To advance policy priorities that will break the gridlock.
Officially: “To advance policy priorities that will break the gridlock.” Read the full text
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Sec. 1Short title
This section would give the Act the short title "Breaking the Gridlock Act." It would have no other legal effect.
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1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Breaking the Gridlock Act .
Title ICongressional Time Capsule
This title would direct the Architect of the Capitol to create a "Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule." The Office of the Speaker of the House, the Office of the House Minority Leader, the Office of the Senate Majority Leader, and the Office of the Senate Minority Leader would jointly decide what goes inside, and the contents must include a representative sample of books, manuscripts, printed matter, memorabilia, relics, and other materials related to the nation's 250th anniversary (the Semiquincentennial); copies or representations of important legislative and institutional milestones of Congress from before the capsule is buried; a message from the current Congress to the future Congress that opens it; and any other content those four offices consider appropriate. In deciding the contents, those offices could consult the Architect of the Capitol, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and other federal entities they consider appropriate. The Architect would have to prepare the capsule to be sealed and buried on the Capitol's West Lawn on or before July 4, 2026, at a time that would let attendees also attend the related time capsule burial at Independence Mall in Philadelphia under existing law, and would have to install a plaque describing the capsule. The capsule would stay sealed until July 4, 2276, when the Speaker of the House would present it to the 244th Congress, which would then decide how to preserve or use its contents. The title would authorize whatever funds are necessary to carry it out, and those funds would remain available until spent.
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I Congressional Time Capsule 101. Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule (a) Creation by Architect of the Capitol The Architect of the Capitol shall create a congressional time capsule, to be known as the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule (in this title referred to as the Time Capsule ). (b) Contents (1) Determination by congressional leadership The Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Office of the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Office of the Majority Leader of the Senate, and Office of the Minority Leader of the Senate shall jointly determine the contents of the Time Capsule, taking into account the requirements of paragraph (2). (2) Specifications The contents of the Time Capsule shall include— (A) a representative portion of all books, manuscripts, miscellaneous printed matter, memorabilia, relics, and other materials relating to the United States Semiquincentennial; (B) copies or representations of important legislative and institutional milestones of Congress during the time before the Time Capsule is buried; (C) a message from Congress to the future Congress when the Time Capsule will be opened; and (D) such other content as the offices described in paragraph (1) consider appropriate. (3) Consultation In carrying out this subsection, the offices described in paragraph (1) may consult with the Architect of the Capitol, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and such other entities of the Federal Government as the offices consider appropriate. (c) Duties of architect The Architect of the Capitol shall— (1) prepare the Time Capsule to be sealed and buried on the West Lawn of the Capitol, at a location specified by the Architect, on or before July 4, 2026, at a time which would permit individuals attending this event to also attend the burial of a time capsule in Independence Mall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under section 7(f)(1) of the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016 ( 36 U.S.C. 101 note prec.); and (2) install a plaque to provide such information about the Time Capsule as the Architect considers appropriate. (d) Unsealing The Time Capsule shall be sealed until July 4, 2276, on which date the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall present the Time Capsule to the 244th Congress, and such Congress shall determine how the contents within should be preserved or used. (e) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this title, and any amounts so appropriated shall remain available until expended.
Title IIFire Suppression Cost Share Agreements
This title would require the Secretaries of Agriculture, the Interior, Homeland Security, and Defense to jointly establish, within 1 year of enactment, standard operating procedures governing payment timelines for fire suppression cost share agreements made under the Reciprocal Fire Protection Act. For every such cost share agreement already in place on that date, the Secretaries would have to review it and modify it as needed so it complies with the new procedures. The procedures would have to require that each fire suppression cost share agreement be aligned with every cooperative fire protection agreement that applies to the same entity, and that, when a local fire department submits an invoice following cost settlement procedures, the federal entity responsible for paying reimburses that department. Congress states its sense that the Secretaries should complete these reciprocal repayments to local fire suppression organizations as soon as practical, and no later than 1 year after the fire suppression took place. For this title, "the Secretaries" means the Secretaries of Agriculture, the Interior, Homeland Security, and Defense.
