zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2011 - Allows federal employees to substitute any available paid leave for any leave without pay available for either the: (1) birth of a child; or (2) placement of a child with the employee for either adoption or foster care. Makes available (subject to specified requirements) for any of the 12 weeks of leave an employee is entitled to for such purposes: (1) four administrative weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth or placement involved; and (2) any accumulated annual or sick leave. Authorizes the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to promulgate regulations to increase the amount of paid parental leave available to such an employee to a total of eight administrative workweeks, based on the consideration of: (1) the benefits to the federal government, including enhanced recruitment and employee retention; (2) the cost to the government; (3) trends in the private sector and in state and local governments; (4) the federal government's role as a model employer; and (5) the impact of increased paid parental leave on lower-income and economically disadvantaged employees and their children. Amends the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 and the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 to allow the same substitution for covered congressional employees, Government Accountability Office (GAO) employees, and Library of Congress employees. Counts certain service by an employee of the executive branch, Congress, GAO, or the Library of Congress while on active duty as a member of the National Guard or Reserves as service for that branch or agency for purposes of determining such employee's eligibility to take or substitute leave as provided under this Act.

Date: 2011-02-10
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Law Enforcement Officers' Military Service Act - Allows a law enforcement officer who is involuntarily called or ordered to active duty or involuntarily retained on active duty for any period beginning on or after September 11, 2001, to receive credit for such period of active duty (as military service) under the Federal Employees Retirement System. Waives the requirement that such individuals deposit a specified percentage of basic pay received during such periods of military service to receive such credit.

Date: 2011-02-10
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Federal Workforce Reduction Act of 2011- Prohibits the head of an executive agency from appointing any individual to a position in the agency in any fiscal year for which the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) projects a federal budget deficit. Makes an exception if: (1) there is a position available in the federal workforce hiring pool (to be established by the President); and (2) the President approves an agency head's request for the allocation of a position in the pool to the agency. Sets the number of positions in the hiring pool at zero as of the first day of FY2012, after which the number shall: (1) increase by .50 for each full time-equivalent position in any agency which subsequently becomes vacant; and (2) decrease by 1.0 for each request for a full time-equivalent position that is approved by the President. Authorizes the President to waive this limitation upon determining that such waiver is required by the existence of a state of war, other national security concern, or an extraordinary emergency threatening life, health, safety, or property. Exempts the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Date: 2011-02-11
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Government Shutdown Fairness Act - Prohibits Members of Congress and the President from receiving basic pay for any period in which: (1) there is more than a 24-hour lapse in appropriations for any federal agency or department as a result of a failure to enact a regular appropriations bill or continuing resolution, or (2) the federal government is unable to make payments or meet obligations because the public debt limit has been reached.

Date: 2011-02-18
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Congress is Not a Career Act - Redefines "Member of Congress" under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) with respect to the exclusion from the meaning of "Member" of any a Member of the House of Representatives, including a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to Congress, who opts out of FERS, but only if he or she served as a Member before the enactment of the Legislative Branch Appropriations Act, 2004. Repeals the requirement of service before enactment of such Act. (Thus, allows Members to opt out of FERS benefits regardless of when they have been elected.) Amends the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) Agency Contributions requirements to permit a Member of Congress to elect irrevocably, by written notice to the official by whom such Member is paid, not to receive TSP contributions.

Date: 2011-03-09
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Requires disregard of any hours worked by a firefighter under a qualified trade-of-time arrangement for purposes of any determination relating to federal eligibility for or the amount of any overtime pay.

Date: 2011-03-09
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Savings Start With Us Act of 2011 - Reduces the annual rate of pay in 2013 for Members of Congress and the Vice President by 10% of the 2011 pay rate. Maintains the pay rate for subsequent pay periods at the 2013 rate. Reduces the annual rate of pay of the President from $400,000 to $360,000.

