Budget & Taxes

in committee · United States · Senate Mar 10, 2026

S 4042: Keep Your Pay Act

The Keep Your Pay Act (S. 4042) modifies the U.S. tax code to increase the standard deduction and adjust tax rates for high earners, while also expanding tax credits for workers and families. Beginning in 2026, the standard deduction will rise to $56,250 for single filers and $37,500 for married couples, while the top income tax rate for the highest earners will increase from 37% to 43%. The bill also permanently extends the earned income credit for individuals without qualifying children, expands eligibility for those in U.S. possessions like Puerto Rico, and creates a new monthly child tax credit of up to $300 per child with advance payments starting immediately upon enactment. Additionally, a new $500 credit is established for certain other dependents not covered by the child tax credit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases standard deduction and tax credits for workers/families, providing tax relief to middle/lower income taxpayers while adjusting rates for high earners.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill increases standard deduction and expands tax credits for workers, providing financial relief that supports worker economic well-being75% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits

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in committee · United States · House Mar 3, 2026

HR 7760: Protect Future Dividends Act

This bill, known as the Protect Future Dividends Act, would allow individuals to receive tax-free payments from state sovereign wealth funds. It directly affects residents who might receive periodic payments from these state-established permanent funds, which are designed to benefit individual citizens rather than businesses or organizations. The key provision adds a new section to the Internal Revenue Code that excludes these specific payments from gross income, provided the funds are permanently established by state law, receive designated state revenue, and make payments based primarily on residency. The change would apply to payments received after the bill becomes law, allowing recipients to keep the full amount without federal income tax liability.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief by excluding state sovereign wealth fund payments from gross income, directly supporting tax reduction for individuals receiving these payments.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Revenue

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in committee · United States · House Jan 16, 2025

HR 489: Federal Agency Sunset Commission Act of 2025

This bill would establish a Federal Agency Sunset Commission to review federal agencies every 12 years (or less) to determine if they should be abolished, reorganized, or continued based on criteria like cost-effectiveness, duplication with other agencies, and whether they're operating within their original authority. The Commission would submit annual reports to Congress with specific recommendations for each agency, requiring Congress to vote on reauthorizing agencies with a supermajority (two-thirds vote) to extend their existence. If Congress fails to reauthorize an agency, it would be abolished after the review period, with the President responsible for winding down operations. This would affect all federal agencies, requiring them to regularly justify their continued existence through the Commission's review process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by requiring periodic review of federal agencies for cost-effectiveness and potential abolition, which could reduce government spending and improve budget efficiency.75% confidence

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in committee · United States · House Jan 9, 2025

HR 329: Expanding Penalty Free Withdrawal Act

This bill allows unemployed individuals to withdraw funds from retirement accounts without the usual 10% penalty under specific conditions. It applies to people who have received unemployment benefits for 26 consecutive weeks and withdraw money during the year they received benefits or the following year. Withdrawals are limited to $50,000 (or half the value of their retirement accounts, whichever is lower) over a one-year period. The change affects workers facing job loss who need access to retirement savings for immediate financial needs, but does not apply to withdrawals used for health insurance premiums. The provisions take effect for distributions after December 31, 2024.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides tax relief by waiving penalties on retirement withdrawals for unemployed individuals, supporting fiscal assistance for lower-income workers facing job loss.75% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentAllows penalty-free retirement withdrawals for unemployed workers (26+ weeks unemployment), expanding financial support during job loss per employment standards.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Retirement Benefits Unemployment

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passed · United States · House Sep 17, 2026

HR 7831: License to Drill Act

This bill, known as the License to Drill Act, extends the deadline for collecting fees on new oil and gas drilling permit applications from 2026 to 2037 under the Mineral Leasing Act. It requires the Secretary of the Interior to continue collecting these fees for each new permit application throughout the extended period. The bill also directs that all fees collected between fiscal years 2027 and 2037 be transferred to the BLM Permit Processing Improvement Fund instead of being distributed as previously required. These changes affect the Bureau of Land Management's administrative process for managing oil and gas leasing on federal lands.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill extends fee collection period for drilling permits, directing funds to BLM Permit Processing Improvement Fund, strengthening fiscal management and government revenue collection.75% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyBill extends fee collection period for oil and gas drilling permits, potentially increasing revenue for energy infrastructure improvements under the Mineral Leasing Act.65% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill extends fee collection period for oil and gas drilling permits, facilitating increased fossil fuel extraction which may harm environmental protection and climate goals.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Oil & Gas Public Lands