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II Fire Suppression Cost Share Agreements 201. Requirements relating to certain fire suppression cost share agreements (a) Establishment of standard operating procedures Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretaries shall— (1) establish standard operating procedures relating to payment timelines for fire suppression cost share agreements established under the Act of May 27, 1955 ( 42 U.S.C. 1856a ) (commonly known as the Reciprocal Fire Protection Act ); and (2) with respect to each fire suppression cost share agreement in operation on such date— (A) review each such agreement; and (B) modify each agreement as necessary to comply with the standard operating procedures required under paragraph (1). (b) Alignment of fire suppression cost share agreements with cooperative fire protection agreements The standard operating procedures required under subsection (a)(1) shall include a requirement that each fire suppression cost share agreement be aligned with each of the cooperative fire protection agreements applicable to the entity subject to such fire suppression cost share agreement. (c) Payments pursuant to cost share agreements With respect to payments made pursuant to fire suppression cost share agreements, the standard operating procedures required under subsection (a)(1) shall require that the Federal paying entity reimburse a local fire department if such fire department submits an invoice in accordance with cost settlement procedures. (d) Sense of congress It is the sense of Congress that the Secretaries should carry out reciprocal fire suppression cost share agreement repayments to local fire suppression organizations as soon as practicable after fire suppression occurs but not later than 1 year after fire suppression occurs. (e) Secretaries defined In this section, the term Secretaries means— (1) the Secretary of Agriculture; (2) the Secretary of the Interior; (3) the Secretary of Homeland Security; and (4) the Secretary of Defense.
Title IIIUdall Foundation Funding
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III Udall Foundation Funding 301. Funding Section 13 of the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation Act ( 20 U.S.C. 5609 ) is amended— (1) by striking through 2023 each place it appears and inserting through 2029 ; (2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking $1,000 and inserting $5,000 ; and (3) in subsection (c), by striking the fiscal year in which this subsection is enacted and inserting fiscal year 2026 .
Title IVStrategy on Boko Haram
This title would require the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense to jointly develop, within 180 days of enactment, a five-year regional strategy and submit it to the appropriate congressional committees. The strategy would have to help the Government of Nigeria, the Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram (authorized by the African Union), and relevant partners counter the regional threat from Boko Haram, and help Nigeria and its neighbors address legitimate grievances of vulnerable populations in Boko Haram-affected areas. At minimum, the strategy would have to address: strengthening Nigeria's and regional partners' institutional and military capacity to counter Boko Haram, within existing authorities and restrictions; providing humanitarian support to civilians affected by Boko Haram; specific US activities to help partner nations investigate and prosecute human rights abuses by security forces and promote rule of law in the military; ways to help Nigeria and task force nations counter violent extremism, including addressing the societal factors that let Boko Haram radicalize and recruit; a plan to strengthen rule of law by improving Nigeria's civilian police and courts, enhancing public safety, responding to crime including gender-based violence, respecting human rights, and preventing corruption; strengthening Nigeria's long-term capacity to make schools safer, better protect girls seeking education, and combat gender-based violence and gender inequality; mechanisms for coordinating the strategy's implementation across US agencies and with Nigeria and regional and other foreign partners; and identifying the resources the strategy needs. Separately, the Director of National Intelligence would have to submit to the same committees an assessment of the willingness and capability of Nigeria's government and regional partners to carry out the strategy, including any capability gaps in Nigeria's government and military that would need fixing to counter Boko Haram and address vulnerable populations' grievances, and of significant US intelligence gaps concerning Boko Haram or concerning Nigeria's and regional partners' willingness and capacity. Congress states its sense that lack of economic opportunity and access to education, justice, and other social services contributes to Boko Haram's ability to radicalize and recruit individuals. For this title, the "appropriate committees of Congress" would be the Senate Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Relations, Appropriations, and Intelligence, and the House Committees on Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Appropriations, and Intelligence (Permanent Select).
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IV Strategy on Boko Haram 401. Regional strategy to address the threat posed by Boko Haram (a) Strategy required (1) In general Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense shall jointly develop and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a five-year strategy to help enable the Government of Nigeria, members of the Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram (MNJTF) authorized by the African Union, and relevant partners to counter the regional threat of Boko Haram and assist the Government of Nigeria and its neighbors to accept and address legitimate grievances of vulnerable populations in areas affected by Boko Haram. (2) Elements At a minimum, the strategy must address the following elements: (A) Enhance, pursuant to existing authorities and restrictions, the institutional capacity, including military capabilities, of the Government of Nigeria and partner nations in the region, as appropriate, to counter the threat posed by Boko Haram. (B) Provide humanitarian support to civilian populations impacted by Boko Haram’s activity. (C) Specific activities through which the United States Government intends to improve and enhance the capacity of Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram partner nations to investigate and prosecute human rights abuses by security forces and promote respect for the rule of law within the military. (D) A means for assisting Nigeria, and as appropriate, Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram nations, to counter violent extremism, including efforts to address underlying societal factors shown to contribute to the ability of Boko Haram to radicalize and recruit individuals. (E) A plan to strengthen and promote the rule of law, including by improving the capacity of the civilian police and judicial system in Nigeria, enhancing public safety, and responding to crime (including gender-based violence), while respecting human rights and strengthening accountability measures, including measures to prevent corruption. (F) Strengthen the long-term capacity of the Government of Nigeria to enhance security for schools such that children are safer and girls seeking an education are better protected, and to combat gender-based violence and gender inequality. (G) Identify and develop mechanisms for coordinating the implementation of the strategy across the inter-agency and with the Government of Nigeria, regional partners, and other relevant foreign partners. (H) Identify the resources required to achieve the strategy’s objectives. (b) Assessment The Director of National Intelligence shall submit, to the appropriate committees of Congress, an assessment regarding— (1) the willingness and capability of the Government of Nigeria and regional partners to implement the strategy developed under subsection (a), including the capability gaps, if any, of the Government and military forces of Nigeria that would need to be addressed to enable the Government of Nigeria and the governments of its partner countries in the region— (A) to counter the threat of Boko Haram; and (B) to address the legitimate grievances of vulnerable populations in areas affected by Boko Haram; and (2) significant United States intelligence gaps concerning Boko Haram or on the willingness and capacity of the Government of Nigeria and regional partners to implement the strategy developed under subsection (a). (c) Sense of congress It is the sense of Congress that lack of economic opportunity and access to education, justice, and other social services contributes to the ability of Boko Haram to radicalize and recruit individuals. (d) Appropriate committees of congress defined In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress means— (1) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and (2) the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives.
