HR1834-119

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Breaking the Gridlock Act.

101. Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule The Architect of the Capitol shall create a congressional time capsule, to be known as the Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule (in this title referred to as the Time Capsule). The Office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Office of the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Office of the Majority Leader of the Senate, and Office of the Minority Leader of the Senate shall jointly determine the contents of the Time Capsule, taking into account the requirements of paragraph (2). The contents of the Time Capsule shall include— a representative portion of all books, manuscripts, miscellaneous printed matter, memorabilia, relics, and other materials relating to the United States Semiquincentennial; copies or representations of important legislative and institutional milestones of Congress during the time before the Time Capsule is buried; a message from Congress to the future Congress when the Time Capsule will be opened; and such other content as the offices described in paragraph (1) consider appropriate. In carrying out this subsection, the offices described in paragraph (1) may consult with the Architect of the Capitol, the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and such other entities of the Federal Government as the offices consider appropriate. The Architect of the Capitol shall— prepare the Time Capsule to be sealed and buried on the West Lawn of the Capitol, at a location specified by the Architect, on or before July 4, 2026, at a time which would permit individuals attending this event to also attend the burial of a time capsule in Independence Mall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, under section 7(f)(1) of the United States Semiquincentennial Commission Act of 2016 (36 U.S.C. 101 note prec.); and install a plaque to provide such information about the Time Capsule as the Architect considers appropriate. The Time Capsule shall be sealed until July 4, 2276, on which date the Speaker of the House of Representatives shall present the Time Capsule to the 244th Congress, and such Congress shall determine how the contents within should be preserved or used. There are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this title, and any amounts so appropriated shall remain available until expended.

201. Requirements relating to certain fire suppression cost share agreements Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this section, the Secretaries shall— establish standard operating procedures relating to payment timelines for fire suppression cost share agreements established under the Act of May 27, 1955 (42 U.S.C. 1856a) (commonly known as the Reciprocal Fire Protection Act); and with respect to each fire suppression cost share agreement in operation on such date— review each such agreement; and modify each agreement as necessary to comply with the standard operating procedures required under paragraph (1). The standard operating procedures required under subsection (a)(1) shall include a requirement that each fire suppression cost share agreement be aligned with each of the cooperative fire protection agreements applicable to the entity subject to such fire suppression cost share agreement. With respect to payments made pursuant to fire suppression cost share agreements, the standard operating procedures required under subsection (a)(1) shall require that the Federal paying entity reimburse a local fire department if such fire department submits an invoice in accordance with cost settlement procedures. It is the sense of Congress that the Secretaries should carry out reciprocal fire suppression cost share agreement repayments to local fire suppression organizations as soon as practicable after fire suppression occurs but not later than 1 year after fire suppression occurs. In this section, the term Secretaries means— the Secretary of Agriculture; the Secretary of the Interior; the Secretary of Homeland Security; and the Secretary of Defense.

401. Regional strategy to address the threat posed by Boko Haram Not later than 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Defense shall jointly develop and submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a five-year strategy to help enable the Government of Nigeria, members of the Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram (MNJTF) authorized by the African Union, and relevant partners to counter the regional threat of Boko Haram and assist the Government of Nigeria and its neighbors to accept and address legitimate grievances of vulnerable populations in areas affected by Boko Haram. At a minimum, the strategy must address the following elements: Enhance, pursuant to existing authorities and restrictions, the institutional capacity, including military capabilities, of the Government of Nigeria and partner nations in the region, as appropriate, to counter the threat posed by Boko Haram. Provide humanitarian support to civilian populations impacted by Boko Haram’s activity. Specific activities through which the United States Government intends to improve and enhance the capacity of Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram partner nations to investigate and prosecute human rights abuses by security forces and promote respect for the rule of law within the military. A means for assisting Nigeria, and as appropriate, Multinational Joint Task Force to Combat Boko Haram nations, to counter violent extremism, including efforts to address underlying societal factors shown to contribute to the ability of Boko Haram to radicalize and recruit individuals. A plan to strengthen and promote the rule of law, including by improving the capacity of the civilian police and judicial system in Nigeria, enhancing public safety, and responding to crime (including gender-based violence), while respecting human rights and strengthening accountability measures, including measures to prevent corruption. Strengthen the long-term capacity of the Government of Nigeria to enhance security for schools such that children are safer and girls seeking an education are better protected, and to combat gender-based violence and gender inequality. Identify and develop mechanisms for coordinating the implementation of the strategy across the inter-agency and with the Government of Nigeria, regional partners, and other relevant foreign partners. Identify the resources required to achieve the strategy’s objectives. The Director of National Intelligence shall submit, to the appropriate committees of Congress, an assessment regarding— the willingness and capability of the Government of Nigeria and regional partners to implement the strategy developed under subsection (a), including the capability gaps, if any, of the Government and military forces of Nigeria that would need to be addressed to enable the Government of Nigeria and the governments of its partner countries in the region— to counter the threat of Boko Haram; and to address the legitimate grievances of vulnerable populations in areas affected by Boko Haram; and significant United States intelligence gaps concerning Boko Haram or on the willingness and capacity of the Government of Nigeria and regional partners to implement the strategy developed under subsection (a). It is the sense of Congress that lack of economic opportunity and access to education, justice, and other social services contributes to the ability of Boko Haram to radicalize and recruit individuals. In this section, the term appropriate committees of Congress means— the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Relations, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Select Committee on Intelligence of the Senate; and the Committee on Armed Services, the Committee on Foreign Affairs, the Committee on Appropriations, and the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence of the House of Representatives.

