Budget & Taxes

in committee · United States · Senate Jul 30, 2026

S 5185: Audit the Pentagon Act

The Audit the Pentagon Act requires the Department of Defense to reduce its funding by 2 percent if it fails to receive a clean financial audit for a given year. This penalty applies to all departments, agencies, and elements within the Pentagon starting after fiscal year 2024. The withheld money is distributed proportionally across various programs and projects, while the remaining funds are sent to the Treasury to help reduce the national deficit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates financial audits and imposes penalties for poor performance, promoting fiscal responsibility and reducing the deficit.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

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in committee · United States · House Jul 22, 2026

HR 9720: D.C. Taxing Authority Review Act

This bill, known as the D.C. Taxing Authority Review Act, modifies the rules for how new taxes and fees proposed by the District of Columbia government are reviewed by Congress. It requires that any D.C. law imposing or increasing a tax or fee must receive explicit approval from a joint resolution passed by both the House of Representatives and the Senate within 60 days, or else the law will not take effect. Additionally, the bill limits the time for debating these specific approval resolutions to one hour, split evenly between supporters and opponents. These changes directly affect the District of Columbia government's ability to enact new financial measures without prior congressional consent.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill restricts D.C. taxing authority by requiring Congressional approval for new taxes, limiting local fiscal autonomy.90% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Jun 24, 2026

HR 9452: Budgeting for a Better America Act

This bill, the Budgeting for a Better America Act, fundamentally changes how the federal government plans its spending by shifting the congressional budget process from an annual cycle to a biennial one, covering two consecutive fiscal years. It establishes a new National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform composed of 18 members from both political parties to propose specific policies that would reduce the federal deficit to 3% of the gross domestic product within a decade. The legislation also mandates that any joint resolution implementing the commission's recommendations be given expedited floor consideration in both the House and Senate without the possibility of amendment. Additionally, the bill requires the President to submit supplemental budget estimates annually, mandates a hearing on the nation's fiscal state, and ensures new members of Congress receive budgetary training before taking their seats.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility and deficit reduction, aligning with support for prudent budget management.85% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget

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in committee · United States · House Jun 24, 2026

HR 9250: Great American Outdoors Act 250

This bill redesignates the existing National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund as the America's Legacy Restoration Fund to address deferred maintenance on federal lands. It directs revenue from recreation fees and a portion of energy development income into the fund, which must be used primarily for repairing critical infrastructure like roads, trails, and buildings managed by agencies such as the National Park Service and the Forest Service. The legislation establishes strict rules requiring that most funds go toward non-transportation projects, mandates transparency through public dashboards tracking project status, and sets aside a small percentage for matching private donations. Additionally, the bill increases entrance fees for foreign visitors to ensure they contribute to the fund, while prohibiting the use of these specific funds for land acquisition or employee bonuses.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill establishes a dedicated funding mechanism for federal land maintenance using recreation fees and energy income, directly strengthening fiscal management for public services.90% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill funds infrastructure repair on federal lands, directly supporting conservation and environmental protection.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill funds repair of critical infrastructure including roads and trails managed by federal agencies, directly advancing transportation maintenance.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Forestry Parks & Recreation Public Lands

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in committee · United States · House May 20, 2026

HR 8914: No Taxpayer-Funded Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2026

The No Taxpayer-Funded Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2026 prohibits the use of federal money to pay specific settlements involving high-ranking government officials and their close associates. It bars payments to the President, Vice President, their immediate families, cabinet members, senior executive staff, political appointees, and individuals connected to these roles, as well as any entity owned by the President or Vice President. Additionally, the bill restricts settlements related to claims about the January 6 Capitol attack, foreign election interference, or previously dismissed lawsuits, while requiring Treasury reports for large settlements and allowing the government to seek repayment if rules are broken.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill restricts taxpayer-funded settlements for high-ranking officials, preventing misuse of public funds and promoting fiscal responsibility.85% confidence

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in committee · United States · House May 26, 2026

