lcalvobartolome/proxann_data huggingface dataset:
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-03-19 00:00:00

Veteran Excellence Through Education Act of 2013 - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to make grants, during FY2014-FY2019, to minority-serving institutions for establishing verified delivery systems to address social and academic problems facing enrolled veterans.

Includes among authorized grant activities: (1) educational services, including courses in English as a second language, financial literacy workshops and courses, and health and wellness programs; (2) increased access to workforce services; (3) support services such as housing, transportation, and child care; and (4) establishing a veteran support team.

Requires an institution, in order to receive such a grant, to submit to the Secretary a program plan and strategy to meet the needs of enrolled veterans.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: International affairs
Date: 2013-03-19 00:00:00

Sequester Pakistan Act - Prohibits foreign assistance for Pakistan until expenditures for the Department of Defense (DOD) military tuition assistance program for FY2013 are at least equal to FY2012 program expenditures.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-03-20 00:00:00

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

Requires a report from the Secretary to the congressional veterans committees on the travel program.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-03-20 00:00:00

World War II Merchant Mariner Service Act - Directs the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to accept additional documentation for verifying that an individual performed honorable service as a coastwise merchant seaman during the period beginning on December 7, 1941, and ending on December 31, 1946, for purposes of eligibility for veterans' benefits under the GI Bill Improvement Act of 1977. Requires such documentation to include Social Security Administration (SSA) records and validated testimony in the case of the absence of Coast Guard shipping or discharge forms, ship logbooks, documents, or other official employment records.

Requires the Secretary, when determining whether to recognize service allegedly performed during such period, to recognize masters of seagoing vessels or other command officers who were authorized to document an individual for purposes of hiring for or discharging from the merchant marine.

Considers any service so recognized as active-duty service for purposes of veterans' burial benefits. Makes such veterans eligible for any appropriate military medals, ribbons, and decorations. Requires the Secretary to verify that an individual performed such service under honorable conditions without regard to their sex, age, or disability during the service period.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-03-21 00:00:00

Sets forth the responsibilities of each Director and Assistant Director of Veterans' Employment and Training (assigned to each state by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs [VA] from among personnel within the Veterans' Employment and Training Service), including: (1) monitoring the performance of veterans' training and employment programs, with special emphasis on services to disabled veterans; (2) addressing performance deficiencies and establishing higher performance goals; (3) reviewing program funding and assisting with funding requests; and (4) conducting outreach to inform employers of their rights and responsibilities with respect to the hiring of veterans.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Transportation and public works
Date: 2013-03-21 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on August 1, 2013. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

Helping Heroes Fly Act - Directs the Assistant Secretary of Homeland Security (Transportation Security Administration [TSA]) to develop and implement a process to ease travel and to the extent possible provide expedited passenger screening services for severely injured or disabled Armed Forces members and veterans, and their accompanying family members or nonmedical attendants.

Requires the Assistant Secretary also to maintain an operations center to provide for the movement of such members and veterans through screening before boarding a domestic or foreign passenger aircraft.

Directs the Assistant Secretary to establish and publish certain protocols for severely injured or disabled Armed Forces members and veterans or their family members and others to contact the operations center to request expedited screening services for that member or veteran.

Declares that nothing in this Act shall affect the Assistant Secretary's authority to require additional screening of such individuals if intelligence, law enforcement, or other information indicates that it is necessary.

Directs the Assistant Secretary to report annually to Congress on implementation of the program.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-03-21 00:00:00

Amends the VOW to Hire Heroes Act of 2011 to permit retraining assistance under the Veterans Retraining Assistance Program to be used by a veteran to pursue a program of education for training on a less than full-time basis if the program consists of at least 16 seat-time hours (or the equivalent).
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-03-21 00:00:00

Military Retiree Survivor Comfort Act - Requires the United States to forgive any overpayment of military retired or retainer pay for any period after the death of the recipient through the last day of the month in which such death occurs, if such payment is electronically deposited to a joint account bearing the name of the decedent and the decedent's designated beneficiary.