Date: 2011-03-10
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Federal Firefighters Fairness Act of 2011- Provides that: (1) specified diseases, including heart disease, lung disease, tuberculosis, hepatatis, human immunodeficiency virus, and specified cancers, of federal employees in fire protection activities shall be presumed to be proximately caused by such employment if the employee is diagnosed with the disease within 10 years of the last active date of employment in fire protection activities; (2) the disability or death of such an employee due to such a disease shall be presumed to result from personal injury sustained while in the performance of duty; and (3) such presumptions may be rebutted by a preponderance of the evidence. Defines an "employee in fire protection activities" as a firefighter, paramedic, emergency medical technician, rescue worker, ambulance personnel, or hazardous material worker, who: (1) is trained in fire suppression; (2) has the legal authority and responsibility to engage in fire suppression; (3) is engaged in the prevention, control, and extinguishment of fires or response to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk; and (4) performs such activities as a primary responsibility of his or her job. Directs the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to examine the implementation of this Act and appropriate scientific and medical data related to the health risks associated with firefighting and to report to Congress on: (1) an analysis of the injury claims made under this Act; (2) an analysis of the available research related to the health risks associated with firefighting; and (3) recommendations for any administrative or legislative actions necessary to ensure that those diseases most associated with firefighting are included in the presumption created by this Act.

Date: 2011-03-14
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Federal Firefighter Pay Equity Act - Includes in the determination of a federal firefighter's average pay for purposes of computing retirement and annuity benefits one-half of a firefighter's basic hourly rate times the number of overtime hours included in such firefighter's regular tour of duty for a year.

Date: 2011-03-14
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Reduction of Irresponsible MRA Growth Act or TRIM Growth Act - Amends the House of Representatives Administrative Reform Technical Corrections Act to prohibit the Members' Representational Allowance for a fiscal year from exceeding the Allowance established for the previous fiscal year, unless: (1) the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) publishes a national unemployment rate of 6% or lower for each of the six most recent months for which it published a national unemployment rate which occurred before the beginning of the fiscal year, or (2) the Secretary of the Treasury certifies to the congressional appropriations committees that the public debt does not exceed $5.5 trillion as of the first day of the last month of the previous fiscal year.

Date: 2011-03-15
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Thrift Savings Fund Improvement Act - Requires the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board to: (1) study the operation of existing precious metal funds to determine the best practices of such funds, (2) establish the Precious Metals Investment Fund incorporating the best practices of existing funds, and (3) make such Fund available to individuals participating in the Thrift Savings Plan. Requires that contributions to such Fund be invested in physical gold, silver, or platinum bullion.

Date: 2011-03-17
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Equity in Government Compensation Act of 2011 - Requires the Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency to: (1) suspend the compensation packages approved for 2011 for the executive officers of the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) (government-sponsored enterprises or GSEs); and (2) establish, in lieu of such packages, a compensation system for such officers in accordance with the schedules of compensation and benefits established and adjusted pursuant to the compensation schedule comparability requirements of the Financial Institutions Reform, Recovery, and Enforcement Act of 1989. Expresses the sense of Congress that each executive officer of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac performing services for an enterprise on the date of enactment of this Act whose compensation package is suspended should return to the Secretary of the Treasury (clawback) any compensation earned in 2010 and 2011 that was in excess of the maximum annual rate of basic pay authorized for a position in level I of the Executive Schedule. Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer any such amounts returned to the Secretary to a specified account in the Treasury for receiving gifts and proceeds from their sale or redemption, and dedicated to reducing the public debt. Subjects Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac executive officers to the executive compensation requirements of the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008. Prohibits the compensation of any executive officer of Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac whose compensation package is suspended under this Act from exceeding the compensation of the highest compensated employee of the Federal Housing Finance Agency. Establishes requirements for determining compensation rates for GSE employees according to the General Schedule for federal civil service employees. Declares that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac employees shall not be considered federal employees.

Date: 2011-03-29
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Housing and community development
Prohibits Members of Congress, including Delegates and the Resident Commissioner, and the President from receiving basic pay for any period in which: (1) there is more than a 24-hour lapse in appropriations for any federal agency or department as a result of a failure to enact a regular appropriations bill or continuing resolution, or (2) the federal government is unable to make payments or meet obligations because the public debt limit has been reached. Prohibits retroactive payment of such forfeited pay.

