Pennsylvania Congressional Bills

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 15, 2026

HR 8300: Swalwell Act

The Swalwell Act aims to reform how workplace misconduct claims involving Members of Congress and senior staff are handled. It prohibits the use of federal or campaign funds to pay settlements or awards for such claims, making the individuals personally liable for the full amount. The bill mandates the creation of a public database disclosing details of these settlements and awards, including historical data, while protecting victims' identities. Additionally, it requires prompt referral of any allegations of criminal conduct by Members or senior staff to the Department of Justice, regardless of settlement agreements.

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 15, 2026

HR 8298: SSI Savings and Efficiency Act of 2026

The SSI Savings and Efficiency Act of 2026 proposes to change how income is calculated for recipients of Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The bill amends the Social Security Act to exclude "support or maintenance furnished in kind," such as free rent or food, from being counted as income for SSI purposes. This means that individuals receiving SSI would no longer have their benefits reduced because they receive non-cash assistance from others. The legislation directly affects low-income individuals who depend on SSI and receive such in-kind support, ensuring their benefit amounts are not decreased as a result.

Topics ✓ Housing

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 15, 2026

HR 8295: Protecting Families from Fertility Fraud Act of 2026

HR 8295, the Protecting Families from Fertility Fraud Act of 2026, creates a new federal crime for knowingly misrepresenting the nature or source of DNA used in assisted reproductive technology or assisted insemination. This directly affects fertility clinics, practitioners, and patients undergoing such procedures. Individuals found guilty could face up to 10 years in prison, a fine, or both. The bill defines federal jurisdiction for these offenses, primarily involving interstate commerce, and extends the statute of limitations to 10 years after identification through DNA testing. It also adds this new crime to the list of "racketeering activities" under federal law.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 15, 2026

HR 8294: Millionaires Surtax Act

This bill, titled the "Millionaires Surtax Act," establishes a new 10% surcharge on high-income individuals. This additional tax applies to the portion of a taxpayer's "modified adjusted gross income" that exceeds $2,000,000 for married couples filing jointly, or $1,000,000 for single filers. The bill defines "modified adjusted gross income" with specific deductions and includes special rules for certain taxpayers, such as non-resident aliens and charitable trusts. If enacted, these changes would take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 15, 2026

HR 8041: Supporting VA Families Act

The Supporting VA Families Act grants unpaid parental leave to Department of Veterans Affairs employees. This provision allows employees to take four weeks of unpaid leave within a 12-month period for the birth of a child or for adoption and foster care placements. The leave is designed to supplement existing leave policies rather than replace them, ensuring employees can balance family needs with their work responsibilities. The act defines eligible employees and children according to existing federal definitions found in Title 5 of the United States Code.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Janelle S. Bynum (D) · 84 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 15, 2026

S 3947: REWIRE Act

This bill, known as the REWIRE Act, would streamline the process for upgrading power lines by exempting certain transmission upgrades from detailed environmental reviews when they occur within existing rights-of-way. It specifically allows utilities to replace or upgrade conductors and install new grid technologies without preparing environmental impact statements, provided the work stays within previously disturbed land or current corridors. The legislation also directs the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to create rules that improve financial returns for companies investing in advanced transmission materials like carbon fiber cables. Additionally, the bill establishes a federal modeling program to better predict grid performance and creates a technical assistance clearinghouse to help utilities implement these new technologies.

Topics ✓ Energy ✗ Environment ✓ Technology

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 15, 2026

S 3269: Liquid Cooling for AI Act of 2025

This bill directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a comprehensive study on liquid cooling technologies for data centers, specifically to assess their potential for improving energy efficiency as AI workloads grow. The study will evaluate technical aspects like single-phase vs. 2-phase cooling systems, coolant options, heat-reuse opportunities, and safety considerations, while comparing costs and benefits to traditional air cooling. Federal agencies, including the Department of Energy, will use the findings to inform future decisions about cooling infrastructure for government data centers and AI systems. The bill does not mandate new policies or funding but requires a detailed report within 90 days of enactment to guide future adoption.

Topics ✓ Energy ✓ Environment ✓ Technology

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 15, 2026

S 3034: Reliable Power Act

This bill requires federal agencies to submit proposed regulations affecting power generation for review by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) before finalizing them. It directly affects agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Department of Energy (DOE) when they develop rules related to power plants or grid operations. The key mechanism mandates that if FERC’s Electric Reliability Organization (ERO) identifies a risk of insufficient power supply, the Commission must notify relevant agencies and require them to submit their regulations for review. FERC can then comment on reliability impacts and recommend modifications to avoid disruptions, with agencies needing to address these comments before finalizing rules.

Topics ✗ Environment

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 15, 2026

S 545: Combating Illicit Xylazine Act

The Combating Illicit Xylazine Act places xylazine - a veterinary sedative increasingly found in illicit drug mixtures - into Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act, subjecting it to federal regulation as a controlled substance. It specifically allows veterinary use without requiring registration of the ultimate user (e.g., pet owners or veterinarians) if xylazine is dispensed by a registered veterinarian or pharmacy with a vet prescription and used for animals owned by the user, under their care, or in authorized animal programs. The bill provides a one-year delay for labeling and packaging requirements and a 60-day delay for registration and recordkeeping for veterinary use to ease implementation. Additionally, it adds xylazine to the Arcos tracking system for controlled substances and mandates two congressional reports on illicit use prevalence within 18 months and 4 years of enactment.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 15, 2026

HR 2289: American Broadband Deployment Act of 2025

HR 2289, the Proportional Reviews for Broadband Deployment Act, exempts wireless broadband infrastructure deployments from certain federal environmental and historic preservation reviews. Specifically, it removes the requirement for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) reviews when federal agencies approve "eligible facilities requests" for wireless facilities. This directly affects wireless providers seeking federal permits to build broadband infrastructure, streamlining their approval process by eliminating these specific review requirements. The bill modifies existing law to treat such deployments as not constituting "major Federal actions" under NEPA or "undertakings" under NHPA.

Topics ✗ Environment ✓ Technology

in committee · Pennsylvania · House Apr 14, 2026

HRES 1170: Supporting the designation of April 10 as "Dolores Huerta Day", in honor of the accomplishments and legacy of the trailblazing labor and civil rights leader Dolores Huerta.

This resolution formally recognizes April 10 as Dolores Huerta Day to honor the civil rights and labor leader's legacy. It does not create a federal holiday or change laws but expresses the House of Representatives' support for the designation. The text highlights Huerta's contributions to farm workers' rights, women's equality, and Latino political representation through a series of "whereas" clauses detailing her achievements. The resolution serves as a commemorative statement rather than a policy change, directing no new actions or funding.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sylvia R. Garcia (D) · 29 co-sponsors

in committee · Pennsylvania · Senate Apr 14, 2026

S 4290: Retirement Annuity Supplement Clarity Act

This bill, the Retirement Annuity Supplement Clarity Act, clarifies how federal retirement annuity supplements are divided in court orders, such as divorce decrees. For future court orders, these supplements will be included in the division of an annuity unless the order specifically states otherwise. The bill also provides a one-time payment to certain federal retirees whose annuity supplements were retroactively divided by the Office of Personnel Management between 2016 and the bill's enactment, despite their court orders being silent or excluding the supplement. Additionally, any related overpayments made to annuitants or former spouses before the bill's enactment are waived.

Pennsylvania Congressional Bills

Bill results