Provides a special effective date for the first annuity payment to a survivor under the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) when an overpayment is so forgiven.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-03-25 00:00:00

(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the House on December 10, 2013. The summary of that version is repeated here.)

VA Expiring Authorities Extension Act of 2013 - (Sec. 4) Extends through FY2015 the authorization of appropriations to the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for: (1) payment by the VA Secretary of a monthly assistance allowance to disabled veterans (veterans) and members of the Armed Forces (members) training or competing for the U.S. Paralympic Team, and (2) a program for establishing and carrying out related programs and events.

(Sec. 5) Allows any entity with significant experience in managing large-scale adaptive sports programs (under current law, only the United States Olympic Committee) to receive VA grants for planning, developing, managing, and implementing programs to provide adaptive sports opportunities for veterans and members. Extends funding assistance to include any such opportunities occurring during FY2010-FY2016. Requires a report from the Comptroller General on the use of such funds during the first program year after the date of enactment of this Act.

(Sec. 6) Extends through 2014: (1) VA authority to transport individuals to and from VA facilities in connection with vocational rehabilitation, counseling, examination, treatment, or care; (2) VA authority to operate a regional office in the Republic of the Philippines; (3) the VA requirement to provide nursing home care to any veteran with a service-connected disability rated at 70% or more and in need of such care; (4) VA authority to provide treatment, rehabilitation, and related services for seriously mentally ill and homeless veterans; (5) VA authority to provide expanded services and housing assistance to homeless veterans; (6) the Advisory Committee on Homeless Veterans; (7) the Veterans' Advisory Commission on Education; and (8) the temporary authority for the performance of VA medical disability examinations by contract physicians.

(Sec. 13) Extends through FY2014 VA requirements resulting from default on VA-guaranteed loans.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Law
Date: 2013-04-09 00:00:00

Equal Justice for Our Military Act of 2013 - Amends the federal judicial code to allow for review by writ of certiorari of certain cases denied relief or review by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces.

Declares that the time for application for such a writ shall be as prescribed by rules of the Supreme Court.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-04-09 00:00:00

Veterans Pensions Protection Act of 2013 - Excludes from annual income, for purposes of eligibility for pensions for veterans and their surviving spouses and children, reimbursements resulting from: (1) any accident; (2) any theft or loss; (3) any casualty loss; (4) medical expenses resulting from any such accident, theft, or loss; and (5) pain and suffering (including insurance settlement payments and general damages awarded by a court) related to such accident, theft, or loss.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-04-09 00:00:00

Filipino Veterans Fairness Act of 2013 - Deems certain service performed before July 1, 1946, in the organized military forces of the Philippines and the Philippine Scouts as active military service for purposes of eligibility for veterans' benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs, in determining eligibility under this Act, to take into account any relevant service documentation, including documentation other than the Missouri List (the list of all discharged and deceased veterans from the 20th century).
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-04-09 00:00:00

Work-Study for Student Veterans Act - Reauthorizes through June 30, 2018 (under current law, the authorization expires as of June 30, 2013) certain qualifying work-study activities for individuals receiving educational assistance through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Social welfare
Date: 2013-04-11 00:00:00

Recovering Service Members Disability Benefits Act - Amends title II (Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act to create an exception from the required waiting period for disability insurance benefits in the case of recovering service members (of the Armed Forces, including a member of the National Guard or a Reserve component, who is undergoing medical treatment, recuperation, or therapy while recovering from a serious bodily injury or physical illness related to the member's military service).
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-04-11 00:00:00

Establishes as an independent commission the Commission on America and its Veterans to: (1) submit to the President and Congress suggestions for ceremonies and events to acknowledge the wars recently fought and the heroism displayed by members of the Armed Forces; (2) report to the President and Congress on Commission findings, conclusions, and recommendations with respect to any deficiency in how the United States welcomes back such members; (3) begin convening conversations on the effect of war on members, their families, and the local communities, as well as addressing the reintegration experience and the gap between the military, veterans, and civilian life; and (4) submit to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) recommendations regarding activities of the Office of Armed Services and Veterans Public Outreach (established under this Act).
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-04-17 00:00:00