HR 9031: Young Adult Tax Credit Act

The Young Adult Tax Credit Act creates a new $500 monthly tax credit for individuals aged 18 to 24 who are U.S. citizens or residents, with the amount adjusted annually for inflation. This credit is refundable, meaning eligible recipients can receive the full benefit even if they owe no federal taxes, and it is distributed through monthly advance payments starting after December 31, 2026. To manage these payments, the bill establishes an online portal for taxpayers to manage their accounts and includes specific rules to prevent fraud and ensure funds are not subject to garnishment for debts like child support. The legislation also mandates a government outreach campaign to help eligible young adults, particularly those from underrepresented populations, understand and claim the credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill introduces a refundable tax credit for young adults, providing direct financial relief and reducing their tax burden.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · United States · House May 20, 2026

HR 8921: Freedom from Taxes Act of 2026

The Freedom from Taxes Act of 2026 eliminates federal transfer and making taxes on firearms, which directly affects individuals buying or manufacturing guns. By setting these specific taxes to zero, the bill removes the $200 fee previously required when transferring or making certain firearms. The law also adds a time limit to a special tax, ensuring it no longer applies to years beginning after the bill takes effect. These changes would become active on the first day of the first calendar quarter starting more than 90 days after the legislation is signed into law.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesBill eliminates a federal tax fee, reducing government revenue and weakening the tax base.85% confidence

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in committee · United States · House May 26, 2026

HR 9036: American High-Speed Rail Act

The American High-Speed Rail Act expands federal funding and streamlines regulations to support the development of high-speed and higher-speed rail projects across the United States. It authorizes billions of dollars in grants for corridor planning, technology improvements, and construction, while allowing the federal government to cover up to 100% of project costs under specific conditions. The bill also introduces new provisions to facilitate land acquisition, prioritize border projects, and extend labor protections to workers involved in federally funded rail infrastructure. Additionally, the legislation defines higher-speed rail as trains traveling between 110 and 186 miles per hour and includes tax incentives for rail carriers that sell or lease property to support these projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly authorizes billions in federal grants to fund high-speed rail projects, directly advancing the budget topic through increased government spending.95% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentHigh-speed rail reduces reliance on fossil-fuel-powered cars and trucks, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable transportation.75% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill explicitly expands federal funding and streamlines regulations for high-speed rail projects, directly advancing transportation infrastructure.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Rail

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passed · United States · House Jun 11, 2026

HR 8464: Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act

The Stopping Fraudulent Payments Act directs federal agencies to temporarily delay, condition, or split payments when there is a high risk of fraud or if a recipient is flagged in the Do Not Pay system. Under this law, agencies must notify payees of any pauses, explain the specific risk indicators involved, and allow recipients to contest the decision within a set timeframe. The bill requires that payments be resolved within 45 days and protects government officials from personal liability if they act in good faith to stop suspicious transactions. Additionally, it allows for the exemption of routine, historically consistent payment amounts while investigating anomalous or unusually large portions of a transfer.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by preventing fraudulent payments, thereby protecting government funds and ensuring efficient budget management.75% confidence

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in committee · United States · House May 14, 2026

HR 8739: Brownfields Revitalization for a Better Tomorrow Act

The Brownfields Revitalization for a Better Tomorrow Act expands funding and support for cleaning up and redeveloping contaminated properties known as brownfields. It increases the maximum grant amounts available for site remediation and adds new criteria to prioritize projects located on former military bases or in small communities. The legislation also mandates regular audits of how federal funds are used, requires states to maintain public inventories of brownfield sites, and directs the EPA to provide technical assistance to organizations that have previously been unsuccessful in securing grants. Additionally, the bill authorizes new studies to evaluate the effectiveness of existing loan programs and to explore the feasibility of creating a larger loan program for complex cleanup projects.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly increases funding for brownfield remediation and mandates audits, directly advancing the budget topic by allocating resources to essential environmental programs.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentBill expands funding for cleaning contaminated properties, directly reducing pollution and protecting environmental health.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill prioritizes brownfield projects on former military bases, aiding veteran transition and community revitalization.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Hazardous Materials Recycling

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