501. Reporting requirement for veterans interagency task force Section 32(c) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 657b(c)) is amended by adding at the end the following: Along with the budget justification documents for the Small Business Administration submitted to Congress in connection with the budget for a fiscal year submitted under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, the Administrator shall submit a report— discussing the appointments made to and activities of the task force; and identifying and outlining a plan for outreach and promotion of the programs and services for veterans, including Veteran Business Outreach Centers, Boots to Business, Boots to Business Reboot, Service-Disabled Entrepreneurship Development Training Program, Veteran Institute for Procurement, Women Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program, and Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship. (4)ReportAlong with the budget justification documents for the Small Business Administration submitted to Congress in connection with the budget for a fiscal year submitted under section 1105 of title 31, United States Code, the Administrator shall submit a report—(A)discussing the appointments made to and activities of the task force; and(B)identifying and outlining a plan for outreach and promotion of the programs and services for veterans, including Veteran Business Outreach Centers, Boots to Business, Boots to Business Reboot, Service-Disabled Entrepreneurship Development Training Program, Veteran Institute for Procurement, Women Veteran Entrepreneurship Training Program, and Veteran Women Igniting the Spirit of Entrepreneurship..

601. Veterans pilot program on promising retention models The Attorney General, acting through the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, shall carry out a pilot program to make grants to eligible units of local government to improve retention in veterans treatment court programs (as such term is defined in section 2991 of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968 (34 U.S.C. 10651)) and drug court programs. In order to be eligible for a grant under subsection (a), a unit of local government shall operate a veterans treatment court program or a drug court. A unit of local government seeking a grant through the pilot program under subsection (a) shall submit to the Attorney General an application at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Attorney General may reasonably require, including— a description of the therapeutic or treatment modality that the unit of local government plans to implement and data to support the use of the therapeutic or treatment modality, including information showing how the therapeutic or treatment modality will promote retention in and completion of veterans treatment court programs and drug court programs; and detailed plans on how the applicant would test the efficacy of the therapeutic or treatment modality. Not later than 180 days after receiving a grant under subsection (a), a unit of local government shall submit to the Attorney General a report, which includes demographic information of participants in the veterans treatment court program, and completion rates of such participants. The Attorney General shall develop guidelines for the report required under this subsection.

701. Feasibility study on TSA commuting benefits Not later than 270 days after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall submit to the Committee on Homeland Security of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs of the Senate a study on the feasibility of treating as on-duty hours the time Transportation Security Administration employees working at airport locations spend traveling between regular duty locations and airport parking lots and bus and transit stops. In conducting the feasibility study required under subsection (a), the Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration shall consider the following with respect to Transportation Security Administration employees: The amount of time needed by such employees to travel between regular duty locations and airport parking lots and bus and transit stops at small hub airports, medium hub airports, and large hub airports (as such terms are defined in section 40102 of title 49, United States Code). The amount of time such employees spend commuting, on average, exclusive of the time described in paragraph (1). The potential benefits to such employees and the Administration of treating as on-duty hours the time described in such paragraph. The feasibility of using mobile phones, location data, and any other means to allow such employees to report their arrival to and departure from the airport parking lots and bus and transit stops concerned. The estimated costs of treating as on-duty hours the time described in such paragraph, including by considering such hours creditable as basic pay for retirement purposes. Other considerations determined appropriate by the Administrator.