Date: 2011-03-31
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Federal Employee Retroactive Pay Fairness Act - Requires federal employees who are furloughed as a result of any lapse in appropriations that begins on or about April 9, 2011, to be compensated at their standard rate of compensation for the period of such lapse as soon as practicable after such lapse ends.

Date: 2011-04-07
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Congressional Pay Accountability Act of 2011 - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury, if all of the regular appropriation bills for a fiscal year do not become law before the beginning of that fiscal year, to: (1) deposit all payments otherwise required to be made for the compensation of Members of Congress in an escrow account, and (2) release them to the Members only upon the enactment of all such bills. Requires a 25% reduction in a Member's annual rate of pay for pay periods occurring during any Congress if all of the regular appropriation bills for the fiscal year in which that Congress begins do not become law before the first day of such Congress.

Date: 2011-04-08
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Federal Supervisor Training Act of 2011 - Expands requirements relating to specific training programs for federal agency supervisors by requiring the head of each federal agency to establish: (1) a program to train supervisors in carrying out their duties, including mentoring and motivating employees, fostering a employee-friendly work environment, and effectively managing employees with unacceptable performance ratings; (2) a program to train supervisors on prohibited personnel practices. employee collective bargaining and union participation rights, and the procedures and processes used to enforce employee rights; and (3) a program under which experienced supervisors mentor new supervisors. Requires: (1) the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to issue guidance to federal agencies on competencies supervisors are expected to meet in order to effectively manage, and be accountable for managing, the performance of employees; and (2) each agency to assess the performance of its supervisors and the overall capacity of its supervisors, based on such guidance.

Date: 2011-04-12
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Federal Hiring Freeze Act of 2011 - Prohibits the head of an executive agency from appointing an individual to any position in such agency during a fiscal year for which the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) projects that there will be a federal budget deficit. Authorizes the President to waive such prohibition under specified circumstances, including the existence of a state of war or other vital national security concern or the need to make appointments to law enforcement positions or to the United States Postal Service (USPS).

Date: 2011-05-05
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Members of Congress Tax Accountability Act of 2011 - 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 Chief Administrative Officer 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: 2011-05-12
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
(Although this measure has not been amended since it was reported to the House, the text was changed by H. Con. Res. 86, which made enrollment corrections, and the summary has been modified as necessary.) Civilian Service Recognition Act of 2011 - Authorizes a federal executive agency head to: (1) give a U.S. flag for an individual who was an agency employee and who died of employment-related injuries suffered as a result of a criminal act, an act of terrorism, a natural disaster, or other circumstance as determined by the President, upon the request of the employee's widow or widower, child, sibling, or parent, or other another individual other than the next of kin as determined by the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM); and (2) disclose unclassified information that does not endanger national security to show that such employee is eligible to receive a flag. Requires agency heads to provide appropriate notice to agency employees of the flag benefit provided by this Act. Defines "employee" for purposes of this Act to include an officer or employee of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) or the Postal Regulatory Commission.

Date: 2011-05-31
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to submit an annual report to Congress on the use of official time by federal employees. Defines "official time" as any period of time granted to a federal employee to perform representational or consultative functions and during which the employee would otherwise be in a duty status.

Date: 2011-06-01
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Reducing the Size of the Federal Government Through Attrition Act of 2011 - Requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to take appropriate measures to ensure that: (1) the total number of federal employees, beginning in FY2015, does not exceed 90% of the total number of such employees as of September 30, 2011; (2) agencies do not appoint, until the end of FY 2014, more than one employee for every three employees retiring or otherwise separating from government service; and (3) there is no increase in the procurement of service contracts due to this Act unless a cost comparison demonstrates that such contracts would be financially advantageous to the federal government. Requires OMB to continuously monitor all agencies and make a determination whether the total number of federal employees exceeds the limitation imposed by this Act. Prohibits a federal agency from filling any vacancy unless OMB provides written notice to the President and Congress that the number of federal employees does not exceed the limitation established by this Act. Allows the President to waive the workforce limitations imposed by this Act if the President determines that the existence of a state of war or other national security concern or the existence of an extraordinary emergency threatening life, health, public safety, property, or the environment so requires. Allows the President additional discretion to waive such workforce limitations if the President determines that the efficiency of a federal agency or the performance of its critical mission so requires.

