Government Operations and Politics Desk
Government Operations and Politics Bills
34 bills in the Government Operations and Politics desk, ordered for current relevance and readability.
Government Operations and PoliticsHR-151-119Latest action: Apr 21, 20264 readersIn Committee
Equal Representation Act
Sponsored by Chuck Edwards
The decennial census, conducted every ten years by the Census Bureau, currently counts all persons residing in the United States regardless of citizenship status. This total population count is then used to apportion House seats among the states under the Apportionment Act of 1929. The Constitution requires that Representatives be apportioned among the states according to their respective numbers, but does not specify whether this count should include only citizens or all residents. Currently, the apportionment formula excludes only Native Americans not taxed, meaning noncitizens—including undocumented immigrants and temporary visa holders—are counted in the population figures that determine each state's representation. The Equal Representation Act requires the Census Bureau to add a citizenship question to the 2030 decennial census and all subsequent censuses, asking respondents to indicate whether they and household members are U.S. citizens. The Census Bureau must then publicly report the number of citizens and noncitizens by state within 120 days of completing the census. The bill also amends the Apportionment Act of 1929 to exclude noncitizens from the population count used to determine how many House seats each state receives, alongside the existing exclusion of Native Americans not taxed. The citizenship data collection begins with the 2030 census, but the apportionment change takes effect only after that census is completed and reported. States with larger noncitizen populations—particularly in the Southwest, parts of California, and urban centers—would lose House seats under the new formula, while states with smaller noncitizen populations would gain seats. The bill includes a severability clause protecting the remaining provisions if any part is struck down as unconstitutional. No new funding is explicitly authorized, as the Census Bureau already conducts the decennial census; the citizenship question would be added to existing survey operations.
Government Operations and Politics
Latest updateApr 21, 2026
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. H. Rept. 119-619.
Government Operations and Politics
Government Operations and PoliticsHR-67-119Latest action: May 21, 20250 readersIn Committee
Modernizing Retrospective Regulatory Review
Sponsored by Andy Biggs
Federal agencies currently conduct retrospective reviews of their regulations on an ad hoc basis, without standardized methods or consistent use of modern technology. While some regulations are subject to mandatory review requirements under existing law, most agencies lack systematic processes to identify outdated, redundant, or burdensome rules. The Federal Register maintains regulations in both traditional and electronic formats, but these are not uniformly accessible in machine-readable form that computers can easily process and analyze. This fragmented approach means agencies often miss opportunities to streamline their regulatory frameworks or identify rules that no longer serve their intended purpose. The Office of Management and Budget, through its Administrator of the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, must issue guidance within 18 months directing federal agencies on how to use technology—including artificial intelligence and algorithmic tools—to conduct more efficient and accurate retrospective reviews of existing regulations. Each agency head must then submit a plan within two years detailing how it will implement this guidance, identifying which of its regulations are legally required to be reviewed or would benefit from review, and specifying any additional analysis needed. Agencies must begin implementing their strategies within 180 days of submitting their plans. The Office of Management and Budget must also report within 180 days on the current availability of federal regulations in machine-readable format and the status of the electronic Code of Federal Regulations as an official legal edition. Agencies will begin systematically using technology tools to identify regulations that are obsolete, ineffective, excessively burdensome, redundant, or contain errors and inaccuracies. This modernized approach creates a structured timeline: the initial government-wide report arrives within six months, guidance follows within 18 months, agency plans arrive within two years, and implementation begins shortly thereafter. No new funding source is specified, suggesting agencies will absorb these costs within existing budgets. The change establishes an ongoing process rather than a one-time review, potentially leading to more frequent regulatory updates and a more dynamic regulatory environment across federal agencies.
Government Operations and Politics
Latest updateMay 21, 2025
Ordered to be Reported by the Yeas and Nays: 24 - 18.
