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Congresswoman Carol Miller Co-Sponsors Bipartisan Bill to Expand Child Tax Credit Access

Congresswoman Carol Miller Co-Sponsors Bipartisan Bill to Expand Child Tax Credit Access

Congresswoman Carol Miller has joined Representatives María Elvira Salazar, Steven Horsford, and Chris Pappas in introducing the “Stronger Start for Working Families Act.” This bipartisan legislation aims to lower the earned-income threshold for the refundable Child Tax Credit. Currently, eligible families must earn at least $2,500 before they can begin receiving the refundable credit. The proposed bill would eliminate this threshold, allowing families to receive the credit from their very first dollar of earned income. This change is projected to impact nearly 3.5 million families with children in 2026, providing earlier tax relief to those facing rising costs. The bill is the House companion to a similar Senate bill introduced by Senators Maggie Hassan and Todd Young and has garnered support from various outside groups.

Representatives Peters and Evans Introduce CLEAR Act to Streamline Transmission Project Approvals and Reduce Electricity Costs

Representatives Peters and Evans Introduce CLEAR Act to Streamline Transmission Project Approvals and Reduce Electricity Costs

Representatives Scott Peters (D-CA) and Gabe Evans (R-CO) have introduced the Certainty in Litigation for Electric Asset Reliability (CLEAR) Act of 2026. This bipartisan legislation aims to accelerate the construction of large power line projects by streamlining the permitting process and resolving ambiguities in current law. The bill proposes that Department of Energy (DOE)-coordinated transmission projects adhere to the clear standards of the Federal Power Act, rather than traditional judicial review processes that can lead to lengthy delays. According to Representative Peters, California alone has 201 of 501 approved transmission projects since 2000 still stuck in permitting, with 89 remaining delayed, contributing to a near doubling of electricity prices in the state over the past decade. The CLEAR Act seeks to establish clear rules for stalled projects, providing certainty for developers and stakeholders while offering relief to ratepayers from rising costs.

Representative Smucker Suggests Raising Social Security Payroll Tax Cap to Prevent Benefit Cuts

Representative Smucker Suggests Raising Social Security Payroll Tax Cap to Prevent Benefit Cuts

Representative Lloyd K. Smucker of Pennsylvania, a leading candidate for the House Budget Committee Republicans in the next Congress, has indicated that increasing the cap on income subject to Social Security payroll taxes could be a viable strategy to prevent a projected 22% cut in benefits by 2032. According to the Social Security Board of Trustees, such cuts would be necessary without intervention. Smucker emphasized the need for a comprehensive national dialogue to address the fiscal challenges facing Social Security, aiming to fulfill its promises while also managing the program's financial trajectory. He noted that a payroll tax increase, while historically controversial for Republicans, might become more acceptable as lawmakers from both parties seek a compromise to avert the exhaustion of Social Security trust funds. The current payroll tax, which stands at 6.2% for both employees and employers, is only applied to the first $184,500 of earned income in 2026, with annual adjustments for inflation. T...

Rep. Lloyd Smucker Introduces Bill to Permanently Extend Small Business Tax Deduction

Rep. Lloyd Smucker Introduces Bill to Permanently Extend Small Business Tax Deduction

Rep. Lloyd Smucker Introduces Bill to Permanently Extend Small Business Tax Deduction

New Jersey Democratic Lawmaker Nellie Pou Co-Sponsors Bipartisan FLIGHT DECK Act to Enhance Air Traffic Controller Training

New Jersey Democratic Lawmaker Nellie Pou Co-Sponsors Bipartisan FLIGHT DECK Act to Enhance Air Traffic Controller Training

Democratic Representative Nellie Pou, currently serving her first term in New Jersey's District 9, is a co-sponsor of the newly introduced bipartisan FLIGHT DECK Act. This legislation, also introduced by Representatives Rob Bresnahan and Hillary Scholten, aims to improve the understanding between air traffic controllers and pilots. The bill proposes a training program that would allow air traffic controllers to observe pilots during actual flights. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) would be tasked with developing this program, incorporating input from controllers, pilots, flight crews, and participating airlines. Following its first year of implementation, the FAA would report to Congress on the program's participation rates and any encountered barriers. This initiative comes amidst ongoing staffing challenges within the U.S. aviation system, seeking to bridge the operational gap between ground-based controllers and in-flight pilots.

U.S. Representative August Pfluger Introduces House Bill for Mandatory DNA Synthesis Screening to Address Biorisks

U.S. Representative August Pfluger Introduces House Bill for Mandatory DNA Synthesis Screening to Address Biorisks

U.S. Representative August Pfluger (R) has introduced a narrower House bill focused on mandatory nucleic acid synthesis screening. This legislation aims to mitigate biosecurity risks by requiring providers of DNA synthesis services to screen orders and customers. The bill is a response to growing concerns that advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) could make it easier to design dangerous pathogens, and that nucleic acid synthesis providers represent a critical choke point between digital biological designs and physical biological capabilities. The proposed screening would involve comparing ordered sequences against databases of dangerous pathogens and toxins, as well as verifying customer identities to prevent misuse. This House bill complements a broader bipartisan Senate proposal, the Biosecurity Modernization and Innovation Act (S. 3741), which also addresses synthesis screening among other biosecurity measures.

