zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Biennial Budgeting and Appropriations Act of 2010 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require: (1) biennial (instead of annual) budget resolutions; (2) biennial appropriations Acts; and (3) biennial government strategic and performance plans. Makes conforming amendments to the Rules of the House of Representatives. Defines the budget biennium as the two consecutive fiscal years beginning on October 1 of any odd-numbered year. Requires: (1) a federal agency, upon request by a congressional committee, to provide appropriate information regarding its appropriations requests and program administration; (2) the Comptroller General to furnish to such committee summaries of any audits or reviews of such program which the Comptroller General has completed during the preceding six years; and (3) the Comptroller General, Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), and the Director of the Congressional Research Service (CRS) to furnish such committee appropriate information, studies, analyses, and reports. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to determine and report to Congress on the impact and feasibility of changing the definition of a fiscal year, and the budget process based on that definition, to a two-year fiscal period with a biennial budget process based on such period. Requires the President's budget submission for FY2014 to include: (1) an identification of the budget accounts for which an appropriation should be made for each fiscal year of the FY2014-FY2015 biennium; and (2) budget authority that should be provided for each such fiscal year for the budget accounts. Directs: (1) the House and Senate committees, during the first session of the 113th Congress, to work with the Comptroller General to develop plans to transition program authorizations to a multi-year schedule; and (2) the Comptroller General, during such Congress, to continue to provide assistance to Congress with respect to programmatic oversight, and in particular to assist the congressional committees in designing and conforming programmatic oversight procedures for FY2014-FY2015 biennium.

Date: 2010-11-15
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Prohibits federal funding to organizations incorporated for specified purposes related to: (1) broadcasting, transmitting, and programming over noncommercial educational radio broadcast stations, networks, and systems; (2) cooperating with foreign broadcasting systems and networks in international radio programming and broadcasting; (3) assisting and supporting such noncommercial educational radio broadcasting pursuant to the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967; or (4) acquiring radio programs from such organizations. Requires the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, for FY2011-FY2012, to transfer to a designated Treasury account for use to reduce the public debt an amount equal to the amount allocated from the Public Broadcasting Fund for specified licensees and permittees of public radio stations, public radio programming, and for acquiring or producing certain national programming.

Date: 2010-11-17
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009 - Expresses the sense of Congress that Congress and the President should restore fiscal discipline and begin to address the long-term fiscal challenges facing the United States through certain measures. Specifies among such measures: (1) strong pay-as-you-go rules, to help block the approval of measures that would increase the deficit; and (2) recognition of warnings by both the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) that the federal budget is on an unsustainable path of rising deficits and debt. Urges establishment of a process to: (1) analyze the current and long-term federal actuarial financial condition and the gap between the federal projected revenues and expenditures; (2) identify factors that affect the federal long-term fiscal balance; (3) analyze potential courses of action to address them; and (4) seek a bipartisan agreement, or set of agreements, that will significantly improve the nation's long-term fiscal imbalances and the gap between projected revenues and expenditures, ensure U.S. economic security, and expand future prosperity and growth for all Americans. Urges as well reviews of: (1) all federal spending and tax expenditures by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to identify items that are outdated, inefficient, poorly run, unnecessary, or otherwise undeserving of scarce federal resources or in need of reform; and (2) the current federal taxation system to ensure that burdens are borne fairly and equitably.

Date: 2009-01-06
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to make federal provisions which prohibit the obligation or expenditure of funds either in excess of appropriated amounts or in violation of sequestration orders under the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1986 inapplicable to: (1) any amount collected or received as federal universal service contributions; or (2) the expenditure or obligation of amounts attributable to such contributions.

Date: 2009-01-29
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Budget Enforcement Legislative Tool Act of 2009 - Amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to authorize the President to propose, at any time and in any manner provided in this Act, the rescission of any discretionary budget authority in an appropriation Act. Prohibits funds made available for obligation under this procedure from being proposed for rescission again. Sets forth requirements for: (1) the President's transmittal to Congress of a special message regarding a proposed rescission; and (2) expedited consideration of such proposal.