Government Operations and Politics
Government Operations and PoliticsHR-22-119Latest action: Apr 10, 202519 readersPassed Chamber
SAVE Act
Sponsored by Chip Roy
Under current federal law, the National Voter Registration Act of 1993 allows states to register voters without requiring documentary proof of citizenship at the time of registration. States may accept voter registration applications through motor vehicle licensing offices, mail-in forms, and other agencies, with citizenship typically verified through other means or attestation. This framework has created inconsistency across states in how citizenship is confirmed before individuals are added to voter rolls for federal elections. The SAVE Act amends the National Voter Registration Act to require that states not register any individual to vote in federal elections unless the applicant presents documentary proof of United States citizenship at the time of registration. The bill defines acceptable citizenship documents to include a REAL ID-compliant identification card, valid U.S. passport, military identification with military service records, government-issued photo ID showing U.S. birthplace, or a certified birth certificate paired with government photo ID. States must verify citizenship through these documents or through alternative processes established by the state, where applicants may submit other evidence and sign an attestation under penalty of perjury. The Election Assistance Commission must develop a uniform affidavit for officials to use when approving applicants without documentary proof. States must implement these requirements within 30 days of enactment and establish ongoing programs to identify non-citizens currently registered using data from the Department of Homeland Security's SAVE system, Social Security Administration verification services, state identification agencies, or other citizenship-confirmation databases. States must also modify motor vehicle licensing applications, mail voter registration forms, and voter registration agency procedures to require citizenship documentation. Election officials must notify applicants submitting mail registrations of the citizenship documentation requirement and provide instructions for compliance. States must ensure reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities seeking to present citizenship documents.
Government Operations and Politics
Latest updateApr 10, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 220 - 208 (Roll no. 102).
Government Operations and Politics
Government Operations and PoliticsHR-185-119Latest action: Mar 14, 20253 readersIn Committee
Responsible Legislating Act
Sponsored by James McGovern
Federal law currently requires livestock market reporting through the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 and the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act of 1999, with provisions set to expire at the end of 2024. These laws mandate that packers and dealers report prices and volumes for cattle, hogs, and lambs to help maintain market transparency and protect farmers from unfair pricing practices. The reporting requirements have been extended multiple times since their original enactment to ensure continuous market oversight. The Responsible Legislating Act extends the livestock mandatory reporting requirements by one year, moving the expiration date from 2024 to 2025. The Department of Agriculture will continue administering these reporting obligations through the existing framework, requiring packers and dealers to submit pricing and transaction data as they currently do. The bill also directs the Department of Labor's Assistant Secretary for Veterans' Employment and Training, in coordination with the Department of Veterans Affairs, to establish or update a public website where veterans can search for registered apprenticeship programs by occupation and location, including program costs, contact information, veteran endorsements, and certifications earned. The livestock reporting extension takes effect immediately upon enactment and requires no new funding, as it maintains existing agency operations. The apprenticeship website must be established and searchable by occupation and location, with information updated on apprenticeship.gov or any successor platform. Additionally, the bill amends federal retirement law to allow federal employees in high-risk positions—law enforcement officers, firefighters, air traffic controllers, customs officers, nuclear materials couriers, and Capitol and Supreme Court Police—who become permanently disabled on duty to transition to non-covered civil service positions within their agency while retaining their covered-position retirement benefits, provided the transition occurs within three days of separation from their original role.