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 26, 2026

S 3951: Balanced Budget Responsibility Act of 2026

This bill, titled the Balanced Budget Responsibility Act of 2026, would give the President the authority to reduce government spending to eliminate a projected budget deficit. It allows the President to decline to spend certain discretionary funds, excluding Medicare and Social Security benefits, if a deficit is anticipated for a fiscal year. The decision to withhold these funds would be made in consultation with the Treasury Secretary and the Office of Management and Budget. This provision would operate outside the usual rules governing how the President handles unspent government funds.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill promotes fiscal responsibility by authorizing deficit reduction through discretionary spending cuts, aligning with balanced budget goals.90% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareBill allows President to cut discretionary funds excluding Medicare/Social Security, creating potential budget pressure on healthcare programs despite explicit exemptions.65% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Government Spending State Budget Medicare

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 19, 2026

S 4142: SHIELD Act

This bill, known as the SHIELD Act, authorizes the Attorney General to provide grants to states, local governments, and organizations to help recruit, train, and retain staff needed to support legal representation for individuals facing immigration removal proceedings. The program would fund workforce development initiatives such as hiring new lawyers and accredited representatives, providing technical training, improving language services, and building administrative infrastructure in areas with high unmet legal needs. Eligible recipients must use funds to supplement existing resources rather than replace them, and they would be required to submit regular reports on how the grants improve access to legal services. The legislation allocates $100 million for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 to support these efforts while maintaining oversight through audits and compliance requirements.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill authorizes federal grants to fund immigration legal services, representing increased government spending for public service programs.75% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill provides grants to support legal representation and due process rights for individuals facing immigration removal, directly advancing immigrant services and protections.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Detention Enforcement Sanctuary Policies

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in committee · United States · Senate Feb 6, 2025

S 481: Securing our Border Act

S 481, the "Securing our Border Act," directs funding to enhance border security by requiring 100% scanning of vehicles at all southern border ports by 2034 using nonintrusive inspection systems, and allocates funds for constructing a border wall along the southwest U.S. border. It also creates new bonus programs for U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents, including up to $15,000 for recruitment, retention bonuses up to 15% of pay, and relocation bonuses up to 15% of annual pay. The bill amends immigration procedures to require returning migrants from neighboring countries to contiguous territory or processing asylum claims, rather than immediate release. These provisions directly affect CBP operations, border patrol staffing, and migrants crossing the southern border, with specific deadlines and reporting requirements for funding use.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates funds for border security infrastructure and personnel bonuses, directly advancing budget and appropriations for government programs90% confidence ✗ ImmigrationOpposes ImmigrationBill funds border wall, vehicle scanning, and CBP bonuses - increases enforcement measures per border security focus.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Border Security Enforcement Refugees & Asylum

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 17, 2026

S 4112: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to extend the credit period for the production of refined coal, and for other purposes.

This bill extends the tax credit period for producing refined coal, which is used as fuel in the steel industry. It directly affects companies that manufacture refined coal and sell it to steel producers. The key change allows these companies to claim a tax credit for coal produced and sold after December 31, 2025, instead of the previous 10-year limit from when the facility started operating. The credit can now be claimed for production before January 1, 2033, and during the taxable year in which the coal is sold.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill extends tax credit period for coal production, providing tax relief to manufacturers and supporting industry operations through fiscal incentives.85% confidence ✗ EnergyOpposes EnergyBill extends tax credits for refined coal production, a fossil fuel, which strengthens coal industry subsidies rather than promoting renewable energy or clean energy standards.85% confidence ✗ EnvironmentOpposes EnvironmentBill extends tax credits for refined coal production, a fossil fuel that contributes to pollution and climate change, weakening environmental protections.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Coal

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in committee · United States · Senate May 6, 2025

S 1622: Stop Child Hunger Act of 2025

This bill expands the Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) program to cover children during school closure periods (remote, hybrid, or closed for 5+ consecutive weekdays), in addition to summer months. It directly affects low-income children in public schools by ensuring they receive food benefits when schools are not in session due to closures. Key provisions include adding "school closure period" to program definitions, setting phased federal funding for administrative costs (100% in 2026 down to 50% by 2031), and allocating $50 million for state data system upgrades. The changes apply to the National School Lunch Act's summer food assistance program, effective 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands EBT program funding to cover children during school closures, increasing government spending on essential food assistance services for low-income families.85% confidence

Tags Children

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