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Representative Michael Cloud Introduces Bill to Include Debt Servicing Costs in CBO Estimates

Representative Michael Cloud Introduces Bill to Include Debt Servicing Costs in CBO Estimates

Representative Michael Cloud has introduced H.R. 10327, known as the Cost Estimates Improvement Act, which seeks to alter how the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Joint Committee on Taxation (JCT) prepare cost estimates for proposed legislation. The bill, introduced on September 10, 2026, with 20 cosponsors, mandates that these estimates include any costs associated with servicing the public debt. Currently, CBO and JCT estimates primarily focus on the direct impact of a bill on federal spending and revenues. Under the proposed changes, if a bill is projected to increase the federal deficit, the estimate would also account for additional debt service costs resulting from increased borrowing. Conversely, if a bill is expected to reduce the deficit, the estimate would reflect any debt service savings from reduced borrowing. The legislation does not directly modify taxes, spending programs, or borrowing limits; instead, it aims to enhance the comprehensiveness of official budget information. Addition...

Congressional Budget Office Reports Federal Deficit Reaches $2 Trillion in FY2026

Congressional Budget Office Reports Federal Deficit Reaches $2 Trillion in FY2026

The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) has reported that the federal government's annual budget deficit hit $2 trillion after the first 11 months of fiscal year 2026. This deficit marks a significant increase, driven primarily by rising federal spending. Mandatory programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid saw substantial increases in outlays. Social Security benefits rose by $78 billion (5%) due to higher average benefits and more beneficiaries. Medicare spending increased by $73 billion (8%) because of increased enrollment, while Medicaid outlays grew by $47 billion (8%) due to higher costs per enrollee. Additionally, interest expenses on the national debt surged by $111 billion (12%), attributed to a larger national debt and higher long-term interest rates. Although tax receipts increased by $154 billion compared to the previous year, this gain was partially offset by a 25% decline in corporate income taxes, a consequence of the 2025 tax reforms under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The CBO...

Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez Advocates for 'Right to Repair' Legislation for Vehicles

Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez Advocates for 'Right to Repair' Legislation for Vehicles

Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is a leading Democratic supporter of the bipartisan Right to Equitable and Professional Auto Industry Repair Act, known as the REPAIR Act. This legislation aims to ensure that working people can repair their own vehicles by establishing federal rules for access to vehicle-generated data, repair information, tools, and software. Modern cars, increasingly reliant on computer systems, often require proprietary diagnostic information, specialized software, or digital authorization for repairs, which can limit independent mechanics' ability to perform jobs. This often pushes car owners towards franchised dealerships, where repair costs can be higher and appointments harder to secure. The REPAIR Act seeks to address this imbalance, allowing independent shops to compete on price and quality rather than being excluded due to manufacturers' control over digital tools.

U.S. Representative Val Hoyle Co-Sponsors Legislation to Increase Social Security Benefits and Tax High-Income Earners

U.S. Representative Val Hoyle Co-Sponsors Legislation to Increase Social Security Benefits and Tax High-Income Earners

U.S. Representative Val Hoyle, alongside Senator Bernie Sanders, has introduced legislation aimed at increasing Social Security benefits by $2,400 annually. This proposal seeks to strengthen the program's finances by subjecting additional high-income earnings and certain investment income to Social Security taxes. The legislation also includes a change to the annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), proposing the use of an inflation measure designed to better reflect the expenses faced by older Americans. This initiative comes as the 2026 Social Security Trustees Report projects that the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund will be depleted by the fourth quarter of 2032, at which point ongoing income would only cover about 78% of scheduled benefits. The proposed changes are part of broader discussions in Congress regarding the long-term solvency of Social Security.

U.S. Representative Val Hoyle and Senator Jeff Merkley Host Town Hall on Government Corruption

U.S. Representative Val Hoyle and Senator Jeff Merkley Host Town Hall on Government Corruption

U.S. Representative Val Hoyle and U.S. Senator Jeff Merkley recently co-hosted a 'Stop the Corruption' town hall in Springfield, Oregon. The event focused on addressing various concerns related to government integrity and transparency. Attendees raised issues such as presidential immunity, the influence of money in politics, and election integrity. This town hall provided a platform for constituents to voice their concerns directly to their elected officials regarding perceived corruption within the government. The discussions highlighted a public desire for greater accountability and reform in political processes. The event underscores ongoing efforts by some lawmakers to engage with the public on critical governance issues and to address voter anxieties about the fairness and transparency of the political system.

U.S. Representatives Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Combat Elder Wire Fraud

U.S. Representatives Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Combat Elder Wire Fraud

U.S. Representatives George Whitesides (CA-27), Maria Salazar (FL-27), and Don Davis (NC-01) have jointly introduced the 'Protecting Elders from Wire Fraud Act.' This bipartisan legislation aims to empower financial institutions to temporarily halt suspicious wire transactions originating from a senior's account if financial exploitation is suspected. The move comes in response to the increasing sophistication and convincing nature of scams targeting elderly individuals. Congress is taking action to enhance protections for Americans against financial exploitation, recognizing its responsibility to safeguard vulnerable populations from these evolving threats. The bill seeks to provide a crucial mechanism for financial institutions to intervene and prevent potential fraud before funds are irrevocably lost.