Veteran's I.D. Card Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to issue a veteran's identification card to any veteran who requests such card and is neither entitled to military retired pay nor enrolled in the VA system of patient enrollment. Requires such card, among other things, to: (1) display their name and photograph, and (2) serve as proof that the veteran honorably served in the Armed Forces and has a DD-214 form or other official document in their personnel file that describes their military service. Directs the Secretary to charge a card fee. States that such card shall not serve as proof of entitlement to any benefits.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-04-18 00:00:00

VA Claims Efficiency Through Information Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to maintain on the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) website publicly accessible information concerning pending and completed claims of compensation for a veteran's service-connected disability or death. Requires such information to include the number of claims pending and completed, and the average number of days between submission and completion, within certain periods.

Requires the information provided to be updated at least every seven days.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-04-24 00:00:00

Veterans Transportation Service Act - Makes permanent (under current law, expires on January 10, 2014) the authority of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to transport individuals to and from facilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in connection with vocational rehabilitation, counseling, examination, treatment, or care.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-04-25 00:00:00

VA Claims, Operations, and Records Efficiency Act - Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to make the service treatment records, personal records, unit records, and medical records (service records) of each member of the Armed Forces available to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) in an electronic format. Provides post-discharge or release timelines for such availability. Requires each service record provided to include a DOD certification of the record's completeness.

Deems such service record release a permitted disclosure under requirements of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Housing and community development
Date: 2013-04-25 00:00:00

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

Vulnerable Veterans Housing Reform Act of 2013 - Amends the United States Housing Act of 1937 to exclude as family income for Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) housing assistance purposes any Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) payments made to veterans in need of regular aid and attendance for expenses related to such aid and attendance.

Prohibits, in determining the monthly rental assistance payment for low-income families, the amount for tenant-paid utilities from exceeding the appropriate utility allowance for that family unit size as determined by the public housing agency (PHA), regardless of the size of the unit leased by the family. Requires the PHA, upon request by a family that includes a person with disabilities, an elderly family, or a family that includes a person less than 18 years old, to approve a higher utility allowance, except that in the case of a family with a disabled person the PHA shall approve the higher amount only when needed as a reasonable accommodation to make the unit accessible to and usable by that person.

Directs the HUD Secretary to regularly publish data regarding local utility consumption and costs in order to establish appropriate allowances for tenant-paid utilities for assisted families.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-04-25 00:00:00

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit to Congress quarterly reports on the number of, and average response time to, requests made by the Secretary to the head of another federal department or agency for information required in adjudicating a claim for veterans' disability compensation.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-04-26 00:00:00

Veterans Accountability Act of 2013 - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to report semiannually to the congressional veterans committees on covered travel made by VA employees while on official business. Defines covered travel as travel: (1) outside the United States or its territories, possessions, or territorial waters, if paid for by the VA or another element of the government; or (2) to any location, if paid for by any person or entity other than the government. Requires each report to include the name of each employee and the destination, purpose, duration, total cost, and identity of a payor other than the government.

Directs the Secretary to report each case of reportable infectious disease or condition (a disease or condition that a state requires to be reported) that occurs at a VA medical facility to the appropriate state entity and to report to the accrediting organization of such facility each case classified as a health-care-associated infection sentinel event. Requires the Secretary, upon a failure to report, to pay to a state the same penalty that a non-federal facility of such state would pay for a failure to report. Allows a state to file a civil action against the VA for the recovery of such amount. Requires the VA Inspector General to investigate and suspend and impose other appropriate administrative disciplinary action against a director of a Veterans Integrated Service Network who has failed to comply with such requirement.

Directs the Secretary to prescribe regulations to ensure that any visual recording made by the Secretary of a patient during the course of furnishing care through the VA is carried out only with the full and informed consent of that patient. Allows the Secretary to waive such requirement if the recording is made: (1) upon a determination by a physician or psychologist that the recording is medically necessary or necessary for the patient's safety, (2) pursuant to a warrant or order of a court of competent jurisdiction, or (3) in a public setting where a person would not have a reasonable expectation to privacy (such as a waiting room or hallway) and the recording is for general security purposes not particularized to the patient.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-04-26 00:00:00

Veterans Claims Efficiency Through Automation Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to include in a required annual VA activities and costs report to Congress a report on the automatic processing of claims for compensation during the preceding year, including each medical condition for which claims were processed and the number of claims for each condition.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-04-26 00:00:00

Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to post notices of average times for the processing of compensation claims, as well as the percentage of claims approved, in a conspicuous place in each VA regional office and claims intake facility and on the VA website.

Requires the Secretary to notify each person submitting a claim of the above information, as well as the person's eligibility to receive up to an extra year of benefit payments upon filing a claim that is fully developed.

Requires the notice information to be updated at least quarterly.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-04-30 00:00:00

VA Regional Office Accountability Act - Directs the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to include in a required annual report on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) expenditures and activities a report on each VA regional office that failed to reach administrative goals concerning the timeliness and accuracy of veterans' claims adjudication.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Government operations and politics
Date: 2013-05-06 00:00:00

Gold Star Fathers Act of 2013 - Includes as a preference eligible for federal employment purposes a parent (currently, the mother only) of either an individual who lost his or her life under honorable conditions while serving in the Armed Forces during a war, in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized, or during the period beginning April 28, 1952, and ending July 1, 1955, or a service-connected permanently and totally disabled veteran, if: (1) the spouse of such parent is totally and permanently disabled; or (2) such parent, when preference is claimed, is unmarried or legally separated from his or her spouse.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-05-07 00:00:00

Directs the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to establish a process for determining whether individuals who served in the organized military forces of the Government of the Commonwealth of the Philippines or in the Philippine Scouts while in the service of the U.S. Armed Forces during World War II and who are not included in the Missouri List are eligible for certain benefits relating to their U.S. service.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-05-09 00:00:00

Honoring Our WWII Merchant Mariners Act of 2013 - Establishes in the Treasury the Merchant Mariner Equity Compensation Fund for payments by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) of a monthly benefit of $1,000 to each individual who, between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946, was a documented member of the U.S. merchant marine (including the Army Transport Service and the Naval Transport Service) serving as a crewmember of a vessel that was operated in U.S. waters by the War Shipping Administration or the Office of Defense Transportation and under contract to, or the property of, the United States. Requires such individuals to: (1) apply for such benefit within one year after the enactment of this Act, and (2) not have received benefits under the Servicemen's Readjustment Act of 1944.

Requires the Secretary to include, in annual budget documents submitted to Congress, detailed information on the Fund's operation.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-05-13 00:00:00

Volunteer Veterans for Cemetery Service Act - Authorizes the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) or the Secretary of the military department concerned to accept voluntary services performed by a veteran or veterans organization at a national cemetery, including the veteran's sharing with visitors of the story of the veteran's military service.
Topic: Defense — Other
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Date: 2013-05-14 00:00:00

Quicker Veterans Benefits Delivery Act - Prohibits the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA), during the six-year period after the enactment of this Act, from requesting a medical examination in connection with a claim for veterans' disability compensation when the claimant submits medical evidence provided by a non-VA medical professional that is competent, credible, probative, and otherwise adequate for making a claim decision.

Requires the Secretary, during the same period: (1) to assign a prestabilization disability rating of total, 50%, or 30%, as appropriate; (2) to provide temporary minimum disability ratings for veterans not assigned a permanent rating; and (3) to not count any veteran assigned a prestabilization or temporary minimum rating under any backlog of unassigned ratings.

Authorizes the Secretary, during the same period, to certify benefit payments by mail or account deposit before the first day of the month for which such payments are due.