Ben Cline

Servicemember Payment Data Privacy and Security Act

The Department of Defense would be banned from doing business with retail companies that use certain types of payment processing equipment, systems, or services. This restriction would affect defense contractors and suppliers who sell to the military, potentially limiting where the Pentagon can purchase goods and services. The goal appears to be controlling which payment technologies the military indirectly supports through its spending.

No Bias in the Baseline Act

This bill would change how Congress calculates budget baselines—the starting point used to measure whether spending proposals increase or decrease the budget. Instead of assuming spending will automatically adjust with inflation, the baseline would assume discretionary spending stays at current levels. This affects how lawmakers and budget analysts evaluate the cost of new legislation and spending proposals.

Cost Estimate Clarity Act

The bill would require the Congressional Budget Office to explain how their cost estimates for proposed laws might change depending on which baseline assumptions they use when doing their calculations. This would give Congress and the public a clearer picture of how different starting points affect budget projections, making it easier to understand the real financial impact of new legislation.

Bankruptcy Threshold Adjustment Act of 2026

This bill would adjust the income limits that determine whether individuals can file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy (which wipes out debts) versus Chapter 13 bankruptcy (which requires a repayment plan), likely raising those thresholds to account for inflation since they were last updated. The change would make it easier for some middle-income households struggling with debt to qualify for complete debt relief rather than being forced into a repayment arrangement. Creditors and lenders would be affected by potentially losing more debt claims, while consumers facing financial hardship could benefit from more accessible bankruptcy options.

287(g) Cooperation Act of 2026

This bill would expand and strengthen a federal program that allows local police departments to work directly with immigration authorities to identify and detain people suspected of being in the country illegally. The program, known as 287(g), would likely receive more funding and clearer guidelines to help state and local law enforcement participate in immigration enforcement alongside federal agents. The changes would affect both local police departments and immigrant communities, potentially increasing deportations and changing how local police interact with residents.

Fiscal Contingency Preparedness Act

The bill would require the federal government to develop and maintain plans for continuing essential operations during budget crises, such as when Congress fails to pass a spending bill on time. It would establish procedures to keep critical services running for workers, veterans, and the public during these financial emergencies, while also setting rules for how agencies should manage their resources when funding is uncertain.

Protecting Access to American Products Act

This bill would likely restrict or regulate the use of foreign-made products in American transportation and infrastructure projects, potentially requiring that materials and equipment used in federally-funded construction meet certain domestic content requirements. The measure would affect construction companies, manufacturers, and infrastructure projects receiving government funding by limiting their ability to source materials from overseas suppliers. The goal appears to be protecting American manufacturing jobs and ensuring that taxpayer money spent on infrastructure primarily benefits domestic producers.

No Tax on Takings Act

This bill would prevent the federal government from taxing compensation that property owners receive when the government takes their land for public use, such as for highways or parks. Currently, when someone is paid for property seized through eminent domain, that payment may be subject to federal income tax; this legislation would make such payments tax-free. The change would primarily benefit property owners who lose land to government projects.

Protecting Ballot Measures From Foreign Influence Act of 2025

Protecting Ballot Measures From Foreign Influence Act of 2025 This bill prohibits contributions or donations by foreign nationals in connection with state or local ballot initiatives or referenda.

Skinny Labels, Big Savings Act

Skinny Labels, Big Savings Act This bill provides a statutory safe harbor from patent infringement claims for generic or biosimilar manufacturers that seek or obtain approval for skinny labels of their drugs. Under current law, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) may approve generic and biosimilar drugs through a process known as skinny labeling, which allows a generic manufacturer to seek approval only for approved uses of the drug that are no longer protected by patents. However, in GlaxoSmithKline LLC v. Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. , a court held that a generic manufacturer may sometimes be liable for patent infringement when it markets skinny label generics. The bill specifically lists the following as actions that are not considered infringement of a method of use claim in a patent under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act: submitting or seeking approval of a skinny label for a generic or biosimilar drug; promoting or commercially marketing a drug with skinny labeling approved by the FDA; or describing a drug product approved by the FDA as a generic of, or therapeutically equivalent to, the branded drug. The bill also applies the safe harbor to similar actions under the Public Health Service Act.

Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act of 2025

This bill would establish new rules to prevent foreign governments and entities from interfering with U.S. court cases and legal proceedings, likely by restricting foreign funding of lawsuits, requiring disclosure of foreign involvement in litigation, or blocking foreign parties from manipulating American judicial processes. The measure would affect lawyers, judges, plaintiffs, defendants, and anyone involved in court cases who might have foreign connections or funding. By strengthening protections against foreign interference in the legal system, the bill aims to keep U.S. courts independent and focused on serving American interests.

Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act

Firearm Access During Shutdowns Act This bill requires various federal agencies to continue certain operations, functions, and services related to firearms during a government shutdown. The bill applies to the Federal Bureau of Investigation's National Instant Criminal Background Check System, including the processing of background checks in support of the operations of the Directorate of Enforcement Programs and Services of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the ATF's Directorate of Enforcement Programs and Services; the activities of the Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security relating to firearms and firearm-related products, including activities related to processing of applications for export licenses; and the activities of the Department of State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls relating to firearms and firearm-related products, including activities related to processing of applications for export licenses. Under the bill, (1) these operations, functions, and services are deemed to relate to an emergency involving the safety of human life or the protection of property; and (2) employees carrying out the operations, functions, and services are deemed to be excepted employees. (Under an exception in the Antideficiency Act, an employee whose duties involve the safety of human life or the protection of property may be required to work during a government shutdown. Employees who are required to work during a government shutdown because they fall under this or other exceptions are known as excepted employees.)

No Welfare for the Wealthy Act of 2025

No Welfare for the Wealthy Act of 2025 This bill requires all households participating in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to meet the program's income and asset requirements, thereby eliminating certain alternative SNAP eligibility pathways. Currently, a household may be eligible for SNAP by meeting program-specific federal eligibility requirements, which include both income and asset tests. A household may also be automatically or categorically eligible for SNAP based on eligibility for or receiving cash benefits from other specified low-income assistance programs (e.g., Temporary Assistance for Needy Families [TANF]). Under this categorical eligibility, households that already meet financial eligibility rules in a program like TANF are not required to go through a SNAP financial eligibility determination. A majority of states also provide broad-based categorical eligibility (BBCE), a policy that makes most households with an income below a certain threshold categorically eligible for SNAP. Under BBCE, these states typically make households categorically eligible through receiving or being authorized to receive a minimal non-cash TANF benefit or service (e.g., a pamphlet). A state may set its own BBCE financial eligibility requirements for a household so long as the gross income requirement is below a certain level. A state's requirements do not have to match SNAP program-specific eligibility requirements. For example, most states that provide BBCE do not have an asset test for SNAP eligibility. The bill requires all SNAP households, including those that qualify under categorical eligibility, to meet the program's income and asset requirements.

Hearing Protection Act

This bill would remove the federal tax and licensing requirements that currently apply to firearm silencers, making them cheaper and easier for gun owners to purchase by eliminating a $200 tax stamp and registration process. The change would affect gun manufacturers, dealers, and individual firearm owners who want to use silencers for hearing protection or noise reduction. The bill is currently being reviewed by two congressional committees to determine which parts fall under their areas of responsibility.