Date: 2011-06-03
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Federal Employees Responsible Investment Act - Provides for the establishment of a Corporate Responsibility Stock Index Fund as an investment option under the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP). Directs the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board to select a minimum of one index which is a commonly recognized, passively managed index comprised of stocks based on criteria which shall at a minimum include corporate governance, environmental practices, workplace relations and benefits, product safety and impact, international operations and human rights, involvement with repressive regimes, and community relations. Requires that the index's financial track record be comparable to that of the other options available under TSP. Directs that the Fund be invested in a portfolio which shall be designed such that the percentage of the Fund that is invested in each stock is the same as the percentage determined by dividing the aggregate market value of all shares of that stock by the aggregate market value of all shares of all stocks included in such index.

Date: 2011-06-03
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Congressional Integrity and Pension Forfeiture Act of 2011 - Extends provisions requiring forfeiture of pension benefits under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) to the President, Vice President, or an elected state or local government official, in addition to Members of Congress, upon conviction of a serious public corruption crime. Expands the list of such crimes that would require a pension forfeiture.

Date: 2011-06-14
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Just Do Your Job Act of 2011 - Prohibits, during the portion of FY2011 that occurs after the enactment of this Act, payments for the salaries and expenses of the House and Senate Budget Committees. Reduces by $1 million for such period the amount otherwise made available for the salaries and expenses of the Office of the Majority Leader of each chamber. Makes such requirements inapplicable to a chamber if it has adopted a concurrent resolution on the budget for FY2011 or FY2012 that complies with the Congressional Budget Act of 1974.

Date: 2011-06-24
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Congressional Retirement Age Act of 2011 - Prohibits a Member of Congress serving on or after the enactment of this Act from being eligible for an annuity under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS), unless he or she is separated from the service after attaining retirement age under the Social Security Act and completing five years of service. Makes a Member serving on or after the enactment of this Act ineligible for a CSRS or FERS deferred retirement annuity, unless the Member is separated from the service, or transferred to a position in which the individual does not continue subject to CSRS or FERS annuity requirements, after completing five years of service. Denies an early retirement annuity under FERS to any Member serving on or after enactment of this Act who otherwise meets FERS early retirement requirements. Delays entitlement to a FERS annuity until after attaining retirement age under the Social Security Act.

Date: 2011-06-24
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Federal Workers' Compensation Modernization and Improvement Act - Modifies the definition of "medical, surgical, and hospital services and supplies" under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act (FECA) to include physician assistants and advanced practice nurses and to provide for the reimbursement for services provided by such assistants and nurses. Permits such assistants and nurses to certify disability due to traumatic injury during a continuation of pay period. Extends eligibility for compensation under FECA for disability or death resulting from an attack by a terrorist or terrorist organization. Allows additional FECA benefits, up to $50,000, for workers who sustain an injury that results in a serious disfigurement of the face, head, or neck. Authorizes the Secretary of Labor to require, as a condition of receiving compensation under FECA, a claimant to consent to the release by the Social Security Administration (SSA) of such claimant's social security earnings information. Provides for the continuation of pay, for up to 135 days, of an employee who has filed a claim for wage loss due to a traumatic injury in a zone of armed conflict. Requires a claim for wage loss to be filed not later than 45 days following termination of assignment to the zone of armed conflict or return to the United States, whichever occurs later. Grants a right of subrogation to the United States for the continuation of pay of a federal employee. Allows payment of up to $6,000 of funeral and burial expenses for deaths of federal employees that result from an injury sustained in the performance of duty. Allows payment of administrative expenses from the Employees' Compensation Fund. Provides for compliance of the budgetary effects of this Act with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010.