Date: 2009-04-28
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Deficit Reduction Act of 2009 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to redefine, for FY2011-FY2019, discretionary spending limits (spending caps) for new budget authority and outlays to mean the baseline, minus any emergency spending, for the preceding fiscal year as adjusted for inflation and (as under current law) as adjusted in strict conformance with such Act. Revises sequestration requirements for enforcement of discretionary spending limits. Requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to conduct such a sequestration to eliminate a budget year breach. Eliminates specific formula requirements for adjustments to discretionary spending limits for: (1) highways; (2) continuing disability reviews for the Social Security Administration (SSA); (3) allowances for the International Monetary Fund (IMF); (4) specified allowances for international arrearages; (5) the earned income tax credit (EITC) compliance initiative; (6) Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) adoption incentive payments; and (7) conservation. Prescribes an adjustment to discretionary spending limits for overseas contingency operations related to the global war on terrorism, including Iraq and Afghanistan. Redefines low-growth, for purposes of OMB's required low-growth notification to Congress, from less than zero to less than 1%. Extends Pay-As-You-Go requirements and enforcement mechanisms through FY2019. Establishes sequestration enforcement mechanisms to eliminate deficit limits for FY2012-FY2019. Specifies additional Social Security, veterans, Tier I Railroad Retirement benefits and other programs and activities exempt from a sequestration order as well as certain economic recovery programs. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 (CBA) to make it out of order in both chambers to consider any legislation causing the discretionary limits in the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act to be exceeded.

Date: 2009-08-06
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Save American Free Enterprise Act or the SAFE Act - Lowers the statutory public debt limit by the aggregate amounts of $80.893 billion, plus revenues received from the sale of troubled assets purchased, or from the sale, exercise, or surrender of warrants or senior debt instruments acquired, under the Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) established by the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, including interest and dividends attributable to those amounts after August 7, 2009.

Date: 2009-08-06
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Makes it out of order in the Senate to consider any of the following legislation that includes a congressional earmark or limited tax or tariff benefit: (1) a bill or joint resolution reported by any committee; (2) a Senate bill or joint resolution not reported by committee; (3) a conference report; (4) a floor amendment to a bill or joint resolution; or (5) an amendment between the two chambers. Provides that if such prohibition is sustained, the legislation shall be returned to the calendar until compliance with this Act is achieved. Permits a waiver of such prohibition in the Senate by an affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Members. Applies such prohibition only to legislation in FY2010-FY2011 providing or authorizing discretionary budget authority, credit authority, or other spending authority, providing a federal tax deduction, credit, or exclusion, or modifying the Harmonized Tariff Schedule in a manner that benefits 10 or fewer entities. Exempts from such prohibition any authorization of appropriations to a federal entity which is not specifically targeted to a state, locality, or congressional district.

Date: 2010-02-04
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Congress
Honest Expenditure Limitation Program Act of 2010 or HELP Act - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make it out of order in the House of Representatives or the Senate to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report that includes any provision that would exceed specified non-security discretionary spending limits for FY2011-FY2020. Limits non-security discretionary spending limits for FY2011-FY2015 to the level provided in FY2010, but reduced each year on a pro rata basis so that the level for FY2015 does not exceed the level for FY2008. Limits the spending levels for FY2016-FY2020 to the FY2015 spending level. Defines "non-security discretionary spending" as discretionary spending other than spending for the Department of Defense (DOD), homeland security activities, intelligence-related activities within the Department of State, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and national security related activities in the Department of Energy (DOE). Requires the President to issue a sequestration order, effective on issuance, if the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in its Final Discretionary Sequestration Report estimates that any sequestration is required. Subjects to permanent cancellation any budgetary resources sequestered from any account, except those in special fund accounts or offsetting collections sequestered in appropriation accounts. Applies the same percentage sequestration to all programs, projects, and activities within a budget account. Requires Discretionary Sequestration Preview Reports by: (1) OMB to the President and Congress; and (2) the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to Congress. Requires the OMB report to explain the difference between OMB and CBO estimates for each item. Requires the Final Discretionary Sequestration Reports to set forth estimates for: (1) the current year and each subsequent year through 2014; (2) the current year, if applicable, and, the budget year, the new budget authority and the breach, if any; (3) the sequestration percentages necessary to eliminate the breach; and (4) the level of enacted sequesterable budget authority, and resulting estimated outlays to be sequestered for each account. Sets forth sequestration enforcement mechanisms.

