All Roll Calls
Yes: 230 • No: 196
HR1834119th CongressWALLET
Breaking the Gridlock Act
Sponsored By: Representative McGovern
Passed House
Summary
Blocks data brokers from sending Americans' most sensitive personal information to foreign adversaries. The bill combines a sweeping privacy ban with veteran relief, national security studies, wildfire cost-share rules, and a few smaller House rule changes.
Show full summary
- Veterans and servicemembers get tax restitution and program support. The Department of Defense must identify improperly withheld combat-related severance payments within 1 year and extend related filing periods, a triennial review of automatic life insurance starts Jan 1, 2026, and the Udall Foundation is funded through fiscal year 2029 with maximum grants raised to $5,000.
- Consumers and data brokers face a strict export ban on "sensitive" personally identifiable data to foreign adversaries, enforced by the Federal Trade Commission. "Sensitive" includes health, financial, biometric, private communications, precise geolocation within 1,850 feet, and data on minors, and the rule takes effect 60 days after enactment.
- Communities and security agencies must produce new strategies and studies. The Secretary of State and Defense must craft a regional plan to counter Boko Haram in 180 days with a five-year horizon, and the Treasury must complete a China financial exposure study within 1 year; the bill also standardizes reciprocal fire protection procedures and repayment expectations for local fire departments.
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
10 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Bigger Udall grants for students
If enacted, the Udall Foundation grant maximum would rise from $1,000 to $5,000. Eligible students could receive up to $4,000 more per award. The program’s authorization would be extended through 2029. Changes would start once the bill is enacted.
Ban on selling Americans' sensitive data
Data brokers would be barred from selling or sharing Americans' sensitive data to foreign adversaries. The rule would start 60 days after enactment and be enforced by the Federal Trade Commission. Sensitive data includes Social Security numbers, health or bank details, biometrics, precise location within 1,850 feet, private messages, login credentials, and data about people under 17. Entities controlled by a foreign adversary would include those with at least a 20% stake owned by such persons.
Refunds for taxed combat severance
The Defense Department would identify combat-related severance payments paid after January 17, 1991 that had taxes withheld, even though they were tax-exempt. Within one year, DoD would notify each affected veteran of the withheld amount and how to file an amended return. You would have at least one year from that notice to file for a refund under tax rules. For these claims, the usual lookback limit on how much can be refunded would not apply.
Faster paybacks to local fire departments
Within one year, federal agencies would set standard rules for paying local fire departments in cost-share wildfire agreements. The rules would require reimbursement when a department submits an invoice that matches cost settlement procedures. Congress states repayments should happen as soon as possible and no later than one year after suppression. This would help local departments recover costs faster after fires.
Treasury study on China finance risks
Treasury would study U.S. exposure to China’s financial sector and publish an unclassified report within one year. Treasury would consult the Federal Reserve, SEC, CFTC, and State. The report would assess risks, current policies, and recommend actions and international cooperation. The unclassified report would be posted on Treasury’s website and sent to Congress.
Grants to strengthen veterans courts
The Attorney General would run a pilot grant program for local veterans treatment courts and drug courts. Applicants would need to describe the treatment they plan to use and show evidence it helps people complete the program. Recipients would report participant demographics and completion rates within 180 days of getting a grant. If you are in one of these courts, services would aim to improve retention and outcomes.
Telehealth help for nursing homes
The federal Telehealth Resource Center would get $1 million to help nursing homes use telehealth. It would fund help with technical, legal, and service barriers for skilled nursing and nursing facilities. Money would be available through September 30, 2026. If a family member is in one of these facilities, remote care access would improve.
Five-year plan to counter Boko Haram
State and Defense would deliver a five-year strategy within 180 days to help Nigeria and partners counter Boko Haram. The plan would cover military capacity, humanitarian aid, justice and rule of law, and protecting schools and girls. It would also detail coordination and needed resources. The Director of National Intelligence would assess partner willingness and key intelligence gaps for Congress.
Small 2026 budget boosts for agencies
The bill would add $1 million each to five federal offices for FY2026. They are the USDA Office of Budget and Program Analysis; the Energy Information Administration; the State Department Capital Investment Fund; Army operations and maintenance; and the DHS Management Directorate. EIA and the State fund dollars would remain available until spent. These are small, internal funding boosts with limited direct effects on households.
Federal buys only U.S.-made flags
Federal agencies would only buy United States flags that are 100% made in the U.S. from U.S. materials. This would apply to contracts entered 180 days after enactment. Exceptions would allow purchases if U.S. flags of needed quality or quantity at market prices are unavailable, for small buys, for ships in foreign waters, or for commissary resales. The President would be able to grant a trade-agreement waiver and must publish it in the Federal Register within 30 days.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
McGovern
MA • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
house vote • 1/8/2026
On Passage
Yes: 230 • No: 196