Bill· SS. 3003 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 11 December 2014
Protecting Social Security Disability Act of 2014 - Amends title II (Old, Age and Survivors Disability Insurance) (OASDI) of the Social Security Act (SSAct) to revise the Disability Insurance program to declare any individual who is entitled to both an old-age insurance benefit and a disability insurance benefit for a month to be entitled only to the old-age insurance benefit for that month, except those whose medical improvement is not expected. Directs the Commissioner of Social Security to establish a system for classifying any individual who is determined to be entitled to disability insurance benefits or to monthly OASDI benefits in a specified manner on the basis of the expectation of medical improvement. Revises continuing disability review standards. Time-limits disability benefits for certain individuals. Prohibits age from being considered a vocational factor for any individual who has not attained the age 12 years below the retirement age. Amends the Internal Revenue Code to require all W-2s to be submitted electronically, with a hardship exception for certain small businesses. Amends SSAct title II to: (1) eliminate the reconsideration review level for an initial adverse determination of an application for disability insurance benefits, and (2) require any such determination to be reviewed before an administrative law judge (ALJ). Modifies the deadline for the submission of medical evidence. Directs the Commissioner to establish: (1) disability hearing attorney positions within the Office of Appellate Operations of the Social Security Administration (SSA), as well as (2) procedural rules for hearings. Requires attorneys to certify to the Commissioner that they have never been disbarred or suspended from any court or relinquished a license in the face of a misconduct investigation. Subjects ALJs to the Code of Conduct for United States Judges. Directs the Commissioner to ensure that all ALJs within the Office of Disability Adjudication and Review receive training on how to evaluate medical evidence appropriately. Requires the Commissioner to establish rules and regulations relating to the fees payable to representatives of individuals claiming entitlement to disability insurance benefits, in particular to prohibit SSA reimbursement of a representative for travel expenses. Requires the Inspector General to review the practices of a sample of the highest-earning claimant representatives to ensure compliance with SSA policies. Directs the Division of Quality of the SSA Office of Appellate Operations to: (1) review a sample of determinations by outlier ALJs that individuals are entitled to disability insurance benefits, and (2) identify any determinations not supported by the evidence. Requires any amounts made available by the SSA for Social Security program integrity spending to be included in a separate account within the federal budget and funded in a separate account in the appropriate annual appropriations bill. Requires the Commissioner to consult the National Directory of New Hires when determining whether an individual is making above the substantial gainful activity limits. Amends SSA title XI to eliminate the Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program. Directs the Commissioner to: (1) establish a Work Incentive Benefit System under which an eligible individual entitled to a disability insurance benefit may elect to return to employment and receive an adjusted disability insurance benefit amount, and (2) conduct a demonstration project designed to examine the effectiveness of providing targeted early-intervention support to eligible individuals. Prohibits an eligible individual who elects to participate in such demonstration project from being eligible for disability assistance for as long as the individual receives assistance through the demonstration project. Directs the Commissioner to study whether reducing the rate at which an employer is taxed with respect to OASDI in exchange for the employer's offering its employees private disability insurance, and other disability supports, would be an effective means of reducing the rate at which such employees enter the disability insurance program.
Bill· SS. 2927 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 13 November 2014
Inspectors General Streamlining Act - Amends the Inspector General Act of 1978 to authorize each federal agency inspector general, in conducting an audit, investigation, inspection, evaluation, or other review authorized by such Act, to compare any records with other records or non-federal records. Provides that such comparison of records shall not be considered a matching program for purposes of the Privacy Act of 1974 or any other provision of law.
Law· SS. 2917 (113th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 12 November 2014
Adding Ebola to the FDA Priority Review Voucher Program Act - Amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to add filoviruses, a family of viruses that includes the Ebola virus, to the list of tropical diseases under the priority review voucher program, which awards vouchers to sponsors of human drug applications that are approved to prevent or treat tropical diseases. (A voucher entitles the holder to have a future human drug application acted upon by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) within six months.) Changes the process by which infectious diseases that do not significantly impact developed nations and disproportionately affect poor and marginalized populations can be designated as tropical diseases from rulemaking to order of the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS). Allows priority review vouchers to be transferred between sponsors of human drug applications any number of times. Reduces from 365 days to 90 days the advance notice required before submitting a human drug application subject to a priority review voucher.
Bill· SS. 2873 (113th)open
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2014
National Park System Donor Acknowledgment Act of 2014 - Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to authorize donor acknowledgments (a statement, logo, trademark, proper legal name, or other reasonable form of credit) at a a visitor center or administrative structure to recognize contributions for a museum collection or landscape feature at a unit of the National Park System. Requires such donor acknowledgments to be displayed in a manner approved by the Secretary and for a period determined by the Secretary to be commensurate with the amount of the contribution and the life of the structure. Allows such donor acknowledgments: (1) to be affixed to benches, furnishings, bricks, vehicles, walls, pathways, plazas, and staircases or, for those associated with land, water, vegetation, an item in a museum collection, or a historic structure, to be freestanding; and (2) to include acknowledgments on digital and media platforms. Repeals a provision prohibiting acknowledgments of donor contributions to commemorative works in the District of Columbia and its environs. Authorizes the Secretary or the Administrator of General Services (GSA) to acknowledge or permit a sponsor to acknowledge donor contributions at such a commemorative work if such acknowledgement: (1) is displayed inside an associated ancillary structure or as part of a landscape feature, (2) is freestanding, and (3) conforms to applicable National Park Service or GSA guidelines. Requires the sponsor to bear all expenses related to such display. Applies these provisions to any commemorative work dedicated after January 1, 2010.
Bill· SS. 2852 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2014
State Regulatory Representation Clarification Act of 2014 - Amends the Federal Deposit Insurance Act to require that one of the presidential appointees to the Board of Directors of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) once served as a state bank supervisor.
Bill· SS. 2904 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 18 September 2014
Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act - Revises the authority the Secretary of Defense (DOD) to transfer excess DOD property, including small arms and ammunition, to federal and state agencies for law enforcement activities to: repeal provisions authorizing the transfer of property the Secretary determines is suitable for use in counter-drug and counter-terrorism activities; repeal provisions directing the Secretary to carry out such transfers in consultation with the Director of National Drug Control Policy; condition such a transfer on the recipient certifying that it has the personnel and technical capacity to operate the property and will return property determined to be surplus to its needs; prohibit the transfer of specified weapons, materials, and equipment, including explosive ordnance, drones, and assault vehicles; and condition continuation of such program on the Secretary certifying that, for the prior fiscal year, recipients demonstrated 100% accountability for transferred property and complied with program requirements or were suspended or terminated from the program. Requires the Secretary to: (1) report to Congress and obtain prior approval by law before transferring any DOD property not previously made available for transfer; and (2) submit an annual written certification that a recipient has accounted for, and met transfer conditions for, any such transferred property. Requires the Defense Logistics Agency to maintain an Internet website on such transfers, unaccounted-for property, and suspended or terminated recipients. Prohibits the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from permitting awards under a preparedness grant program to be used to buy, maintain, alter, deploy, or provide training in the use of specified tactical, surveillance, or explosives equipment, vehicles, or canines. Amends the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 to prohibit the use of Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant funds for the purchase, maintenance, alteration, or operation of lethal weapons or less-lethal weapons.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 539 (113th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 9 September 2014
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable James M. Jeffords, former member of the United States Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns September 9, 2014, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Jeffords.
Bill· SS. 2732 (113th)open
United States · United States Congress · 31 July 2014
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Examination and Reporting Threshold Act of 2014 - Amends the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 to raise the examination threshold that brings an insured depository institution or insured credit union within its supervisory purview from assets of $10 billion or more to assets of $50 billion or more. Increases from assets of $10 billion or less to assets of $50 billion or less the size of an insured depository institution or insured credit union that is subject to the Act's reporting requirements.
Bill· SS. 2678 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2014
American Burying Beetle Relief Act of 2014 - Removes the United States Fish and Wildlife Service's listing of the American burying beetle as an endangered species under the Endangered Species Act. Prohibits the beetle from being listed as a threatened or endangered species.
Bill· SS. 2677 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 29 July 2014
Lesser Prairie Chicken Voluntary Recovery Act of 2014 - Removes the Department of the Interior's listing of the lesser prairie chicken as threatened under the Endangered Species Act of 1973. Prohibits further treatment of the species as threatened or endangered before January 31, 2020. Requires Interior to monitor and submit an annual report on progress in the conservation of the lesser prairie chicken under: the Lesser Prairie-Chicken Range-Wide Conservation Plan of the Western Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, all related Candidate Conservation Agreements (agreements to voluntarily undertake measures to conserve a covered species), all related Candidate Conservation Agreements With Assurances (agreements to voluntarily undertake measures to conserve a covered species with assurances that additional measures will not be imposed if the species becomes listed in the future), conservation programs administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), state conservation programs, and private conservation efforts. Prohibits the lesser prairie chicken from being treated as threatened or endangered beginning on January 31, 2020, unless Interior publishes a determination that conservation efforts under the Range-Wide Plan, agreements, programs, and efforts have not achieved the Plan's conservation goals.
Law· SS. 2651 (113th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 24 July 2014
DHS OIG Mandates Revision Act of 2014 - Repeals requirements that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Inspector General: (1) conduct an annual evaluation of the cargo inspection targeting system for international intermodal cargo containers; (2) conduct an annual review of the performance by the Coast Guard of its missions, with particular emphasis on its non-homeland security missions; (3) authenticate the National Drug Control Program agencies' annual detailed accounting of all funds expended by such agencies for Program activities for the preceding year prior to its submission to the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy; and (4) annually audit and report on the use and effectiveness of DHS grants to a sample of states and high-risk urban areas to prevent, prepare for, protect against, or respond to natural disasters, acts of terrorism, or other man-made disasters.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 512 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 23 July 2014
Urges the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to withdraw the proposed rules entitled: (1) "Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Generating Units," and (2) "Carbon Pollution Standards for Modified and Reconstructed Stationary Sources: Electric Generating Units."
Bill· SS. 2640 (113th)open
United States · United States Congress · 22 July 2014
Presidential Library Donation Reform Act of 2014 - Requires each presidential library fundraising organization to submit quarterly reports to the National Archives and Records Administration on all contributions of $200 or more whether monetary or in-kind for the quarterly period. Requires the Archivist of the United States to publish such information on the website of the National Archives within 30 days after each submission. Makes it unlawful for contributors or fundraising organizations to knowingly and willfully submit materially false information or omit material information. Prescribes criminal penalties for violation of such prohibitions.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 503 (113th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2014
Designates September 2014 as National Child Awareness Month to: (1) promote awareness of charities benefiting children and youth-serving organizations throughout the United States, and (2) recognize efforts made by those charities and organizations on behalf of children and youth as critical contributions to the future of the United States.
Bill· SS. 2617 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 16 July 2014
Davis-Bacon Repeal Act - Repeals the Davis-Bacon Act (which requires that the locally prevailing wage rate be paid to various classes of laborers and mechanics working under federally-financed or federally-assisted contracts for construction, alteration, and repair of public buildings or public works). States that references in any law to a wage requirement of the Davis-Bacon Act after enactment of this Act shall be null and void.
Bill· SS. 2611 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 15 July 2014
Helping Unaccompanied Minors and Alleviating National Emergency Act or the HUMANE Act - Amends the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 to declare that any unaccompanied alien child (UAC) who has not been a victim of a severe form of trafficking in persons or does not have a credible fear of persecution on returning to his or her country of nationality or of last habitual residence shall be: (1) placed in removal proceedings, (2) eligible for voluntary departure at no cost to the child, and (3) provided with access to counsel. (Currently such expedited removal requirements apply only to unaccompanied children from countries that are contiguous to the United States.) Directs the Secretary of State to negotiate agreements regarding the repatriation of children with Canada, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and any other appropriate foreign country. (Currently such agreements are to be negotiated between the United States and countries contiguous to the United States.) Requires a UAC to be placed within seven days of initial screening in a proceeding to expedite due process and screening. Prohibits a UAC to be removed from U.S. custody during preliminary proceedings until repatriation or unless placed in removal proceedings. Amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to establish a proceeding to expedite due process and screening for UACs. Requires an immigration judge to: conduct a proceeding to inspect and determine the status of a UAC who is an applicant for U.S. admission not later than 7 days after initial screening, determine within 72 hours of the proceeding's conclusion whether a UAC is likely to be admissible (or eligible for relief from removal) or is lawfully present in the United States, and place a UAC in further proceedings if such conditions have been met or order a UAC removed from the United States without further hearing or review unless there is a claim of asylum or a credible fear of persecution. States that: if a UAC intends to make a claim of asylum or fear of persecution he or she shall be referred to an asylum officer who shall determine in an interview whether there is a credible fear of persecution; if there is no credible fear of persecution a UAC shall be ordered removed without further hearing or review; and a UAC shall be held in protective Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) custody pending a final determination of credible fear of persecution, or removal. Sets forth due process protections for UACs, including protective HHS custody. Directs the Attorney General (DOJ) to hire or reassign up to 40 immigration judges to conduct expedited inspection and screening of UACs. Prohibits the Secretary of HHS from placing a UAC in the custody of an individual who has been convicted of a sex offense or a crime involving a severe form of trafficking in persons. Requires related biometric criminal background checks. Requires the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to submit to Congress a comprehensive strategy for: (1) gaining and maintaining situational awareness and operational control of high traffic areas along the U.S. southern and northern borders within two years, and (2) gaining and maintaining operational control along the southwest border of the United States not later than five years. Requires the Secretary to submit a related implementation plan to Congress and the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Requires the Secretary of DHS to implement metrics to measure the effectiveness of security at and between ports of entry and in the maritime environment. Prohibits the Secretary of DHS from conducting any study relating to the imposition of a border crossing fee for pedestrians or passenger vehicles at land ports of entry along the U.S. southern and northern borders. Directs the Secretary of DHS to: (1) upgrade technological assets and equipment and physical and tactical infrastructure on the southern border, and (2) increase the number of trained active-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers on the southern border. Authorizes funds under this Act to be expended, with the approval of the Secretary of Defense (DOD) and the Secretary of HHS, for the governor of a state to order any units or personnel of the state's National Guard to perform specified operations on the southern border. Directs the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to enhance law enforcement preparedness, humanitarian responses, and operational readiness along the southern border through Operation Stonegarden.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 496 (113th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 7 July 2014
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Alan John Dixon, former member of the U.S. Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns July 7, 2014, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Dixon.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 494 (113th)open
United States · United States Congress · 26 June 2014
Declares that the Senate has heard with profound sorrow and deep regret the announcement of the death of the Honorable Howard H. Baker, Jr., former member of the U.S. Senate. Declares that when the Senate adjourns June 26, 2014, it stand adjourned as a further mark of respect to the memory of Senator Baker, Jr.
Law· SS. 2519 (113th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2014
National Cybersecurity and Communications Integration Center Act of 2014 - Amends the Homeland Security Act of 2002 to authorize an operations center in the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to carry out the responsibilities of the DHS Under Secretary responsible for overseeing critical infrastructure protection, cybersecurity, and related DHS programs with respect to security and resilience. Specifies activities that may be carried out, including: (1) federal civilian information sharing; (2) sharing of cybersecurity threat, vulnerability, impact, and incident information and analysis by and among federal, state, and local government entities and private sector entities; and (3) providing technical assistance and recommendations to federal and non-federal entities. Requires the operations center to be composed of: (1) representatives of federal agencies, including civilian and law enforcement agencies and elements of the intelligence community; and (2) state and local governments and other non-federal entities, including private sector owners and operators of critical information systems. Provides the Under Secretary with discretion as to whether governmental or private entities are included in the operations center or are provided assistance or information.
Law· SS. 2521 (113th)enacted
United States · United States Congress · 24 June 2014
Federal Information Security Modernization Act of 2014 - Amends the Federal Information Security Management Act of 2002 (FISMA) to: (1) reestablish the oversight authority of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) with respect to agency information security policies, and (2) set forth authority for the Secretary of Homeland Security (DHS) to carry out the operational aspects of such policies for information systems. Requires the Secretary to develop and oversee implementation of operational directives to agencies to implement the Director's standards and guidelines, as well as the requirements of this Act. Authorizes the Director to repeal operational directives that are not in accordance with the Director's policies. Requires the Secretary (currently, the Director) to ensure the operation of the federal information security incident center (FISIC). Provides for OMB's information security authorities to be delegated to the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) for certain systems operated by an element of the intelligence community. Directs agency heads to ensure that: (1) senior agency officials, including chief information officers, carry out their information security responsibilities; and (2) all personnel are held accountable for complying with the agency-wide information security program. Requires agencies to notify Congress of discovered security incidents within seven days. Directs agencies to submit an annual report regarding major incidents to OMB, DHS, Congress, and the Comptroller General (GAO). Authorizes GAO to provide technical assistance to agencies and inspectors general, including by testing information security controls and procedures. Directs FISIC to provide agencies with intelligence about cyber threats, vulnerabilities, and incidents for risk assessments. Requires OMB to revise OMB Circular A-130 to eliminate inefficient and wasteful reporting. Directs the Information Security and Privacy Advisory Board to advise and provide annual reports to DHS. Requires OMB to establish procedures for agencies to follow in the event of a breach involving disclosure of personally identifiable information, including requirements for notice to affected individuals, FISIC, and Congress.