Date: 2010-03-09
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Economic Disaster Prevention Act of 2010 - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to establish non-defense discretionary spending limits for FY2011-FY2020. Prohibits the total level of direct spending for all direct spending programs, projects, and activities for FY2011-FY2020 from exceeding the respective total levels for the previous fiscal year after the direct spending for each such program, project, or activity is increased by a specified calculation. Requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to issue non-defense discretionary spending limit and direct spending limit sequestration preview reports, including updates. Requires the OMB report to explain: (1) any differences between OMB and CBO estimates of any net direct spending change, any excess deficit, any breach, and any required sequestration percentage; and (2) differences in the amount of sequesterable resources for any budget account to be reduced if such difference is greater than $5 million. Requires the President to issue a sequestration order, effective on issuance, if OMB in its Final Sequestration Report estimates that any sequestration is required. Requires the Comptroller General, upon request of the congressional budget committees, to report to Congress and the President on the extent to which each such issued presidential order or OMB or CBO report complies with all of the requirements contained in this Act. Requires CBO to send Congress a low-growth report if real economic growth is projected or estimated to be less than zero with respect to each of any two consecutive quarters within a specified period. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 with respect to enforcement mechanisms for: (1) non-defense discretionary spending limits; (2) direct spending limits; and (3) sequestration orders. Amends the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act to prescribe administrative and legislative procedures for spending reduction orders to eliminate breaches of non-defense discretionary spending limits and direct spending limits. Makes it out of order to consider in the Senate or the House of Representatives any legislation that increases the level of direct spending for an existing program or creates new direct spending unless it provides that the increased or new direct spending expires 10 years after its effective date.

Date: 2010-03-10
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
No Pay Raise for Congress Until the Budget is Balanced Act - Eliminates automatic cost of living adjustments (COLAs) for Members of Congress during FY2011 or any succeeding fiscal year, until the fiscal year following the first fiscal year that the annual federal budget deficit is $0. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to: (1) determine whether or not the annual federal budget deficit was $0 for that fiscal year, and if so, report that determination to Congress; and (2) report that determination also to the Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives, as well as whether or not such COLA restriction shall apply to the succeeding fiscal year. Reduces the statutory limit on the public debt as follows: (1) for FY2011, $13.9 trillion; (2) for FY2012, $13.7 trillion; (3) for FY2013, $13.5 trillion; (4) for FY2014, $12.3 trillion; and (5) for FY2015 and each ensuing fiscal year, $12.1 trillion.

Date: 2010-03-18
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Congress
Makes 10% across-the-board rescissions in non-defense, non-homeland-security, and non-veterans affairs discretionary spending for FY2011-FY2012.

Date: 2011-01-05
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Makes 5% across-the-board rescissions in non-defense, non-homeland-security, and non-veterans affairs discretionary spending for FY2011-FY2012.

Date: 2011-01-05
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Makes 15% across-the-board rescissions in non-defense, non-homeland-security, and non-veterans affairs discretionary spending for FY2011-FY2012.

Date: 2011-01-05
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Biennial Budgeting and Appropriations Act of 2011 - Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to require: (1) biennial (instead of annual) budget resolutions, (2) biennial appropriations Acts, and (3) biennial government strategic and performance plans. Makes conforming amendments to the Rules of the House of Representatives. Defines the budget biennium as the two consecutive fiscal years beginning on October 1 of any odd-numbered year. Requires: (1) a federal agency, upon request by a congressional committee, to provide appropriate information regarding its appropriations requests and program administration, (2) the Comptroller General to furnish to such committee summaries of any audits or reviews of such program which the Comptroller General has completed during the preceding six years, and (3) the Comptroller General, Director of the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), and the Director of the Congressional Research Service (CRS) to furnish such committee appropriate information, studies, analyses, and reports. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to determine and report to Congress on the impact and feasibility of changing the definition of a fiscal year, and the budget process based on that definition, to a two-year fiscal period with a biennial budget process based on such period. Requires the President's budget submission for FY2014 to include: (1) an identification of the budget accounts for which an appropriation should be made for each fiscal year of the FY2014-FY2015 biennium, and (2) budget authority that should be provided for each such fiscal year for the budget accounts. Directs: (1) the House and Senate committees, during the first session of the 113th Congress, to work with the Comptroller General to develop plans to transition program authorizations to a multi-year schedule, and (2) the Comptroller General, during such Congress, to continue to provide assistance to Congress with respect to programmatic oversight, and in particular to assist the congressional committees in designing and conforming programmatic oversight procedures for FY2014-FY2015 biennium.