Title VVeterans Interagency Task Force
This title would amend Section 32(c) of the Small Business Act to add a new reporting requirement. Along with the Small Business Administration's annual budget justification documents submitted to Congress, the SBA Administrator would have to submit a report that discusses the appointments made to, and activities of, the veterans interagency task force, and that identifies and outlines a plan for outreach and promotion of veterans' programs and services, including Veteran Business Outreach Centers, Boots to Business, Boots to Business Reboot, the Service-Disabled Entrepreneurship Development Training Program, the Veteran Institute for Procurement, the Women Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program, and Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship.
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V Veterans Interagency Task Force 501. Reporting requirement for veterans interagency task force Section 32(c) of the Small Business Act ( 15 U.S.C. 657b(c) ) is amended by adding at the end the following: (4) Report Along with the budget justification documents for the Small Business Administration submitted to Congress in connection with the budget for a fiscal year submitted under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, the Administrator shall submit a report— (A) discussing the appointments made to and activities of the task force; and (B) identifying and outlining a plan for outreach and promotion of the programs and services for veterans, including Veteran Business Outreach Centers, Boots to Business, Boots to Business Reboot, Service-Disabled Entrepreneurship Development Training Program, Veteran Institute for Procurement, Women Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program, and Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship. .
Title VIVeterans Pilot Program
This title would direct the Attorney General, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, to run a pilot program awarding grants to eligible units of local government to improve retention in veterans treatment court programs and drug court programs. To be eligible, a local government would have to operate a veterans treatment court program or a drug court. An applicant would have to submit to the Attorney General, in the form and with the information the Attorney General reasonably requires, a description of the therapeutic or treatment approach it plans to use and supporting data showing how it will promote retention in and completion of these court programs, plus detailed plans for testing whether that approach works. Within 180 days of receiving a grant, a local government would have to submit a report to the Attorney General that includes demographic information on program participants and their completion rates, following reporting guidelines the Attorney General would have to develop.
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VI Veterans Pilot Program 601. Veterans pilot program on promising retention models (a) Establishment The Attorney General, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, shall carry out a pilot program to make grants to eligible units of local government to improve retention in veterans treatment court programs (as such term is defined in section 2991 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 ( 34 U.S.C. 10651 )) and drug court programs. (b) Eligibility In order to be eligible for a grant under subsection (a), a unit of local government shall operate a veterans treatment court program or a drug court. (c) Application A unit of local government seeking a grant through the pilot program under subsection (a) shall submit to the Attorney General an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Attorney General may reasonably require, including— (1) a description of the therapeutic or treatment modality that the unit of local government plans to implement and data to support the use of the therapeutic or treatment modality, including information showing how the therapeutic or treatment modality will promote retention in and completion of veterans treatment court programs and drug court programs; and (2) detailed plans on how the applicant would test the efficacy of the therapeutic or treatment modality. (d) Reporting metrics Not later than 180 days after receiving a grant under subsection (a), a unit of local government shall submit to the Attorney General a report, which includes demographic information of participants in the veterans treatment court program, and completion rates of such participants. The Attorney General shall develop guidelines for the report required under this subsection.
