zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Fostering a Global Response to Cyber Attacks Act - Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary of State should work with foreign governments to: (1) develop comprehensive norms and cooperative activities to improve cybersecurity; (2) encourage international cybersecurity cooperation; and (3) develop safeguards for the protection of privacy, freedom of speech, and commercial transactions for inclusion in cybersecurity agreements. Directs the Secretary to report to the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations and the House Committee on Foreign Affairs describing U.S. actions taken with foreign governments to improve cybersecurity.

Date: 2009-07-10
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: International affairs
Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to require Members of Congress to include in mandatory annual financial disclosure reports information on the balance of any mortgage secured by a personal residence.

Date: 2009-08-06
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Congress
Amends Rule XXVI (Committee Procedure) of the Standing Rules of the Senate to make it out of order in a subcommittee or committee to proceed to any legislative matter unless the legislative matter and a final budget scoring for it by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) have been publicly available on the Internet, on the official committee and CBO websites, in searchable form 72 hours before proceeding (excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays except when the Senate is in session on such a day). Permits waiver or suspension of this rule, or successful appeals from rulings of the Chair, only by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Members of the subcommittee or committee. Makes it out of order in the Senate to proceed to a legislative matter if it was proceeded to in a subcommittee or committee in violation of this Rule. Permits waiver or suspension of this rule, or successful appeals from rulings of the Chair, only by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the entire Senate. Amends Rule XVII (Reference to Committees; Motions to Discharge; Report; Hearings Available) to apply the same rule in the Senate before it proceeds to any legislative matter. States that nothing in this resolution or any amendment made by it shall be interpreted to require or permit the declassification or posting on the Internet of classified information in the Senate's custody. Requires such classified information to be made available to Members in a timely manner as appropriate under existing laws and rules.

Date: 2009-10-08
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Congress
Strengthening the Oversight of Nuclear Nonproliferation Act of 2009 - Requires the President's Coordinator for the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism to report to the appropriate congressional committees: (1) annually regarding the Commission on the Prevention of Weapons of Mass Destruction Proliferation and Terrorism's findings concerning U.S. nuclear nonproliferation efforts; and (2) regarding U.S. cooperative efforts with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) on nuclear nonproliferation.

Date: 2009-10-27
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: International affairs
Amends the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010 to repeal provisions that require all monies received by the United States in FY2010 from sales, bonuses, rentals, and royalties under the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to be disposed of as provided by such Act as in effect immediately before enactment of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Date: 2009-10-30
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Energy
Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Fiscal Action Act of 2009 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to establish in the legislative branch the Bipartisan Task Force for Responsible Fiscal Action to address, and report to the President, the Vice President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Majority and Minority Leaders of both chambers on, the nation's long-term fiscal imbalances, including federal expenditures and revenues and the current and long-term actuarial financial condition of the federal government. Provides for expedited legislative consideration of Task Force recommendations.

Date: 2009-12-09
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Commission on Measures of Household Economic Security Act of 2010 - Establishes a Commission on Measures of Household Economic Security to study and report to Congress on: (1) existing economic statistics and data collected and reported by federal agencies about the economic well-being of American households; and (2) ways to improve and modernize these statistical measures to provide a more accurate, transparent, coherent, and comprehensive assessment of that economic well-being.

Date: 2009-12-11
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Common Sense Budgeting Act - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make it out of order to consider in either chamber any legislation that would exceed specified discretionary spending limits. Sets discretionary spending limits for FY2010-FY2014. Permits waiver or suspension of such prohibition, or successful appeals from rulings of the Chair in the Senate only: (1) by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (67) of the Senate; or (2) in the case of the defense budget authority, a declaration of war by Congress. Makes it out of order in the Senate to consider any direct spending or revenue legislation that would increase the on-budget deficit or cause an on-budget deficit for: (1) the current fiscal year; (2) the budget year; or (3) 5 to 10 ensuing fiscal years after the current fiscal year.