Date: 2011-01-05
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
War on Debt Act of 2011 - Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to establish and administer a new series of U.S. savings bonds to be known as "War on Debt Bonds," to be used first solely to reduce the amount of foreign-held public debt, and then to reduce other public debt. Sets the maturity and redemption date of a War on Debt Bond at 50 years from the date of issue. Requires certain annual principal and interest payments, which shall not be includible in gross income under the Internal Revenue Code. Allows redemption of such a Bond before 50 years if during any fiscal year during which it is outstanding: (1) the federal budget deficit exceeds 3% of gross domestic product (GDP), or (2) the public debt exceeds 10% of GDP. Limits the holding of a War on Debt Bond to: (1) U.S. citizens or residents; (2) domestic partnerships, or domestic corporations (not more than 1% of the ownership interest of which is held, directly or indirectly, by a person who is not a U.S. person); or (3) estates or trusts which are U.S. persons, unless there is a trust beneficiary who is not a U.S. person.

Date: 2011-01-05
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Government Spending Responsibility Act - Prohibits the total discretionary appropriations for FY2011 from exceeding the total discretionary appropriations, calculated on an annualized basis, made for such fiscal year by the Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011, as amended by the Continuing Appropriations Amendments, 2011.

Date: 2011-01-05
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Mandatory Returning of Allowances Act or MRA Act - Requires any amounts remaining of House Members' Representational Allowances after all payments are made for the year to be deposited in the Treasury and used to reduce the federal debt.

Date: 2011-01-12
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Congress
Requires any amounts remaining of House Members' Representational Allowances after all payments are made for the year to be deposited in the Treasury and used for deficit reduction or, in fiscal years for which there is no federal budget deficit, to reduce the federal debt. Requires publication in the Congressional Record, after each session of Congress or other period for which the Members' Representational Allowance is made available, of a statement showing, for such session or period, the amount deposited for each such Member and the total deposited for all Members.

Date: 2011-01-18
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Congress
Requires the authority of the Department of the Treasury to pay the principal and interest on debt held by the public, and the authority of the Commissioner of Social Security to pay monthly old-age, survivors', and disability insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act, to take priority over all other obligations incurred by the government in the event the federal debt reaches the statutory limit.

Date: 2011-02-09
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Recovering Excessive Stimulus Expenditures for Taxpayers (RESET) Act - Rescinds all unobligated balances of the discretionary appropriations made available by division A of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (stimulus funds). Requires deposit of such rescinded appropriations in the general fund of the Treasury for federal budget deficit reduction.

Date: 2011-02-10
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Orphan Earmarks Act of 2011 - Rescinds any earmark of funds provided for any federal agency with more than 90% of the appropriated amount remaining available for obligation at the end of the 9th fiscal year after it was first made available. Authorizes the agency head to delay any such rescission if an additional obligation of the earmark is likely to occur during the following 12-month period. Requires each agency head to identify and report every project that is an earmark with an unobligated balance at the end of each fiscal year to the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), who shall report a listing and accounting for such earmarks to Congress and to the public via the OMB website.

Date: 2011-02-10
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Debt Buy-Down Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow individual taxpayers to designate up to 10% of their adjusted income tax liability for the reduction of the public debt. Establishes in the Treasury the Public Debt Reduction Trust Fund to hold tax revenues generated by this Act for the reduction of the public debt. Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 to require a sequestration of federal spending equivalent to the estimated aggregate amount designated by taxpayers under this Act to reduce the public debt. Prohibits any reduction in social security retirement benefits, veterans benefits, or interest payments on federal debt as a result of any such sequestration.

Date: 2011-02-10
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Taxation
Declares that, in the event the debt of the federal government reaches the statutory limit, the authority of the Department of the Treasury to pay with legal tender the principal and interest on debt held by the public, the authority of the Commissioner of Social Security to pay monthly old-age, survivors', and disability insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act, and the authority to make any payments, or expend or obligate any funds, under any law administered by the Secretary of Defense (DOD), the Administrator for Nuclear Security, or any other administering Armed Forces Secretary, shall take priority over all other obligations incurred by the government.