801. China financial threat mitigation Not later than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Chairman of the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, and the Secretary of State, shall conduct a study and issue a report on the exposure of the United States to the financial sector of the People’s Republic of China that includes— an assessment of the effects of reforms to the financial sector of the People’s Republic of China on the United States and global financial systems; a description of the policies the United States Government is adopting to protect the interests of the United States while the financial sector of the People’s Republic of China undergoes such reforms; a description and analysis of any risks to the financial stability of the United States and the global economy emanating from the People’s Republic of China; and recommendations for additional actions the United States Government, including United States representatives at relevant international organizations, should take to strengthen international cooperation to monitor and mitigate such financial stability risks and protect United States interests. The Secretary of the Treasury shall transmit the report required under subsection (a) not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act to the Committees on Financial Services and Foreign Affairs of the House of Representatives, the Committees on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs and Foreign Relations of the Senate, and to the United States representatives at relevant international organizations, as appropriate. The report required under subsection (a) shall be unclassified, but may contain a classified annex. The Secretary of the Treasury shall publish the report required under subsection (a) (other than any classified annex) on the website of the Department of the Treasury not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act.

901. Periodic review of automatic maximum coverage under servicemembers’ group life insurance and veterans’ group life insurance Subchapter III of chapter 19 of title 38, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: On January 1, 2026, and every three years thereafter, the Secretary shall— complete a review of how the amount specified in section 1967(a)(3)(A)(i) compares to the amount described in subsection (b); and submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate the results of the review. The amount described in this subsection is the amount equal to— $400,000; multiplied by the percentage of the increase (if any) in the average of the Consumer Price Index for the fiscal year ending during the preceding calendar year compared to the average of the Consumer Price Index for fiscal year 2005. In this section, the term Consumer Price Index means the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor. The table of sections at the beginning of chapter 19 of such title is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 1980A the following new item: 1980B.Periodic review of automatic maximum coverage(a)In generalOn January 1, 2026, and every three years thereafter, the Secretary shall—(1)complete a review of how the amount specified in section 1967(a)(3)(A)(i) compares to the amount described in subsection (b); and(2)submit to the Committees on Veterans’ Affairs of the House of Representatives and the Senate the results of the review.(b)Amount describedThe amount described in this subsection is the amount equal to—(1)$400,000; multiplied by(2)the percentage of the increase (if any) in the average of the Consumer Price Index for the fiscal year ending during the preceding calendar year compared to the average of the Consumer Price Index for fiscal year 2005.(c)Consumer price index definedIn this section, the term Consumer Price Index means the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the Department of Labor.. 1980B. Periodic review of automatic maximum coverage..

1001. Restoration of amounts improperly withheld for tax purposes from severance payments to veterans with combat-related injuries Not later than 1 year after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall— identify— the severance payments— that the Secretary paid after January 17, 1991; that the Secretary computed under section 1212 of title 10, United States Code; that were not considered gross income pursuant to section 104(a)(4) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986; and from which the Secretary withheld amounts for tax purposes; and the individuals to whom such severance payments were made; and with respect to each person identified under paragraph (1)(B), provide— notice of— the amount of severance payments in paragraph (1)(A) which were improperly withheld for tax purposes; and such other information determined to be necessary by the Secretary of the Treasury to carry out the purposes of this section; and instructions for filing amended tax returns to recover the amounts improperly withheld for tax purposes. If a claim for credit or refund under section 6511(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 relates to a specified overpayment, the 3-year period of limitation prescribed by such subsection shall not expire before the date which is 1 year after the date the information return described in subsection (a)(2) is provided. The allowable amount of credit or refund of a specified overpayment shall be determined without regard to the amount of tax paid within the period provided in section 6511(b)(2). For purposes of paragraph (1), the term specified overpayment means an overpayment attributable to a severance payment described in subsection (a)(1).

1101. Hearings Each standing committee of the House of Representatives shall hold a hearing on the implementation of this Act within one year of enactment. Subsection (a) is enacted— as an exercise of rulemaking power of the House of Representatives, and, as such, shall be considered as part of the rules of the House, and such rules shall supersede any other rule of the House only to the extent that rule is inconsistent therewith; and with full recognition of the constitutional right of either House to change such rules (so far as relating to the procedure in such House) at any time, in the same manner, and to the same extent as in the case of any other rule of the House.

1201. Code of official conduct In rule XXIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, strike clause 20 and insert the following: A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House may not, directly or indirectly, take any actions to prevent any individual from or retaliate against any individual for providing truthful information to the Committee on Ethics, the Office of Congressional Conduct, the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, or any law enforcement official, provided that the disclosure of such information is not otherwise prohibited by law or House rules. 20.A Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House may not, directly or indirectly, take any actions to prevent any individual from or retaliate against any individual for providing truthful information to the Committee on Ethics, the Office of Congressional Conduct, the Office of Congressional Workplace Rights, or any law enforcement official, provided that the disclosure of such information is not otherwise prohibited by law or House rules..

