• Committee on House Administration• Homeland Security Committee• Transportation and Infrastructure Committee• Small Business Committee• Ways and Means Committee• Ethics Committee• Foreign Affairs Committee• Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee• Agriculture Committee• Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee• Rules Committee• Financial Services Committee• Veterans' Affairs Committee• Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee• Appropriations Committee• Judiciary Committee• Armed Services Committee• Economic Opportunity Subcommittee• Science, Space, and Technology Committee• Energy and Commerce Committee• Education and Workforce Committee• Intelligence (Permanent Select) Committee• Oversight and Government Reform Committee• Budget Committee• Natural Resources Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
The "Breaking the Gridlock Act" encompasses a broad array of legislative initiatives aimed at addressing diverse policy challenges. It establishes a Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule , to be sealed by July 4, 2026, and opened on July 4, 2276, with its contents jointly determined by congressional leadership to reflect legislative milestones and a message to the future. This unique provision aims to connect present and future Congresses, preserving a historical record for the nation's 500th anniversary. The bill mandates the Secretaries of Agriculture, Interior, Homeland Security, and Defense to establish standard operating procedures for fire suppression cost share agreements . These procedures will ensure timely reimbursement to local fire departments and align agreements with cooperative fire protection efforts, aiming to improve efficiency and fairness in wildfire response. It also extends funding authorization for the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation through 2029, supporting its environmental and Native American programs. A significant foreign policy component requires the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense to develop a five-year strategy to counter Boko Haram in Nigeria and the surrounding region. This strategy must address enhancing institutional capacity, providing humanitarian support, investigating human rights abuses, countering violent extremism, strengthening the rule of law, and improving school security. An intelligence assessment on Nigeria's capability and willingness to implement the strategy is also required. For veterans, the Act introduces several key provisions. It requires the Small Business Administration to report on the Veterans Interagency Task Force activities and outreach plans for veteran entrepreneurship programs. Furthermore, it establishes a pilot program to provide grants to local governments to improve retention in veterans treatment court and drug court programs , focusing on effective therapeutic modalities. The bill also addresses financial and insurance matters for servicemembers and veterans. It mandates a periodic review of the automatic maximum coverage under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance and Veterans' Group Life Insurance , adjusting it based on inflation. Additionally, it requires the Secretary of Defense to identify and notify veterans who had taxes improperly withheld from combat-related severance payments , providing instructions for recovering these amounts. In terms of government operations and oversight, the legislation includes provisions for congressional accountability and data security. Each standing committee of the House of Representatives is required to hold a hearing on the implementation of this Act within one year of its enactment. The House Rules are also amended to prohibit retaliation against individuals providing truthful information to ethics bodies or law enforcement. A critical measure focuses on protecting sensitive U.S. data by making it unlawful for data brokers to transfer personally identifiable sensitive data of United States individuals to foreign adversary countries or entities controlled by them. This provision, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, broadly defines sensitive data to include government identifiers, health information, financial details, biometric data, precise geolocation, and private communications. It aims to safeguard national security and individual privacy against foreign exploitation. Finally, the Act promotes domestic manufacturing by requiring federal agencies to procure United States flags that are 100% manufactured in the U.S. from domestically sourced materials. Exceptions are provided for cases of unavailability, small procurements, and presidential waivers for trade agreements. The bill concludes with specific appropriations for various federal departments and programs for fiscal year 2026, including rural health, USDA, State Department, Army, DHS, and Energy Information Administration.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, House Administration, Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture, Science, Space, and Technology, Education and Workforce, Foreign Affairs, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Small Business, the Judiciary, Homeland Security, Financial Services, Veterans' Affairs, Ways and Means, Rules, Ethics, Energy and Commerce, the Budget, Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 780.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 780. (consideration: CR H213-227)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1834.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 230 - 196 (Roll no. 11). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H213-217)
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, House Administration, Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture, Science, Space, and Technology, Education and Workforce, Foreign Affairs, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Small Business, the Judiciary, Homeland Security, Financial Services, Veterans' Affairs, Ways and Means, Rules, Ethics, Energy and Commerce, the Budget, Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 780.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 780. (consideration: CR H213-227)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1834.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 230 - 196 (Roll no. 11). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H213-217)
AsiaChinaCommutingComputers and information technologyComputer security and identity theftCongressional leadershipCongressional oversightConsumer affairsCorporate finance and managementFinancial crises and stabilizationFiresFirst responders and emergency personnelForeign and international corporationsFraud offenses and financial crimesGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHistorical and cultural resourcesIranLife, casualty, property insuranceMiddle EastNorth KoreaRussiaState and local government operationsTransportation employeesU.S. CapitolU.S. historyVeterans' pensions and compensation
Breaking the Gridlock Act
USA119th CongressHR-1834| House
| Updated: 2/10/2026
