemetery if such waiver will allow the Secretary to establish a cemetery that will serve a larger population of veterans.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2014-05-22 00:00:00

Surviving Spouses' Benefit Improvement Act of 2014 - Increases the monthly rates of veterans' dependency and indemnity compensation payable to surviving spouses through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Prohibits benefits under any other law (other than duplication of benefits) from being reduced or offset because the surviving spouse is eligible for dependency and indemnity compensation.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2014-05-29 00:00:00

Veterans Involved in Police Services Act of 2014 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to allow public safety and community policing grants to be used, during the three-year period beginning on the date of this Act's enactment, to hire former honorably-discharged members of the Armed Forces to serve as career law enforcement officers for community-oriented policing, particularly in jurisdictions in which the violent crime rate is higher than the national violent crime rate, according to the uniform crime report compiled by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2014-05-29 00:00:00

Veterans' Health Accountability Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide a voucher for the market price of the needed service for use at a non-VA facility for any veteran who has been denied health care at any VA facility on a timely basis (defined as one day for procedures and seven calendar days for tests).

Makes all veterans eligible for VA-paid care from non-VA facilities, and directs the Secretary of the VA to immediately prepare for the privatization of all VA facilities within one calendar year, if more than 10% of the Veterans Health Administration's budget goes toward such health vouchers.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2014-05-30 00:00:00

Atomic Veterans Service Medal Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to: (1) design and produce a military service medal, to be known as the Atomic Veterans Service Medal, to honor retired and former members of the Armed Forces who participated in a radiation-risk activity while serving on active duty; and (2) issue the Medal to such veterans or their next-of-kin.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2014-06-05 00:00:00

Cold War Service Medal Act of 2014 - Authorizes the Secretary of the military department concerned to issue the Cold War Service Medal to members of the Armed Forces who were discharged or released under honorable conditions after having: (1) served on active duty for at least 24 consecutive months during the Cold War (September 2, 1945, through December 26, 1991), (2) deployed outside the continental United States for at least 30 days during such period, or (3) performed other Cold War service as the Secretary of Defense (DOD) may prescribe.

Expresses the sense of Congress that the DOD Secretary should expedite the design of the Medal as well its issuance to eligible members.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2014-06-09 00:00:00

Toxic Exposure Research and Military Family Support Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to:

 select a medical center in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to serve as the national center (Center) for the diagnosis, treatment, and research of health conditions of descendants (i.e., a biological child, grandchild, or great-grandchild) of individuals exposed to toxic substances while serving as members of the Armed Forces that are related to that exposure; establish an advisory board to advise the center, to determine which health conditions result from exposure to toxic substances, and to study and evaluate cases of exposure of current and former members of the Armed Forces to toxic substances; and establish an Office of Extramural Research to conduct research on wounds, illnesses, injuries, and other conditions suffered by active members of the Armed Forces resulting from exposure to toxic substances and to assist the Advisory Board in considering claims of exposure to toxic substances. Requires the Center, in coordination with the National Birth Defect Registry, to track and research the genetic link between individuals who are exposed to Agent Orange and the medical conditions of their children.

Extends eligibility for medical care and caregiver assistance to descendants of a veteran who was exposed to toxic substances while serving as a member of the Armed Forces if: (1) the descendant has a health condition resulting from exposure to toxic substances and is homebound due to such condition, and (2) the veteran has or had the same health condition.

Authorizes the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to declassify documents (other than documents that would materially and immediately threaten national security) related to any known incident in which not less than 100 members of the Armed Forces were exposed to a toxic substance that resulted in at least one case of disability.

Directs the VA Secretary, the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the DOD Secretary to jointly conduct a national outreach and education campaign directed at members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their family members to communicate information on incidents of exposure to toxic substances, health conditions resulting form such exposure, and the potential long-term effects of such exposure.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2014-06-19 00:00:00

Helping Veterans Save for Health Care Act of 2014 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to provide that a veteran receiving hospital care or medical services for a service-connected disabililty is not disqualified from participating in or contributing to a tax-preferred health savings account (HSA).
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2014-06-30 00:00:00

Help Employ and Recruit Our Excellent Servicemembers Grant Act of 2014 or the HEROES Grant Act of 2014 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the use of public safety and community policing (COPS ON THE BEAT) grants to hire veterans and other individuals as employees of law enforcement agencies for positions that do not require sworn authority.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2014-07-08 00:00:00

Veterans' Assistance to Lower Unemployment and Enhance VA Services Act or the VALUES Act - Entitles disabled veterans and the mothers or spouses of certain deceased or disabled veterans to receive an additional 15 points on their examination for entrance into the competitive service at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Entitles certain veterans who served on active duty in the Armed Forces to receive an additional 10 points on their examination for entrance into the competitive service at the VA.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2014-07-09 00:00:00

Wounded Warrior Employment Improvement Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to develop and publish an action plan for improving the training and rehabilitation services and assistance provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for veterans with service-connected disabilities.