1301. Prohibition on transfer of personally identifiable sensitive data of United States individuals to foreign adversaries It shall be unlawful for a data broker to sell, license, rent, trade, transfer, release, disclose, provide access to, or otherwise make available personally identifiable sensitive data of a United States individual to— any foreign adversary country; or any entity that is controlled by a foreign adversary. A violation of this section shall be treated as a violation of a rule defining an unfair or a deceptive act or practice under section 18(a)(1)(B) of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 57a(a)(1)(B)). The Commission shall enforce this section in the same manner, by the same means, and with the same jurisdiction, powers, and duties as though all applicable terms and provisions of the Federal Trade Commission Act (15 U.S.C. 41 et seq.) were incorporated into and made a part of this section. Any person who violates this section shall be subject to the penalties and entitled to the privileges and immunities provided in the Federal Trade Commission Act. Nothing in this section may be construed to limit the authority of the Commission under any other provision of law. In this section: The term Commission means the Federal Trade Commission. The term controlled by a foreign adversary means, with respect to an individual or entity, that such individual or entity is— a foreign person that is domiciled in, is headquartered in, has its principal place of business in, or is organized under the laws of a foreign adversary country; an entity with respect to which a foreign person or combination of foreign persons described in subparagraph (A) directly or indirectly own at least a 20 percent stake; or a person subject to the direction or control of a foreign person or entity described in subparagraph (A) or (B). The term data broker means an entity that, for valuable consideration, sells, licenses, rents, trades, transfers, releases, discloses, provides access to, or otherwise makes available data of United States individuals that the entity did not collect directly from such individuals to another entity that is not acting as a service provider. The term data broker does not include an entity to the extent such entity— is transmitting data of a United States individual, including communications of such an individual, at the request or direction of such individual; is providing, maintaining, or offering a product or service with respect to which personally identifiable sensitive data, or access to such data, is not the product or service; is reporting or publishing news or information that concerns local, national, or international events or other matters of public interest; is reporting, publishing, or otherwise making available news or information that is available to the general public— including information from— a book, magazine, telephone book, or online directory; a motion picture; a television, internet, or radio program; the news media; or an internet site that is available to the general public on an unrestricted basis; and not including an obscene visual depiction (as such term is used in section 1460 of title 18, United States Code); or is acting as a service provider. The term foreign adversary country means a country specified in section 4872(d)(2) of title 10, United States Code. The term personally identifiable sensitive data means any sensitive data that identifies or is linked or reasonably linkable, alone or in combination with other data, to an individual or a device that identifies or is linked or reasonably linkable to an individual. The term precise geolocation information means information that— is derived from a device or technology of an individual; and reveals the past or present physical location of an individual or device that identifies or is linked or reasonably linkable to 1 or more individuals, with sufficient precision to identify street level location information of an individual or device or the location of an individual or device within a range of 1,850 feet or less. The term sensitive data includes the following: A government-issued identifier, such as a Social Security number, passport number, or driver’s license number. Any information that describes or reveals the past, present, or future physical health, mental health, disability, diagnosis, or health care condition or treatment of an individual. A financial account number, debit card number, credit card number, or information that describes or reveals the income level or bank account balances of an individual. Biometric information. Genetic information. Precise geolocation information. An individual’s private communications such as voice mails, emails, texts, direct messages, mail, voice communications, and video communications, or information identifying the parties to such communications or pertaining to the transmission of such communications, including telephone numbers called, telephone numbers from which calls were placed, the time calls were made, call duration, and location information of the parties to the call. Account or device log-in credentials, or security or access codes for an account or device. Information identifying the sexual behavior of an individual. Calendar information, address book information, phone or text logs, photos, audio recordings, or videos, maintained for private use by an individual, regardless of whether such information is stored on the individual’s device or is accessible from that device and is backed up in a separate location. A photograph, film, video recording, or other similar medium that shows the naked or undergarment-clad private area of an individual. Information revealing the video content requested or selected by an individual. Information about an individual under the age of 17. An individual’s race, color, ethnicity, or religion. Information identifying an individual’s online activities over time and across websites or online services. Information that reveals the status of an individual as a member of the Armed Forces. Any other data that a data broker sells, licenses, rents, trades, transfers, releases, discloses, provides access to, or otherwise makes available to a foreign adversary country, or entity that is controlled by a foreign adversary, for the purpose of identifying the types of data listed in subparagraphs (A) through (P). The term service provider means an entity that— collects, processes, or transfers data on behalf of, and at the direction of— an individual or entity that is not a foreign adversary country or controlled by a foreign adversary; or a Federal, State, Tribal, territorial, or local government entity; and receives data from or on behalf of an individual or entity described in subparagraph (A)(i) or a Federal, State, Tribal, territorial, or local government entity. The term United States individual means a natural person residing in the United States. This section shall take effect on the date that is 60 days after the date of the enactment of this Act.

