lcalvobartolome/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-05-15 00:00:00

Veterans' Dignity and Honor Act - Increases the amounts payable through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for: (1) burial and funeral expenses of certain veterans, and (2) such expenses in connection with a veteran's death due to a service-connected disability.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-05-16 00:00:00

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

Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education Improvement Act of 2013 - Extends through the end of 2015 the Veterans' Advisory Committee on Education.

Requires the Committee to include veterans representative of the post-9/11 operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-05-16 00:00:00

Honor Those Who Served Act of 2013 - Revises veterans' burial benefits provisions to allow a person to request a headstone or marker from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to commemorate an eligible individual if such person is: (1) the decedent's next of kin; (2) a person authorized by the next of kin to make such request; (3) a personal representative authorized by the decedent to make such request; (4) in the case of a decedent for whom there is no person under (1) through (3) identified, a state veterans agency, a military researcher, a local historian, a genealogist, or other person familiar with methods necessary to prove the identity of the decedent; or (5) in the case of a veteran who served on active duty at least 62 years before the date on which the headstone or marker is requested, any person.

Allows for the request of a headstone or marker without an emblem of religious belief.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-05-21 00:00:00

Authorizes enrollment in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) patient enrollment system (and thereby, eligibility for VA hospital care and medical services) for veterans who served during World War II who are not otherwise eligible for such care.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-05-21 00:00:00

Safe Housing for Homeless Veterans Act - Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) from making a grant or providing other assistance to any entity for the provision of housing or housing services to homeless veterans unless such entity submits to the Secretary a certification that the building proposed for such housing or services is in compliance with all local codes relevant to operations and level of care provided, as well as any other local requirements regarding the condition of the structure and the operation of the supportive housing or service center. Directs the Secretary to include, in a currently-required annual report on assistance to homeless veterans, an evaluation of the safety and accessibility of such facilities.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-05-21 00:00:00

Authorizes and requests the President to award the Medal of Honor to James Megellas for acts of valor on January 28, 1945, during the Battle of the Bulge in World War II.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-05-22 00:00:00

Pay As You Rate Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), prior to adjudicating a claim which requires decisions with respect to two or more disabilities, to make interim payments based on any disability for which the Secretary has already made a decision.

Requires the Secretary, upon claim adjudication, to pay the benefits awarded less the amount of the interim payments.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-05-22 00:00:00

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to carry out a three-year pilot program to establish 12 VA claims adjudication centers of excellence by selecting the three highest performing regional offices in each of the four areas of the Veterans Benefits Administration. Requires each center to focus on adjudicating claims relating to one medical condition selected by the Secretary.

Provides for appropriate employee specialized training with respect to such medical conditions. Prohibits any employee from working concurrently at more than one center, but allows an employee to move from one center to another as long as the employee receives the training appropriate for that center.

Authorizes the Secretary to assign additional full-time employees to a center as necessary.

Requires the Secretary to select the focus medical conditions within 90 days after the enactment of this Act.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-05-22 00:00:00

Authorizes and requests the President to award the Medal of Honor to First Lieutenant Alonzo H. Cushing for acts of valor during the Civil War.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-05-22 00:00:00

Veterans Access to Speedy Review Act - Requires the Board of Veterans' Appeals, for purposes of scheduling a veteran's appeal hearing at the earliest possible date, to determine whether to provide such hearing: (1) at its principal location or at another Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facility or other federal facility, and (2) through the use of videoconferencing or by an appellant's personal appearance.

Requires the Board to notify the appellant of such decisions. Allows: (1) the appellant to request a different location or type of hearing, and (2) the Board to grant such request while ensuring that the hearing is scheduled at the earliest possible date.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-05-23 00:00:00

Defense Base Act Insurance Improvement Act of 2013 - Amends the Defense Base Act (the Act) to require satisfaction through the Government Defense Base Act self-insurance program of insurance and benefits requirements imposed on defense contractors with respect to on-job injuries.

