Aaron Bean

The American Dream Accounts Act of 2026 creates a new tax-advantaged savings account designed to help individuals save for their first home purchase. U.S. citizens can contribute up to $7,500 per year to an American Dream Account (or $10,000 annually for those age 35 and older), with a lifetime contribution limit of $250,000. The accounts operate similarly to other tax-advantaged retirement savings accounts, with funds held in trust and administered by banks or other qualified institutions. When withdrawing funds to purchase a first home, account holders can take up to $500,000 tax-free (or $250,000 if purchasing jointly with another account holder), though they must hold the home for at least three years or face tax penalties. Account holders can also roll unused funds into Roth IRAs or pass accounts to family members without tax penalties. The legislation takes effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026.

The SMOOTH Payments Act would change eligibility rules for federal health insurance premium tax credits by requiring that insurance companies offer at least one health plan with monthly cost-sharing payment options. Under this bill, individuals would only be eligible for the tax credit if their insurer offers a plan allowing them to pay zero out-of-pocket costs at the time they receive medical services and instead pay their cost-sharing obligations in monthly installments, similar to how prescription drug costs are handled under Medicare. The legislation would exclude catastrophic health plans and any plans offered by insurers that don't provide this monthly payment option from the tax credit program. The changes would take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026. This bill aims to make healthcare costs more manageable for consumers by spreading out-of-pocket expenses across the year rather than requiring immediate payment at the point of care.

This bill establishes a voluntary disclosure program for taxpayers who have failed to properly report taxes related to digital assets like cryptocurrency. Eligible taxpayers can participate by filing amended tax returns within 24 months, paying back taxes with interest, and paying a penalty that ranges from 0 to 40 percent depending on the amount owed and whether they certify the violations were not fraudulent or willful. In exchange, participants receive protection from certain additional penalties and, in most cases, immunity from criminal prosecution related to the disclosed violations. The Treasury Department must establish the program within 12 months of the bill's enactment, and the bill gives the Secretary of the Treasury authority to set specific rules and potentially waive penalties in cases involving reasonable cause or when appropriate for administering tax law.

DME Scammer Prevention Act of 2026This bill establishes requirements relating to potentially fraudulent billing for certain durable medical equipment under Medicare.Specifically, the bill establishes requirements relating to billing for items that are on the Master List of Durable Medical Equipment, Prosthetics, Orthotics and Supplies. (The master list includes items that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has identified as posing certain fiscal vulnerabilities and therefore require additional conditions for payments to be made, such as prior authorization.)The bill requires claims for such items to be filed electronically and within 90 days of when the items were furnished. The Government Accountability Office must report on the technology used by Medicare administrative contractors to identify fraudulent claims with respect to such items.

This bill would eliminate the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation, a federal agency established within the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services that develops and tests new payment and care delivery models aimed at improving healthcare quality and reducing costs. The legislation would repeal the statutory authority that created the center under Section 1115A of the Social Security Act. The bill affects CMS operations and would eliminate the center's ability to conduct pilot programs testing innovative approaches to Medicare and Medicaid. No specific funding amounts or implementation timelines are specified in the legislation. The bill was introduced in April 2026 and referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the Committee on Ways and Means.

The HSA's For All Act dramatically expands who can open and use Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) by removing the requirement that individuals have a high-deductible health plan. Under current law, only people enrolled in high-deductible plans can use HSAs, but this bill would allow anyone covered under any qualified health plan—whether through the Affordable Care Act marketplace or a traditional employer group plan—to open and contribute to an HSA. The bill makes conforming changes throughout the tax code to replace references to "high-deductible health plan" with the broader "covered health plan," simplifying eligibility rules. These changes take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026, potentially allowing millions of additional Americans to benefit from the tax advantages of HSAs, which allow people to save money tax-free for qualified medical expenses.