Date: 2009-12-18
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Commission for Fiscal Sustainability Act of 2010 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to establish in the legislative branch the Commission for Fiscal Sustainability to address, and report to the President, the Vice President, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the Majority and Minority Leaders of both chambers on, the nation's long-term fiscal imbalances, including federal expenditures and revenues and the current and long-term actuarial financial condition of the federal government. Provides for expedited legislative consideration of the Commission's recommendations. Requires the Commission to make recommendations that: (1) shall significantly improve the long-term fiscal imbalance of the federal governent solely through reductions in federal expenditures; and (2) shall not increase federal revenues through increased taxes.

Date: 2010-01-28
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Congressional Pay Freeze Act of 2010 - Eliminates annual cost of living adjustments or automatic pay adjustments for Members of Congress during any fiscal year, until the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) average of monthly unemployment rates for a quarter decreases for four consecutive quarters with respect to quarters which begin after the enactment of this Act. Prohibits the amount of appropriations for any office of a Member of Congress, any congressional committee, or any congressional leadership office from exceeding the amount of appropriations for that office or committee in FY2010, until the fiscal year following a report by the Secretary of Labor to Congress that such quarterly unemployment rate decreases have occurred.

Date: 2010-03-04
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Congress
Public Online Information Act of 2010 - Establishes a Public Online Information Advisory Committee to: (1) coordinate and encourage the government's efforts to make information from all three branches of government available on the Internet; and (2) issue and update nonbinding guidelines on how the government should make public information available. Directs the government to make public records available on the Internet at no charge, except as imposed by federal law before this Act's enactment. Requires: (1) public records to be permanently available on the Internet; (2) current information technology capabilities to be applied to the means by which records are made available and to the formats in which they are available; (3) public records to be made accessible through programs and equipment that are readily available to the general public; and (4) each agency to publish on the Internet a comprehensive, searchable, machine processable list of all records it makes publicly available. Delineates the roles of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the Administrator of the Office of Electronic Government, and the chief information officers of independent regulatory agencies, including granting narrow case-by-case exceptions to the Internet publication requirement if an agency requests an exception and demonstrates that: (1) there is clear and convincing evidence that the record should not be made available on the Internet; and (2) on balance the harm caused by disclosure significantly outweighs the public's interest in having the record available on the Internet. Directs the Inspector General of each agency to conduct periodic reviews regarding agency compliance with Internet publication requirements. Sets forth provisions regarding enforcement of public access by private individuals or organizations. Urges: (1) judicial and legislative agencies to adopt or adapt the Advisory Committee's recommendations; and (2) the Government Printing Office (GPO) to make all of its publications permanently available on the Internet in a multiplicity of formats.

Date: 2010-05-06
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Earmark Transparency Act - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require the Secretary of the Senate, the Senate Sergeant of Arms, and the Clerk of the House of Representatives to begin the development of a single free public searchable website that specifies certain identifying information relating to each request by Members of Congress for congressionally directed spending items or limited tax or tariff benefits (congressional earmarks). Requires a request for a congressional earmark from a Member of Congress to be made available on the website within five days after its submission to a congressional committee. Places on the requesting Member the burden of providing the required information in a timely manner and in compliance with this Act to the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House. Places on the chair of each committee to which the request is made, however, the burden of providing: (1) the amount approved by the committee; (2) the amount approved in the final legislation (if approved); and (3) the name of the federal department or agency through which the entity will receive the funding. Allows transfer to the office of the Secretary of the Senate, to pay for costs associated with the website, of any unobligated or unspent funds remaining at the end of FY2010 or FY2011 from the Official Personnel and Office Expense Account of any Senator who agrees to the transfer.

Date: 2010-05-11
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Reduce Unnecessary Spending Act of 2010 - Amends the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to require the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to transmit, within 45 calendar days after enactment of the funding in question, a message to Congress with specified information requesting any rescission the President proposes under the procedures in this Act. Prescribes requirements for timing and packaging of rescission requests. Authorizes OMB, subject to a specified time limit, to withhold funding from obligation temporarily if the President proposes a rescission. Prohibits the President from invoking such expedited procedures or such authority to withhold funding on more than one occasion for any Act providing funding. Sets forth procedures for expedited congressional consideration of proposed rescissions.