Directs the Secretaries of Defense (DOD) and Labor to jointly: (1) develop and execute an implementation strategy for a self-insurance program for insurance required by the Act, and (2) report to Congress on such strategy and on the implementation of this Act.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Taxation
Date: 2013-05-23 00:00:00

Veterans Back to Work Act of 2013 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to: (1) make permanent the work opportunity tax credit for hiring qualified veterans (veterans receiving compensation for a service-connected disability and other federal assistance), and (2) allow employers who hire qualified veterans an exemption from employment and railroad retirement taxes for such veterans' first-year wages. Appropriates amounts to the Social Security Old-Age and Survivors Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund to cover any revenue loss to such Funds resulting from this Act.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-05-23 00:00:00

Ending VA Claims Disability Backlog and Accountability Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement the Strategic Plan to Eliminate the Compensation Claims Backlog (Plan) to ensure that, by Memorial Day (May 25) 2015, each VA disability claim is approved or denied within 125 days after its submission, with an accuracy rate of 98%. Requires a supplemental report from the Secretary to Congress on specific measures to assess implementation of the Plan and a detailed timeline to implement each initiative contained in the Plan.

Directs the Secretary to enter into agreements with the Commissioner of the Social Security Administration and the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to ensure that such Commissioner and DOD Secretary transfer to the VA disability or medical records the VA Secretary will use to evaluate a disability claim by not later than 30 days after the VA Secretary requests such records.

Requires the two Secretaries to submit to Congress, and implement, a plan to reduce to 30 days the time needed to provide members of the National Guard and the VA Secretary with the medical records of such members.

Requires the VA Secretary to establish a three-year training program for newly-hired VA claims processors.

Directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress every 90 days on the Secretary's progress in implementing the Plan.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-05-23 00:00:00

Includes within authorized work-study activities, for individuals entitled to work-study allowances through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in connection with VA rehabilitation, education, or training programs, the following activities carried out at offices of Members of Congress: (1) the distribution of information to members of the Armed Forces, veterans, and their dependents concerning available benefits and services under governmental and nongovernmental programs; and (2) the preparation and processing of papers and other documents, including those used to assist in the preparation and presentation of veterans' benefits claims.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-05-23 00:00:00

Makes eligible for interment at Arlington National Cemetery (Virginia) an individual who: (1) served honorably in the U.S. Army, (2) served at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as a Tomb Guard, and (3) was awarded the Tomb Guard Identification Badge or a certificate of participation if service occurred prior to the introduction of such Badge.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-05-23 00:00:00

Veterans Education Flexibility Act - Provides that if an individual eligible for educational assistance under the all-volunteer force educational assistance program of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is enrolled in an educational institution and the period of such individual's entitlement (ten years after discharge or release from active duty) would expire during a quarter or semester of enrollment, that period shall be extended to the end of that quarter or semester. Allows such an extension until the earlier of the end of the course or 12 weeks, in the case of an educational institution not regularly operated on a quarter or semester basis.

Repeals the delimiting period for the use of assistance under the post-Vietnam era veterans' educational assistance program (generally 10 years after the veteran's last discharge or release from active duty).

Applies the assistance extension provided under the all-volunteer force educational assistance program to the post-9/11 veterans' educational assistance program.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Date: 2013-05-23 00:00:00

Servicemember Assistance for Lawful Understanding, Treatment, and Education Act or the SALUTE Act - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to authorize the Attorney General to award grants for developing, implementing, or enhancing veterans' treatment courts or expanding operational mental health or drug courts to serve veterans to ensure that such courts effectively integrate substance abuse treatment, mental health treatment, sanctions and incentives, and transitional services, in a judicially supervised court setting with jurisdiction over offenders who are veterans.

Authorizes the Attorney General to award such grants to states, state courts, local courts, local governments, and Indian tribal governments for court programs that involve: (1) continuing judicial supervision over offenders who are veterans with substance abuse or mental health problems; (2) coordination with appropriate federal, state, or local prosecutors; (3) coordination with the Veterans Health Administration; and (4) the integrated administration of other sanctions and services, including substance abuse and mental health treatment, supervised release involving the possibility of prosecution, confinement, or incarceration based on non-compliance with program requirements or failure to show satisfactory progress, and offender management. Prohibits the use of grant funds to provide judicial supervision over, treatment of, or other services to violent offenders.

