Budget & Taxes

in committee · United States · Senate Oct 3, 2025

S 2973: SHUTDOWN Act

The SHUTDOWN Act imposes a daily tax on members of Congress during government shutdowns. It requires a tax equal to a percentage of their salary, calculated as (days served during the shutdown period / total days served as a member that year). This applies to all current members of the Senate, House, Delegates, and the Resident Commissioner from Puerto Rico during any lapse in federal funding. The tax takes effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024. The bill directly affects congressional members' compensation during budget impasses, not the public or agencies.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes tax on Congress during shutdowns to incentivize budget stability, promoting fiscal responsibility through accountability.95% confidence

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 21, 2025

S 173: Fueling Alternative Transportation with a Carbon Aviation Tax Act of 2025

S 173 increases taxes on aviation fuel used by private jets and non-commercial aircraft, imposing a rate of 35.9 cents plus $1.641 per gallon (compared to 4.3 cents for commercial aviation), with annual inflation adjustments starting in 2026. It creates exceptions for emergency uses like medical evacuations or disaster response, and eliminates an existing exemption for certain agricultural aviation. The additional tax revenue funds a new "Clean Communities Trust Fund" to support air quality monitoring, expand public transit infrastructure near airports, and improve transportation in disadvantaged communities - requiring at least 50% of funds to target areas disproportionately impacted by air pollution. This bill directly affects private jet operators and aviation fuel suppliers while directing resources to environmental and transit projects in low-income communities.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes higher aviation fuel tax to fund clean air program, directly increasing tax revenue for public environmental service.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyTax on private aviation fuel (fossil-based) funds clean air initiatives, reducing fossil fuel dependence and supporting environmental goals per bill's tax structure and Clean Communities Trust Fund.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentTax on private jets reduces emissions; revenue funds Clean Communities Trust for air quality monitoring95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Air Quality

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in committee · United States · House Apr 7, 2025

HR 2692: No Tax Breaks for Union Busting (NTBUB) Act

The No Tax Breaks for Union Busting Act would deny tax deductions for employers who spend money to influence employees' decisions about union activities, such as union elections or collective bargaining. It defines "labor organization activities" broadly to include union elections, labor disputes, and collective actions. The bill requires employers to report such spending on tax returns and prevents them from deducting these expenses from taxable income. This would apply to employers using tactics like captive audience meetings, outside consultants, or other efforts to sway workers' union decisions. The policy aims to remove tax incentives for employers to interfere with workers' rights under labor law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCloses tax loophole by denying deductions for anti-union employer spending, aligning with fiscal responsibility and closing tax avoidance mechanisms.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentDenies tax deductions for anti-union employer spending, directly protecting collective bargaining rights and worker organizing efforts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Collective Bargaining Gig Economy Labor Standards

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in committee · United States · House Mar 5, 2025

HR 1873: Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act

HR 1873, the Broadband Grant Tax Treatment Act, excludes certain federal broadband grants from taxable income for recipients. It directly affects entities (like internet providers or local governments) receiving qualifying grants under specific programs, including the Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment Program and State Digital Equity Capacity Grants established by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The bill prevents double tax benefits by disallowing deductions for expenses covered by these excluded grants and reduces the adjusted basis of related property. This change applies to grants received in taxable years ending after March 11, 2023.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExcludes federal broadband grants from taxable income, providing tax relief to recipients and preventing double taxation on public infrastructure funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill enables tax-free broadband grants for entities supporting digital equity programs, directly enhancing educational access and infrastructure for schools under Infrastructure Act provisions.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyExcludes broadband grants from taxable income, reducing financial barriers for providers and local governments deploying infrastructure, directly expanding internet access.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Business Taxes Tax Incentives Broadband Access Telecommunications

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in committee · United States · Senate Jan 8, 2026

S 3605: Disaster Zone Energy Affordability and Investment Act

This bill modifies tax code to help businesses in disaster-affected areas use unused tax credits. It allows businesses operating in qualified disaster zones (federally declared after 2023 or state-recognized under specific criteria) to treat certain carried-over tax credits as transferrable credits for eligible expenses. Eligible expenses include costs for business operations in these areas within two years of the disaster declaration. The change applies to tax years ending after the bill's enactment, making it easier for affected businesses to access credit benefits they previously couldn't utilize.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesModifies tax code to allow transferable credits for disaster businesses, providing tax relief and promoting fiscal recovery in affected areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Incentives Tags Economic Development