Government Operations and Politics
Latest updateMar 14, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
Government Operations and Politics
Government Operations and PoliticsHR-77-119Latest action: Feb 13, 20250 readersPassed Chamber
Midnight Rules Relief Act
Sponsored by Andy Biggs
Under current law, the Congressional Review Act (Chapter 8 of Title 5, United States Code) allows Congress to disapprove federal agency rules through joint resolutions. "Midnight rules" are regulations issued during the final year of a presidential term, often in the weeks before a new administration takes office. Historically, Congress has considered disapproval resolutions one rule at a time, requiring separate votes on each resolution. This process can be time-consuming and procedurally cumbersome, particularly when multiple midnight rules are issued in quick succession. The Midnight Rules Relief Act amends the Congressional Review Act to authorize Congress to bundle multiple midnight rules into a single joint resolution of disapproval. Specifically, the bill modifies Section 801(d) and Section 802(a) of Title 5 to permit a joint resolution to contain one or more rules if each rule's report was submitted during the final year of a President's term. The bill also standardizes the language in such bundled resolutions, allowing Congress to list multiple rules in a single disapproval measure with a unified statement that all listed rules "shall have no force or effect." In practice, this change streamlines the congressional disapproval process by allowing lawmakers to vote on multiple midnight rules simultaneously rather than holding separate votes for each regulation. The bill takes effect immediately upon enactment and requires no additional funding. The change applies only to rules submitted during a President's final year, meaning it does not affect the standard review process for other regulations. This procedural modification could accelerate Congress's ability to overturn multiple regulations issued near the end of an administration, though the underlying substantive standards for disapproval remain unchanged.
Government Operations and Politics
Latest updateFeb 12, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 212 - 208 (Roll no. 41). (text: CR H654)
Government Operations and Politics
Government Operations and PoliticsHR-149-119Latest action: Feb 6, 20250 readersIn Committee
Lead by Example Act of 2025
Sponsored by Warren Davidson
Currently, Members of Congress and Congressional staff receive health insurance through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), which offers a range of private health plans, or through health care exchanges established under the Affordable Care Act. These benefits are funded through a combination of employee and employer contributions, similar to coverage available to other federal employees. The FEHBP provides access to a broad network of private providers and has been the standard health insurance mechanism for Congress since its establishment in 1959. This arrangement allows Members and staff to choose from multiple insurance options with varying coverage levels and costs. The Lead by Example Act of 2025 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to become the sole health care provider for Members of Congress and Congressional staff beginning January 3, 2027. Under this change, Congress members and their staff would receive care through the VA system—including VA medical facilities and non-VA providers contracted by the VA—as if they were veterans eligible for VA benefits. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management must jointly develop and submit an implementation plan to Congress by September 15, 2025, outlining how to transition Congress to VA care and identifying any additional legislative changes needed to execute the shift. The transition takes effect in January 2027, providing roughly 16 months for the VA and Office of Personnel Management to prepare. The bill does not specify a dedicated funding source; instead, VA care would be provided under existing VA authorities governing veteran health services. The shift would eliminate Congressional participation in the FEHBP and health exchange plans, potentially reducing administrative costs for those programs while increasing demand on VA resources. The VA would need to expand capacity and staffing to accommodate several thousand new enrollees, and the implementation plan will determine whether legislative changes to VA eligibility or service delivery are required.
Government Operations and Politics
Latest updateFeb 6, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Government Operations and Politics
Government Operations and PoliticsHR-144-119Latest action: Jan 16, 20252 readersPassed Chamber
Tennessee Valley Authority Salary Transparency Act
Sponsored by Steve Cohen
The Tennessee Valley Authority, a federal agency established in 1933 to manage hydroelectric power and regional development across the Southeast, currently operates under financial reporting requirements that have evolved over decades. Like other federal agencies, the TVA is subject to the Federal Reports Elimination and Sunset Act of 1995, which automatically terminates reporting mandates unless Congress explicitly reauthorizes them. The TVA has historically submitted financial statements to Congress, but the scope and detail of executive compensation disclosure have remained limited compared to transparency standards applied to other federal entities and private corporations.
