House Committee on Ways and Means

Modernizing Agricultural and Manufacturing Bonds Act

The legislation would update the rules for special bonds that help finance agricultural and manufacturing projects, making it easier for farmers and factory owners to access cheaper financing for equipment, facilities, and other business investments. By modernizing these bond programs, the bill aims to reduce borrowing costs for businesses in these industries while potentially spurring economic growth in rural and industrial communities. The changes would affect agricultural operations, manufacturing companies, and the financial institutions that help fund their expansion and modernization efforts.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to require payroll tax withholding on independent contractors of certain large businesses.

Large businesses would be required to withhold payroll taxes directly from payments made to independent contractors, similar to how they currently withhold taxes from employee paychecks. This change would affect gig workers, freelancers, and other self-employed people who work with major companies, potentially reducing their tax filing burden but also changing how they receive and manage their income. The goal is to ensure consistent tax collection and reduce tax evasion among independent contractor arrangements.

To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to adjust the eligibility for the rural emergency hospital designation under the Medicare program.

The proposal would change the rules for which rural hospitals can qualify as emergency hospitals under Medicare, potentially allowing more small hospitals in remote areas to receive this special designation and the funding that comes with it. This could help rural communities maintain emergency care services by giving their hospitals access to Medicare payments designed to support facilities serving less densely populated regions. The change would primarily affect rural hospital administrators, patients in remote areas who depend on these facilities, and Medicare's budget for rural healthcare.

To establish the Commission on Sustaining Medicare and Social Security, and for other purposes.

The bill would create a special commission to study how to keep Medicare and Social Security financially stable for the future. The commission would examine these two major programs that provide health insurance and retirement income to millions of seniors and disabled Americans, and recommend solutions to lawmakers. This affects retirees, people receiving disability benefits, and younger workers who pay into these systems.

Foreign Service Modernization Act

The bill would update how the U.S. Foreign Service operates, likely making changes to how diplomats are hired, trained, paid, or assigned to work abroad. The changes would affect career diplomats, embassy staff, and potentially how the State Department conducts international relations and trade negotiations. Congress is still reviewing the specific details to determine which committees should handle different parts of the proposal.

To designate Antifa as a domestic terrorist organization, to counter domestic terrorism and organized political violence, and for other purposes.

The proposal would officially label Antifa—a decentralized anti-fascist movement rather than a traditional organization—as a domestic terrorist group, which would allow federal law enforcement to pursue participants more aggressively and potentially freeze their financial assets. It also includes broader measures to combat domestic terrorism and organized political violence, affecting how federal agencies investigate and prosecute people involved in such activities. The bill has been sent to multiple congressional committees for review but has not yet been voted on.

Recover COVID Unemployment Fraud in Banks Act

The legislation would allow the federal government to recover pandemic-era unemployment benefits that were fraudulently obtained and deposited into bank accounts, by giving authorities the power to seize those funds directly from financial institutions. This would affect people who received unemployment payments they weren't eligible for during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as banks that hold those accounts. The goal is to recoup taxpayer money that was lost to fraud schemes during the emergency unemployment programs.

To require origin and location disclosure for new products of Foreign origin offered for sale on the internet.

Online retailers would be required to clearly display where products are made and where they're located before customers buy them, making it easier for shoppers to know if items come from foreign manufacturers. The rule would apply to new products sold on the internet and could affect e-commerce companies, international sellers, and consumers looking to make informed purchasing decisions based on product origin.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide that income received by a regulated investment company from precious metals shall be treated as qualifying income.

Investment companies that focus on precious metals like gold and silver would be allowed to count income from these assets as "qualifying income" under tax law, which could help them maintain their special tax status. Currently, these companies face stricter rules that might disqualify them if too much of their income comes from precious metals rather than traditional stocks and bonds. This change would make it easier for precious metals investment funds to operate while keeping their favorable tax treatment.

Tax the Grift Act

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To amend title XVIII of the Social Security Act to establish a demonstration program for international coverage under the Medicare program.

The proposal would let Medicare test a program allowing seniors to receive covered medical care in other countries, rather than only in the United States. This demonstration project would help determine whether international coverage is practical and cost-effective for Medicare beneficiaries who travel abroad or live outside the U.S. The program would affect Medicare recipients and could potentially change how the health insurance program operates globally.

To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to temporarily increase the capital gains exclusion for any qualifying senior who sells a principal residence during a qualifying year, and for other purposes.