The "Breaking the Gridlock Act" encompasses a broad array of legislative initiatives aimed at addressing diverse policy challenges. It establishes a Semiquincentennial Congressional Time Capsule , to be sealed by July 4, 2026, and opened on July 4, 2276, with its contents jointly determined by congressional leadership to reflect legislative milestones and a message to the future. This unique provision aims to connect present and future Congresses, preserving a historical record for the nation's 500th anniversary. The bill mandates the Secretaries of Agriculture, Interior, Homeland Security, and Defense to establish standard operating procedures for fire suppression cost share agreements . These procedures will ensure timely reimbursement to local fire departments and align agreements with cooperative fire protection efforts, aiming to improve efficiency and fairness in wildfire response. It also extends funding authorization for the Morris K. Udall and Stewart L. Udall Foundation through 2029, supporting its environmental and Native American programs. A significant foreign policy component requires the Secretary of State and Secretary of Defense to develop a five-year strategy to counter Boko Haram in Nigeria and the surrounding region. This strategy must address enhancing institutional capacity, providing humanitarian support, investigating human rights abuses, countering violent extremism, strengthening the rule of law, and improving school security. An intelligence assessment on Nigeria's capability and willingness to implement the strategy is also required. For veterans, the Act introduces several key provisions. It requires the Small Business Administration to report on the Veterans Interagency Task Force activities and outreach plans for veteran entrepreneurship programs. Furthermore, it establishes a pilot program to provide grants to local governments to improve retention in veterans treatment court and drug court programs , focusing on effective therapeutic modalities. The bill also addresses financial and insurance matters for servicemembers and veterans. It mandates a periodic review of the automatic maximum coverage under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance and Veterans' Group Life Insurance , adjusting it based on inflation. Additionally, it requires the Secretary of Defense to identify and notify veterans who had taxes improperly withheld from combat-related severance payments , providing instructions for recovering these amounts. In terms of government operations and oversight, the legislation includes provisions for congressional accountability and data security. Each standing committee of the House of Representatives is required to hold a hearing on the implementation of this Act within one year of its enactment. The House Rules are also amended to prohibit retaliation against individuals providing truthful information to ethics bodies or law enforcement. A critical measure focuses on protecting sensitive U.S. data by making it unlawful for data brokers to transfer personally identifiable sensitive data of United States individuals to foreign adversary countries or entities controlled by them. This provision, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission, broadly defines sensitive data to include government identifiers, health information, financial details, biometric data, precise geolocation, and private communications. It aims to safeguard national security and individual privacy against foreign exploitation. Finally, the Act promotes domestic manufacturing by requiring federal agencies to procure United States flags that are 100% manufactured in the U.S. from domestically sourced materials. Exceptions are provided for cases of unavailability, small procurements, and presidential waivers for trade agreements. The bill concludes with specific appropriations for various federal departments and programs for fiscal year 2026, including rural health, USDA, State Department, Army, DHS, and Energy Information Administration.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, House Administration, Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture, Science, Space, and Technology, Education and Workforce, Foreign Affairs, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Small Business, the Judiciary, Homeland Security, Financial Services, Veterans' Affairs, Ways and Means, Rules, Ethics, Energy and Commerce, the Budget, Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 780.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 780. (consideration: CR H213-227)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1834.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 230 - 196 (Roll no. 11). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H213-217)
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management.
Referred to the Committee on Armed Services, and in addition to the Committees on Natural Resources, House Administration, Transportation and Infrastructure, Agriculture, Science, Space, and Technology, Education and Workforce, Foreign Affairs, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Small Business, the Judiciary, Homeland Security, Financial Services, Veterans' Affairs, Ways and Means, Rules, Ethics, Energy and Commerce, the Budget, Oversight and Government Reform, 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.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity.
Referred to the Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 780.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 780. (consideration: CR H213-227)
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 1834.
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 230 - 196 (Roll no. 11). (text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H213-217)
• Committee on House Administration• Homeland Security Committee• Transportation and Infrastructure Committee• Small Business Committee• Ways and Means Committee• Ethics Committee• Foreign Affairs Committee• Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee• Agriculture Committee• Transportation and Maritime Security Subcommittee• Rules Committee• Financial Services Committee• Veterans' Affairs Committee• Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee• Appropriations Committee• Judiciary Committee• Armed Services Committee• Economic Opportunity Subcommittee• Science, Space, and Technology Committee• Energy and Commerce Committee• Education and Workforce Committee• Intelligence (Permanent Select) Committee• Oversight and Government Reform Committee• Budget Committee• Natural Resources Committee
AsiaChinaCommutingComputers and information technologyComputer security and identity theftCongressional leadershipCongressional oversightConsumer affairsCorporate finance and managementFinancial crises and stabilizationFiresFirst responders and emergency personnelForeign and international corporationsFraud offenses and financial crimesGovernment information and archivesGovernment studies and investigationsHistorical and cultural resourcesIranLife, casualty, property insuranceMiddle EastNorth KoreaRussiaState and local government operationsTransportation employeesU.S. CapitolU.S. historyVeterans' pensions and compensation