zli12321/Bills huggingface dataset:
Federal Election Administration Act of 2009 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to replace the Federal Election Commission with the Federal Election Administration (FEA) as an independent establishment to enforce federal campaign finance laws. Requires enforcement proceedings for violations of campaign finance laws to be conducted before administrative law judges. Allows any final determination made by an administrative law judge to be appealed to the FEA for final agency action, subject to judicial review. Authorizes the FEA to impose civil penalties, issue cease-and-desist orders, and report apparent criminal violations to the appropriate law enforcement authorities. Allows the FEA to conduct audits and field examinations of campaign committees. Prescribes criminal penalties for violations. Directs the Comptroller General to examine and report to Congress on the Attorney General's enforcement of the criminal provisions of federal campaign finance laws.

Date: 2009-08-07
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Protect Taxpayers From ACORN Act - Prohibits the federal government from awarding contracts, grants, or other agreements to, providing directly or indirectly any other federal funds to, or engaging in activities that promote the Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), an ACORN-related affiliate, or any organization which has a pending indictment for or has been convicted of a violation under federal or state law governing the financing of a campaign for an election for public office or the administration of such an election, including voter registration. Requires the Federal Acquisition Regulation to be revised to carry out provisions of this Act relating to contracts.

Date: 2009-10-05
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Senate Campaign Disclosure Parity Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require all election-related designations, statements, and reports required to be filed under the Act to be filed directly with the Federal Election Commission.

Date: 2009-10-22
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
American Elections Act of 2010 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to: (1) apply to any domestic corporation under foreign control or specified substantial foreign influence the ban on contributions and expenditures by foreign nationals in connection with a federal, state, or local election; and (2) require disclosure in certain print or broadcast communications paid for by a coporation the percentage of corporate voting shares controlled by a foreign national, or, if no such shares exist, the percentage of gross receipts that the corporation received from a foreign national in the immediately preceding fiscal year or current pro-rated fiscal year. Requires any such broadcast communications paid for by a corporation to include an audio statement on the percentage of the corporation's shares controlled by, or of its funds that come from, foreign nationals.

Date: 2010-01-27
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
(This measure has not been amended since it was passed by the Senate on September 24, 2010. The summary of that version is repeated here.) Pre-Election Presidential Transition Act of 2010 - Amends the Presidential Transition Act of 1963 to direct the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) to provide certain presidential transition services and facilities, including office space, equipment, and payment of certain related expenses, to eligible presidential and vice-presidential candidates before a presidential general election. Directs the President, or the President's delegate, to take necessary and appropriate actions to plan and coordinate activities by the executive branch of the federal government to facilitate an efficient transfer of power to a successor President.

Date: 2010-04-13
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Close the Revolving Door Act of 2010 - Amends the federal criminal code to impose a permanent ban (currently, a two-year ban) on lobbying contacts by any former Member of Congress or elected officer of the Senate or the House of Representatives with any Member, officer, or employee of either house of Congress or any employee of any other legislative office. Provides for a six-year lobbying ban (currently, a one-year ban) on former congressional staff. Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to: (1) require the Secretary of the Senate and the Clerk of the House of Representatives to maintain a joint Internet website for the disclosure of lobbying activity called "lobbyist.gov;" (2) require a substantial lobbying entity (defined as an incorporated entity that employs more than three federally-registered lobbyists during a filing period) to file annually with the Secretary and Clerk a list of any employee or contractor who is a former Member of Congress or congressional staff person who made at least $100,000 in any one year, who worked for a total of four years or more in that capacity, or who had a job title that contained the terms Chief of Staff, Legislative or Staff Director, Counsel, Professional Staff Member, Communications Director, or Press Secretary; (3) require the Secretary and the Clerk to provide a copy of the filings of substantial lobbying entities to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia; and (4) increase from $200,000 to $500,000 the civil penalty for intentional failure to correct a defective filing of lobbying activity. Prohibits any person who is a registered lobbyist or an agent of a foreign principal, within six years after leaving such position, from being hired by a Member or committee of either house of Congress with whom that lobbyist or agent has had substantial lobbying contact, subject to a waiver based on a compelling national need. Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit: (1) a political committee from making any expenditure or reimbursement for noncommercial air travel by a candidate for federal office; and (2) a lobbyist from making any contribution of U.S. or foreign currency to or for the benefit of any candidate for federal office.

