United States·119th Congress·HJRES-143·House of Representatives
· Updated: May 20, 2026
Summary
The bill establishes a Department of Veterans Affairs-Public Health Service Joint Scholarship Program to allow Public Health Service (PHS) officers to attend the F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine at the Department of Veterans Affairs' expense. In return, these officers must complete a period of obligated service, not exceeding ten years, at a VA medical facility after graduation and residency. It also creates a Professional Nonprofit Theater Grant Program , authorizing $1 billion annually from fiscal years 2024 through 2028, to support employment, economic development, and strengthen community-based arts organizations. This program provides grants to eligible nonprofit theaters for uses like payroll, operating expenses, and facility improvements, with priority for payroll and primary theatrical venues. The legislation requires that cut flowers and greens displayed in public areas of the Executive Office of the President, Department of State, and Department of Defense buildings must be produced in the United States. It mandates that federal agencies submit unclassified reports on acts of terrorism to Congress within one year of investigation completion, detailing facts, security gaps, and recommendations, with a five-year sunset. Furthermore, the bill extends and expands the Direct to Phase II authority for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) programs from 2025 to 2030, allowing all federal agencies with SBIR programs to utilize it, and extends other SBIR/STTR pilot programs until September 30, 2030. A significant provision prohibits the knowing use of artificial intelligence to impersonate federal officials by mimicking voice or likeness to produce materially false or misleading content without an explicit disclaimer, providing for fines or imprisonment. The bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to collaborate with Indian Tribes to identify and protect Native American seeds , supporting tribal efforts, seed banks, and traditional agriculture systems while safeguarding confidential information. It also amends the Rules of the House of Representatives to prohibit Members, Delegates, and employees from receiving compensation through improper influence exerted from their congressional position. Finally, the bill includes specific appropriations totaling $6 million across various federal agencies for fiscal year 2027 and mandates House committees to hold hearings on the Act's implementation.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committees on Veterans' Affairs, Armed Services, Energy and Commerce, Transportation and Infrastructure, Financial Services, Education and Workforce, Oversight and Government Reform, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, Natural Resources, Small Business, Science, Space, and Technology, Homeland Security, Intelligence (Permanent Select), House Administration, Ways and Means, Rules, Ethics, the Budget, and Appropriations, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
House of Representatives
Introduced in House
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
House of Representatives
Referred to the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development.