Date: 2011-02-15
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
National Right-to-Carry Reciprocity Act of 2011 - Amends the federal criminal code to authorize a person who is carrying a valid, government-issued identification document containing that person's photograph and a valid permit to carry a concealed firearm in one state, and who is not prohibited from possessing, transporting, shipping, or receiving a firearm under federal law, to possess or carry a concealed handgun (other than a machine gun or destructive device) in another state in accordance with the restrictions of that state. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct an audit of: (1) state laws and regulations that authorize the issuance of a concealed firearm permit or license to a nonresident, including a description of the permitting or licensing requirements; (2) the number of such valid permits or licenses issued or denied (and the basis for such denials) to nonresidents by each state; and (3) the effectiveness of such state laws and regulations in protecting the public safety. Directs the Comptroller General to conduct a study of the ability of state and local law enforcement authorities to verify the validity of concealed firearm licenses or permits issued by other states.

Date: 2011-02-18
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
United Nations Voting Accountability Act of 2011 - Prohibits specified U.S. assistance to a country that opposes the U.S. position in the United Nations (U.N.). Authorizes: (1) the Secretary of State to exempt a country from such prohibition if, as a result of government or policy change, the country will no longer oppose such U.S. position; and (2) the President to exempt a country from such prohibition if in the U.S. national interest.

Date: 2011-03-03
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: International affairs
The Forgotten Funds Act - Rescinds all unobligated balances of the discretionary appropriations made available in FY2008 and earlier. Requires deposit of such rescinded appropriations in the general fund of the Treasury for federal budget deficit reduction.

Date: 2011-03-08
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
No Pay Raise for Congress Until the Budget is Balanced Act - Prohibits a Member of Congress from receiving a cost of living adjustment under the Legislative Reorganization Act of 1946 during any fiscal year (beginning with FY2012) unless the Secretary of the Treasury reports to Congress (beginning with FY2011) that a federal budget deficit did not exist in the previous fiscal year.

Date: 2011-03-10
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Congress
Lead By Example Act - Prohibits matching contributions to the Thrift Savings Fund for Members of Congress: (1) for any pay period beginning before the date on which Congress completes action on a budget resolution for the fiscal year in which the first day of such pay period occurs; and (2) unless the deficit for such fiscal year (as set forth in the budget resolution) is less than the deficit for the preceding fiscal year.

Date: 2011-03-17
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Congress
Government Shutdown Prevention Act of 2011 - Enacts into law the provisions of H.R. 1 (Full-Year Continuing Appropriations Act, 2011), as passed by the House on February 19, 2011, if the House has not received a message from the Senate before April 6, 2011, stating that it has passed a measure providing for the appropriations for the federal departments and agencies for the remainder of FY2011. Prohibits the Secretary of the Senate and the Chief Administrative Officer of the House, respectively, from disbursing to each Member or Delegate the amount of his or her salary for each day that: (1) there is more than a 24-hour lapse in appropriations for any federal agency or department for 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. Imposes the same restrictions on the President with respect to receiving a disbursement of basic pay during such period.

Date: 2011-03-30
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Stop Wasting American Tax Dollars Act or SWAT Act - Rescinds any unobligated discretionary appropriations awarded to a state or locality by the federal government that are voluntarily returned to it. Excludes from such rescission any funds made available for a Department of Defense (DOD) or a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) account, program, or activity. Requires such rescinded funds to be retained in the general fund of the Treasury for federal budget deficit reduction. Applies this requirement in lieu of any provision of law that provides for the redistribution of funds awarded to a state or locality that remain unobligated by it.

Date: 2011-04-04
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Returned Exclusively For Unpaid National Debt Act or REFUND Act - Rescinds unwanted amounts, as identified by a state from a projected allocation, from any federal funds required to be allocated by formula among all states that agree to use them for a specified purpose. Prescribes a procedure by which a state legislature may identify a projected federal allocation as unwanted funds. Requires such rescinded amounts to: (1) be deposited by the Secretary of the Treasury in the special fund account entitled "Gifts to Reduce Debt Held by the Public, Bureau of the Public Debt, Treasury"; and (2) be used to reduce the federal debt.