Requires such plan to include:

 a comprehensive analysis of, and recommendations and a proposed implementation plan for remedying, workload management challenges at regional offices of the VA, including steps to reduce counselor case loads of veterans participating in a rehabilitation program; a comprehensive analysis of the reasons for the disproportionately low percentage of veterans with service-connected disabilities who served in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001, who opt to participate in a VA rehabilitation program relative to the percentage of such veterans who use their entitlement to VA educational assistance; recommendations and a proposed implementation plan for encouraging more veterans with service-connected disabilities who served in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001, to participate in VA rehabilitation programs; and a national staff training program for vocational rehabilitation counselors, that includes the provision of training to assist counselors in understanding the very profound disorientation experienced by warriors because of their injury, training to assist counselors in working in partnership with veterans on individual rehabilitation plans, and training on post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health conditions and on moderate to severe traumatic brain injury that is designed to improve the ability of such counselors to assist veterans with such conditions.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Commerce
Date: 2014-07-09 00:00:00

Veterans Small Business Support Act - Amends the Small Business Act to prohibit the Administrator of the Small Business Administration (SBA) from assessing a guarantee fee in connection with a loan made under the SBA Express Program to a veteran or spouse of a veteran on or after October 1, 2014.

Directs the Administrator to report to Congress on: (1) the feasibility of providing financial planning and counseling to owners of small business concerns who are members of a reserve component prior to deployment; (2) the level of outreach to and consultation with female veterans by women's business centers and veterans business outreach centers; and (3) the Military Reservists Economic Injury Disaster Loan Program, which shall include a discussion of SBA outreach efforts to increase participation, the number of loans made, and an analysis of the effectiveness of, and recommendations for improving, the Program.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2014-07-09 00:00:00

Veterans Care Financial Protection Act of 2014 - Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to: (1) work with federal agencies, states, and such experts as the Secretary considers appropriate to develop and implement federal and state standards that protect individuals who are eligible for increased pension for a non-service-connected disability or death or for service on the basis of need for regular aid and attendance from dishonest, predatory, or otherwise unlawful practices; and (2) submit such standards to specified congressional committees not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

Requires the Comptroller General: (1) within one year after enactment of this Act, to report standards that would be effective in protecting such individuals if the Secretary fails to submit such standards within such 180 days; and (2) not later than 540 days after enactment of this Act, to complete a study on standards implemented under this Act and report the findings to such committees.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2014-07-10 00:00:00

Veterans' Whistleblower and Patient Protection Act of 2014 - Establishes within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) an Office of Whistleblower and Patient Protection.

Requires the Director of such Office to establish a dedicated Internet website and toll-free telephone number for any individual to file a complaint regarding an alleged prohibited personnel practice committed by a VA officer or employee or the safety of a patient at a VA medical facility.

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to refer to the Director for investigation any such complaint the Secretary receives directly. Prohibits the Secretary from referring any such complaint to any other element of the VA.

Requires the Secretary to ensure that VA employees located at a medical facility are able to efficiently refer any such complaints received to the Director. Prohibits the Director from disclosing the identity of any individual who files such a complaint without the individual's consent, except when necessary because of an imminent danger to public health or safety or imminent violation of any criminal law.

Requires the Director to: (1) investigate each complaint to determine whether there is a substantial likelihood that it discloses a violation of any law, rule, or regulation, gross mismanagement, gross waste of funds, abuse of authority, or substantial and specific danger to public health and safety; (2) make such determination within 240 days after its receipt; (3) notify the Secretary upon making a positive determination and refer the complaint, as appropriate, to the head of the appropriate federal department or agency; and (4) coordinate with the VA's Inspector General and Special Counsel to avoid duplicative actions.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Finance and financial sector
Date: 2014-07-10 00:00:00

Amends the Federal Credit Union Act to exclude loans made to veterans from the definition of a "member business loan," thus excluding them from the limit on the total amount of member business loans a credit union may have outstanding.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2014-07-11 00:00:00

Responsive and Efficient Appeals Courts for Heroes Act of 2014 - Authorizes the Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims, acting as a panel or en banc, to hear class action appeals in accordance with specified procedures.

Allows one or more appellants to bring such a class action as the representative party on behalf of all members of such class if:

 there is at least one question of law or fact common to the class, the class is likely to consist of at least 50 members, the resolution of the common questions of law or fact is likely to have a material effect on the claims of the members of the class, and the representative party will fairly and adequately protect the interests of the class. Gives an appellant 60 days after filing an appeal to file a motion with the Court to certify the appeal as a class action with respect to an issue that the appellant intends to raise. Allows the Court to waive such 60-day period for good cause shown.

Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), upon the filing of such motion, to: (1) make reasonable efforts to determine the approximate number of individuals with pending claims for benefits for whom class certification is sought, and (2) file a response.

Requires the Court, after the Secretary has filed such response, to determine by order whether to grant class certification with respect to an issue considered under the appeal and allow the appellant to act as the representative party of the class. Requires that order, if certification is granted, to: (1) define the class and issue for which the class is certified, and (2) appoint counsel for the class. Authorizes the Court, acting as a panel or en banc, to alter or amend an order before final judgement.