Government Operations and Politics
Latest updateJan 15, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 423 - 0 (Roll no. 14). (text: 1/13/2025 CR H105)
Government Operations and Politics
Government Operations and PoliticsHR-189-119Latest action: Jan 14, 20252 readersPassed Chamber
Securities and Exchange Commission Real Estate Leasing Authority Revocation Act
Sponsored by Eleanor Norton
The Securities and Exchange Commission currently holds independent authority to lease office space directly from private landlords under federal law, rather than going through the General Services Administration, which typically handles real estate leasing for federal agencies. This independent leasing power allows the SEC to negotiate and execute its own lease agreements without centralized government oversight of those transactions. The SEC has used this authority to secure office space in multiple locations to support its regulatory operations. This bill amends title 40 of the United States Code to revoke the SEC's independent leasing authority. The General Services Administration Administrator will assume responsibility for leasing all general-purpose office space on behalf of the SEC, effective immediately upon enactment. The SEC will no longer be permitted to enter into new lease agreements directly with private parties; instead, the GSA will handle all such negotiations and contracts under its standard leasing procedures and authority. Existing SEC leases signed before the bill's enactment remain valid and unaffected. The bill also directs the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a comprehensive review of other federal agencies that retain independent leasing authorities, updating a 2016 Government Accountability Office report. This review will identify which agencies still hold such powers, how much space they lease, whether they have voluntarily used GSA services, and progress on prior recommendations to consolidate leasing authority. The Comptroller General must report findings to relevant congressional committees within a specified timeframe, with no dedicated funding mechanism specified in the legislation.
Government Operations and Politics
Latest updateJan 13, 2025
Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by voice vote. (text: CR H104)
Government Operations and Politics
Government Operations and PoliticsHR-221-119Latest action: Jan 7, 20250 readersIn Committee
Abolish the ATF Act
Sponsored by Eric Burlison
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) currently operates as a federal law enforcement agency within the Department of Justice, enforcing federal laws related to firearms, explosives, and alcohol and tobacco trafficking. Established in 1972, the ATF investigates violations of federal firearms statutes, regulates the firearms and explosives industries, and works with state and local law enforcement on criminal investigations. The agency maintains a licensing system for firearms dealers, manufacturers, and importers, and oversees compliance with federal explosives regulations. It also collects excise taxes on firearms and ammunition. This bill abolishes the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives entirely, eliminating the agency and its authority to enforce federal firearms, explosives, and alcohol and tobacco laws. The bill contains no provisions transferring ATF functions to other agencies, establishing replacement mechanisms, or specifying how existing regulatory responsibilities would be handled. No timeline for wind-down operations is specified, nor are there instructions regarding the disposition of ongoing investigations, licensing systems, or regulatory oversight currently managed by the agency. The practical effects of abolishment would be immediate cessation of ATF operations, though the bill does not address how federal firearms licensing, explosives regulation, or law enforcement coordination would continue. Existing federal firearms statutes would remain on the books but lack an enforcement mechanism. State and local law enforcement agencies would inherit responsibility for investigating federal firearms crimes without federal coordination infrastructure. The federal excise tax collection system for firearms and ammunition would require restructuring or elimination. Congressional appropriations currently directed to the ATF would need reallocation or elimination.
Government Operations and Politics
Latest updateJan 7, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
Government Operations and Politics
Government Operations and PoliticsHR-214-119Latest action: Jan 6, 20250 readersIn Committee
District of Columbia Legislative Home Rule Act
Sponsored by Eleanor Norton
Under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973, the District's locally elected government has limited autonomy. While the D.C. Council can pass legislation and the Mayor can sign it into law, Congress retains a 30-day review period during which either chamber can block D.C. laws through a resolution of disapproval. This congressional veto power applies to all local legislation, from budget matters to criminal justice reforms. The review period effectively gives Congress a final say over D.C.'s internal affairs, even though D.C. residents have no voting representation in Congress. This bill eliminates that congressional review mechanism entirely. It repeals Section 604 of the Home Rule Act, which established the process for congressional resolutions of disapproval, and strikes Section 602(c), which imposed the 30-day waiting period. The bill also removes related provisions that required D.C. officials to transmit acts to Congress and track their progress through the review process. Once these amendments take effect, D.C. laws will become effective immediately upon the Mayor's signature or Council passage without any congressional intervention or delay. The changes apply to all D.C. legislation passed on or after the bill's enactment, including acts signed by the Mayor, vetoes overridden by the Council, acts allowed to become law without the Mayor's signature, and ballot initiatives approved by D.C. voters. No new funding is required, as the bill eliminates an existing administrative process rather than creating new programs. The practical effect is that D.C. gains full legislative autonomy for local matters, though Congress retains its constitutional authority to legislate directly for the District if it chooses to do so.