Date: 2011-04-04
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
One Percent Spending Reduction Act of 2011 - Amends the Balance Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to establish the aggregate projected outlay (outlay cap) (less net interest payments) for FY2012 at $3.382 billion, less 1%. Reduces each outlay cap for FY2013-FY2017 by 1% of the previous fiscal year's outlay cap. Requires the outlay cap for FY2018 and each subsequent fiscal year to be 18% of the gross domestic product (GDP) for that fiscal year as estimated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Prohibits the outlay caps from being less than those for the preceding fiscal year for FY2019 and any ensuing fiscal year. Requires a sequestration by OMB within 45 days after the beginning of a fiscal year to eliminate any excess outlay amount. Prescribes requirements for Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and OMB sequestration preview reports and an OMB final sequestration report, accompanied by a presidential order detailing uniform spending reductions equal to the excess outlay amount. Requires the House and the Senate budget committees to report a resolution directing the committees of their respective chambers to change existing law to achieve the spending reductions outlined in the OMB August 20 report to meet the outlay limits, if a sequestration is projected. States that if, after November 15, a bill resulting in outlays for the current fiscal year is enacted that causes excess outlays, the excess outlays for the next fiscal year shall be increased by the amount or amounts of that breach. Repeals provisions of the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act terminating Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) enforcement mechanisms under such Act. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make it out of order in both chambers to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report that includes any provision that would cause the most recently reported, current outlay limits in the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act to be exceeded. Prescribes procedures for waiver or suspension of this rule.

Date: 2011-05-11
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Sets forth the priority of the payment of obligations incurred by the U.S. government in the event that U.S. debt reaches the statutory limit. Limits certain obligations for specified departments, agencies, international organizations, and funds to 20% of the amount that would have been made available to satisfy such obligations if such limit had not been reached. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury, during any funding gap, to make emergency appropriations: (1) to continue to provide pay and allowances (without interruption) to members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, including the reserve components thereof, who perform active service; and (2) for such amounts as the President certifies to Congress as are necessary to carry out vital national security priorities. Requires the President to submit a specified prioritization report to Congress.

Date: 2011-05-13
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Returning to Responsible Fiscal Policies Act - Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to require: (1) the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to estimate the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) outlay limit for the target fiscal year at the outset of the previous fiscal year, on April 30, on August 20, and 15 days after the conclusion of the fiscal year; (2) the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) to provide advisory reports calculating the GDP outlay limit at identical times; and (3) a sequestration by OMB within 45 calendar days after the beginning of a fiscal year to eliminate the excess outlay amount. Prescribes requirements for CBO and OMB advisory sequestration preview reports and an OMB final sequestration report, accompanied by a presidential order detailing the uniform spending reduction. Requires the House and the Senate budget committees to report a resolution directing their committees to change the existing law to achieve the goals outlined in the OMB August 20 report if it projects a sequestration. States that if, after November 15, a bill resulting in outlays for the current fiscal year is enacted that causes excess outlays, the excess outlays for the next fiscal year shall be increased by the amount or amounts of that breach. Amends the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 to make it out of order in both chambers to consider any bill, joint resolution, amendment, or conference report that includes any provision that would cause the most recently reported current GDP outlay limits in the Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act to be exceeded. Prescribes procedures for waiver or suspension of this rule.

Date: 2011-05-26
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Foreign-Held Debt Transparency and Threat Assessment Act - Expresses the sense of Congress about the growing federal debt of the United States, the increasing U.S. dependence on foreign creditors like the People's Republic of China, whose holdings could give China a tool with which to manipulate U.S. policymaking (including with respect to Taiwan) and pose a direct threat to the national economy and national security. Directs the President to report quarterly to certain congressional committees on the risks posed by foreign holdings of U.S. debt instruments, and make such report public on the Internet. Directs the President to formulate, report to the appropriate congressional committees, and implement a plan of action to reduce an unsustainable level of risk to an acceptable and sustainable level, in a manner that results in a reduction in federal spending, in any case in which the President makes specified determinations that a foreign country's holdings of U.S. debt instruments pose an unacceptable risk to long-term national security or economic stability of the United States.

Date: 2011-06-14
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Foreign trade and international finance
Debt Elimination By Tax-Deductible Contribution Act of 2011 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers to designate a specified portion  (not less than $1) of their income tax liability for deposit in the general fund of the Treasury to reduce the public debt.  Allows any such gift to the United States for reduction of the public debt to be treated as a tax deductible charitable contribution.

Date: 2011-06-16
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Taxation
Prioritize Spending Act of 2011 - Requires amounts necessary for incurred federal obligations, in the event that the public debt reaches the statutory limit, to be made available to certain obligations, in prioritized order, before all other obligations. Prioritizes such obligations in the following descending order: (1) amounts necessary to carry out the authority of the Department of the Treasury to pay with legal tender the principal and interest on public debt; (2) amounts determined by the Secretary of Defense (DOD) (and the Secretary of Homeland Security [DHS] in the case of the Coast Guard) to be necessary to continue to provide pay and allowances (without interruption) to members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, including their reserve components, who perform active service; (3) amounts certified to Congress by the President as necessary to carry out vital national security priorities; (4) amounts necessary to carry out the authority of the Commissioner of Social Security to pay monthly old-age, survivors', and disability insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (SSA); and (5) amounts necessary to make payments under the Medicare program under SSA title XVIII.

Date: 2011-06-24
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Tax Equity and Middle Class Fairness Act of 2011 - Repeals or revises tax expenditure provisions in the Internal Revenue Code relating to: (1) the production of oil and gas; (2) the production and development of coal resources; (3) individuals, including a phase-out of health savings and Archer medical savings accounts; (4) business taxpayers, including the elimination of certain expensing allowances and the repeal of capital gain treatment for the sale of timber; and (5) certain international tax preferences.

Date: 2011-07-11
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Taxation
Ensuring America's Promises Act of 2011 - Declares that the limitation on public debt shall not be construed to preclude timely payment in full of Social Security, Medicare, veterans benefits, defense pay, and other benefits and obligations.

Date: 2011-07-14
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Don't Default on America's Debts and Destroy American Jobs Act of 2011 - Increases the statutory limit on the public debt from $14.294 trillion to $16.7 trillion. Declares the sense of Congress that the congressional recess scheduled for August 2011 should be cancelled and that Congress should remain in official session until legislation is passed to: (1) increase job creation and reduce unemployment, and (2) reduce projected medium- and long-term federal budget deficits and debt.

Date: 2011-07-14
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Protect Spending Priorities Act - Requires amounts necessary for incurred federal obligations, in the event that the public debt reaches the statutory limit, to be made available to certain obligations, in prioritized order, before all other obligations. Prioritizes such obligations in the following descending order: (1) amounts necessary to carry out the authority of the Department of the Treasury to pay with legal tender the principal and interest on public debt; (2) amounts determined by the Secretary of Defense (DOD) (and the Secretary of Homeland Security [DHS] in the case of the Coast Guard) to be necessary to continue to provide pay and allowances (without interruption) to members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, including their reserve components, who perform active service; (3) amounts necessary for the Commissioner of Social Security to pay monthly old-age, survivors', and disability insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act (SSA); (4) amounts necessary for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) to pay compensation related to a veteran's service-connected disability or death; (5) amounts certified to Congress by the President as necessary to carry out vital national security priorities; (6) amounts necessary to make payments under the Medicare program under SSA title XVIII; and (7) sability or death; (5) amounts certified to Congress by the President as necessary to carry out government functions necessary for protecting public health and public safety.

Date: 2011-07-21
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Ensuring the Full Faith and Credit of the United States and Protecting America's Soldiers and Seniors Act - Requires the following to take equal priority over all other federally incurred obligations in the event that the public debt reaches the statutory limit: (1) the authority of the Department of the Treasury to pay with legal tender the principal and interest on debt held by the public; (2) the authority of the Commissioner of Social Security to pay monthly Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance benefits under title II of the Social Security Act; and (3) the payment of pay and allowances for members of the Armed Forces on active duty.

Date: 2011-07-26
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
America Pays Its Bills Act of 2011 - Increases the statutory limit on the public debt from $14.294 trillion to $16.7 trillion.

Date: 2011-07-27
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Restoring America's Dignity Act of 2011 - Increases the public debt limit by $750 billion, effective upon adoption by the Congress of a balanced budget constitutional amendment in accordance with the requirements of this Act. Increases the public debt limit by an additional $750 billion, effective upon ratification of such amendment. Requires such a balanced budget amendment to provide, among other things, that: (1) total outlays of the United States (except those for repayment of debt principal) for any fiscal year shall not exceed total receipts (except those derived from borrowing) for that fiscal year; (2) such limitations may be suspended by a majority of the membership of both houses of Congress in the event of a declared war, or by 3/4 of the membership of Congress for any other fiscal year; (3) any bill increasing net gross federal tax receipts by levying a new tax or revenue source, or increasing the rate of any existing tax or revenue source, or by amending the terms of one or more then-existing taxes or revenue sources, shall not become law unless approved by 3/5 of the membership of Congress; (4) the President, in specified circumstances, shall have discretion to take necessary steps to ensure total outlays for that fiscal year do not exceed total receipts; (5) any Member of Congress, state governor, or state attorney general shall have standing and a cause of action to seek judicial enforcement of the amendment; and (6) after ratification of the amendment its requirements shall be phased in over 5 years according to a specified schedule.

Date: 2011-07-28
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Medicaid Protection Act of 2011 - Amends the Budget Control Act of 2011 to prohibit the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction from proposing any reductions in eligibility, payments, or benefits, or any increases in premiums or other cost-sharing that would reduce outlays for, the Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act.

Date: 2011-08-01
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Medicare Protection Act of 2011 - Amends the Budget Control Act of 2011 to prohibit the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction from proposing any reductions in eligibility, payments, or benefits, or any increases in premiums or other cost-sharing that would reduce outlays for, the Medicare program under title XVIII of the Social Security Act.

Date: 2011-08-01
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Education Protection Act of 2011 - Amends the Budget Control Act of 2011 to prohibit the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction from proposing any reductions in eligibility, payments, or benefits, or anything that otherwise reduce outlays of budget authority under, the Head Start Act or any program administered by the Secretary of Education, including any program under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, the Higher Education Act of 1965, or the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.

Date: 2011-08-01
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Debt Crisis Resolution Act of 2011 - Instructs the Secretary of the Treasury to cancel all federal public debt obligations held by the Federal Reserve System.

Date: 2011-08-01
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Emergency Jobs Now Act - Amends the Budget Control Act of 2011 to rename the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction as the Joint Select Committee on Emergency Job Creation and Deficit Reduction. Requires the Joint Committee to recommend legislative language to: (1) enact emergency jobs legislation that will create an additional three million jobs during each of calendar years 2012 and 2013, thereby reducing unemployment rates over the short-term and long-term; and (2) reduce the deficit by at least $1.5 trillion over FY2014-FY2021, as under current law. Prescribes legislative procedures for expedited consideration in both chambers of the Joint Committee's recommendations. Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to repeal the discretionary spending limits (spending caps) on new budget authority for security and nonsecurity categories for FY2012-FY2013, including those for: (1) continuing disability reviews and redeterminations under the Social Security Act, (2) the health care fraud abuse control program at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and (3) disaster relief funding. Amends the Budget Control Act of 2011 to increase the public debt limit by an amount equal to the new budget authority provided in any emergency jobs legislation approved by the Joint Committee and enacted into law.

Date: 2011-09-07
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Congress
Restoring Integrity to Public Debt Donations Act - Requires any money and proceeds from the sale of a gift of tangible property accepted by the Administrator of General Services (GSA) for the government from being deposited into any account or fund other than, as under current law, the one for public debt reduction.

Date: 2011-09-09
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Full Faith and Credit Act of 2011 - Repeals public debt limit requirements.  Limits the issuance of obligations for the public debt only to fund commitments incurred by the federal government that require current funding. (Thus eliminates the statutory cap on the public debt.)

Date: 2011-09-14
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Amends the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Control Act of 1985 (Gramm-Rudman-Hollings Act) to reduce the discretionary spending limits (spending caps) for security and nonsecurity categories for FY2013-FY2014 to the FY2012 spending level of $1.43 trillion.

Date: 2011-09-23
Topic: Macroeconomics (National Budget)
Subject: Economics and public finance