Date: 2010-04-28
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Universal Right to Vote by Mail Act of 2010 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit a state from imposing additional conditions or requirements on the eligibility of an individual to cast a vote in federal elections by mail, except to the extent that it imposes a deadline for requesting the ballot and returning it to the appropriate state or local election official.

Date: 2010-05-04
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Vote by Mail Act of 2010 - Directs the Election Assistance Commission to establish a Vote by Mail program of grants to participating states solely for implementation of procedures for the conduct of all elections by mail at the state or local level. Directs the Comptroller General to evaluate and report to Congress on the benefits of broader implementation of mail-in voting in elections.

Date: 2010-05-04
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Online Voter Registration Act of 2010 - Directs the Election Assistance Commission to establish a program of Online Voter Registration grants to states to implement online voter registration systems.

Date: 2010-05-04
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Small Business Paperwork Mandate Elimination Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal a provision (added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) that extends to corporations that are not tax-exempt the requirement to report payments of $600 or more.

Date: 2010-07-14
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Taxation
Presidential Funding Act of 2010 - Amends the Internal Revenue Code, with respect to public financing of presidential election campaigns, to: (1) quadruple (from 1:1 to 4:1) the matching rate for contributions to primary election candidates or their authorized committees for contributions not exceeding $200 (currently, $250); (2) eliminate primary and general election spending limits on participating candidates; (3) increase the eligibility threshold for receiving matching payments from $5,000 to $25,000 in contributions from residents of each of at least 20 states; (4) limit the maximum campaign contribution by individuals to $1,000 for primaries (currently, $2,400); (5) allow an inflation adjustment for periods after 2012 for contribution limitations and matching payment amounts; (6) prohibit contributions raised by lobbyists or political action committees from qualifying for matching fund payments; (7) require candidates who accept public financing in primary elections to accept such financing in general elections; (8) change the starting date for payment of matching funds to primary candidates from January 1 of the election year to 6 months before the first presidential primary or caucus; (9) allow an equal payment to eligible candidates in a presidential election of $50 million with additional matching funds according to a specified formula; and (10) increase from $3 to $10 ($6 to $20 for joint returns) the tax checkoff for the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to: (1) increase to $50 million the limit on coordinated spending by a national party and its presidential candidate; (2) prohibit political parties from spending unregulated funds (soft money) on their national conventions; (3) prohibit an authorized committee of a candidate from establishing a joint fundraising committee with a political committee other than the candidate's authorized committee; and (4) require presidential campaign committees to disclose information about bundled campaign contributions (i.e., a series of contributions exceeding specified threshold amounts). Amends the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 to offset the cost of this Act by modifying irrigation subsidies for specified single farm operations.

Date: 2010-07-30
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Small Business Paperwork Relief Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code to repeal a provision (added by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) that extends to corporations that are not tax-exempt the requirement to report payments of $600 or more.

Date: 2010-11-15
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Taxation
Caging Prohibition Act of 2011 - Amends the federal criminal code to prohibit state or local election officials from preventing an individual from registering or voting in any election for federal office, or from permitting a formal challenge under state law to an individual's registration status or eligibility to vote, if the basis for such decision is evidence consisting of: (1) a voter caging document or voter caging list; (2) an unverified match list; (3) an error or omission on voter application or registration documents that is not material to an individual's eligibility to vote; or (4) any other evidence so designated by the Election Assistance Commission. Defines "voter caging document" as: (1) a nonforwardable document that is returned to the sender or a third party as undelivered or undeliverable despite an attempt to deliver it to the address of a registered voter or applicant; or (2) any document with instructions to an addressee that the document be returned to a sender or third party but is not so returned, despite an attempt to deliver it to the address of a registered voter, unless at least two federal election cycles have passed since the date of the attempted delivery.Defines "unverified match list" as a list produced by matching the information of registered voters or applicants to a list of individuals ineligible to vote in the registrar's jurisdiction due to death, conviction, change of address, or otherwise, unless one of the pieces of information matched includes a signature, photograph, or unique identifying number ensuring that the information from each source refers to the same individual. Requires any private individual who challenges the right of another citizen to vote to set forth in writing, under penalty of perjury, personal, first-hand knowledge establishing the grounds for ineligibility.

Date: 2011-01-05
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Robo Calls Off Phones Act or the Robo COP Act - Directs the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to revise the do-not-call registry provisions of the Telemarketing Sales Rule to prohibit politically-oriented recorded message telephone calls to telephone numbers listed on that registry. Defines a "politically-oriented recorded message telephone call" as an outbound telephone call that plays a recorded message the purpose of which is to promote, advertise, campaign, or solicit donations, for or against any political candidate or regarding any political issue or that uses any political candidate's name.

Date: 2011-01-05
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Fairness in Political Advertising Act of 2011 - Amends the Communications Act of 1934 to require each licensee for a television broadcasting station to make available free broadcast time in each even-numbered year for political advertising. Provides standards for time allotment, including total time to be allotted, the length of each unit of such free time, the hours of the day and the time of the year in which such free time must be allowed, a limitation on such free time, and the use of such free time. Requires candidates meeting certain minimum qualifying standards to be treated equally for purposes of such allotment. Provides that nothing in this Act shall restrict a candidate's right to purchase other broadcast time on such station. Requires a cable operator to make available annually free cable time for political advertising under similar requirements. Prohibits the renewal of the license of any television broadcast station licensee, or the franchise of any cable operator, that fails to comply with such requirements.

Date: 2011-01-05
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Science, technology, communications
Ethics in Foreign Lobbying Act of 2011 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit contributions and expenditures in federal elections by multicandidate political committees or separate segregated funds sponsored by foreign-controlled corporations and associations (at least 50% owned by a non-U.S. citizen or foreign national). Sets forth ownership and operating fund reporting requirements. Prohibits a foreign national from participating in the decision-making process of any person's election-related activities (such as those of a corporation, labor organization, or political committee). Establishes within the Federal Election Commission (FEC) a clearinghouse of existing public information regarding the political activities of foreign principals and agents of foreign principals. Amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act of 1938 to: (1) revise foreign agents' supplemental reporting requirements; and (2) provide civil penalties for specified reporting violations.

Date: 2011-01-05
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to reduce from $2,000 to $1,000 the maximum amount of contributions that any person may make to any candidate with respect to election for federal office. Requires adjustment to such amount (indexing) for inflation after 2014.

Date: 2011-01-12
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Leadership PAC Limitation Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit the conversion of leadership PAC funds to personal use.

Date: 2011-01-12
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to exclude executive branch officers and employees from provisions that allow nonrecognition for income tax purposes of gain from the sale of property required to comply with federal conflict of interest laws.

Date: 2011-01-12
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate: (1) the taxpayer election to designate $3 of income tax liability for financing of presidential election campaigns; (2) the Presidential Election Campaign Fund; and (3) the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account. Requires the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer all amounts in the Presidential Election Campaign Fund after its termination to the general fund of the Treasury, to be used only for deficit reduction.

Date: 2011-01-20
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Taxation
Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to permit candidates for election to federal office to: (1) designate an individual for each of a candiate's authorized campaign committees who will be authorized to disburse funds of the committee in the event of the candidate's death, and (2) designate another individual to carry out the responsibilities of the designated individual in the event of the death or incapacity of the designated individual or the designated individual's unwillingness to carry out the responsibilities. Prescribes procedures for filing and revoking such a designation. Permits the filing of a designation to contain the candidate's instructions regarding the disbursement of funds.

Date: 2011-01-24
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Presidential Funding Act - Amends the Internal Revenue Code and the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to revise the system of public financing for presidential primary and general elections. Increases the amount of matching funds for presidential primaries from a 1:1 match to a 4:1 match for contributions of $200 or less from individuals. Limits the total amount of payments to primary candidates to $100 million. Requires presidential primary candidates who opt to participate in the public financing system to certify to the Federal Election Commission (FEC) that they have raised $25,000 (currently, $5,000) in each of 20 states, with individual contributions limited to $200. Requires such candidates to commit to accept public financing in both the primary and general elections. Limits contributions to presidential primary candidates who participate in the public financing system to $1,000 from individual contributors (currently, $2,400). Prohibits such candidates from accepting contributions or bundled contributions (i.e., combining small contributions into one large contribution) from lobbyists or political action committees (PACs). Eliminates expenditure limitations for presidential primary and general elections. Changes the period for payment of matching funds to presidential primary candidates from January 1 of the election year to six months prior to the date of the earliest state primary election. Revises general election payment provisions to allow a grant of $50 million to candidates and an additional $150 million in matching funds based upon a 4:1 match of contributions raised after June 1 of the general election year from individual donors giving up to $200 each. Increases to $50 million the limit on coordinated spending by a national party and its presidential candidate. Eliminates public financing for national party conventions. Allows individual contributions up to $25,000 in each four-year presidential election cycle to pay for national party convention costs. Prohibits the use of unregulated funds (soft money) to pay for national party convention costs. Increases from $3 to $10 ($6 to $20 for joint returns) the tax check-off for contributions to the Presidential Election Campaign Fund. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to prescribe regulations to ensure that approved tax preparation software does not automatically accept or decline a check-off of contributions for the public financing system. Directs the FEC to issue regulations on best efforts for identifying persons making contributions to political committees. Revises reporting requirements for the disclosure of bundled contributions by lobbyists and to presidential campaigns.

Date: 2011-01-25
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Member Address Privacy and Protection Act - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to require the appropriate state or local official to provide adequate technological security measures to prevent the addresses of the residences of Members of Congress from appearing on the computerized statewide voter registration lists required to be maintained by states under such Act. Authorizes a Member seeking election for public office to meet any state law requirement to provide the appropriate election official with the Member's home address by filing an affidavit with the chief election official certifying that the Member is a state resident.

Date: 2011-01-25
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Congress
Election Support Consolidation and Efficiency Act - (Sec. 2) Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to terminate the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), the EAC Standards Board, and the EAC Board of Advisors 61 days after enactment of this Act. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to perform EAC functions with respect to certain existing contracts and agreements during the transition period for winding up EAC affairs. Transfers specified election administration functions of the EAC to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). (Sec. 3) Replaces the Standards Board and the Board of Advisors with a Guidelines Review Board to review voluntary voting system guidelines proposed by the Technical Guidelines Development Committee. (Sec. 4) Sets forth special requirements relating to the transfer of certain EAC authorities to the FEC with respect to development of such guidelines. Transfers to the FEC the EAC Office of Voting System Testing and Certification. (Sec. 7) Directs the Comptroller General to: (1) study the procedures used to adopt and modify the voluntary voting system guidelines applicable to the administration of elections for federal office, and (2) develop recommendations on methods to improve such procedures. Requires the FEC to: (1) study the procedures for the testing, certification, decertification, and recertification of voting system hardware and software used in federal elections, and (2) develop a recommendation on the entity best suited to oversee and carry out such procedures. Requires the recommendations in both studies to take into account the needs of persons affected by such guidelines, including state and local election officials, voters with disabilities, absent military and overseas voters, and the manufacturers of voting systems.

Date: 2011-02-11
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
No Taxpayer Money for Corporate Campaigns Act of 2011 - Prohibits: (1) the use of federal funds received by any entity, other than a natural person, to advocate the election or defeat of a political candidate or to engage in any lobbying activity; (2) use such funds for voter registration or get-out-the-vote activities; or (3) donate such funds to any entity that advocates for the election or defeat of a political candidate or engages in lobbying activities. Exempts from this ban the use of funds by an entity for an activity specifically authorized by federal law, rule, or regulation.