Title VIITSA Commuting Benefits
This title would require the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration, within 270 days of enactment, to submit to the House Committee on Homeland Security and the Senate Committees on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs a study on whether it is feasible to count as on-duty hours the time TSA employees working at airports spend traveling between their regular duty locations and airport parking lots and bus or transit stops. In doing the study, the Administrator would have to consider: how much time such employees need to travel between duty locations and parking lots or transit stops at small, medium, and large hub airports; how much time such employees spend commuting on average apart from that travel; the potential benefits to employees and to TSA of counting that travel time as on-duty; whether mobile phones, location data, or other means could let employees report their arrival at and departure from the relevant parking lots and transit stops; the estimated costs of counting that time as on-duty, including whether the hours could count as basic pay for retirement purposes; and any other considerations the Administrator finds appropriate.
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VII TSA Commuting Benefits 701. Feasibility study on TSA commuting benefits (a) In general Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a study on the feasibility of treating as on-duty hours the time Transportation Security Administration employees working at airport locations spend traveling between regular duty locations and airport parking lots and bus and transit stops. (b) Considerations In conducting the feasibility study required under subsection (a), the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall consider the following with respect to Transportation Security Administration employees: (1) The amount of time needed by such employees to travel between regular duty locations and airport parking lots and bus and transit stops at small hub airports, medium hub airports, and large hub airports (as such terms are defined in section 40102 of title 49, United States Code). (2) The amount of time such employees spend commuting, on average, exclusive of the time described in paragraph (1). (3) The potential benefits to such employees and the Administration of treating as on-duty hours the time described in such paragraph. (4) The feasibility of using mobile phones, location data, and any other means to allow such employees to report their arrival to and departure from the airport parking lots and bus and transit stops concerned. (5) The estimated costs of treating as on-duty hours the time described in such paragraph, including by considering such hours creditable as basic pay for retirement purposes. (6) Other considerations determined appropriate by the Administrator.
Title VIIIChina Financial Threat Mitigation
This title would require the Secretary of the Treasury, within one year of enactment and in consultation with the Chair of the Federal Reserve Board, the Chair of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Chair of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and the Secretary of State, to study and report on US exposure to the financial sector of the People's Republic of China. The report would have to assess the effects on the US and global financial systems of reforms to China's financial sector; describe the policies the US government is adopting to protect US interests while those reforms occur; describe and analyze risks to US and global financial stability coming from China; and recommend further actions, including by US representatives at relevant international organizations, to strengthen international cooperation to monitor and reduce those risks and protect US interests. The Secretary would have to transmit the report, within the same one-year deadline, to the House Committees on Financial Services and Foreign Affairs, the Senate Committees on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and Foreign Relations, and US representatives at relevant international organizations as appropriate. The report would have to be unclassified but could have a classified annex. The Secretary would have to publish the report, other than any classified annex, on the Treasury Department's website within one year of enactment.
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VIII China Financial Threat Mitigation 801. China financial threat mitigation (a) Report Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and the Secretary of State, shall conduct a study and issue a report on the exposure of the United States to the financial sector of the People’s Republic of China that includes— (1) an assessment of the effects of reforms to the financial sector of the People’s Republic of China on the United States and global financial systems; (2) a description of the policies the United States Government is adopting to protect the interests of the United States while the financial sector of the People’s Republic of China undergoes such reforms; (3) a description and analysis of any risks to the financial stability of the United States and the global economy emanating from the People’s Republic of China; and (4) recommendations for additional actions the United States Government, including United States representatives at relevant international organizations, should take to strengthen international cooperation to monitor and mitigate such financial stability risks and protect United States interests. (b) Transmission of report The Secretary of the Treasury shall transmit the report required under subsection (a) not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act to the Committees on Financial Services and Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, the Committees on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and Foreign Relations of the Senate, and to the United States representatives at relevant international organizations, as appropriate. (c) Classification of report The report required under subsection (a) shall be unclassified, but may contain a classified annex. (d) Publication of report The Secretary of the Treasury shall publish the report required under subsection (a) (other than any classified annex) on the website of the Department of the Treasury not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act.
Title IXServicemembers' and Veterans' Group Life Insurance
This title would add a new section 1980B to title 38 of the US Code. Starting January 1, 2026, and every three years after that, the Secretary would have to review how the amount specified in section 1967(a)(3)(A)(i) compares to a benchmark amount, and submit the results to the House and Senate Committees on Veterans' Affairs. The benchmark amount would be $400,000 multiplied by the percentage increase, if any, in the average Consumer Price Index for the fiscal year ending in the prior calendar year compared to the average Consumer Price Index for fiscal year 2005. For this purpose, the Consumer Price Index would mean the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The title would also add a matching entry for the new section to title 38's table of sections.
