Budget & Taxes

in committee · United States · House Aug 3, 2026

HR 10029: Supporting Students and Families Act

The Supporting Students and Families Act creates a new tax credit to help offset costs for elementary and secondary school supplies. This credit allows taxpayers to claim up to $200 for expenses related to books, supplies, and equipment for dependents attending public, private, or religious schools. The benefit is reduced for individuals with modified adjusted gross incomes exceeding $150,000 and cannot be claimed for expenses already covered by Coverdell education savings accounts. The changes will take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a new tax credit to offset school supply costs, providing tax relief and financial support to families.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates a tax credit to offset school supply costs for students in public, private, and religious schools, enhancing educational access and financial relief.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax Tax Credits K-12 Education School Funding Student Financial Aid

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 30, 2026

S 5203: TURBO Act

The TURBO Act expands tax-exempt financing options for specific transportation projects to encourage investment in urban transit and freight infrastructure. It directly affects state and local governments issuing bonds to fund these initiatives by raising the maximum borrowing limit for highway and freight transfer facilities from $30 billion to $45 billion. Additionally, the bill allows tax-exempt bonds to be used for purchasing rolling stock like trains and permits high-speed intercity rail projects to have a maximum speed limit of 110 miles per hour instead of 150. These changes apply to any bonds issued after the law is enacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases borrowing limits and expands tax-exempt financing to fund transportation infrastructure, directly strengthening state/local budgets and public services.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill expands tax-exempt financing and borrowing limits to fund urban transit, freight infrastructure, and rolling stock purchases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Procurement Rail Roads & Highways Transportation Funding

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 28, 2026

S 5143: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to modify procedural requirements for penalties and disallowance periods.

This bill requires the IRS to obtain written approval from a supervisor or a specific penalties office before imposing penalties or disallowing tax credits. The approval must be secured before the agency sends the first notice to a taxpayer that allows them to appeal the decision. Additionally, the legislation defines specific timeframes for disallowing certain tax credits and mandates that the Treasury Department publish annual reports detailing how penalties are assessed and enforced. These changes take effect twelve months after the bill is enacted, with the reporting requirement beginning two years later.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases IRS accountability by requiring supervisor approval for penalties, reducing arbitrary enforcement and promoting fiscal responsibility.75% confidence

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 22, 2026

S 5084: A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to apply inflation adjustments to the base amount and adjusted base amount for purposes of determining taxable social security benefits.

This bill proposes to automatically increase the income thresholds used to determine how much of Social Security benefits are subject to federal income tax. Starting in 2027, the specific dollar limits would be adjusted annually based on the official cost-of-living adjustment, with any resulting amounts rounded up to the nearest hundred dollars. The change directly affects retirees and other individuals who receive Social Security payments, ensuring that the income levels triggering taxes on those benefits keep pace with inflation. By updating these thresholds, the legislation aims to prevent the taxable portion of benefits from growing disproportionately as prices rise over time.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill increases tax thresholds for Social Security benefits, providing tax relief to retirees and reducing the tax burden on lower-income seniors.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Income Tax

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in committee · United States · House Jul 23, 2026

HR 9906: FIXER Act

The FIXER Act allows state and local governments to issue tax-free bonds for specific housing projects without being limited by the usual spending caps. This change applies to buildings that need repairs or upgrades, such as low-income housing where the required affordable rental period has ended or federally assisted structures. By removing these limits, the bill aims to make it easier to raise funds for preserving and improving existing residential rental properties. Additionally, the act adjusts rules on buying existing buildings to allow up to 50 percent of bond funds to be used for such acquisitions, up from the previous 15 percent limit.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesThe bill enables tax-free bonds to fund housing repairs, increasing available capital for essential public infrastructure without raising taxes.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingThe FIXER Act enables tax-free bonds for repairing and upgrading housing, directly funding preservation of existing rental properties and low-income housing.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Debt & Bonds Affordable Housing Historic Preservation Housing Finance

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in committee · United States · House Jul 23, 2026