Reps. Houchin and Auchincloss Introduce Bipartisan 16 Up Social Media Act to Establish National Age Standard

Reps. Houchin and Auchincloss Introduce Bipartisan 16 Up Social Media Act to Establish National Age Standard

Congresswoman Erin Houchin (R-IN-09) and Congressman Jake Auchincloss (D-MA-04) have introduced the bipartisan 16 & Up Social Media Act. This legislation aims to set a national age standard of 16 for social media platforms. The bill specifically targets platforms that utilize engagement-driven design features, such as infinite scroll, autoplay, push alerts, and personalized feeds, which are designed to keep users engaged. The lawmakers argue that children are particularly vulnerable to these addictive features. The proposed act would prohibit covered social media platforms from allowing users under the age of 16 to create or maintain accounts. Additionally, it mandates the deletion of children's data upon account termination and requires platforms to implement a clear, five-day appeals process for any account closures. Congresswoman Houchin has been actively involved in children's online safety, serving on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and co-leading the Kids Online Safety Caucus.

Coalition Opposes Legislation Aimed at Limiting CFPB's Regulatory Power

Coalition Opposes Legislation Aimed at Limiting CFPB's Regulatory Power

A coalition of consumer, labor, community, and civil rights groups has sent a letter to the House Financial Services Committee expressing strong opposition to H.R. 10184, titled the 'Consumer Financial Protection Accountability and Reform Act of 2026.' According to Public Justice, a member of the coalition, this proposed bill would significantly curtail the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's (CFPB) ability to oversee and hold large banks and technology companies accountable. The groups argue that the legislation would undermine the CFPB's mandate to protect individuals from unfair, predatory, and discriminatory financial practices. The letter highlights concerns that if enacted, the bill would weaken consumer protections across the financial sector, potentially leaving consumers more vulnerable to harmful practices by powerful financial institutions and emerging tech giants.

Representatives Massie and Burlison Introduce 'Flock-Off Act' to Prohibit Federal Funding for Networked Surveillance Cameras

Representatives Massie and Burlison Introduce 'Flock-Off Act' to Prohibit Federal Funding for Networked Surveillance Cameras

U.S. Representatives Thomas Massie (R-Kentucky) and Eric Burlison (R-Missouri) have introduced the bipartisan 'Flock-Off Act' on September 2. This proposed legislation aims to prohibit the use of federal funds for the purchase, installation, operation, maintenance, or upgrade of networked automated license plate readers (ALPRs) and biometric surveillance cameras. The bill also extends to associated databases and data-sharing systems. This initiative comes amidst growing backlash against companies like Flock Safety, which provide these surveillance technologies, and follows increasing concerns over privacy and potential misuse by law enforcement. The Security Industry Association (SIA) has defended the use of ALPRs but advocates for stronger privacy safeguards, restrictions on data sharing, regular audits, and penalties for misuse, while opposing warrant requirements for database searches.

House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington Addresses Growing Federal Deficit Post-Tax Cuts

House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington Addresses Growing Federal Deficit Post-Tax Cuts

House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington, a Republican from Texas, has offered explanations for the federal deficit's growth following the 2025 tax cuts. Despite initial promises that the tax cuts would be fiscally responsible and reduce national debt, the deficit is increasing by approximately $2 trillion annually, with projections indicating trillions more added to the national debt. Arrington attributes this outcome to factors such as government shutdowns, which he claims hindered economic growth, and the Iran war, which he stated 'definitely put a wrinkle in it.' He also criticized the methodologies of congressional scorekeepers, including the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) and the Joint Committee on Taxation, suggesting they use 'old models' and 'don’t do a good job' in their assessments. These official bodies had projected the law would add roughly $4 trillion to the debt over the next decade, a figure that later increased to $4.7 trillion after accounting for interest payments and lower-than-...

Representative Sam Graves Introduces BUILD America 250 Act to Address Highway Trust Fund Insolvency

Representative Sam Graves Introduces BUILD America 250 Act to Address Highway Trust Fund Insolvency

Representative Sam Graves (R-MO), Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, has introduced the BUILD America 250 Act. This legislation proposes to authorize $75 billion annually in Highway Trust Fund contract authority, along with an additional $3 billion subject to future appropriations, over a five-fiscal-year period. This represents a seven percent increase over current Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) levels. A key distinction of the BUILD America 250 Act from the IIJA is its funding strategy; unlike the IIJA, which included $47 billion in multiyear advance appropriations from the general fund, Graves' bill contains no such provisions. Instead, it relies on future congressional action to fund new programs. This legislative effort comes as a Congressional Research Service report projects the Highway Trust Fund's balance will approach zero by fiscal year 2028, necessitating congressional action to either increase revenue or reduce highway programs before the end of t...

Aging U.S. Lawmakers Raise Concerns About Health and Political Longevity

Aging U.S. Lawmakers Raise Concerns About Health and Political Longevity

The advanced age of several prominent U.S. political figures, including Republican Senator Chuck Grassley (92), Senator Harold Rogers (88), Representative Maxine Rogers (88), Senator Mitch McConnell (84), and Senator Angus King (82), is drawing attention. This trend is observed alongside the current President, who is 80 years old. Historically, presidents have not always been transparent about their health issues, a pattern noted from Woodrow Wilson to FDR and JFK. The discussion extends to state-level politics, with Maine's Republican incumbent Senator Susan Collins (73) running against Democrat Troy Jackson (58). The increasing age of lawmakers prompts questions about the impact of age on political leadership and decision-making, as well as the physical demands of public office. The article highlights that while individuals may assert good health, the natural process of aging is an undeniable factor.