This proposal would allow older homeowners to exclude more of their profits from taxes when they sell their primary residence during certain years, reducing the capital gains taxes they owe on the sale. The tax break would be temporary and apply only to seniors who meet specific eligibility requirements. The change would primarily benefit older Americans downsizing or relocating by letting them keep more of the money from their home sale.

To ensure the reliable delivery of water to the United States under the 1944 Water Treaty, to provide a mechanism to compensate United States agricultural producers for economic losses resulting from delivery shortfalls, and for other purposes.

The bill would protect water deliveries to the United States under a 1944 treaty with Mexico and create a compensation program for American farmers who lose income when they don't receive their promised water share. This affects agricultural producers in western states who depend on cross-border water agreements for irrigation and farming operations. The proposal is being reviewed by committees handling foreign relations, taxes, and agriculture to determine how to fund and implement the compensation system.

To strengthen hiring and screening standards for immigration enforcement officers and to strengthen uniform, identification, and professional conduct standards for such officers.

The legislation would establish stricter hiring requirements and background checks for immigration enforcement officers, as well as create uniform standards for their uniforms, identification badges, and professional conduct. These changes would apply to officers working for immigration agencies like ICE and CBP, aiming to improve accountability and professionalism in how immigration enforcement is carried out. The bill is currently being reviewed by three House committees to determine which parts fall under each committee's jurisdiction.

To require the Administrator of the Small Business Administration to establish a program to encourage small business concerns to make business succession plans, and for other purposes.

The Small Business Administration would be required to create a program encouraging small business owners to develop succession plans—detailed strategies for transferring their businesses to the next generation or new owners when they retire or leave. This would help ensure that family-owned shops, farms, and other small enterprises can continue operating smoothly after current owners step down, protecting jobs and local economies. The program would likely include guidance, resources, or incentives to help business owners prepare for this transition.

Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act

Preventing Waste, Fraud, and Abuse in TANF Act This bill limits how and when states may use Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds and establishes an eligibility threshold for all TANF-funded assistance and services. Currently, each state sets its own eligibility threshold for TANF-funded cash assistance. The bill establishes an upper limit on eligibility applicable to all assistance and services (including non-cash benefits) funded by TANF family assistance grants. Under this provision, only families with income under 200% of the federal poverty guidelines may receive TANF-funded assistance and services. Further, the bill generally requires states to obligate TANF funds by the end of the fiscal year after they are paid and to spend funds by the end of the second fiscal year after they are paid. However, states may reserve a specified portion of their TANF funds for future use. (There is currently no requirement to use TANF funds within a specified period.) The bill also explicitly requires states to use federal TANF funds to supplement, not replace, state and local funding for TANF-supported programs. (Current law requires states to spend a specified minimum amount on TANF-eligible activities and populations, known as the maintenance of effort requirement.) States must also take specified steps to track and report on improper payments of federal funds (e.g., overpayments, underpayments, payments to ineligible recipients). Within one year of enactment, HHS must submit to Congress a plan to reduce or eliminate improper payments made by states under the TANF program within 10 years.

To establish programs to improve bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure and incentivize the use of bicycles in transit, and for other purposes.

The bill would create federal programs and funding to build better bike lanes, sidewalks, and pedestrian pathways while offering incentives to encourage people to use bicycles for transportation instead of cars. It would affect cities and towns looking to improve their infrastructure, cyclists and pedestrians who use these facilities, and potentially workers or commuters who might switch to biking. The proposal has been sent to two congressional committees to review different parts of the legislation.

Young Adult Tax Credit Act

The proposal would create a new tax credit for young adults that they could claim on their taxes, with the government sending them monthly payments in advance rather than waiting until tax time. Young adults would receive regular cash payments throughout the year to help with living expenses, and could also claim any remaining credit amount when filing their taxes. This would primarily benefit younger workers and individuals starting out in their careers.

To amend chapter 261 of title 49, United States Code, to provide for high-speed rail corridor development, and for other purposes.

The proposal would establish or expand high-speed rail corridors across the United States by amending federal transportation law, likely providing funding and regulatory support to develop faster train routes between major cities. This would affect transportation companies, state governments, and communities looking to improve rail infrastructure, while potentially offering passengers an alternative to driving or flying. The bill has been sent to two congressional committees to review the transportation and budget aspects of the proposal.

Affordable Housing Credit Carryback Act

The proposal would let developers and investors who build affordable housing claim tax credits for up to five years after they initially qualify, rather than having to use them immediately. This change would give housing developers more flexibility in managing their taxes and potentially make it easier for them to finance affordable housing projects. The measure is currently under review by the House Committee on Ways and Means.