Date: 2010-06-09
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Establishes a standing order applicable to a notice of intent to object to a unanimous consent request (covered request) to: (1) proceed to a bill, resolution, joint resolution, concurrent resolution, conference report, or amendment (measure) between the chambers; (2) pass a measure or dispose of an amendment between the chambers; or (3) dispose of a nomination. Requires the majority and minority leaders of the Senate (or their designees) to recognize a notice of intent to object to a covered request of a Senator who is a member of their caucus if the Senator: (1) submits the notice in writing to the appropriate leader and grants in it permission for the leader (or designee) to object in the Senator's name; and (2) within one session day after such submission also submits to the Congressional Record and to the Legislative Clerk for inclusion in the applicable calendar a notice of the Senator's intent to object to the covered request. Prescribes a specific form for the notice of intent to object. Requires the Legislative Clerk to add the information from the notice of intent to object to the applicable calendar section entitled "Notices of Intent to Object to Proceeding." Authorizes a Senator to have a notice of intent to object relating to that Senator removed from a calendar to which it was added by submitting for inclusion in the Congressional Record a notice, in a specified form, stating that the Senator does not object to proceeding to the covered request in question. Requires the Legislative Clerk to list in the applicable "Notice of Intent to Object to Proceeding" calendar section the Senator who made the objection to a covered request if the Senator has notified his or her leader of the intent to object but fails to submit the required notice to the Legislative Clerk within one session day following the leader's (or designee's) objection on that Senator's behalf.

Date: 2010-07-27
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Congress
Czar Accountability Act of 2010 - Directs the President, by January 1, 2011, and every six months thereafter, to submit a report to specified congressional committees that: (1) identifies each employee of the Executive Office of the President who is not appointed by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and who reports directly to the President and each employee of the Department of State who is not appointed by and with such advice and consent and who is an envoy or special representative; (2) describes the duties of each such employee; and (3) includes a certification that each such employee of Executive Office of the President is not exercising significant authority under U.S. law, that each such employee of the State Department is not an ambassador, other public minister, or consul, and that each such employee is not exercising any power that has been expressly delegated to the President by the Constitution.

Date: 2010-08-05
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to require Members of Congress to include in their annual financial disclosure reports the amount of any delinquent tax liability owed to the United States or any state or local government entity. Requires the appropriate congressional ethics committee to open an inquiry immediately into the tax delinquency of that Member to determine: (1) his or her total delinquent tax liability and reason for such delinquency; (2) whether the Member has a plan to eliminate it; and (3) whether it has reflected poorly on Congress. Requires such Member to arrange with the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House of Representatives, as appropriate, and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to have his or her salary reduced by an amount appropriate to pay the taxes owed to the United States within a reasonable time period.

Date: 2010-09-15
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Congress
Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2010 - Rewrites provisions regarding congressional review of agency rulemaking to require congressional approval of major rules of the executive branch before they may take effect (currently, major rules take effect unless Congress passes and the President signs a joint resolution disapproving them). Provides that if a joint resolution of approval of a major rule is not enacted by the end of 90 session days or legislative days after such resolution is introduced, the rule shall be deemed not to be approved and shall not take effect. Permits a major rule to take effect for 90 calendar days without such approval if the President determines such rule is necessary because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency, for the enforcement of criminal laws, for national security, or to implement an international trade agreement.Sets forth procedures of the House of Representatives and the Senate for joint resolutions: (1) approving major rules; and (2) disapproving nonmajor rules.

Date: 2010-09-22
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Congressional Made in America Promise Act of 2010 - Amends the Buy American Act to apply Buy American requirements to articles, materials, and supplies acquired for the use of any legislative branch office, including the House of Representatives and the Senate, in the same manner as the Act applies with respect to articles, materials, and supplies acquired for the use of a department or independent establishment. Prescribes a special rule in the case of any product which bears a congressional official insignia (including a mark resembling an official seal) that is acquired for the use of a legislative branch office. Prohibits the head of such office from making a determination under the Act that: (1) it is inconsistent with the public interest to enter into a contract in accordance with the Act; or (2) an article, material, or supply is not mined, produced, or manufactured in the United States in sufficient and reasonably available commercial quantities and of satisfactory quality. Applies this prohibition to otherwise exempted manufactured articles, materials, or supplies procured under any contract the award value of which is less than or equal to the micro-purchase threshold.