1401. Determination of budgetary effects The budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go-Act of 2010, shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided that such statement has been submitted prior to the vote on passage.

1501. Requirement for agencies to buy domestically made United States flags Chapter 63 of title 41, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new section: Except as provided in subsections (b) through (d), funds appropriated or otherwise available to an agency may not be used for the procurement of any flag of the United States, unless such flag has been 100 percent manufactured in the United States from articles, materials, or supplies that have been grown or 100 percent produced or manufactured in the United States. Subsection (a) does not apply to the extent that the head of the agency concerned determines that satisfactory quality and sufficient quantity of a flag described in such subsection cannot be procured as and when needed at United States market prices. Subsection (a) does not apply to the following: Procurements by vessels in foreign waters. Procurements for resale purposes in any military commissary, military exchange, or nonappropriated fund instrumentality operated by an agency. Procurements for amounts less than the simplified acquisition threshold. The President may waive the requirement in subsection (a) if the President determines a waiver is necessary to comply with any trade agreement to which the United States is a party. Not later than 30 days after granting a waiver under paragraph (1), the President shall publish a notice of the waiver in the Federal Register. In this section: The term agency has the meaning given the term executive agency in section 102 of title 40. The term simplified acquisition threshold has the meaning given that term in section 134. The table of sections at the beginning of such chapter is amended by adding at the end the following new item: Section 6310 of title 41, United States Code, as added by subsection (a)(1), shall apply with respect to any contract entered into on or after the date that is 180 days after the date of the enactment of this Act. 6310.Requirement for agencies to buy domestically made United States flags(a)RequirementExcept as provided in subsections (b) through (d), funds appropriated or otherwise available to an agency may not be used for the procurement of any flag of the United States, unless such flag has been 100 percent manufactured in the United States from articles, materials, or supplies that have been grown or 100 percent produced or manufactured in the United States.(b)Availability exceptionSubsection (a) does not apply to the extent that the head of the agency concerned determines that satisfactory quality and sufficient quantity of a flag described in such subsection cannot be procured as and when needed at United States market prices.(c)Exception for certain procurementsSubsection (a) does not apply to the following:(1)Procurements by vessels in foreign waters.(2)Procurements for resale purposes in any military commissary, military exchange, or nonappropriated fund instrumentality operated by an agency.(3)Procurements for amounts less than the simplified acquisition threshold.(d)Presidential waiver(1)In generalThe President may waive the requirement in subsection (a) if the President determines a waiver is necessary to comply with any trade agreement to which the United States is a party.(2)Notice of waiverNot later than 30 days after granting a waiver under paragraph (1), the President shall publish a notice of the waiver in the Federal Register.(e)DefinitionsIn this section:(1)AgencyThe term agency has the meaning given the term executive agency in section 102 of title 40.(2)Simplified acquisition thresholdThe term simplified acquisition threshold has the meaning given that term in section 134.. 6310. Requirement for agencies to buy domestically made United States flags..

6310. Requirement for agencies to buy domestically made United States flags Except as provided in subsections (b) through (d), funds appropriated or otherwise available to an agency may not be used for the procurement of any flag of the United States, unless such flag has been 100 percent manufactured in the United States from articles, materials, or supplies that have been grown or 100 percent produced or manufactured in the United States. Subsection (a) does not apply to the extent that the head of the agency concerned determines that satisfactory quality and sufficient quantity of a flag described in such subsection cannot be procured as and when needed at United States market prices. Subsection (a) does not apply to the following: Procurements by vessels in foreign waters. Procurements for resale purposes in any military commissary, military exchange, or nonappropriated fund instrumentality operated by an agency. Procurements for amounts less than the simplified acquisition threshold. The President may waive the requirement in subsection (a) if the President determines a waiver is necessary to comply with any trade agreement to which the United States is a party. Not later than 30 days after granting a waiver under paragraph (1), the President shall publish a notice of the waiver in the Federal Register. In this section: The term agency has the meaning given the term executive agency in section 102 of title 40. The term simplified acquisition threshold has the meaning given that term in section 134.

1601. Appropriations The following sums are hereby appropriated, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated, for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes, namely: