Tim Burchett

Cyber Letters of Marque and Reprisal Act

The proposal would allow the President to authorize private individuals and companies to conduct offensive cyber operations against foreign targets in response to cyberattacks on the United States, similar to historical "letters of marque" that allowed privateers to attack enemy ships. This would essentially create a legal framework for government-sanctioned private hackers to retaliate against foreign cyber threats without those individuals facing criminal charges. The measure affects cybersecurity professionals, technology companies, and international relations, though it raises questions about oversight, accountability, and compliance with international law.

To amend the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to improve the accuracy of estimates of retail food store trafficking in the supplemental nutrition assistance program benefits, to strengthen penalties for trafficking violations, to require reporting information to the Congress; and for other purposes.

The bill would crack down on fraud in the food stamp program by improving how the government tracks when stores illegally sell SNAP benefits for cash instead of food. It would also increase penalties for stores caught trafficking in benefits and require regular reports to Congress about how widespread the problem is. These changes aim to prevent criminals from stealing money meant to help low-income families buy groceries.

SNAP Citizenship and Residency Act of 2026

The proposal would limit food assistance benefits to immigrants who have been approved as permanent residents and have lived legally in the United States for at least 10 years, making it harder for newer immigrants and other non-citizens to qualify for the federal food aid program. Currently, some immigrants with different legal statuses can receive these benefits, but this change would narrow who is eligible. The change would affect millions of immigrants and their families who rely on food assistance to put meals on the table.

Easy Access to Mail Act

The proposal would set new rules for how the U.S. Postal Service handles mail delivery to apartment buildings and residential complexes, requiring clearer procedures for when mail gets delivered to centralized mailboxes instead of individual unit doors. This affects both postal workers and residents who receive mail, potentially changing how and where people pick up their packages and letters depending on their housing type. The bill is currently under review by a House committee.

Prioritizing Warfighters in Defense Contracting Act

The federal government would restrict defense contractors that fail to meet performance standards from using taxpayer money to buy back their own stock, pay shareholder dividends, or give large executive bonuses. The Defense Secretary would decide which contractors are underperforming and enforce these restrictions. This aims to ensure that defense spending goes toward improving services and products rather than enriching shareholders and executives at companies that aren't meeting their obligations.

Local Beef Marketing Incentive Act of 2026

The federal government would create a new program to pay beef farmers and ranchers when they sell directly to consumers (rather than through traditional markets) and experience revenue losses. Eligible producers would receive subsidies to help offset financial losses from these direct-to-market sales, such as selling beef directly to restaurants or consumers instead of through middlemen. This program would primarily benefit small and mid-sized beef producers who rely on direct sales channels.

Duplication Scoring Act of 2026

This bill would require the federal government to identify and score overlapping or duplicate programs across different agencies to help reduce waste and inefficiency in how taxpayer money is spent. The measure aims to give Congress and the public a clearer picture of where government services overlap so lawmakers can make better decisions about consolidating or eliminating redundant programs. It would affect federal agencies and potentially save money by streamlining government operations.

DROP Act of 2026

This proposal would change federal rules about how the death penalty is carried out in the United States. The amendment would modify the legal procedures and methods used when a death sentence is implemented in federal cases. This would affect how the federal government executes people who have been sentenced to death for federal crimes.

Deporting Illegal Poachers Act

This bill would make it illegal for non-citizens to enter or stay in the United States if they have been convicted of or committed violations of state or federal hunting and fishing laws. People who break these wildlife laws could be deported, and immigration officials could deny them entry to the country. The change would apply to both serious and minor hunting or fishing violations.

Survivor Tax Filing Simplification Act

The Treasury Department would create an online portal to help survivors of deceased taxpayers more easily handle tax-related matters, such as filing final tax returns and claiming refunds owed to the estate. This tool would simplify the process for families dealing with a loved one's death by providing guidance and streamlined access to necessary tax forms and information in one place.

Veterans Protection from Fraud Act of 2026

The proposal would increase criminal penalties for crimes specifically targeting veterans, making punishments harsher for offenders who commit violent crimes, theft, or fraud against people who have served in the military. This would affect both the veterans who receive stronger legal protections and the individuals convicted of crimes against them, who would face longer prison sentences or larger fines. The bill aims to recognize veterans as a protected group deserving of enhanced legal safeguards.

PEARL Act

This bill would allow pharmacists to refuse to fill prescriptions for medications that can induce abortion based on their religious beliefs, without facing legal consequences from their employers or state licensing boards. The measure protects pharmacists' ability to opt out of dispensing these drugs while potentially leaving patients responsible for finding another pharmacy to fill their prescriptions. It affects both pharmacists seeking religious exemptions and patients who may face delays or difficulty accessing these medications.

To terminate the All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office of the Department of Defense, and for other purposes.

This bill would shut down the Pentagon's All-domain Anomaly Resolution Office, which was created to investigate unidentified flying objects and other unexplained phenomena affecting military operations. The measure is currently under review by congressional committees that oversee defense and intelligence matters to determine whether eliminating this office is the right approach.

African Development Foundation Termination Act of 2026

This bill would shut down the African Development Foundation, a U.S. government agency that provides grants and loans to help small businesses and communities in African countries develop economically. The action would eliminate the foundation's operations and redirect its remaining resources, affecting development projects across Africa and the American workers and contractors involved in those programs.

Airmen Certificate Accessibility Act

Pilot Certificate Accessibility Act This bill allows a pilot to present a digital copy of certain certificates (e.g., an airman certificate or a medical certificate) when required to present such documentation by a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) inspector. Under current FAA regulations, a pilot must present for inspection a physical copy of an airman certificate and other paperwork upon a request from the FAA; a federal, state, or local law enforcement officer; or an authorized representative of the Transportation Security Administration or the National Transportation Safety Board. This bill allows a pilot to present a certificate such as an airman certificate or a medical certificate to an FAA inspector as (1) a physical, original copy; or (2) a digital copy stored on an electronic device or cloud storage platform. The FAA must update current regulations to implement this change.

American Meat Freedom Act

This bill would likely prevent the federal government from imposing new regulations on meat production, processing, or labeling without approval from Congress. It appears designed to protect meat producers and farmers from what supporters view as excessive federal oversight, though it could limit food safety or environmental rules. The bill affects livestock farmers, meat companies, and potentially consumers depending on what regulations it blocks.

No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act

No Tax Dollars for Terrorists Act This bill requires the Department of State to develop and implement a strategy to discourage foreign countries and nongovernmental organizations from providing financial or material support to the Taliban, including by using U.S.-provided foreign assistance to discourage countries and organizations from providing such support to the Taliban. The State Department must report to Congress on (1) foreign countries and nongovernmental organizations that have provided financial or material support to the Taliban and U.S. efforts to oppose such support; (2) the strategy to discourage such support and a plan for the strategy's implementation; (3) U.S.-funded direct cash assistance programs in Afghanistan; and (4) the Afghan Fund, including Taliban influence over Da Afghanistan Bank (the Afghan central bank).

To require the Secretary of State to submit a notification to Congress prior to obligating funds for certain art-related purchases, and for other purposes.

The State Department would need to notify Congress before spending money on art purchases or related cultural projects. This gives lawmakers a chance to review and potentially object to how taxpayer money is being used for art acquisitions and international cultural initiatives. The requirement affects the State Department's ability to make these spending decisions independently.

To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 300 Macedonia Lane in Knoxville, Tennessee, as the Reverend Harold Middlebrook Post Office Building.

This bill designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 300 Macedonia Lane in Knoxville, Tennessee, as the "Reverend Harold Middlebrook Post Office Building".

To amend the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to prevent duplicate enrollments in Exchanges.

The bill would fix a problem where people can accidentally sign up for health insurance through multiple government exchanges at the same time, which creates confusion and billing issues. It would add safeguards to the healthcare law to prevent these duplicate enrollments and ensure people only have one active insurance plan when they use the government marketplaces. This affects anyone who buys insurance through the healthcare exchanges and the insurance companies that serve them.

Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets Act

Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets Act This bill requires federal agencies to incentivize the use of civil commitment (i.e., involuntary psychiatric hospitalization or treatment) to address homelessness, such as through prioritizing grant funding for certain activities and other policy changes. The bill provides statutory authority for many provisions of an executive order issued by President Donald Trump on July 24, 2025, titled Ending Crime and Disorder on America’s Streets . The bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to seek reversal of federal and state court decisions and termination of certain court orders that impede a policy of encouraging the civil commitment of unhoused individuals. DOJ must assist jurisdictions with implementing flexible standards for civil commitment and institutional treatment. DOJ must also review whether entities receiving federal housing funds are operating safe consumption sites (i.e., supervised use of illicit drugs) in violation of federal law, ensure that unhoused individuals arrested for federal crimes are evaluated and referred for civil commitment if they are found to be sexually dangerous persons, and ensure availability of certain federal funding for state and local governments for encampment removal. Additionally, the bill requires various agencies to implement certain measures, as deemed appropriate, including conditioning participation of certain individuals in federally funded housing and homelessness assistance programs on the receipt of substance abuse treatment or mental health services, allowing federally funded housing programs to exclusively house women and children, and prioritizing grants for jurisdictions that prohibit urban encampments and squatting.

Public Transit Crime Prevention Act

This bill would likely establish new federal funding, programs, or requirements to help reduce crime on public transportation systems like buses and trains. It could include measures such as increased security personnel, surveillance systems, or coordination between transit agencies and law enforcement to make riders and workers safer. The legislation would affect public transit systems, their riders, and local law enforcement agencies across the country.

Social Security Guarantee Act of 2025

Social Security Guarantee Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of the Treasury to issue certificates to Social Security beneficiaries that guarantee them the full monthly benefit amount to which they are entitled and at least an annual cost-of-living increase to their benefits. It also provides additional mandatory funding for those benefits. Currently, Social Security beneficiaries are entitled to their benefits, but benefits are primarily funded through a payroll tax (including assets derived from the tax held in reserve). Actuarial projections reported by the Social Security Board of Trustees indicate that in 2035 there will be insufficient tax revenue and reserved assets to cover the full amount of benefit payments.

Tennessee Valley Authority Transparency Act of 2025

Tennessee Valley Authority Transparency Act of 2025 This bill revises the duties of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Board of Directors to include holding public meetings at least four times each year. The board must provide public notice at least six days before such a meeting, unless the meeting is designated as an emergency. TVA, a federally owned electric utility corporation, provides low-cost electricity in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Virginia. It also provides flood control, navigation, and land management for the Tennessee River system.

EO 14285 Act of 2025

EO 14285 Act of 2025 This bill provides statutory authority for Executive Order 14285, which expedites the process for reviewing and issuing permits and licenses for seabed mineral resource development.

Legislative Accountability Act

The proposal would require Congress to follow the same laws and regulations that apply to other employers and workers, removing certain exemptions that currently allow lawmakers and congressional staff to operate under different rules. This would affect members of Congress, their staff, and potentially other federal employees by making them subject to workplace laws covering issues like discrimination, harassment, and labor standards. The bill is currently being reviewed by House committees to determine how its provisions should be handled.

No In-State Tuition for Illegal Immigrants Act

This proposal would prevent states from offering in-state tuition rates to students who are in the country illegally, requiring them to pay the higher out-of-state tuition instead. The bill would affect undocumented immigrants seeking higher education and states that currently allow in-state tuition for this population. It's currently being reviewed by committees in Congress to determine whether it should move forward for a vote.

End Congressional Stock Trading Act

Members of Congress would be prohibited from buying and selling individual stocks, bonds, and other securities while serving in office, though they could still invest in diversified funds like mutual funds or index funds. The goal is to prevent lawmakers from potentially profiting from insider information they gain through their work in government or making decisions that benefit their personal investments rather than the public interest. This would apply to Congress members and their spouses, with some exceptions for investments made before taking office.

Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds Congressional Gold Medal Act

Master Sergeant Roddie Edmonds Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the posthumous award of a Congressional Gold Medal to Roddie Edmonds in recognition of his achievements and heroic actions during World War II.

Trailer Safety Improvement Act

Trailer Safety Improvement Act This bill requires that state highway safety programs address trailer safety equipment, preventive maintenance, and other aspects of the proper and safe usage of light- and medium-duty trailers.