Date: 2011-07-08
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
United States Secret Service Retirement Act of 2011 - Authorizes an individual who was appointed as an officer or member of the United States Secret Service Division or the United States Secret Service Uniformed Division during 1984, 1985, or 1986, who has actively performed duties other than clerical duties for 10 or more years directly related to the agency's protection mission, who is serving as an officer or member of the Secret Service Division or the Secret Service Uniformed Division, and who is participating in the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) on the date of enactment of this Act, to file an election to be covered by the District of Columbia Police and Firefighters Retirement and Disability System in the same manner as officers and members appointed prior to 1984. Requires such individual to cover transition costs to such System by using amounts in his or her Thrift Savings Fund.

Date: 2011-07-14
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Requires Members of Congress to complete at least 12 years of creditable service in order to be vested in an annuity under the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS).

Date: 2011-07-26
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to expand the special rule for the exclusion from gross income of amounts received by an employee from a governmental accident or health plan to include amounts paid from plans established by or on behalf of a state or political subdivision.

Date: 2011-07-29
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Taxation
Furloughed FAA Employees Compensation Act of 2011 - Requires federal employees furloughed as a result of the lapse in expenditure authority from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund after 11:59 p.m. on July 22, 2011, through August 5, 2011, to be compensated for such lapse at their standard rates of compensation. Ratifies and approves all actions taken by federal employees, contractors, and grantees to maintain the essential level of government operations, services, and activities to protect life and property and to bring about orderly termination of government functions during such lapse, if otherwise in accord with the provisions of the Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2011, Part IV. Requires funds used by the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to compensate such employees to be: (1) derived from funds previously authorized out of the Airport and Airway Fund and made available or limited to DOT by the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011; and (2) subject to the obligation limitations established in such Act.

Date: 2011-08-09
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Federal Employee Short-Term Disability Insurance Act of 2011 - Requires the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to establish and administer a program for short-term (i.e., up to 12 months) disability insurance coverage for federal employees for: (1) an injury or disability that is not work related, (2) leave to care for a family member, and (3) leave to make arrangements to become a foster parent or to adopt a child. Disqualifies an employee for such insurance if an injury or disability is caused by willful misconduct, a self-inflicted injury, or intoxication. Requires the Director to contract with one or more insurance carriers for disability insurance coverage plans, without regard to competitive bidding requirements. Requires such plans to contain a detailed statement of benefits offered, the premiums charged, and the duration of the enrollment period. Authorizes the Director to prescribe reasonable minimum standards for benefits offered by such plans, including a prohibition against excluding or penalizing an employee for a preexisting condition. Requires individuals eligible for coverage under a disability insurance plan to be responsible for 100% of the premiums for the coverage offered. Establishes in the Employees' Life Insurance Fund a Non-Work Related Disability Insurance Administrative Account, which shall be available to OPM to defray reasonable expenses incurred in administering this Act and to which contracted carriers shall make contributions necessary to cover such expenses.

Date: 2011-09-15
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Stop Excessive Taxpayer Payments to Government Contractors Act of 2011 - Limits the amount of compensation payable to employees of government contractors to the rate payable for level I of the Executive Schedule.

Date: 2011-09-20
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Federal Hiring Process Improvement Act of 2011 - Requires the head of each executive agency to develop and submit to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) a strategic workforce plan as part of an agency performance plan, including: (1) hiring projections, (2) strategic human capital planning to address critical skills deficiencies, (3) recruitment strategies to attract highly qualified candidates from diverse backgrounds, (4) streamlining of the hiring process, and (5) a specific analysis of the contractor workforce. Requires agency heads to: (1) identify highly qualified applicant pools with diverse backgrounds before posting announcements of vacant positions and post such announcements for a reasonable period of time, (2) implement processes to simplify and streamline the job application and notification process, (3) fill a vacancy not later than an average of 80 days after identifying such vacancy, and (4) measure and collect information on indicators of hiring effectiveness. Requires all announcements of vacant positions for competitive positions to be written in plain writing in accordance with the Plain Writing Act of 2010.