Date: 2010-12-09
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Congress
Regulations From the Executive in Need of Scrutiny Act of 2011 - (Sec. 2) States that the purpose of this Act is to increase accountability for and transparency in the federal regulatory process by requiring Congress to approve all new major regulations. (Sec. 3) Revises provisions relating to congressional review of agency rulemaking to require a federal agency promulgating a rule to include in its report to Congress and to the Comptroller General (GAO) a classification of the rule as a major or nonmajor rule and an analysis of any jobs added or lost, differentiating between public and private sector jobs, in its cost-benefit analysis of such rule. Requires a joint resolution of approval of major rules to be enacted before such rules may take effect (currently, major rules take effect unless a joint resolution disapproving them is enacted). Provides that if a joint resolution of approval is not enacted by the end of 70 session days or legislative days, as applicable, after the agency proposing the rule submits its report on such rule to Congress, the major rule shall be deemed not to be approved and shall not take effect. Permits a major rule to take effect for one 90-calendar day period without such approval if the President determines it is necessary because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency, for the enforcement of criminal laws, for national security, or to implement an international trade agreement. Sets forth the congressional approval procedure for major rules and the congressional disapproval procedure for nonmajor rules. Requires the introduction of a joint resolution addressing a report classifying a rule as a major rule within three legislative days in the House of Representative and three session days in the Senate. Prohibits any amendments to such a joint resolution at any stage of the legislative process. Provides for expedited consideration of a joint resolution of approval and requires a vote on such resolution in the Senate within 15 session days after it is reported by the committee to which it was referred, or after such committee has been discharged from further consideration of the resolution. Allows a court to review whether an agency has completed the necessary requirements under this Act for a rule to take effect (currently, no judicial review of a determination, finding, action, or omission in the rulemaking process is subject to judicial review). Limits the effect of a joint resolution of approval of a major rule. Prohibits an agency from allowing a major rule to take effect without the congressional review procedures set forth in this Act. (Sec. 4) Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to provide that any congressional approval procedure set forth in this Act affecting budget authority, outlays, or receipts shall be assumed to be effective unless it is not approved in accordance with this Act.

Date: 2011-01-20
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Contempt of the House of Representatives Subpoena Authority Act of 2011 - Grants the U.S. district court for the District of Columbia original jurisdiction over any civil action brought by the House of Representatives (or any authorized committee or subcommittee) to enforce, to secure a declaratory judgment concerning the validity of, or to prevent a threatened refusal or failure to comply with, any subpoena or order issued by it to any entity acting or purporting to act under color or authority of state law, or to any natural person, to secure the production of: (1) documents or other materials of any kind, or the answering of any deposition or interrogatory; (2) testimony; or (3) any combination of such things. Requires the district court, upon application by the House (or any authorized committee or subcommittee), to issue a mandatory compliance order to an entity or person refusing, or failing to comply with, or threatening to refuse or not to comply with, a subpoena or order. Authorizes the court to hold in contempt any refusal or failure to obey a lawful order. Authorizes the General Counsel of the House of Representatives to bring a civil action under any statute conferring jurisdiction on any U.S. court to enforce, to secure a declaratory judgment concerning the validity of, or to prevent a threatened failure or refusal to comply with, any subpoena or order issued by the House (or a committee or a subcommittee). Prescribes a procedure for consideration in the House of a resolution to direct the General Counsel to bring such an action.

Date: 2011-01-05
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Law
Establishes the National Commission on Presidential War Powers and Civil Liberties to investigate, and report to the President and Congress on, the broad range of executive branch national security policies undertaken since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, including: (1) detention by the Armed Forces and the intelligence community; (2) the use by such entities of enhanced interrogation techniques or techniques not authorized by the Uniform Code of Military Justice; (3) "ghosting" or other policies intended to conceal an individual's capture or detention; (4) extraordinary rendition; (5) domestic warrantless electronic surveillance; (6) targeted killings away from conventional battlefields; and (7) the use of state secrets or other litigation tactics or privileges to avoid judicial review of national security actions.

Date: 2011-01-05
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Government operations and politics
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.