North Dakota Representative Julie Fedorchak Prioritizes SAVE Act for Election Security

North Dakota Representative Julie Fedorchak Prioritizes SAVE Act for Election Security

North Dakota Representative Julie Fedorchak has identified the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, known as the SAVE Act, as a primary legislative focus as Congress reconvenes. The proposed bill aims to mandate photo identification for voters to verify their citizenship, a measure that mirrors existing election security protocols in North Dakota. Fedorchak emphasized the importance of this legislation for ensuring the integrity of the voting process. Additionally, she highlighted the critical need for Congress to finalize federal budget bills to prevent a potential government shutdown. Her statements underscore a dual focus on both electoral reform and fiscal responsibility as key priorities for the upcoming legislative session.

Representative Lou Correa Co-Chairs Congressional Family Business Caucus Meeting on Wealth Taxes

Representative Lou Correa Co-Chairs Congressional Family Business Caucus Meeting on Wealth Taxes

Representative Lou Correa (D-CA) is co-chairing the Congressional Family Business Caucus meeting on September 23 on Capitol Hill. The caucus, which is the last for the 119th Congress, will focus its discussions on "The Price of Prosperity" and wealth taxes. Co-chaired with Representative Claudia Tenney (R-NY), the event will feature presentations from Dr. Frank Luntz, EY’s Dianne Mehany, and legislative experts from Brownstein. A panel of family-owned business leaders will also share strategies for maintaining business growth, addressing tax concerns, and planning for generational transitions. Family Enterprise USA, which advocates for family-owned businesses, is organizing the event. The caucus currently includes 49 House Members, comprising 21 Democrats and 28 Republicans. During the meeting, several House Members are expected to present their views on the challenges faced by family-owned businesses, relevant laws, and the potential impact of wealth taxes.

Representatives Introduce Bill to Expand Child Tax Credit for Working Families

Representatives Introduce Bill to Expand Child Tax Credit for Working Families

A new bill, the Stronger Start for Working Families Act, has been introduced in the House of Representatives by Republican Representatives Carol Miller and María Salazar, alongside Democrats Steven Horsford and Chris Pappas. This bipartisan legislation aims to significantly lower the earned-income threshold for the refundable portion of the federal Child Tax Credit (CTC) from $2,500 to $1. The Child Tax Credit is a federal tax benefit designed to reduce a household's federal income-tax bill for families with qualifying children under 17. The refundable portion, known as the Additional Child Tax Credit (ACTC), allows eligible lower-income families to receive a refund even if they owe little or no income tax. For 2025, the refundable portion is worth up to $1,700 per child. The proposed change would enable low-income parents to start accumulating the refundable credit from their first dollar earned, rather than needing to earn $2,500 before becoming eligible.

U.S. Rep. Tokuda Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Rural Emergency Hospitals

U.S. Rep. Tokuda Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Rural Emergency Hospitals

U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda has introduced the Rural Emergency Hospital Designation Improvement Act, also known as REH 2.0, a bipartisan measure aimed at bolstering struggling rural hospitals. Co-sponsors include U.S. Reps. Tracey Mann and Sharice Davids of Kansas, Jack Bergman of Michigan, Don Davis of North Carolina, and Carol Miller of West Virginia. This legislation seeks to address shortcomings in the original Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) designation created by Congress in 2020, which was intended to provide a lifeline for rural hospitals at risk of closure. Despite over 1,500 eligible hospitals, only about 40 have converted to REH status due to barriers such as the loss of inpatient services, 340B drug discounts, costly facility requirements, and restrictive eligibility rules. REH 2.0 proposes allowing these hospitals to maintain distinct inpatient psychiatric and obstetric units, providing dedicated funding for laboratory services, and clarifying state Medicaid payment flexibilities. Companion legislati...

Senator Thune Urges Congress to Pass Trade Promotion Authority for U.S. Agriculture

Senator Thune Urges Congress to Pass Trade Promotion Authority for U.S. Agriculture

U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) has publicly called for the passage of bipartisan trade promotion authority (TPA) legislation. Speaking at a press conference, Senator Thune emphasized that reauthorizing TPA is crucial for opening new international markets for American farmers and ranchers. He highlighted that the U.S. has not reauthorized TPA since 2007, which he believes is causing American producers to miss out on opportunities to sell to the more than 96% of global consumers living outside the United States. Senator Thune noted that agricultural exports reached a record $152 billion last year, underscoring the high demand for American agricultural products worldwide. He warned that without TPA, U.S. producers risk being sidelined as other nations actively negotiate new trade agreements, potentially hindering future export growth and market access.

Congressman Griffith Co-Introduces Hemp Enforcement, Modernization, and Protection Act for FDA Regulation

Congressman Griffith Co-Introduces Hemp Enforcement, Modernization, and Protection Act for FDA Regulation

U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), alongside Representative Marc Veasey, has co-introduced the Hemp Enforcement, Modernization, and Protection Act (H.R. 7212). This proposed legislation aims to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework under the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for cannabinoid hemp products intended for human consumption. The bill specifically directs the FDA to undertake rulemaking processes to define cannabinoid limits and other federal guardrails for these products. Congressman Griffith has highlighted a new December window as a critical opportunity for the White House, lawmakers, and stakeholders to collaborate and build collective support for a workable regulatory approach to hemp. This initiative is part of a broader congressional effort to address the challenges and opportunities within the rapidly evolving hemp industry, moving towards a more standardized and safe marketplace.