Sets forth application and reporting requirements.

Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study to assess the effectiveness and impact of such grant program.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-05-23 00:00:00

Directs the Secretary of the Army to establish a chain of command for Army national military cemeteries, including a military commander of the Army National Military Cemeteries to replace the current civilian director upon the termination of the tenure of such director.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-06-04 00:00:00

Honoring Ezeagwula and Long Act or the HEAL Act - Designates the attack that occurred at a recruiting station in Little Rock, Arkansas, on June 1, 2009, in which Private William Long of the U.S. Army was killed and Private Quinton Ezeagwula was wounded, as an international terrorist attack carried out by an enemy of the United States. Entitles Long and Ezeagwula to be awarded the Purple Heart.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-06-12 00:00:00

Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration Act of 2013 - Establishes in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) a Veterans Economic Opportunity Administration (VEOA), headed by the Under Secretary for Veterans Economic Opportunity, to administer VA programs of economic opportunity assistance to veterans and their dependents and survivors. Requires VEOA to administer the following VA programs: (1) vocational rehabilitation and employment programs; (2) educational assistance programs; (3) veterans' housing loan and related programs; and (4) veterans' small business programs, including the program to increase participation in VA contracts by small business concerns owned and controlled by veterans who have service-connected disabilities and by veterans who do not have such disabilities.

Limits the aggregate number of full-time equivalent employees authorized for the Veterans Benefit Administration and VEOA for FY2014.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-06-13 00:00:00

Proper Replacement Of Medals and Performance Tracking Act or the PROMPT Act - Directs the Secretary of the military department concerned, when recipients of certain military decorations or medals (or in some cases when the recipient's immediate next of kin) requests a replacement of such decoration (e.g., when the original medal is lost, stolen, or destroyed), to ensure that: (1) all actions to be taken with respect to the request, including verification of the service record of the recipient, are completed within one year; and (2) the replacement is mailed to the person making the request within a specified period after such verification.

Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to submit to Congress: (1) an annual report regarding compliance by the military departments with such replacement performance standards; and (2) a plan to implement such standards, including an estimate of FY2015 funds necessary to meet or exceed such standards.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-06-13 00:00:00

Preference for Local Veteran Contractors Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to give a preference to a local (within a 60-mile radius) contractor in the award of a contract for: (1) the construction or maintenance of a VA facility, or (2) services provided to a particular VA facility or campus. Requires the Secretary, upon awarding such a contract to a non-local contractor, to publish a public explanation of why a local contractor was not awarded the contract.

Includes veterans who are local contractors within a required VA priority for awarding contracts to small businesses.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-06-14 00:00:00

Prioritizing Urgent Claims for Veterans Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), in processing veterans claims for compensation, to provide priority over other claimants to: (1) veterans who have attained age 70, (2) veterans who are terminally ill, and (3) veterans who have life-threatening illnesses.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-06-18 00:00:00

Veterans Health Access Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, when it is determined that Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) facilities are not capable of furnishing economic hospital care or medical services because of geographical inaccessibility or the care or services required, to determine whether or not to furnish such care or services to a veteran in a non-VA facility. Requires such determination to be made within 30 days following the request for such care or services.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-06-18 00:00:00

Disabled Veterans' Access to Medical Exams Improvement Act - Amends the Veterans Benefits Act of 2003 to extend until December 31, 2016, the authority of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide for persons other than VA employees (i.e., contract physicians) to conduct medical disability examinations of applicants for benefits under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.

Permits licensed, VA-contracted physicians to conduct such examinations at any location in any state, the District of Columbia, or a Commonwealth, territory, or possession of the United States, so long as the examination is authorized under the contract.