Date: 2011-09-23
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Congressional Accountability Pay Act - Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to revise the method of adjusting the annual rate of pay of Members of Congress. Requires a decrease in the rate of pay for each Member by a specified percentage if outlays for any fiscal year are greater than outlays for the preceding fiscal year. Amends the Federal Salary Act of 1967 to require that recommendations by the Citizens' Commission on Public Service and Compensation conform with this Act, except those for the salaries of the Chief Justice of the United States, judges of U.S. district courts, and judges of the U.S. Court of International Trade.

Date: 2011-10-06
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
United States Postal Service Pension Obligation Recalculation and Restoration Act of 2011 - Prescribes the "average pay" to be used in determining annuities for civilian employment with the United States Postal Service (USPS) for purposes of provisions relating to future benefits attributable to such employment in order to calculate the amount of any USPS surplus or supplemental liability under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). Requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM): (1) within six months after enactment of this Act, to determine (or, if applicable, redetermine) the amount of such surplus or liability as of the close of the most recently ending fiscal year using the methodology required under this Act; and (2) if the result is a surplus, to transfer the surplus amount to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund within 15 days after the determination of a surplus. Provides for an alternate determination of a USPS surplus or supplemental liability for FY2016-FY2020. Requires transfer of certain surplus postal retirement contributions in FY2011 to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund or the Employees' Compensation Fund under the Federal Employees' Compensation Act. Prohibits USPS from closing any post office which is located more than 10 miles from any other post office. Expresses the intent of Congress that this Act shall apply to allocations of past, present, and future benefit liabilities between the USPS and the Treasury.

Date: 2011-10-12
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Disabled Public Safety Officers Fairness Act of 2011 - Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to provide for payment of disability benefits to public safety officers who became permanently and totally disabled prior to the enactment of such Act. Allows a public safety officer seeking a benefit on the basis of having been permanently and totally disabled as the direct result of a catastrophic injury sustained in the line of duty before the date of enactment of such Act to file a claim during the same period that would be applicable to an officer disabled after the date of enactment, except that in lieu of such a period beginning on the date of the injury it shall begin on the date of the enactment of this Act. Applies this Act to any public safety officer alive on or after enactment of this Act.

Date: 2011-11-04
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Reconnecting Congress with America Act of 2011 - Adjusts the annual rate of pay for Members of Congress for pay periods occurring in a calendar year if, for the most recent fiscal year ending before that calendar year, the federal deficit attained specified levels. Sets a Member's annual pay rate at: (1) 80% of the applicable base rate if the federal deficit was equal to or greater than 3% of the gross domestic product (GDP), (2) 90% of the applicable rate if the federal deficit was less than 3% of GDP, and (3) 100% of the applicable rate if there was no federal deficit. Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to eliminate any statutory pay adjustments for Members of Congress. Increases by 4.9% the contributions payable by a Member of Congress under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS). Establishes the federal contributions payable under CSRS and FERS for a Member equal to the percentage that would otherwise apply minus such 4.9% increase. Amends the Commodity Exchange Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 to direct both the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to prohibit purchase or sale of either securities, security-based swaps, or commodities for future delivery or swap by a person in possession of material nonpublic information regarding pending or prospective legislative action if the information was obtained: (1) knowingly from a Member or congressional employee, (2) by reason of being a Member or congressional employee, or (3) from other federal employees and derived from their federal employment. Directs both the Committee on Agriculture and the Committee on Financial Services of the House of Representatives to hold hearings on the implementation by the CFTC and the SEC of such financial transaction prohibitions. Expresses the sense of Congress that any law enacted by Congress should apply to Members of Congress in the same manner and to the same extent as the law applies to other individuals.

Date: 2011-12-06
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Spouse Equity Election Clarification Amendment Act of 2011 - Provides that a federal employee or Member of Congress who dies before the expiration of the two-year period for electing to provide a former spouse with an annuity benefit under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) shall be deemed to have elected to provide such benefit to such former spouse. Requires a former spouse to notify the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) within six months of the death of the employee or Member under whom an annuity benefit may be allowed.

Date: 2011-12-07
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
No Budget, No Pay Act - Prohibits the payment of any pay to any Member of Congress (excluding the Vice President): (1) if both houses of Congress have not approved a concurrent resolution on the budget for a fiscal year before October 1 of that fiscal year and have not passed all the regular appropriations bills for the next fiscal year by such date, or (2) until both houses of Congress approve such a budget resolution and pass all such appropriations bills. Prohibits any retroactive pay for such a period.

Date: 2011-12-13
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to prohibit the pay for Members of Congress from being increased by any adjustment scheduled to take effect in a calendar year unless, before January 1 of such year, each chamber, by a roll call vote, adopts a concurrent resolution agreeing to such increase.

Date: 2011-12-15
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Do Your Job Act - Prohibits the disbursement of funds for salaries and expenses for specified congressional offices and committees, if on or before May 15 of any year Congress does not adopt a budget resolution for the fiscal year that begins on October 1 of that year. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to deposit all payments otherwise required to be made for Members' compensation in an escrow account to be released to the Members only upon the adoption of such a resolution.

Date: 2012-01-23
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Securing Annuities for Federal Employees Act of 2012 - Increases the employee contribution to the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) and to the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) by .5% of salary in each of calendar years 2013, 2014, and 2015. Reduces the employer contribution to CSRS and FERS by the amount of the increased employee contribution. Establishes new annuity computation rules for federal employees and Members of Congress who begin service after December 31, 2012, and who have less than five years of civilian service creditable under CSRS or any other retirement system for federal employees (secure annuity employees). Increases the employee contribution for secure annuity employees and calculates annuities for such employees based upon the average of their highest five years of salary (for current federal employees, the calculation is based on the highest three years of salary). Eliminates the FERS annuity supplement for employees not subject to mandatory retirement who separate from service after December 31, 2012. Allows federal employees, including employees of the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) and the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), and Members of Congress, to contribute payments received for accumulated and accrued annual or vacation leave to the Thrift Savings Fund.

Date: 2012-01-24
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Amends the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011 (P.L. 111-242) to extend through December 31, 2013, the freeze on any cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) to the pay of certain federal civilian employees (thus extends such freeze from two to three calendar years). Extends through such date the prohibition against receipt by a senior executive or senior-level employee of any increase in the rate of basic pay absent a change of position that results in a substantial increase in responsibility or a promotion. Applies the pay limit freeze to Members of Congress. Declares that no statutory COLA for a legislative branch employee which would otherwise take effect during the period beginning on enactment of this Act and ending on December 31, 2013, shall be made.

Date: 2012-01-27
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Pass a Budget Now Act - Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to reduce the rate of pay for a Member of Congress for failure to agree to a concurrent resolution on the budget. Reduces the rate of pay during each pay period of any year, if there is no agreement by April 15 on a budget resolution for the following fiscal year, by an amount equal to the product of the average daily rate of pay involved and the number of days during the pay period which occur after April 15 and before Congress does reach agreement on a budget resolution. Requires all unpaid compensation to be used for deficit reduction.

Date: 2012-02-15
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Presidential Allowance Modernization Act - Revises provisions relating to presidential pensions to allow former Presidents an annuity of $200,000 and an additional monetary allowance of $200,000 per year. Reduces such pension by the amount that a President's adjusted gross income in a taxable year exceeds $400,000.  Increases from $20,000 to $100,000 the annual annuity of a surviving spouse of a former President.

Date: 2012-02-28
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Employees of America Streamlining for Your Savings Act of 2012 or the EASY Savings Act of 2012 - Expands the awards program for disclosures by federal employees of fraud, waste, or mismanagement that result in cost savings to the employee's agency to include identification of surplus funds or unnecessary budget authority. Directs that any savings resulting from the identification of such funds or budget authority be deposited in the Treasury and used to reduce a budget deficit or the federal debt. Prohibits the payment of awards to: (1) federal officers who serve in a position at level I of the Executive Schedule; (2) the head of an agency; or (3) a commissioner, board member, or other voting member of an independent establishment.