Requires the Court to include in the class only individuals who have, as of the date of the Court's entry of judgment on the class action, filed a claim that has not been finally resolved.

Allows the Court to stay the individual claims of class members during the period the Court is considering the class action.

 Requires the Court to allow a veterans' organization to intervene in a class action appeal if the organization has an interest in the common questions of law or fact in the class action.

Requires the Court's permission before the appeal and a common issue of law or fact may be settled, voluntarily dismissed, compromised, or remanded by agreement.

Allows any member of the class, or an individual who would have been a member of the class if certification was granted, to appeal any decision of the Court to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.

Sets the salary of the Court's judges at the rate applicable to federal appellate court judges. (Currently, their salary is set at the rate applicable to federal district court judges.)
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2014-07-15 00:00:00

Requires service in the United States Merchant Marine of an individual who served as a crew member of a vessel that was in oceangoing service during the Vietnam Era in the Southeast Asia theater of operations and who receives a certificate of honorable discharge under this Act to be considered to be active duty in determining the individual's eligibility for veterans benefits.

Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD), upon application, to issue a certificate of honorable discharge to such an individual who engaged in service of a nature and duration that warrants such certificate in accordance with standards under the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2014-07-15 00:00:00

Rural Veteran Access to Care Act - Provides for the reimbursement of the travel expenses a veteran with a service-connected disability incurs for the examination, treatment, or care for which the veteran is eligible. (Currently, that disability must be rated at 30% or more, unless the travel is in connection with the treatment or care of the disability or the veteran qualifies for such reimbursement on other grounds.)
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2014-07-23 00:00:00

POW Accountability Act - Requires: (1) the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to review the list maintained by the Secretary of veterans the Secretary determines are former prisoners of war (VA POW list) and the list maintained by the Secretary of Defense (DOD), acting through the Defense Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Office, of members of the Armed Forces who were prisoners of war (DOD POW list) to identify any discrepancies in such lists; and (2) the VA's Inspector General to review the process by which the Secretary determines that a veteran is a former prisoner of war.

Requires the Secretary to report to Congress on the VA POW list, including information on such discrepancies and the results of the Inspector General's review.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2014-07-29 00:00:00

Wounded Warriors Federal Leave Act of 2014 - Entitles any federal employee who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rated at 30% or more, during the 12-month period beginning on the first day of employment, to up to 104 hours of leave, without loss or reduction in pay, for purposes of undergoing medical treatment for such disability for which sick leave could regularly be used. Requires the forfeiture of any such leave that is not used during such 12-month period.

Requires such employee to submit to the head of the employing agency certification that such employee used such leave for purposes of being furnished treatment for such disability by a health care provider.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Commerce
Date: 2014-07-29 00:00:00

Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act of 2014 - Amends the Small Business Act to require the interagency task force that is responsible for coordinating federal efforts to improve the business development and federal contracting opportunities available to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans to coordinate administrative and regulatory activities and develop proposals to provide access to, and manage the distribution of, excess or surplus U.S. property to small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans, pursuant to a memorandum of understanding with the appropriate state agency.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2014-07-30 00:00:00

Creating Opportunities for Military Members to Use Transportation Efficiently Act of 2014 or the COMMUTE Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Defense, acting through the Director of the Office of Economic Adjustment, to establish a Military Community Infrastructure Program to provide grants to a state or political subdivision, a public transportation owner or operator, a local governmental authority, a metropolitan planning organization (MPO), or a regional transportation planning organization for transportation infrastructure improvement projects in military communities.

Directs the Secretary to conduct a traffic impact study for any urbanized area that expects a significant increase in traffic due to a military installation within or abutting such area.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Private legislation
Date: 2014-07-30 00:00:00

Authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Command Sergeant Major Ramon Rodriguez of the U.S. Army for acts of valor, sacrifice, and courage at the risk of his own life beyond the call of duty during the Vietnam War.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2014-07-31 00:00:00

Medical Leave for Veterans Act of 2014 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to issue regulations to entitle any federal employee who is a veteran with a service-connected disability rated at 30% or more, during the 12-month period beginning on the first day of employment, to up to 104 hours of leave, without loss or reduction in pay, for purposes of undergoing medical treatment for such disability for which sick leave could regularly be used. Requires the forfeiture of any such leave that is not used during such 12-month period.

Requires such employee to submit to the Secretary certification that such employee used such leave for purposes of being furnished treatment for such disability by a health care provider. .
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2014-07-31 00:00:00

VA Appeals Backlog Relief Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to ensure that a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) regional office certifies a VA Form 9, Appeal to Board of Veterans' Appeals, submitted by a veteran to appeal a decision relating to a claim, by not later than one year after receiving such form.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2014-07-31 00:00:00

Veterans Air Travel Streamlining Act of 2014 - Requires: (1) the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to waive the application fee for veterans with a service-connected disability rated at 50% or more who apply to participate in TSA's Pre-check program, and (2) the Administrator and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish a system to verify such a veteran's disability rating and whether such veteran's disability is service-connected.