Amends the Veterans' Benefits Improvement Act of 1996 to provide similar authorities with respect to permissible examination locations to licensed physicians under the pilot program authorizing the VA to use contract physicians to perform medical disability examinations of applicants for benefits under laws carried out through the Under Secretary for Benefits. Expands from 10 to 15 the maximum number of VA regional offices through which the Secretary is authorized to carry out such pilot program.

Directs the Secretary to conduct an annual data analysis (including an analysis of backlogged claims, pending workloads, and the timeliness of completed cases) to determine the regional offices requiring support.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-06-25 00:00:00

Helping Homeless Veterans Act of 2013 - Extends the following Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs and services through FY2014: (1) homeless veterans reintegration programs, (2) referral and counseling services for veterans at risk of homelessness who are transitioning from certain institutions (including penal institutions), (3) financial assistance for supportive services for very low-income veteran families in permanent housing, and (4) a grant program for homeless veterans with special needs.

Extends the following VA programs and services through 2014: (1) treatment and rehabilitation for seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans, (2) housing assistance for homeless veterans, and (3) the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2013-06-26 00:00:00

Victims of Agent Orange Relief Act of 2013 - Defines a "covered individual" as a Vietnam resident who is affected by health issues related to Agent Orange exposure which took place between January 1, 1961, and May 7, 1975, or who lives or had lived in or near geographic areas in Vietnam that continue to contain high levels of Agent Orange, or who is affected by such health issues as the child or descendant of such resident.

Directs the Secretary of State to provide assistance: (1) to address the health care needs of covered individuals, (2) to institutions in Vietnam that provide health care to such individuals, (3) to repair and rebuild substandard homes in Vietnam for covered individuals and their families, and (4) to remediate geographic areas of Vietnam that contain high levels of Agent Orange.

Directs the Secretary and the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide assistance to support research relating to health issues of individuals affected by Agent Orange.

Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to: (1) make grants to appropriate public health organizations and Vietnamese-American organizations to conduct a broad health assessment of Vietnamese-Americans who may have been exposed to Agent Orange and their children or descendants; and (2) establish centers in U.S. locations where large populations of Vietnamese-Americans reside to provide assessment, counseling, and treatment for conditions related to Agent Orange exposure.

Amends veterans benefits provisions to provide benefits to the children of male (currently only female) Vietnam veterans who are affected by certain birth defects. Requires the VA Secretary to require any health care provider with whom the Secretary enters into a contract for the provision of health care to such children to provide the VA access to the medical records of such children for research into the intergenerational effects of Agent Orange exposure.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-06-26 00:00:00

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

Extends a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) program of counseling and care and services for veterans for sexual trauma that occurred during active duty or active duty for training to veterans who experienced such trauma during inactive duty training.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-06-26 00:00:00

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to establish a task force to assess retention and training of claims processors and adjudicators that are employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and other federal agencies.

Directs the task force to:

 identify key skills required by claims processors and adjudicators throughout the federal government; identify reasons for employee attrition from claims processing positions; develop a government-wide strategic and operational plan for promoting employment of veterans in claims processing positions; establish performance measures to assess such plan and its implementation and revise such plan as appropriate; coordinate with educational institutions to develop training and educational programs to prepare members of the Armed Forces for such employment; identify and coordinate offices of the Department of Defense (DOD) and the VA to provide information about, and promotion of, available claims processing positions to members of the Armed Forces transitioning to civilian life and to veterans with disabilities; and establish performance measures to evaluate the task force's effectiveness.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-06-27 00:00:00

Veteran Spouses Equal Treatment Act - Amends the definition of "spouse" for purposes of veterans' benefits provisions to require an individual to be considered a spouse if the marriage of the individual is valid in the state in which the marriage was entered into or, in the case of a marriage entered into outside any state, if the marriage is valid in the place in which the marriage was entered into and the marriage could have been entered into in a state. Includes as a state the District of Columbia, the Commonwealths of Puerto Rico and the Northern Mariana Islands, and U.S. territories and possessions.