The Punishing Health Care Fraudsters Act increases criminal penalties for health care fraud across two main federal statutes. It raises maximum prison sentences from 10 to 25 years and from 20 to 30 years for health care fraud under federal law, and similarly increases penalties for violations involving federal health care programs like Medicare and Medicaid, with criminal fines rising from $100,000 to $250,000. The bill also directs the U.S. Sentencing Commission to review and update sentencing guidelines for these offenses to reflect their seriousness, considering factors such as financial loss to victims, the sophistication of the fraud scheme, threats to public health, and privacy violations. These changes apply to any health care fraud conduct occurring after the bill is enacted. The legislation targets individuals and organizations that commit fraud against federal and private health insurance programs, aiming to deter these crimes through substantially harsher criminal consequences.

The ICHRA Permanency Act makes permanent certain federal regulations governing health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) and similar account-based health plans that were issued in 2019. The bill essentially converts an existing rule from the Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services departments into law, protecting it from potential future changes or reversals. This primarily affects employers who offer HRAs and their employees who use these accounts to pay for eligible health expenses. The legislation does not establish new funding requirements or specific timelines, but rather locks in the current regulatory framework that allows employers to offer more flexible health benefit options. By codifying these rules into law, the bill provides certainty and stability for businesses and workers relying on these health account arrangements.

The We Want Our Healthcare Money Back Act of 2025 requires the Department of Health and Human Services Inspector General to submit detailed reports on Medicare and Medicaid fraud every three months for two years following the bill's enactment. Each report must include the number of fraud investigations conducted, criminal prosecutions and civil lawsuits filed, the dollar amounts involved, specific charges alleged, and the number of individuals and entities banned from federal health programs due to fraud-related convictions. The legislation affects Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, healthcare providers, and federal health program administrators by increasing oversight and transparency around fraud prevention efforts. The bill requires no new federal funding, as it directs the Inspector General to use existing appropriated resources to complete the reporting requirements. This measure targets a two-year reporting period to provide Congress with regular updates on enforcement actions against healthcare fraud.

H.R. 5872 requires the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to verify that healthcare providers hold valid, in-good-standing licenses before assigning them unique health identifiers used in the healthcare system. The bill affects all healthcare providers who apply for or renew these identifiers, which are necessary for billing, insurance claims, and other administrative purposes. The Secretary of HHS must establish an automated verification system within 30 days of the law's enactment to check state medical licensing databases before issuing identifiers. The legislation aims to prevent unlicensed or improperly licensed providers from obtaining these identifiers and participating in federal healthcare programs. No specific funding amount is mentioned in the bill.

The PROMPT Act would require the federal government to send Medicare beneficiaries an explanation of benefits within 30 days after they receive medical services or items covered by Medicare. Currently, there is no specific deadline for these notifications, which explain what Medicare paid for and what the patient owes. The bill amends Medicare law to establish this 30-day timeline, ensuring seniors get timely information about their claims. This legislation affects all Medicare beneficiaries and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, which administers the program. The bill contains no specific funding authorization, as it primarily creates a new reporting requirement for an existing federal program.

Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2025This bill provides continuing appropriations to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) if (1) an appropriations bill for the FAA has not been enacted before a fiscal year begins, or (2) a joint resolution making continuing appropriations for the FAA is not in effect.Specifically, the bill provides appropriations from the Airport and Airway Trust Fund at the rate of operations that was provided for the prior fiscal year to continue programs, projects, and activities that were funded in the preceding fiscal year.The bill provides the appropriations until the earlier of (1) the date on which the applicable regular appropriations bill for the fiscal year or a joint resolution making continuing appropriations becomes law, or (2) the date that is 30 days after the first day of a lapse in appropriations.

The LEO K9 Protection Act strengthens federal penalties for harming law enforcement animals and improves emergency medical services for injured police dogs. The bill amends federal law to impose sentences of up to 15 years imprisonment and fines for anyone who harms police dogs or horses using a deadly or dangerous weapon while committing crimes. The legislation requires the Secretary of Transportation to publish guidance within 180 days on how emergency medical services personnel should care for injured police dogs, and to issue regulations within 240 days allowing paramedics and emergency medical technicians to transport injured police dogs to veterinary facilities and provide emergency care. The bill covers police animals working for federal, state, county, and local law enforcement agencies involved in criminal detection, law enforcement, and rescue operations, and includes an exemption for people providing emergency veterinary care in good faith. No specific federal funding is allocated in the bill; it directs relevant agencies to use existing federal guidelines and resources.