Bill· SS. 2496 (113th)open
United States · United States Congress · 19 June 2014
Protecting Water and Property Rights Act of 2014 - Prohibits the Secretary of the Army and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from: (1) finalizing the proposed rule entitled "Definition of `Waters of the United States' Under the Clean Water Act"; or (2) using the proposed rule, or any substantially similar proposed rule or guidance, as the basis for any rulemaking or any decision regarding the scope or enforcement of the Federal Water Pollution Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act). Provides that the use of the proposed rule, or any substantially similar proposed rule or guidance, as the basis for any rulemaking or any decision regarding the scope or enforcement of the Clean Water Act shall be grounds for vacating the final rule, decision, or enforcement action.
Resolution· SRESS.Res. 471 (113th)passed
United States · United States Congress · 11 June 2014
Honors former President George H.W. Bush on the occasion of his 90th birthday.
Bill· SS. 2436 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 5 June 2014
Empower Employees Act of 2014 - Prohibits federal agencies, including executive, legislative, and judicial agencies, the United States Postal Service (USPO), the Postal Regulatory Commission (PRC), and the government of the District of Columbia, from deducting labor organization fees from the salaries of their employees.
Bill· SS. 2424 (113th)referred
United States · United States Congress · 3 June 2014
Veterans Choice Act of 2014 - Requires hospital care and medical services to be furnished to veterans through contracts with Medicare providers if the veterans: (1) have been unable to schedule an appointment at a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility within the Veterans Health Administration's (VHA's) wait-time goals for hospital care or medical services, and (2) opt for care or services from such providers. Directs the VA Secretary to provide veterans with information about the availability of care and services from Medicare providers when they: (1) enroll in the VA patient enrollment system, and (2) attempt to schedule an appointment for VA hospital care or medical services but are unable to do so within VHA's wait-time goals. Terminates this Act's requirement that the Secretary furnish care and services through contracts with Medicare providers two years after the Secretary publishes interim final regulations implementing the program. Expresses the sense of Congress that the Secretary must comply with the prompt payment rule or any similar regulation or ruling in paying for health care under contracts with non-VA providers. Requires the Secretary to ensure that scheduling and wait-time metrics or goals are not used as factors in determining the performance of: (1) directors, associate directors, assistant directors, deputy directors, chiefs of staff, and clinical leads of VA medical centers; and (2) directors, assistant directors, and quality management officers of the Veterans Integrated Service Networks (VISNs). Directs the Secretary to modify the performance plans of the directors of VA medical centers and VISNs to ensure that such plans are based on the quality of care received by veterans at the health care facilities under their jurisdiction. Requires the Secretary to publish: (1) within 90 days after this Act's enactment, VA's wait-time goals for the scheduling of a veterans' appointment for health care; and (2) within one year after this Act's enactment, the current wait times for an appointment for primary care and specialty care at each VA medical center. Directs the Secretary to develop, update, and make publicly available a comprehensive database containing all applicable patient safety, quality of care, and outcome measures for VA health care that are tracked by the Secretary. Requires the Secretary to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide the HHS Secretary with the information needed to make VA medical center patient quality and outcome information publicly available through HHS's Hospital Compare website. Requires: (1) the VA website to include a link to the VA's health care providers database that provides veterans with the location of each VA physician's residency training, and (2) each veteran who is to undergo a surgical procedure by or through the VA to be provided information on the credentials of the surgeon who is to perform the procedure. Directs the Comptroller General (GAO) to submit an assessment to Congress of: (1) the manner in which contractors under the VA's Patient-Centered Community Care initiative oversee the credentials of physicians within their networks, and (2) VA's oversight of the contracts under the Patient-Centered Community Care initiative. Requires the annual budget that the President submits to Congress to include specified information regarding: (1) the cost of providing, and the number of veterans receiving, medical care through contracts with Medicare providers; and (2) the number of VA employees on paid administrative leave during the preceding fiscal year. Directs the Secretary to establish policies penalizing VA employees who knowingly submit, or knowingly require another VA employee to submit, to another VA employee false data concerning health care wait times or quality measures. Authorizes the Secretary to: (1) remove any individual from the VA's Senior Executive Service if the Secretary determines that the individual's performance warrants such removal, and (2) remove such individual from the civil service or appoint the individual to a General Schedule position at any grade the Secretary determines to be appropriate. Requires such removals to be performed in the same manner as removals of professional staff of Members of Congress.
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