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IX Servicemembers’ and Veterans’ Group Life Insurance 901. Periodic review of automatic maximum coverage under servicemembers’ group life insurance and veterans’ group life insurance (a) In general Subchapter III of chapter 19 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 1980B. Periodic review of automatic maximum coverage (a) In general On January 1, 2026, and every three years thereafter, the Secretary shall— (1) complete a review of how the amount specified in section 1967(a)(3)(A)(i) compares to the amount described in subsection (b); and (2) submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate the results of the review. (b) Amount described The amount described in this subsection is the amount equal to— (1) $400,000; multiplied by (2) the percentage of the increase (if any) in the average of the Consumer Price Index for the fiscal year ending during the preceding calendar year compared to the average of the Consumer Price Index for fiscal year 2005. (c) Consumer price index defined In this section, the term Consumer Price Index means the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor. . (b) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 19 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1980A the following new item: 1980B. Periodic review of automatic maximum coverage. .
Title XRestoration of Amounts to Veterans
This title would address severance payments that the Department of Defense computed under 10 U.S.C. 1212 and paid after January 17, 1991, to veterans, where the payments were not counted as gross income under section 104(a)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code but the Secretary of Defense withheld tax from them anyway. Within 1 year of enactment, the Secretary of Defense would have to identify these payments and the individuals who received them, then give each such individual notice of the amount improperly withheld and any other information the Secretary of the Treasury says is needed, plus instructions for filing an amended tax return to recover the withheld amount. Separately, for a credit or refund claim under section 6511(a) of the Internal Revenue Code tied to one of these overpayments, the normal 3-year filing deadline would be extended so it does not expire before 1 year after the veteran receives that notice, and the allowable credit or refund amount would be determined without regard to the usual limit in section 6511(b)(2) on how far back paid tax counts. A "specified overpayment" for this purpose would mean an overpayment tied to one of these severance payments.
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X Restoration of Amounts to Veterans 1001. Restoration of amounts improperly withheld for tax purposes from severance payments to veterans with combat-related injuries (a) In general Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall— (1) identify— (A) the severance payments— (i) that the Secretary paid after January 17, 1991; (ii) that the Secretary computed under section 1212 of title 10, United States Code; (iii) that were not considered gross income pursuant to section 104(a)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and (iv) from which the Secretary withheld amounts for tax purposes; and (B) the individuals to whom such severance payments were made; and (2) with respect to each person identified under paragraph (1)(B), provide— (A) notice of— (i) the amount of severance payments in paragraph (1)(A) which were improperly withheld for tax purposes; and (ii) such other information determined to be necessary by the Secretary of the Treasury to carry out the purposes of this section; and (B) instructions for filing amended tax returns to recover the amounts improperly withheld for tax purposes. (b) Extension of limitation on time for credit or refund (1) Period for filing claim If a claim for credit or refund under section 6511(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 relates to a specified overpayment, the 3-year period of limitation prescribed by such subsection shall not expire before the date which is 1 year after the date the information return described in subsection (a)(2) is provided. The allowable amount of credit or refund of a specified overpayment shall be determined without regard to the amount of tax paid within the period provided in section 6511(b)(2). (2) Specified overpayment For purposes of paragraph (1), the term specified overpayment means an overpayment attributable to a severance payment described in subsection (a)(1).
Title XIHearings by House Committees
This title would require every standing committee of the House of Representatives to hold a hearing on how this Act is being implemented within one year of enactment. This requirement would be adopted as an exercise of the House's rulemaking power and would count as a House rule, superseding any other House rule only where the two conflict, while preserving the House's constitutional right to change this rule at any time in the same way it changes any other House rule.
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XI Hearings by House Committees 1101. Hearings (a) In general Each standing committee of the House of Representatives shall hold a hearing on the implementation of this Act within one year of enactment. (b) Exercise of rulemaking authority Subsection (a) is enacted— (1) as an exercise of rulemaking power of the House of Representatives, and, as such, shall be considered as part of the rules of the House, and such rules shall supersede any other rule of the House only to the extent that rule is inconsistent therewith; and (2) with full recognition of the constitutional right of either House to change such rules (so far as relating to the procedure in such House) at any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of the House.
Title XIICode of Official Conduct
This title would replace clause 20 of House Rule XXIII with a new rule: a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House could not, directly or indirectly, take any action to prevent an individual from providing truthful information to the Committee on Ethics, the Office of Congressional Conduct, the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, or any law enforcement official, or retaliate against an individual for doing so, as long as disclosing that information is not otherwise barred by law or House rules.
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XII Code of Official Conduct 1201. Code of official conduct In rule XXIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, strike clause 20 and insert the following: 20. A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House may not, directly or indirectly, take any actions to prevent any individual from or retaliate against any individual for providing truthful information to the Committee on Ethics, the Office of Congressional Conduct, the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, or any law enforcement official, provided that the disclosure of such information is not otherwise prohibited by law or House rules. .
Title XIIIProhibiting Transfer of Sensitive Data to Foreign Adversaries
This title would make it unlawful for a data broker to sell, license, rent, trade, transfer, release, disclose, provide access to, or otherwise make available the personally identifiable sensitive data of a US individual to a foreign adversary country or to an entity controlled by a foreign adversary. The Federal Trade Commission would enforce this ban by treating a violation as an unfair or deceptive act or practice under the FTC Act, using the same jurisdiction, powers, and procedures it has under that Act, and violators would face the same penalties (and be entitled to the same privileges and immunities) the FTC Act provides; this would not limit any other authority the Commission already has. "Controlled by a foreign adversary" would cover a foreign person domiciled, headquartered, based, or organized in a foreign adversary country; an entity in which such a foreign person or persons directly or indirectly own at least a 20 percent stake; or a person directed or controlled by such a foreign person or entity. A "data broker" would be an entity that, for payment, sells or otherwise makes available data of US individuals it did not collect directly from them to another entity that is not acting as a service provider, but the term would exclude an entity to the extent it is transmitting an individual's data at that individual's request or direction; providing a product or service where sensitive personal data is not itself the product or service; reporting or publishing news or information on matters of public interest; making available news or information already available to the public (such as from a book, magazine, phone book, online directory, motion picture, TV, internet, or radio program, the news media, or a publicly accessible website), other than obscene visual depictions; or acting as a service provider. A "foreign adversary country" would mean a country listed in section 4872(d)(2) of title 10, United States Code. "Personally identifiable sensitive data" would mean sensitive data that identifies, or can reasonably be linked to, an individual or a device linked to an individual. "Sensitive data" would include government-issued identifiers such as Social Security, passport, or driver's license numbers; physical or mental health, disability, or treatment information; financial account, debit, or credit card numbers, or income or bank balance information; biometric information; genetic information; precise geolocation information accurate to 1,850 feet or less; private communications such as voicemail, email, text, direct messages, mail, voice or video calls, or related details like phone numbers called, call times, duration, and location; account or device log-in credentials or access codes; information about an individual's sexual behavior; private calendar, address book, phone or text logs, photos, audio, or video kept for personal use; images showing an individual's naked or undergarment-clad private area; information on video content an individual requested or selected; information about anyone under 17; race, color, ethnicity, or religion; information identifying an individual's online activity over time and across sites or services; information showing someone is a member of the Armed Forces; and any other data a data broker provides to a foreign adversary country or controlled entity for the purpose of identifying any of the categories just listed. A "service provider" would be an entity that collects, processes, or transfers data on behalf of and at the direction of an individual or entity that is not a foreign adversary country or controlled by one, or of a federal, state, tribal, territorial, or local government entity, and that receives the data from or on behalf of that individual, entity, or government. A "United States individual" would mean a natural person residing in the United States. This title would take effect 60 days after enactment.
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XIII Prohibiting Transfer of Sensitive Data to Foreign Adversaries 1301. Prohibition on transfer of personally identifiable sensitive data of United States individuals to foreign adversaries (a) Prohibition It shall be unlawful for a data broker to sell, license, rent, trade, transfer, release, disclose, provide access to, or otherwise make available personally identifiable sensitive data of a United States individual to— (1) any foreign adversary country; or (2) any entity that is controlled by a foreign adversary. (b) Enforcement by federal trade commission (1) Unfair or deceptive acts or practices A violation of this section shall be treated as a violation of a rule defining an unfair or a deceptive act or practice under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission Act ( 15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B) ). (2) Powers of commission (A) In general The Commission shall enforce this section in the same manner, by the same means, and with the same jurisdiction, powers, and duties as though all applicable terms and provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act ( 15 U.S.C. 41 et seq. ) were incorporated into and made a part of this section. (B) Privileges and immunities Any person who violates this section shall be subject to the penalties and entitled to the privileges and immunities provided in the Federal Trade Commission Act. (3) Authority preserved Nothing in this section may be construed to limit the authority of the Commission under any other provision of law. (c) Definitions In this section: (1) Commission The term Commission means the Federal Trade Commission. (2) Controlled by a foreign adversary The term controlled by a foreign adversary means, with respect to an individual or entity, that such individual or entity is— (A) a foreign person that is domiciled in, is headquartered in, has its principal place of business in, or is organized under the laws of a foreign adversary country; (B) an entity with respect to which a foreign person or combination of foreign persons described in subparagraph (A) directly or indirectly own at least a 20 percent stake; or (C) a person subject to the direction or control of a foreign person or entity described in subparagraph (A) or (B). (3) Data broker (A) In general The term data broker means an entity that, for valuable consideration, sells, licenses, rents, trades, transfers, releases, discloses, provides access to, or otherwise makes available data of United States individuals that the entity did not collect directly from such individuals to another entity that is not acting as a service provider. (B) Exclusion The term data broker does not include an entity to the extent such entity— (i) is transmitting data of a United States individual, including communications of such an individual, at the request or direction of such individual; (ii) is providing, maintaining, or offering a product or service with respect to which personally identifiable sensitive data, or access to such data, is not the product or service; (iii) is reporting or publishing news or information that concerns local, national, or international events or other matters of public interest; (iv) is reporting, publishing, or otherwise making available news or information that is available to the general public— (I) including information from— (aa) a book, magazine, telephone book, or online directory; (bb) a motion picture; (cc) a television, internet, or radio program; (dd) the news media; or (ee) an internet site that is available to the general public on an unrestricted basis; and (II) not including an obscene visual depiction (as such term is used in section 1460 of title 18, United States Code); or (v) is acting as a service provider. (4) Foreign adversary country The term foreign adversary country means a country specified in section 4872(d)(2) of title 10, United States Code. (5) Personally identifiable sensitive data The term personally identifiable sensitive data means any sensitive data that identifies or is linked or reasonably linkable, alone or in combination with other data, to an individual or a device that identifies or is linked or reasonably linkable to an individual. (6) Precise geolocation information The term precise geolocation information means information that— (A) is derived from a device or technology of an individual; and (B) reveals the past or present physical location of an individual or device that identifies or is linked or reasonably linkable to 1 or more individuals, with sufficient precision to identify street level location information of an individual or device or the location of an individual or device within a range of 1,850 feet or less. (7) Sensitive data The term sensitive data includes the following: (A) A government-issued identifier, such as a Social Security number, passport number, or driver’s license number. (B) Any information that describes or reveals the past, present, or future physical health, mental health, disability, diagnosis, or health care condition or treatment of an individual. (C) A financial account number, debit card number, credit card number, or information that describes or reveals the income level or bank account balances of an individual. (D) Biometric information. (E) Genetic information. (F) Precise geolocation information. (G) An individual’s private communications such as voice mails, emails, texts, direct messages, mail, voice communications, and video communications, or information identifying the parties to such communications or pertaining to the transmission of such communications, including telephone numbers called, telephone numbers from which calls were placed, the time calls were made, call duration, and location information of the parties to the call. (H) Account or device log-in credentials, or security or access codes for an account or device. (I) Information identifying the sexual behavior of an individual. (J) Calendar information, address book information, phone or text logs, photos, audio recordings, or videos, maintained for private use by an individual, regardless of whether such information is stored on the individual’s device or is accessible from that device and is backed up in a separate location. (K) A photograph, film, video recording, or other similar medium that shows the naked or undergarment-clad private area of an individual. (L) Information revealing the video content requested or selected by an individual. (M) Information about an individual under the age of 17. (N) An individual’s race, color, ethnicity, or religion. (O) Information identifying an individual’s online activities over time and across websites or online services. (P) Information that reveals the status of an individual as a member of the Armed Forces. (Q) Any other data that a data broker sells, licenses, rents, trades, transfers, releases, discloses, provides access to, or otherwise makes available to a foreign adversary country, or entity that is controlled by a foreign adversary, for the purpose of identifying the types of data listed in subparagraphs (A) through (P). (8) Service provider The term service provider means an entity that— (A) collects, processes, or transfers data on behalf of, and at the direction of— (i) an individual or entity that is not a foreign adversary country or controlled by a foreign adversary; or (ii) a Federal, State, Tribal, territorial, or local government entity; and (B) receives data from or on behalf of an individual or entity described in subparagraph (A)(i) or a Federal, State, Tribal, territorial, or local government entity. (9) United states individual The term United States individual means a natural person residing in the United States. (d) Effective date This section shall take effect on the date that is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Title XIVDetermination of Budgetary Effects
This title states that, for purposes of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010, the Act's budgetary effects would be determined by referring to the most recent "Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation" statement for this Act submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, as long as that statement is submitted before the vote on passage.
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XIV Determination of Budgetary Effects 1401. Determination of budgetary effects The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go-Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.
Title XVDomestically Made United States Flags
This title would add a new section 6310 to title 41 of the US Code. It would bar a federal agency from using appropriated or other available funds to buy a US flag unless the flag has been 100 percent manufactured in the United States from articles, materials, or supplies that were either grown in the United States or 100 percent produced or manufactured in the United States. This requirement would not apply if the head of the agency determines that a flag meeting that standard cannot be procured in satisfactory quality and sufficient quantity, as needed, at US market prices. It also would not apply to procurements by vessels in foreign waters, to procurements for resale in a military commissary, exchange, or nonappropriated fund instrumentality run by an agency, or to procurements below the simplified acquisition threshold. The President could waive the requirement if the President determines a waiver is needed to comply with a trade agreement the United States is a party to, and would have to publish notice of any such waiver in the Federal Register within 30 days of granting it. For this section, "agency" would have the meaning given to "executive agency" in section 102 of title 40, and "simplified acquisition threshold" would have the meaning given in section 134. The title would also add a matching entry to title 41's table of sections. This new requirement would apply to contracts entered into on or after 180 days after enactment.