Date: 2012-03-21
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Transparency and Accountability in Congressional Travel Act of 2012 - Prohibits a Member of Congress or congressional employee from undertaking any official foreign travel unless, within 14 days before and within 14 days after such travel, the individual prepares and submits to the Clerk of the House of Representatives or the Secretary of the Senate, as appropriate, a specified statement (in both paper and electronic form) containing travel-related information. Allows the Member or congressional employee to exclude classified information from such statements, so long as the Member includes documentation in support of such exclusion. Requires the Secretary of Defense (DOD) or the Secretary of State, as appropriate, for official travel by a Member or congressional employee for which any of the costs are to be paid by their respective departmental funds, to give such individual, within 10 days after completion of such travel, a written statement specifying: (1) the cost incurred, itemized by the cost of transportation, lodging, and meals; and (2) whether the aircraft used was chartered, private, military, or, in the case of commercial aircraft, whether the seating was coach, business class, or first class. Requires the Clerk and the Secretary to post such statements on their respective official public Internet sites. Prohibits a vacation stopover for annual leave at any point during official foreign travel. Specifies restrictions on official foreign travel by Member and House committee employees, except travel to a military installation or to a theater of operations of the Armed Forces. Requires each Member and congressional employee who undertakes official foreign travel to: (1) take necessary actions to reduce travel costs, and (2) return any per diem remaining unexpended at conclusion of the travel.

Date: 2012-03-28
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress
Federal Employee Phased Retirement Act - Allows a retirement-eligible federal employee under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS), with the concurrence of the head of the employing agency, to make a one-time election to enter phased retirement status under which such employee shall be appointed to a position for which the working percentage (the number of hours worked by such employee per pay period divided by the number of hours worked by a full-time employee in a comparable position) is 50%. Authorizes the Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to provide for a different working percentage which shall not be less than 20% or more than 80%. Denies eligibility for any employee after the date such employee is required to be separated from service under mandatory retirement provisions. Imposes certain requirements for and limitations on the employment of such a phased retiree, including that such retiree: (1) must have been employed on a full-time basis for not less than the three-year period ending on the date of an election under this Act; (2) may not be employed in more than one position at any time, but may transfer to another position in the same or different agency; and (3) must spend not less than 20% of working hours mentoring other employees. Sets forth rules for the computation of: (1) a phased retirement annuity, which shall be paid in addition to the basic pay for the position to which a phased retiree is appointed; and (2) a composite annuity, which a phased retiree shall be entitled to receive upon electing to enter full retirement status. Authorizes a phased retiree: (1) with the concurrence of the head of the employing agency, to elect to terminate phased retirement status and return to a full-time work schedule; or (2) elect to enter full retirement status at any time. Allows a phased retiree under CSRS or FERS who has completed at least one year of service as such a retiree to contribute to a Thrift Savings Fund account any part of any payment received as accumulated and current accrued annual or vacation leave.

Date: 2012-04-17
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Recess Appointment Restoration Act - Prohibits payment from the Treasury to any individual who is appointed to fill a vacancy that must be filled by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, until such appointee has been confirmed by the Senate, unless such individual was appointed while the Senate was adjourned for at least 10 days.

Date: 2012-04-17
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to make Thrift Savings Fund accounts subject to a federal tax levy. Requires any revenue gain attributable to the enacment of this Act to be deposited in the general fund of the Treasury and used solely for deficit reduction.

Date: 2012-04-17
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Congressional Salary Reduction Act - Amends the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 to: (1) eliminate automatic cost of living (COLA) adjustments for Members of Congress, and (2) reduce Members' annual rate of pay to 95% of the annual rate for the most recent pay period preceding the regularly scheduled federal general election held in November 2012.

Date: 2012-04-18
Topic: Government Operations (Employees)
Subject: Congress