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in committee · United States · House Feb 5, 2025

HR 1020: BOOST Act

HR 1020 (BOOST Act) creates a tax credit for homeowners in rural unserved areas to improve broadband access. It allows a 75% credit (up to $400) for purchasing signal boosters, satellite customer equipment, or ground stations used in a primary residence. The credit applies only once per household and expires after 2029, targeting areas eligible for FCC's Rural Digital Opportunity Fund. This directly affects individual homeowners in designated rural broadband gaps seeking to enhance their internet connectivity.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesProvides 75% tax credit (up to $400) for rural homeowners to improve broadband access, offering direct tax relief to lower-income households in designated areas.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyDirectly expands rural broadband access through tax credits for signal boosters and equipment, targeting unserved areas per FCC criteria.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Tax Credits Broadband Access Telecommunications Tags Rural Communities

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in committee · United States · House May 5, 2025

HRES 382: Providing a point of order in the House of Representatives during the 119th Congress against reconciliation measures that reduce benefits under the Medicaid program or the supplemental nutrition assistance program.

HRES 382 creates a procedural rule in the House of Representatives during the 119th Congress (2025-2026) to block budget reconciliation bills that cut Medicaid or SNAP benefits for specific vulnerable groups. It prohibits consideration of any reconciliation measure reducing benefits for children under 19, seniors 65+, pregnant women, or people with disabilities (as defined by Social Security law). The rule does not apply to provisions targeting fraud, improper payments, or improving eligibility verification. This resolution is a procedural tool, not a law, and would prevent such benefit cuts from advancing through the budget process.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesPrevents cuts to Medicaid/SNAP funding for vulnerable groups, protecting essential government spending on social programs.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBlocks Medicaid/SNAP benefit cuts for vulnerable groups, protecting healthcare coverage and nutrition assistance programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · United States · Senate Mar 12, 2026

S 4073: Transportation Security Administration Pay Act of 2026

This bill provides temporary funding to ensure Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees continue receiving standard pay and benefits during a potential government funding gap between February 14, 2026, and when regular fiscal year 2026 appropriations are enacted. It directly affects TSA employees who might otherwise face pay interruptions if Congress fails to pass a full-year budget by that date. The bill authorizes using Treasury funds for standard pay, allowances, and benefits during this interim period, with these costs later charged to the appropriate future appropriations. The funding expires automatically on September 30, 2026, or when regular appropriations are passed, whichever occurs first.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill provides temporary Treasury funding to maintain TSA employee pay during budget gaps, ensuring continuity of essential government spending without tax changes. Directly funds a critical program per fiscal management focus.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentEnsures TSA employees maintain standard pay/benefits during funding gap, protecting income stability and employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations

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in committee · United States · Senate Jun 12, 2025

S 2073: State Public Option Act

The State Public Option Act creates a new Medicaid buy-in option for state residents who are not enrolled in other health insurance plans, beginning January 1, 2026. It establishes limits on premiums (capped at 8.5% of family income) and cost-sharing, while allowing participants to enroll through state health insurance exchanges and access premium tax credits similar to those for private insurance. The bill also requires coverage of comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care services, including abortion services, starting in 2026. Additionally, it includes provisions to improve payment rates for primary care services provided under Medicaid.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill enables premium tax credits and caps Medicaid buy-in premiums at 8.5% of income, providing tax relief for lower-income residents and supporting public health funding through fiscal mechanisms.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Medicaid buy-in with capped premiums (8.5% income), cost-sharing limits, and mandates comprehensive reproductive care, expanding coverage access and affordability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Women's Health

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in committee · United States · House Jun 17, 2025

HR 4035: Wall Street Tax Act of 2025

The Wall Street Tax Act of 2025 imposes a transaction tax on securities trading in the U.S. market, starting at 0.02% for trades after December 2025 and gradually increasing to 0.1% after 2029. It applies to most stock, bond, and derivative transactions occurring on U.S. exchanges or involving U.S. persons, with the tax paid by exchanges, brokers, or the relevant parties (purchaser/seller) depending on the transaction type. The bill exempts initial security issuances and short-term debt (under 100 days) from taxation. This directly affects investors, brokers, and financial institutions conducting covered transactions in the U.S. market.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 0.02-0.1% transaction tax on securities trades to generate revenue for government budgets, aligning with fiscal responsibility and funding mechanisms.95% confidence

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