The Delivering On Government Efficiency in Spending Act requires federal agencies to provide detailed information about every payment they make through the Treasury Department, including a brief description of the payment's purpose, which budget account funds it, and the type of activity involved. Agencies must verify this information at least once yearly and the Office of Management and Budget must publish the data publicly within 30 days on a government website, with limited exceptions for sensitive national security and law enforcement operations. The bill also expands the Treasury Department's access to data from Social Security, tax records, employment directories, and consumer credit reports to help identify and prevent improper or fraudulent federal payments across all agencies. The law applies to executive agencies, independent agencies, Congress, courts, and other entities that use Treasury systems for disbursements, and goes into effect upon enactment with no specific funding amount specified.

The Apples to Apples Comparison Act of 2025 requires the federal government to publish detailed Medicare spending data in a standardized, machine-readable format starting in 2025. Specifically, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services must publicly report total and average expenditures broken down by county and metropolitan area, covering 10 years of historical data and up to 5 years of projected spending, categorized across dozens of beneficiary groups (such as those in traditional Medicare versus Medicare Advantage plans, with or without prescription drug coverage, and with various supplemental insurance). The bill also requires the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission (MedPAC) beginning in 2026 to analyze and publicly release side-by-side spending comparisons between Medicare Advantage enrollees and comparable fee-for-service beneficiaries, accounting for differences in benefits and demographics, and mandates the Medicare Trustees to include similar expenditure breakdowns in their annual reports. The legislation contains no new funding requirements but aims to enable researchers, policymakers, and the public to better compare costs and value across different Medicare options.

H.R. 3057 designates the POW/MIA Memorial and Museum currently under construction in Jacksonville, Florida, as the official National POW/MIA Memorial and Museum. The museum honors approximately 142,000 members of the Armed Forces captured as prisoners of war since World War II and roughly 82,000 who remain missing in action or unaccounted for. Within 90 days of the bill's enactment, the museum's director must submit a report to Congress detailing a five-year operating budget, organizational structure, bylaws, and accreditation status. The national designation can be withdrawn if the museum fails to operate satisfactorily within five years of opening or if the required report is not submitted on time. The bill primarily affects veterans' families and the broader public by establishing an official national venue dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of prisoners of war and those missing in action.

The Maritime Fuel Tax Parity Act expands a federal tax exemption for alternative fuels used in maritime vessels. Currently, certain vessels are exempt from paying federal excise taxes on alternative motorboat fuels, but this bill extends that exemption to include vessels that operate only along the Atlantic or Pacific coasts of the United States. The change primarily affects shipping companies and vessel operators in coastal trade, allowing them to avoid the excise tax on alternative fuels the same way their counterparts in other maritime trades do. The exemption applies retroactively to fuel sales made after December 31, 2023, meaning affected businesses may be eligible for refunds or tax credits on fuel purchases from that date forward. This legislation aims to level the playing field for domestic maritime operators by giving all qualifying vessels equal access to fuel tax benefits.

This bill allows workers to transfer unused money from health flexible spending accounts (FSAs) or health reimbursement arrangements (HRAs) directly into health savings accounts (HSAs) when they enroll in a high-deductible health plan after a gap in coverage. The transfer amount is capped at the annual FSA/HRA limit (or double that for family coverage), and workers must convert their remaining FSA or HRA to an HSA-compatible plan for the rest of the year. The legislation also requires employers to report these transfers on employee W-2 forms. The changes take effect for distributions made after December 31, 2025, and aim to give workers more flexibility in managing their healthcare savings accounts when switching to high-deductible plans.