Date: 2011-01-05
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Congress
Congressional Office of Regulatory Analysis Creation and Sunset and Review Act of 2011 - Establishes a Congressional Office of Regulatory Analysis. Transfers to the Director of such Office the Comptroller General's responsibilities for the congressional review of agency rules. Requires the Director's report on a major rule to include an analysis of the rule, including potential benefits and costs and an analysis of less costly alternatives. Requires the Office to: (1) conduct an assessment and analysis of any non-major rule upon request by a congressional committee or Member; and (2) issue an annual report including estimates of the total costs and benefits of all existing federal regulations. Amends the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 to transfer to the Director the responsibilities of the Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to: (1) compare agency and CBO estimates of costs of regulations implementing an Act containing a federal mandate; and (2) receive agency statements to accompany significant regulatory actions. Sets forth requirements for agencies to review their significant rules to determine whether they should be continued without change, modified, consolidated with another rule, or terminated (sunset review). Defines a "significant rule" as one that the Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) determines: (1) results in an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; (2) is a major rule; or (3) was issued pursuant to a significant regulatory action. Provides for the sunset review of a rule that is not a significant rule upon petition by a person adversely affected or at the request of a congressional committee or a majority of the majority or non-majority party members of such a committee. Requires the Administrator to: (1) inventory existing rules; (2) publish a list of covered rules and deadlines for their sunset review within seven years; (3) prioritize rules for review based on specified criteria, including the rule's cost to those regulated and the burden of reviewing it; (4) group related rules for simultaneous review; (5) provide guidance to agencies on conducting sunset reviews; and (6) provide feedback to agencies on sunset reviews and results. Requires new significant rules to be reviewed within three years after taking effect. Requires each agency to: (1) designate a Regulatory Review Officer; (2) conduct a sunset review of its significant rules; (3) publish a sunset review notice, consider public comments, and issue a preliminary report; and (4) issue a final report recommending that a rule be continued without change or that it be changed or discontinued, in which case the agency shall conduct a rulemaking to modify, consolidate, or terminate such rule.

Date: 2011-01-07
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Requires the Public Printer to make bills and resolutions available for the use of offices of Members of Congress only in an electronic format accessible through the Internet.

Date: 2011-01-12
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Congress
End the Lame Duck Act - Considers the House of Representatives to be adjourned sine die if it stands adjourned on the date of the regularly scheduled general election for federal office during a Congress (beginning with the 112th Congress) pursuant to a concurrent resolution providing for the adjournment of the House. Authorizes the Speaker of the House and the Majority Leader of the Senate, or their respective designees, acting jointly and with the written agreement of the Minority Leaders of both chambers, to notify the Members of the House and Senate to reassemble if each determines that it is in the interest of the United States to do so. Provides for automatic continuing appropriations if a regular appropriation bill for a fiscal year does not become law before the date of the regularly scheduled general election for federal office held during such fiscal year.

Date: 2011-01-19
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Congress
Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to give a Member, officer, or employee of either chamber of Congress carrying out official duties outside the United States a written statement of the cost of any DOD-provided transportation within 10 days after completion of the trip. Requires the Member, officer, or employee to include such cost in any report which must be filed pursuant to the Rules of the House of Representatives or the Standing Rules of the Senate. Excludes from such requirements any trip whose sole purpose is to visit one or more U.S. military installations and/or to visit U.S. military personnel in a war zone.

Date: 2011-01-24
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Suspending Travel After Years of Pleasure Trips on Unwitting Taxpayers Act of 2011 or STAY PUT Act of 2011 - Prohibits the use of appropriated funds, including official funds of the House of Representatives or funds available under any federal law, rule, or regulation, to pay for official travel outside of the United States by any Member, officer, or employee of the House, until the Comptroller General studies and reports to the Speaker of the House and the Secretaries of Defense (DOD) and of State on the use of certain appropriated funds for such travel and recommendations for appropriate restrictions on, and reporting requirements applicable to, such travel which will promote transparency and cost savings. Exempts from the prohibition and requirements of this Act any travel: (1) to a military installation or to a theater of operations of the Armed Forces; and (2) by Members and employees of the Committee on Foreign Affairs or the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, if the travel is for official committee business.

Date: 2011-02-10
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Congress
Valley-Wide Noise Relief Act of 2011 - Permits an airport sponsor to implement a total mandatory nighttime curfew (no aircraft operations during the 9-hour period beginning at 10 p.m.) if it: (1) had a voluntary curfew in effect for certain aircraft on November 5, 1990; and (2) was created by an intergovernmental agreement established by a state statute enacted before that date that, along with the statute, imposes noise mitigation obligations. Permits the sponsor of an airport meeting other criteria to implement a partial mandatory nighttime curfew (no operations for certain aircraft for not longer than the 9-hour period beginning at 10 p.m.) if it: (1) had a partial curfew in effect before November 5, 1990; (2) operates under the supervision of a board of airport commissioners that, on January 1, 2010, oversaw operation of three or more airports, at least two of which have airport operating certificates; and (3) on January 1, 2010, failed to comply with a cumulative noise standard established by state law. Requires an airport sponsor to provide airport users and other interested parties reasonable notice of the terms of the curfew, including the penalties for curfew violations, no later than 90 days before its implementation.

Date: 2011-02-28
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Adult Day Achievement Center Enhancement Act - Requires the Assistant Secretary for Aging to initiate a comprehensive survey of current adult day programs that provide care and support to individuals living with neurological diseases or conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, or traumatic brain injury. Requires the Assistant Secretary to identify ongoing successful adult day programs and develop a set of best practices to help guide the establishment and replication of additional successful adult day programs. Directs the Assistant Secretary to establish a competitive grant program for awarding grants annually to fund adult day programs. Defines an "adult day program" as a program that provides comprehensive and effective care and support services to individuals living with neurological diseases or conditions and to their family caregivers and that may assist participants in ways that: (1) maintain or improve their functional abilities or otherwise help them adjust to their changing functional abilities; (2) prevent the onset of complications associated with severe forms of the disease or condition; (3) promote alternatives to placement in nursing homes; (4) reduce the strain on family caregivers taking care of a family member living with such diseases or conditions; (5) focus on supporting the emotional, social, and intellectual needs of a younger adult population; or (6) address the needs of veterans living with such diseases or conditions.

Date: 2011-03-02
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Families
Reduce Unnecessary Spending Act of 2011 - Amends the Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to require the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to transmit, within 45 calendar days after enactment of the funding in question, a message to Congress with specified information requesting any rescission the President proposes under the procedures in this Act. Prescribes requirements for timing and packaging of rescission requests. Authorizes OMB, subject to a specified time limit, to withhold funding from obligation temporarily if the President proposes a rescission. Prohibits the President from invoking such expedited procedures or such authority to withhold funding on more than one occasion for any Act providing funding. Sets forth procedures for expedited congressional consideration of proposed rescissions.

Date: 2011-03-11
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Expedited Consideration of Terminations, Reductions, and Savings Act of 2011 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to authorize the President to propose to carry out all or part of the recommendations contained in the most recent Terminations, Reductions, and Savings prepared by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Sets forth requirements for the President's transmittal to Congress of a special message regarding such proposal, including a draft bill or joint resolution to carry it out. Prescribes procedures for expedited congressional consideration of the legislation. Makes it out of order in both chambers to: (1) consider an amendment to such legislation; or (2) entertain a motion to suspend this prohibition, including by unanimous consent.

Date: 2011-03-17
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Restoring Economic Certainty Act of 2011 - Prohibits federal agencies from taking any rulemaking action during the two-year period beginning 30 days after enactment of this Act. Extends any deadline for any action authorized or required to be taken before the end of such moratorium period for five months or until the end of the period, whichever is later. Specifies exceptions, including for actions that: (1) are determined to be necessary because of an imminent threat to health or safety or other emergency, for the enforcement of criminal laws, or to establish or enforce statutory rights against discrimination; or (2) pertain to a military or foreign affairs function other than procurement or to aviation safety. Requires each federal agency to submit an economic impact statement, which shall contain a detailed estimate of the total annual costs and benefits of a regulation or rule, including the anticipated net impact on employment, on each rulemaking action that was proposed but not promulgated before the start of such moratorium. Requires any rulemaking action after the moratorium ends to include such a statement. Exempts: (1) the General Accounting Office (GAO); (2) the Federal Election Commission (FEC); (3) the governments of the District of Columbia and of U.S. territories and possessions; (4) government-owned contractor-operated facilities; (5) the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; and (6) the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

Date: 2011-03-31
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Act of 2011 - Establishes the Daniel Webster Congressional Clerkship Program for the appointment of individuals who are graduates of accredited law schools to serve as Congressional Clerks in the Senate or House of Representatives. Requires the Senate Committee on Rules and Administration and the House Committee on House Administration to each select at least six individuals for a one-year term to serve as employees in their respective chambers.Specifies eligibility criteria for a Congressional Clerk, including that the selected candidate be a graduate of such a law school as of the starting date of his or her clerkship.Requires the committees to ensure that Congressional Clerks selected under this Act are apportioned equally between majority and minority party offices.Entitles each clerk selected to the same compensation as, and comparable benefits to, an individual who holds the position of a judicial clerkship for the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia within three months of graduating from law school.

Date: 2011-04-05
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Congress
9/11 First Responders History Project Act of 2011 - Requires, within the limits of available funds, the Librarian of Congress to establish an oral history project to: (1) survey collections of audio and video recordings (as well as ongoing documentary work) of the reminiscences of 9/11 first responders housed in archives, libraries, museums, and other educational institutions; (2) solicit, reproduce, and collect video and audio recordings of personal histories and testimonials of 9/11 first responders, and visual and written materials (such as letters, diaries, photographs, and ephemera) relevant to the personal histories of individuals; (3) create a collection, with a catalog and index, of the recordings and other materials obtained; and (4) make the collection available for public use through the Library of Congress (LOC) and other appropriate methods. Defines "9/11 first responders" as emergency responders and recovery and cleanup workers who responded to the terrorist attacks that occurred on September 11, 2001, in New York City, in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon (including the aftermath of such attacks).

Date: 2011-04-08
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Social sciences and history
Stop Government Shutdowns Act - Appropriates amounts for continuing federal projects and activities at the current rate for operations and under the authority and conditions provided in the applicable appropriation Act or Acts that provided funds for them for the previous fiscal year if, as a result of a failure to enact a regular or continuing appropriation Act or joint resolution, there is a lapse in appropriations for such projects or activities. Makes appropriations, funds, and authority granted in this Act available until the earliest of: (1) the enactment into law of an appropriation for the project or activity concerned, (2) the enactment into law of the applicable appropriation Act for such fiscal year without any provision for such project or activity, or (3) the last day of the fiscal year for which such appropriations and funds are made available or such authority is granted for such project or activity. Prohibits appropriations or funds made available or authority granted pursuant to this Act from being used to initiate or resume any project or activity for which appropriations, funds, or other authority were not available during the previous fiscal year. Authorizes the use of appropriations or funds made available or authority granted without regard to specified time limitations for submission and approval of apportionments requirements; but declares that nothing in this Act may be construed to waive any other provision of law governing the apportionment of funds. Prescribes requirements for: (1) denial of high rates for operation or complete distribution of appropriations in the lapsed-appropriations period, (2) the most limited funding action for continuation of projects and activities, and (3) apportionment of funds for civilian personnel compensation and benefits as necessary to avoid furloughs. Prohibits any decrease in the pay for members of the Armed Forces during a lapsed-appropriations period. Requires expenditures made pursuant to this Act to be charged to the applicable appropriation, fund, or authorization whenever an appropriations bill is subsequently enacted into law. Continues at a specified maintenance rate, through the date on which appropriations for such programs under this Act expires, certain activities with respect to entitlements and other mandatory payments whose budget authority was provided in previous appropriations Acts, as well as for activities under the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008.

Date: 2011-04-08
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Nuclear Disaster Preparedness Act - Directs the President to issue guidance on the federal response to any nuclear disaster that: (1) may be caused by a natural catastrophe, an accident, or a terrorist or other attack; (2) occurs initially at a nuclear power plant; and (3) disperses radiation off the reactor site and into the surrounding area. Requires such guidance to: (1) designate the federal agency responsible for: coordinating the government's efforts in response to a nuclear disaster (coordinating agency), including making a formal declaration that a nuclear disaster exists, and to identify the circumstances under which such declaration will occur; (2) designate the agency responsible for recommending the evacuation of an area surrounding a nuclear power plant in response to such a disaster and to identify the circumstances under which such recommendation will be made; (3) designate the agency responsible for conducting such evacuation; (4) designate the agency responsible for recommending that evacuees may return following a nuclear disaster and to identify the circumstances under which such recommendation will be made; and (5) designate the agency responsible for conducting cleanup of a nuclear disaster and to identify what cleanup standards will apply.

Date: 2011-05-03
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Emergency management
Authorizes the Librarian of Congress to dispose of surplus or obsolete personal property of the Library of Congress by interagency transfer, donation, sale, trade-in, or other appropriate method. Requires proceeds from such disposition to be: (1) credited to the funds available for the Library's operations; and (2) made available to acquire the same or similar property during the fiscal year in which the amounts are received, including the following fiscal year.

Date: 2011-05-23
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Congress
Government Litigation Savings Act - (Sec. 2) Revises provisions of the Equal Access to Justice Act (EAJA) and the federal judicial code relating to the fees and other expenses of parties in agency proceedings and court cases against the federal government. Restricts awards of fees and other expenses under EAJA to prevailing parties with a direct and personal interest in an adjudication, including because of medical costs, property damage, denial of benefits, an unpaid disbursement, and other expenses of adjudication, or because of a policy interest. Requires (currently, authorizes) the reduction or denial of an award if the party during the course of the proceedings engaged in conduct which unduly or unreasonably (currently, unduly and unreasonably) protracted the final resolution of the matter in controversy. Increases to $200 per hour the cap on attorney fees awarded under EAJA and eliminates the cost-of-living and special factor considerations for allowing an increase in the hourly rate for such fees. Eliminates the net worth exemption for determining eligibility for fees and expenses under EAJA for tax-exempt organizations and cooperative associations under the Agricultural Marketing Act. Expands the reporting requirements of the Chairman of the Administrative Conference of the United States to require the Chairman to report on fees and expenses awarded pursuant to a settlement agreement and to create and maintain online a searchable database containing detailed information with respect to each award of fees and other expenses under EAJA. (Sec. 3) Requires the Comptroller General (GAO) to: (1) audit the implementation of EAJA for the years 1995 through the end of the calendar year in which this Act is enacted, (2) complete such audit not later that one year after the end of the calendar year in which this Act is enacted, and (3) report to Congress on the results of such audit.

Date: 2011-05-25
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Post-deployment Strategy Act of 2011 - Amends the War Powers Resolution to direct the President to include a post-deployment strategy in the required report to Congress when introducing U.S. Armed Forces into hostilities and certain other situations without a declaration of war. Defines "post-deployment strategy" as a clear action plan that: (1) articulates U.S. interests, (2) defines and lays out a strategy for achieving policy objectives, and (3) includes a withdrawal plan based on such objectives.

Date: 2011-06-22
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Requires the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to submit quarterly to the congressional veterans committees an accounting of the costs of each conference, meeting, or other similar forum sponsored or co-sponsored by the VA that is: (1) attended by at least 50 individuals, including at least 1 VA employee; and (3) estimated to cost the VA at least $20,000. Deems the submission of information by the Secretary to the veterans committees in response to a request by the chairman or ranking member of such committee or one of its subcommittees as: (1) a covered federal disclosure to a House of Congress; and (2) a permitted disclosure under regulations promulgated under the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, including a permitted disclosure for oversight activities authorized by law. Directs the Secretary of Labor to establish and maintain a website for the public disclosure of information concerning the employment by federal contractors of: (1) disabled veterans, (2) veterans who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign for which a campaign badge has been authorized, (3) veterans who participated in a military operation for which a service medal was awarded, and (4) recently separated veterans.

Date: 2011-06-22
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Armed forces and national security
Stop Pay for Members Act - Prohibits the liquidation of the obligation to pay basic pay of Members of Congress, if the U.S. public debt reaches the public debt limit, until: (1) all other obligations of the U.S. government then due have been liquidated; or (2) if earlier, the ability of the U.S. Treasury to liquidate the such obligations in timely manner is restored, whether by an increase in the public debt limit or otherwise. Declares that each Member of Congress consents and agrees that payment of basic pay in accordance with this Act shall constitute a full and complete discharge and acquittance of all claims and demands for service as such a Member during the period covered by the payment.

Date: 2011-07-26
Topic: Government Operations (Branch Relations)
Subject: Congress