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XV Domestically Made United States Flags 1501. Requirement for agencies to buy domestically made United States flags (a) Requirement for agencies To buy domestically made united states flags (1) In general Chapter 63 of title 41, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: 6310. Requirement for agencies to buy domestically made United States flags (a) Requirement Except as provided in subsections (b) through (d), funds appropriated or otherwise available to an agency may not be used for the procurement of any flag of the United States, unless such flag has been 100 percent manufactured in the United States from articles, materials, or supplies that have been grown or 100 percent produced or manufactured in the United States. (b) Availability exception Subsection (a) does not apply to the extent that the head of the agency concerned determines that satisfactory quality and sufficient quantity of a flag described in such subsection cannot be procured as and when needed at United States market prices. (c) Exception for certain procurements Subsection (a) does not apply to the following: (1) Procurements by vessels in foreign waters. (2) Procurements for resale purposes in any military commissary, military exchange, or nonappropriated fund instrumentality operated by an agency. (3) Procurements for amounts less than the simplified acquisition threshold. (d) Presidential waiver (1) In general The President may waive the requirement in subsection (a) if the President determines a waiver is necessary to comply with any trade agreement to which the United States is a party. (2) Notice of waiver Not later than 30 days after granting a waiver under paragraph (1), the President shall publish a notice of the waiver in the Federal Register. (e) Definitions In this section: (1) Agency The term agency has the meaning given the term executive agency in section 102 of title 40. (2) Simplified acquisition threshold The term simplified acquisition threshold has the meaning given that term in section 134. . (2) Clerical amendment The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item: 6310. Requirement for agencies to buy domestically made United States flags. . (b) Applicability Section 6310 of title 41, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), shall apply with respect to any contract entered into on or after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Title XVIAppropriations
This title would appropriate money from the Treasury for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, in the following amounts: $1,000,000 to the Department of Health and Human Services' Health Resources and Services Administration, for Rural Health, as an additional amount for the Telehealth Resource Center within the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy (Office for the Advancement of Telehealth), to help address technical, legal, regulatory, and service-delivery barriers to developing telehealth technology for skilled nursing facilities and nursing facilities as defined under the Social Security Act, available through September 30, 2026; $1,000,000 to the Department of Agriculture's Executive Operations, Office of Budget and Program Analysis, as an additional amount for its necessary expenses; $1,000,000 to the Department of State's Capital Investment Fund, as an additional amount for its authorized necessary expenses, available until expended; $1,000,000 to the Department of Defense's Operation and Maintenance, Army account, as an additional amount for Army operation and maintenance expenses authorized by law; $1,000,000 to the Department of Homeland Security's Management Directorate, Operations and Support, as an additional amount for its necessary expenses; and $1,000,000 to the Department of Energy's Energy Programs, Energy Information Administration, as an additional amount for its activities, available until expended.
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XVI Appropriations 1601. Appropriations The following sums are hereby appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes, namely: DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES HEALTH RESOURCES AND SERVICES ADMINISTRATION RURAL HEALTH For an additional amount for the Telehealth Resource Center of the Federal Office of Rural Health Policy of the Office for the Advancement of Telehealth, to provide assistance with respect to technical, legal, regulatory service delivery or other related barriers to the development of telehealth technologies for skilled nursing facilities (as defined in section 1819 of the Social Security Act) and nursing facilities (as defined in section 1919 of such Act), $1,000,000 to remain available through September 30, 2026. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE EXECUTIVE OPERATIONS OFFICE OF BUDGET AND PROGRAM ANALYSIS For an additional amount for necessary expenses of the Office of Budget and Program Analysis, $1,000,000. DEPARTMENT OF STATE CAPITAL INVESTMENT FUND For an additional amount for necessary expenses of the Capital Investment Fund, as authorized, $1,000,000, to remain available until expended. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE, ARMY For an additional amount for expenses, not otherwise provided for, necessary for the operation and maintenance of the Army, as authorized by law, $1,000,000. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY DEPARTMENTAL MANAGEMENT, INTELLIGENCE, SITUATIONAL AWARENESS, AND OVERSIGHT MANAGEMENT DIRECTORATE OPERATIONS AND SUPPORT For an additional amount for necessary expenses of the Management Directorate for operations and support, $1,000,000. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY ENERGY PROGRAMS ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION For an additional amount for Department of Energy expenses necessary in carrying out the activities of the Energy Information Administration, $1,000,000, to remain available until expended.
Where it is
In the House.