Government Operations and Politics
Latest updateJan 6, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Rules, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Government Operations and Politics
Government Operations and PoliticsHR-171-119Latest action: Jan 4, 20252 readersIn Committee
Make Transportation Authorities Accountable and Transparent Act
Sponsored by Nicole Malliotakis
Federal transit agencies have received substantial funding through multiple appropriations laws over the past five years, including regular transit grants under Chapter 53 of title 49, United States Code, and emergency relief packages enacted during the coronavirus pandemic—the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. While these funds were intended to support public transportation operations and recovery, there has been limited systematic oversight of how the largest transit systems actually deployed this money, creating uncertainty about whether funds were used as intended. The bill requires the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation to conduct a comprehensive audit of federal funding provided to the five largest public transit agencies—measured by unlinked passenger trips in 2019—over the five fiscal years preceding the bill's enactment. The audit must document the total amount each agency received under all applicable federal laws and provide a detailed description of how those funds were spent. The Inspector General must submit findings and conclusions to Congress within 180 days of the bill becoming law. Once completed, the audit report will become public record available to Congress and the public, creating a baseline accounting of how major transit systems deployed federal coronavirus relief and regular operating grants. The 180-day timeline means results would likely emerge within six months of enactment. This audit does not create new funding streams or modify existing grant programs; rather, it establishes a one-time retrospective review that may inform future congressional decisions about transit funding accountability and oversight mechanisms.
Government Operations and Politics
Latest updateJan 4, 2025
Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.
Government Operations and Politics
Government Operations and PoliticsHR-200-119Latest action: Jan 3, 20254 readersIn Committee
Federal Freeze Act
Sponsored by Claudia Tenney
Federal agencies currently operate under civil service laws that generally protect employee positions and allow for salary increases based on merit, longevity, or cost-of-living adjustments. The Office of Personnel Management oversees federal hiring and compensation policies across the government. Agencies have broad authority to hire new employees to meet operational needs and to adjust employee pay within budgeted limits. This framework has been in place for decades and reflects the principle that federal workforces should grow or shrink based on agency missions and resource availability. The Federal Freeze Act prohibits agency heads from increasing their total workforce beyond current staffing levels for one year from enactment, with narrow exceptions for law enforcement, public safety, or national security positions. The bill also freezes the annual rate of basic pay for all federal employees during that same year—no raises, step increases, or cost-of-living adjustments are permitted. These restrictions override existing civil service rules and compensation schedules. After the initial freeze year, the bill requires each agency to reduce its workforce by 2 percent below baseline levels within two years and by 5 percent below baseline within three years, with agency heads directed to execute these reductions without regard to other laws or regulations. Implementation begins immediately upon enactment. The hiring freeze takes effect for one year unless an agency head certifies that a specific hire serves law enforcement, public safety, or national security interests. The pay freeze applies to all federal employees for the same one-year period. Starting in year two, agencies must begin workforce reductions to meet the 2 percent target, followed by further cuts to reach 5 percent by year three. The bill provides no new funding and does not specify how agencies should prioritize which positions to eliminate. Existing reduction-in-force procedures and employee protections may be overridden, potentially affecting federal operations across defense, veterans services, Social Security, environmental protection, and other agencies.
Government Operations and Politics
Latest updateJan 3, 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Government Operations and Politics