This bill prevents the Environmental Protection Agency from withdrawing approval of state permit programs that regulate dredging and filling activities in wetlands and waterways without explicit approval from Congress. The legislation specifically protects existing permit programs in Michigan, New Jersey, and Florida—states that have taken over federal permitting authority under the Clean Water Act. For Florida specifically, the bill includes a 90-day transition period during which both state and federal authorities can issue permits simultaneously before the state program fully takes over. The bill also clarifies that state program approvals are not considered federal regulations, which could affect how they are reviewed or challenged in the future.

H.Res. 178, submitted by Representative Bean of Florida, proposes to reduce each House member's annual allowance (used for office operations, staff salaries, and district representation activities) by $100,000 for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The resolution would apply equally to all 435 House members, cutting their budgets from whatever 2025 levels were set down to that amount minus $100,000. This would affect how much money each representative has available to run their district offices and support their legislative operations. The resolution carries symbolic messaging with its title, "Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is," suggesting the sponsor views it as a way for members to demonstrate fiscal responsibility through accepting budget constraints themselves. The measure was referred to the House Administration Committee in March 2025 but would require full House approval to become binding.

The CUTS Act would rescind unobligated (unspent) federal funds from COVID-19 relief programs and certain infrastructure initiatives to offset the cost of 2024 foreign assistance funding for Israel, Ukraine, and Indo-Pacific security. Specifically, the bill would claw back unused money from major pandemic relief laws including the CARES Act and the American Rescue Plan, as well as from education stabilization funds and three transportation and environmental programs: the Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program, the Carbon Reduction Program, and the PROTECT Program. The total amount rescinded from COVID-19 relief funds would be limited to the combined dollar amount of the three 2024 foreign assistance packages. The bill affects federal agencies managing these programs and would reduce available funding for educational support, transportation infrastructure, and air quality improvements, though only funds that have not yet been obligated (committed for specific purposes) would be affected.

The Freedom from Government Competition Act of 2025 would require federal agencies to purchase goods and services from private companies rather than providing them in-house, with limited exceptions. The bill applies to executive departments, military departments, and independent agencies, and would allow federal employees to continue only performing "inherently governmental functions" while outsourcing other work to private contractors. Agencies could exempt activities only if the law requires federal production, if the work is critical to national defense or homeland security, or if no private sector alternative exists—and even then must certify their exemptions to Congress. The Office of Management and Budget would develop regulations to implement the policy and issue annual reports by June 30 evaluating agency exemptions and proposing a five-year timeline for transferring commercial activities to the private sector. The bill contains no specific appropriations but would fundamentally shift how federal agencies operate by prioritizing private sector contracting over government-performed services.

This bill requires each federal executive agency to relocate at least 30 percent of its headquarters employees to offices outside the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area within one year of enactment. Relocated employees will have their pay adjusted to match their new location's pay rates and will no longer be permitted to work full-time from home. The bill also directs the Office of Management and Budget to require a 30 percent reduction in headquarters office space within two years, with priority given to selling buildings and consolidating agency locations. Agencies must report their implementation plans within 180 days and include workforce information in future budget justifications. The legislation exempts national security positions and employees with disabilities who require full-time telework accommodations, and it prohibits providing relocation incentives to affected employees. No specific funding is appropriated, and the bill prohibits any private lawsuits challenging the relocations.

This bill establishes community engagement requirements (i.e., work requirements) for certain adults under Medicaid.Specifically, the bill requires individuals ages 18 through 65 to work, engage in community service, or participate in a work program (or a combination of these) for at least 80 hours per month. The bill prohibits federal payments for, and allows state Medicaid programs to disenroll, individuals who do not meet these requirements for three or more months in a year.The requirements do not apply to individuals who are (1) physically or mentally unfit to work, (2) pregnant, (3) parents or caretakers of children or incapacitated individuals, (4) complying with work requirements for other federal programs, (5) participating in a drug or alcohol treatment and rehabilitation program, or (6) enrolled at least half-time in school.