Date: 2011-03-10
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Fair Elections Now Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 (FECA) with respect to: (1) candidate benefits of fair elections financing of House of Representatives election campaigns; (2) allocations to candidates from the Fair Elections Fund established by this Act; (3) 500% matching payments to candidates for certain small dollar contributions; (4) Fund allocation eligibility requirements; (5) certification of a federal election candidate as a participating candidate; (6) contribution, expenditure, and fundraising requirements; (7) a public debate requirement; (8) remission to the Fair Elections Fund of unspent funds after an election; (9) establishment of the Fair Elections Fund and of a Fair Elections Oversight Board; (10) civil penalties for violation of contribution and expenditure requirements; and (11) transfer of a portion of collected civil money penalties into the Fair Elections Fund. Prohibits: (1) use of contributions by a participating candidate for any purposes other than an election campaign, and (2) establishment of joint fundraising committees with any political committee other than a candidate's authorized committee. Prescribes a limitation on coordinated expenditures by political party committees with participating candidates. Amends FECA to empower the Federal Election Commission (FEC) to petition the U.S. Supreme Court for a writ of certiorari to appeal a civil action. Requires all designations, statements, and reports required to be filed under FECA to be filed: (1) directly with the FEC, and (2) in electronic form accessible by computers. Reduces from 48 hours to 24 hours after their receipt the deadline for the FEC to make designations, statements, reports, or notifications available to the public in the FEC office and on the Internet.

Date: 2011-04-06
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Congress
License Plate Political Slush Fund Prevention Act of 2011 - Requires the Secretary of Transportation (DOT) to withhold 15% of a state's apportionment of certain federal-aid highway funds if the state allows proceeds from license plate sales to go to partisan political organizations. Requires funds withheld from a state to be deposited in the Treasury and used for deficit (or, if there is no federal budget deficit, to reduce the federal debt).

Date: 2011-05-02
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Transportation and public works
Fairness in Federal Contracting Act of 2011 - Prohibits an executive agency from requiring an entity that is bidding on a federal contract or otherwise participating in the acquisition of property or services from the federal government to disclose information on any payments to a candidate for federal office or to a political committee or on any disbursements for such purposes, as a condition for submitting such contract bid or for participating in the acquisition of property or services.

Date: 2011-05-13
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
State Ethics Law Protection Act of 2011 - Considers a state transportation department not to have violated federal contract requirements for the construction of a federal-aid highway project solely because the state in which the department is located, or a local government within that state, has in effect a law or order that limits the amount of money an individual or entity doing business with a state or local agency with respect to such a project may contribute to a political party, campaign, or elected official (pay to play).

Date: 2011-05-13
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Transportation and public works
EAC Improvements Act of 2011 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to: (1) reauthorize the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), and (2) require states to participate in post-general election surveys. Requires the EAC to: (1) conduct and publish a survey of each polling place used in an election to determine the percentage of them in compliance with standards under the Americans with Disabilities Act; (2) establish an escrow account for making payments to accredited laboratories for the costs of the testing carried out in connection with the certification, decertification, and recertification of voting system hardware and software; (3) establish a schedule of fees for such testing; and (4) maintain and publish an updated list of all accredited laboratories. Directs the EAC to analyze various factors that affect the costs to state and local governments of administering elections for federal office. Directs the Comptroller General to study the administrative operations of the EAC, including various methods for increasing their efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Date: 2011-05-23
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Restoring Confidence Through Smarter Campaigns Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to limit expenditures by candidates for the House of Representatives to $500,000 during the election cycle ($250,000 for a primary election and $250,000 for a general election). Sets at $250,000 the maximum amount of expenditures which may be made for a runoff election ($125,000 for a primary runoff election and $125,000 for a general runoff election). Excludes from such limits expenditures for legal services. Provides for indexing such amounts for inflation.

Date: 2011-05-26
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Universal Right to Vote by Mail Act of 2011 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit a state from imposing additional conditions or requirements on the eligibility of an individual to cast a vote in federal elections by mail, except to the extent that it imposes a deadline for requesting the ballot and returning it to the appropriate state or local election official.

Date: 2011-06-02
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Lobbyist Disclosure Enhancement Act  - Requires the Attorney General to establish the Lobbying Disclosure Act Enforcement Task Force.  Grants such Task Force primary responsibility for investigating and prosecuting each case referred to the Attorney General under the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995.  Requires such Task Force to: (1) collect and disseminate information on the enforcement of such Act; (2) audit at least annually the extent of compliance with such Act; and (3) establish, publicize, and operate a toll-free telephone hotline for members of the public to report noncompliance with lobbyist disclosure requirements. Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to: (1) require notifications of noncompliance of lobbyist diclosure requirements to the Attorney General (instead of  the U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia); (2) amend the definition of "lobbyist" under such Act to eliminate the exemption from such Act of certain lobbyists who work for a client on a part-time basis; (3) require lobbyists to register with the Senate and House of Representatives within 5 days after a lobbying contact (currently, 45 days); and (4) expand disclosure requirements relating to contacts with executive and legislative branch officials and political contributions.

Date: 2011-06-23
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Voter Protection Hotline Act of 2011 - Directs the Attorney General (AG) to establish and operate a toll-free telephone service, using a telephone number accessible throughout the United States using easily identifiable numerals, through which individuals may: (1) obtain information on voting in elections for federal office, including how to register to vote, the hours of operation of polling places, and how to obtain absentee ballots; and (2) report problems encountered in registering to vote or voting, including incidences of voter intimidation or suppression. Requires the AG to: (1) appoint individuals to a Voter Hotline Task Force, giving special consideration to individuals representing civil rights organizations, for ongoing analysis and assessment of the telephone service's operation; and (2) submit a report to Congress each odd-numbered year concerning voter intimidation or suppression reports made to the hotline and assessing the availability of the service to all U.S. households with telephone service.

Date: 2011-07-14
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Competitive Elections Act of 2011 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to prohibit an authorized committee of a candidate for election to the U.S. Senate or the House of Representatives from making any expenditure of funds in support of the candidate's election campaign that were not deposited in the committee's account during the election cycle for the office involved. Makes an exception to this prohibition for candidates facing certain opponents who make expenditures from personal funds exceeding specified dollar amounts.

Date: 2011-08-01
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Deficit Committee Transparency Act - Amends the Budget Control Act of 2011 to require any member of the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, and any individual on the committee staff or the personal staff of a committee member, to disclose any meeting, within 48 hours after it takes place, with any other individual relating to matters before the committee if the individual: (1) is a registered lobbyist or agent of a foreign principal; (2) has any direct personal or pecuniary interest in any legislative measure pending before the House of Representatives or the Senate or reported by a committee of either chamber; or (3) is in the employ of or represents any party or organization for the purpose of influencing, directly or indirectly, the passage, defeat, or amendment of any legislative proposal. Requires any member of the Joint Committee who is a candidate with an authorized committee or who is a candidate or an individual holding federal office affiliated with a leadership political action committee (PAC) to disclose, within 48 hours of receipt,  any contribution such committee or leadership PAC receives from an individual, or any entity, which: (1) is a registered lobbyist or agent of a foreign principal; (2)  the authorized committee or leadership PAC, using its best efforts, determines is in the employ of or represents any party or organization for the purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the passage, defeat, or amendment of any legislative proposal; or (3) makes a single contribution in excess of $500. Requires the Co-Chairs of the Joint Committee, before its first meeting,  to establish a public website containing: (1)  such disclosures of lobbying activities and meetings, and of campaign or Member-designated leadership PAC contributions; (2)  the final report on specified activities and contributions; and (3) such other information the Joint Committee or its staff deems necessary and beneficial to inform the public of  its proceedings, deliberations, and deadlines. Requires the Joint Committee's proposed report and legislative language to be made publicly available on its website at least 72 hours before the vote on such measures. Requires any hearing of the Joint Committee open to the public to be open to coverage by audio and visual means, including in a format that is streaming on the Internet via the Joint Committee's website.

Date: 2011-09-07
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Economics and public finance
Voter Access Protection Act of 2011 - Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to prohibit a state or local election official from requiring an individual to: (1) present a photo identification (or a copy if voting by mail) as a condition for receiving or casting a ballot in any election for federal office, or (2) cast a provisional ballot solely on the grounds that the individual does not present a photo identification at the polling place. Prohibits a state or local election election official from requiring an individual to provide a photo identification (or a copy if registering by mail) as a condition of registering to vote in an election for federal office.

Date: 2011-11-02
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Amends the Internal Revenue Code to terminate as of December 31, 2010, taxpayer financing of presidential election campaigns. Abolishes the Presidential Election Campaign Fund and the Presidential Primary Matching Payment Account. Directs the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer all amounts remaining in the Fund after enactment of this Act to the general fund of the Treasury to reduce the deficit. Amends the Help America Vote Act of 2002 to terminate the Election Assistance Commission (EAC), the EAC Standards Board, and the EAC Board of Advisors 61 days after enactment of this Act. Requires the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to perform EAC functions with respect to certain existing contracts and agreements during the transition period for winding up EAC affairs. Transfers specified election administration functions of the EAC to the Federal Election Commission (FEC). Replaces the Standards Board and the Board of Advisors with a Guidelines Review Board to review voluntary voting system guidelines proposed by the Technical Guidelines Development Committee. Sets forth special requirements relating to the transfer of certain EAC authorities to the FEC with respect to development of such guidelines. Transfers to the FEC the EAC Office of Voting System Testing and Certification. Directs the Comptroller General to: (1) study the procedures used to adopt and modify the voluntary voting system guidelines applicable to the administration of elections for federal office, and (2) develop recommendations on methods to improve such procedures. Requires the FEC to: (1) study the procedures for the testing, certification, decertification, and recertification of voting system hardware and software used in federal elections; and (2) develop a recommendation on the entity best suited to oversee and carry out such procedures. Requires the recommendations in both studies to take into account the needs of persons affected by such guidelines, including state and local election officials, voters with disabilities, absent military and overseas voters, and the manufacturers of voting systems.

Date: 2011-11-17
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Amends the federal criminal code to replace the current two-year ban on lobbying contacts by former Senators and one-year ban on lobbying contacts by former Members of the House of Representatives with any Member, officer, or employee of either chamber with an outright ban at any time on such contacts, subject to fines and/or imprisonment. Specifies a one-year ban on lobbying contacts by former elected officers of the House with any House Member, officer, or employee.

Date: 2011-11-18
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Stand By Every Ad Act of 2011 - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require the identification of funding and authorizing sources in communications expressly advocating the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate (as under current law) or which consist of the functional equivalent of express advocacy. Prescribes special rules for express advocacy radio and television communications which are not authorized by a candidate, an authorized political committee of a candidate, or its agents. Requires individual disclosure statements about the head of the entity paying for the communication and about any other person that disbursed funds to the entity to finance the communication. Requires disclosure of such identifying information within audio and video communications made through the Internet or e-mail. Applies such disclosure requirements to prerecorded telephone calls.

Date: 2011-12-07
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Prevent Insider Trading by Elected Officials Act - Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to require the President, Vice President, and each Member of Congress to place all of his or her stocks, bonds, commodities futures, and other forms of securities, including securities held jointly with a spouse, in a qualified blind trust. Exempts from such requirement any financial interests in or income derived from: (1) the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS), including the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP); (2) any other federal retirement system for U.S. officers and employees, including the President, or for members of the uniformed services; or (3) benefits received under the Social Security Act. Requires such individuals to comply with this Act within 30 days after taking office, or, if an incumbent, within 30 days after enactment of this Act. Allows the President and Vice President to file with the Director of the Office of Government Ethics for an additional 30-day extension in order to comply with this Act. Allows a Member of Congress to file, as appropriate, with the Clerk of the House of Representatives or the Secretary of the Senate for such 30-day extension. Authorizes the Attorney General to bring a civil action against the President, the Vice President, or any Member of Congress for noncompliance with this Act.

Date: 2011-12-13
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Congress
Sunlight Act of 2012 - Amends the Ethics in Government Act of 1978 to require annual financial disclosure statements of Members of Congress and congressional officers and employees to include the exact dollar amount. Requires such reports filed with the Clerk of the House or the Secretary of the Senate (as well as travel-related information) to be made available to the general public on the Internet. Amends Rule II (Other Officers and Officials) of the Rules of the House of Representatives to require, during general debate on any measure, the Clerk to project on a wall of the Hall of the House the subject matter of that debate so that it is visible to Members and to visitors in the gallery. Amends Rule XXI (Restrictions on Certain Bills) to make it out of order to consider: (1) any bill, joint resolution, or conference report unless it is made available to Members and the general public on the Internet for at least 48 hours before its consideration; or (2) any amendment unless it is made available on the Internet within one hour after it is filed (if made in order by a rule) or immediately (if offered under an open rule). Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to require all mandatory reports to be filed in an electronic form accessible by computers. Revises requirements for mandatory reports on contributions made to any political committee shortly before an election. Extends from 20 days before to 30 days before the election the beginning of the look-back period for such contributions, and from 48 hours before the election to the closing of the polls the end of the look-back period. Applies the requirements to any contribution (currently, only those of $1,000 or more). Requires such reports to be made within 24 hours after receipt or, if earlier, by midnight of the day on which the contribution is deposited (currently, within 48 hours after receipt).

Date: 2012-02-03
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Congress
Prohibits Members of Congress, senior congressional staffers, and administration executives from purchasing or selling registered securities, futures, swaps, security futures products, security-based swaps, and options on them, subject to specified exceptions. Subjects any person who violates such requirement to specified federal administrative penalties relating to material nonpublic information received in the course of employment. Prohibits senior executives at the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) (government-sponsored enterprises [GSEs])from receiving bonuses during any period of conservatorship on or after the enactment of this Act.

Date: 2012-02-09
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Congress
Disclosure of Information on Spending on Campaigns Leads to Open and Secure Elections Act of 2012 or DISCLOSE 2012 Act - Amends the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 to redefine the term "independent expenditure" as an expenditure by a person that, when taken as a whole, expressly advocates the election or defeat of a clearly identified candidate, or is the functional equivalent of express advocacy because it can be interpreted by a reasonable person only as advocating the election or defeat of a candidate, taking into account whether the communication involved mentions a candidacy, a political party, or a challenger to a candidate, or takes a position on a candidates, qualifications, or fitness for office. Expands the period during which certain communications are treated as electioneering communications. Prescribes: (1) disclosure requirements for corporations, labor organizations, and certain other entities; and (2) disclaimer requirements for campaign-related disbursements and for certain communications. Requires any communication transmitted through radio or television to include an individual or organizational disclosure statement, together with: (1) the Top Two Funders List of the persons providing the largest and second largest aggregate payments of $10,000 or more for a radio communication, and (2) the Top Five Funders List of the five persons providing the largest aggregate payments of $10,000 or more for a television communication. Repeals the prohibition against political contributions by individuals age 17 or younger. Requires a covered organization which submits regular, periodic reports to its shareholders, members, or donors on its finances or activities to include in each report, in a clear and conspicuous manner, the information included in the statements it has filed about campaign-related disbursements the organization has made during the period covered by the report. Amends the Lobbying Disclosure Act of 1995 to require semiannual reports on certain election campaign contributions filed with the Secretary of the Senate or the Clerk of the House of Representatives by registered lobbyists (or persons or organizations required to register as lobbyists) to contain: (1) the amount of any independent expenditure of $1,000 or more made by each such person or organization, along with the name of each candidate being supported or opposed and the amount spent supporting or opposing that candidate; and (2) the amount of any electioneering communication of $1,000 or more made by such person or organization, along with the name of the candidate referred to in the communication and whether the communication involved was in support of or in opposition to the candidate.

Date: 2012-02-09
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics
Stop the Revolving Door in Washington Act - Amends the federal criminal code regarding the two-year ban on lobbying contacts by former Senators with any Member, officer, or employee of either chamber, or employee of any other legislative office. Imposes: (1) a five-year lobbying ban on all former Members of Congress; and (2) a two-year (currently, one-year) ban on lobbying contacts by former elected officers of either chamber, former congressional employees, or former employees of any other legislative office with any Member, officer, or employee.

Date: 2012-02-14
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Crime and law enforcement
Voter ID Accessibility Act of 2012 - Amends the Voter Registration Act of 1993 to require states that have in effect a photo identification requirement as a condition for voting in a federal election to provide individuals who do not have a government-issued photo identification with such an identification, without charge, upon request.

Date: 2012-03-01
Topic: Government Operations (Political Campaigns)
Subject: Government operations and politics