HR 9936: PERFORM Act

The PERFORM Act restricts the Postmaster General from receiving bonuses or performance-based pay if the Postal Service runs a financial deficit, misses service targets, or fails to pass its annual audit. To enforce this, the law requires the Postmaster General to submit an annual report to Congress detailing all executive compensation, the metrics used to justify those payments, and the agency's financial and service performance data. Additionally, the Postal Service Inspector General must review these reports to ensure compliance with the new restrictions. These measures directly affect the compensation of senior Postal Service leadership and increase transparency regarding the agency's financial and operational results.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enforces fiscal responsibility by restricting executive bonuses during deficits and mandating transparency, aligning with budget management goals.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Audits & Accountability

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in committee · United States · House Jul 21, 2026

HR 9809: Disabled Access Credit Modernization Act

The Disabled Access Credit Modernization Act updates the tax credit available to small businesses that make their facilities more accessible to people with disabilities. It allows these businesses to claim the credit for a broader range of expenses, including equipment and services that go beyond the minimum requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act or are needed even if the business is not currently subject to those rules. Additionally, the bill clarifies the definitions of disability and reasonable accommodation within the tax code. The legislation also requires the Treasury Department to issue guidance and conduct public outreach to help eligible businesses understand the updated credit, with a report to Congress due two years after enactment. These changes will take effect for expenses incurred after December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands tax credits for small businesses, providing fiscal relief and encouraging accessibility investments.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands tax credits for businesses improving accessibility, fostering inclusive employment environments and supporting workers with disabilities.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tags People with Disabilities

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in committee · United States · Senate Jul 21, 2026

S 5037: MediKids Act

The MediKids Act expands Medicaid eligibility to cover children and young adults up to age 26, regardless of their immigration status, and establishes a system for automatic enrollment of newborns that allows parents to opt out if other qualifying health coverage is available. The bill ensures that states provide full federal funding for these expanded groups and extends specific pediatric health services, such as Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT), to individuals up to age 26. Additionally, the legislation modifies tax rules to prevent this new Medicaid coverage from counting as minimum essential coverage for the purpose of individual health insurance tax penalties.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands Medicaid eligibility and ensures full federal funding for new groups, directly increasing government spending on public health services.75% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands Medicaid eligibility, ensures full federal funding, and extends pediatric health services, directly strengthening healthcare access.95% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationBill explicitly expands Medicaid eligibility to children and young adults regardless of immigration status, directly protecting immigrant access to healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Insurance Medicaid DACA & Dreamers Tags Children

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in committee · United States · House Jul 23, 2026

HR 9911: Shipbuilding Investment and Workforce Act

This bill creates a new tax incentive program to encourage investment in specific areas designated for maritime industries, such as shipyards and ports. It allows certain census tracts identified by the Secretary of Commerce, in consultation with federal officials, to be treated as qualified opportunity zones, which offers tax benefits to investors who put money into businesses operating within those areas. To qualify, the businesses must be directly involved in maritime activities like building or repairing vessels, and the program is limited to a maximum of 100 designated zones. The changes to the tax code will take effect after December 31, 2026, with the initial selection process for these zones beginning by July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates tax incentives and designates opportunity zones to encourage investment in maritime industries, advancing fiscal goals through targeted economic development.85% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill creates tax incentives for maritime industries, including shipyards and ports, which are critical components of transportation infrastructure.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Ports Tags Economic Development

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in committee · United States · House Jun 30, 2026

HR 9543: To amend the Act of July 5, 1884, to permit the imposition of taxes on vessels operating as tourist accommodations, and for other purposes.

This bill amends a 19th-century law to allow state and local governments to impose taxes on cruise ships and their passengers or crew when they dock in U.S. ports. It defines a cruise ship as any vessel that stops at a U.S. port and charges a fee for lodging, such as a cabin or living quarter. The legislation also clarifies that non-federal entities have the authority to collect these specific taxes under existing constitutional provisions.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill expands state and local authority to impose taxes on cruise ships, increasing potential revenue for government budgets.85% confidence

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