Governing for the People Act
Sponsored By: Representative McGovern
In Committee
Summary
A multi-title federal package that would combine tax breaks, veterans fraud penalties, disaster recovery funding, AI literacy grants, health coverage mandates, oversight rules, and targeted FY2027 appropriations. It pulls many changes into one bill so lawmakers can act on film tax incentives, veterans protections, wildfire remediation, AI education, national security reporting, and guaranteed lung cancer screening coverage in the same law.
Show full summary
- Adults 50 to 80 at increased risk for lung cancer would get an annual low-dose CT screening covered with no cost-sharing and fewer prior-authorization or step-therapy barriers, with implementing rules due in 180 days.
- People who scheme to defraud veterans' benefits would face new criminal penalties including fines and up to 5 years in prison, and the bill clarifies who counts as a veteran and what counts as veterans' benefits.
- Film and television producers would see the Section 181 production deduction extended through December 31, 2030, with the base cap raised to $30 million and the higher area-based cap to $40 million and cost-of-living adjustments after 2026.
Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
11 provisions identified: 9 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
More federal help after wildland fires
If enacted, parties harmed by a wildland fire that the Agriculture Secretary finds resulted from National Forest management would be eligible for 100% federal funding for remediation. The Secretary would also be able to waive required non-federal matching funds for recovery projects. 'Wildland fire' would include vegetation fires, prescribed burns, and related watershed damage.
Bigger film and TV tax deduction
If enacted, production companies would be able to use the special film and TV production deduction for productions that start on or before December 31, 2030. The bill would set a $30,000,000 base aggregate-cost limit and raise the higher area limit to $40,000,000. After 2026 those dollar amounts would be adjusted each year for inflation and rounded to the nearest $1,000.
FEMA and HUD implement GAO fixes
If enacted, FEMA and HUD would have to carry out the priority recommendations in the GAO report on disaster recovery published November 15, 2022. The agencies would take necessary actions to improve federal disaster recovery and reduce inefficiencies. The change aims to improve recovery outcomes for disaster-affected households and communities.
FEMA to run next-gen warning grants
If enacted, FEMA would take over the Next Generation Warning System grant program and must spend FY2022 funds that were already obligated within 180 days. FEMA would begin awarding grants using FY2023 and FY2024 funds under existing appropriations. The Department of Homeland Security would carry out R&D on warning system accessibility, resiliency, and security within one year and report results to Congress within two years.
DNI report and Treasury sanctions review
If enacted, the Director of National Intelligence would have 180 days to report on Chinese purchases of Iranian oil since 2020 and on PRC financial transactions tied to materials that could support Iran's ballistic missile program. The Treasury Secretary would then have six months to decide and report whether the activity is sanctionable. Those reports could lead to future sanctions and market effects.
Free annual lung cancer screening
If enacted, health plans and federal programs would have to cover one low-dose CT lung cancer screening per year with no cost-sharing for eligible people aged 50 to 80. You would need a treating clinician to determine you are at increased risk based on personal, environmental, or family factors. Coverage could not require prior authorization, step therapy, stricter than annual frequency limits, or extra paperwork beyond current evidence-based guidelines. Implementing regulations would be required within 180 days.
House rules: conduct, payroll, and hearings
If enacted, House rules would bar a Member, Delegate, or Resident Commissioner from having a sexual relationship with a House employee they supervise, with an exception for spouses. The bill would also bar unwelcome sexual advances between Members, officers, and employees, and define 'employee' to include applicants, interns, detailees, and fellows. Each House standing committee would be required to hold a hearing on implementation within one year. When the House upgrades its payroll system and the Committee on House Administration directs it, the Chief Administrative Officer could pay employees twice monthly or on another schedule.
New crime for veterans' benefits fraud
If enacted, it would be a federal crime to knowingly carry out or try to carry out a scheme to defraud a person of veterans' benefits. A violator would face a fine, up to five years in prison, or both. 'Veteran' and 'veterans' benefits' would be defined by reference to existing law.
Local grants to teach artificial intelligence
If enacted, the National Science Foundation would be able to award grants to local groups to develop, run, and evaluate AI literacy programs. Grants would prioritize marginalized and underserved communities like low-income people, rural areas, seniors, students, and people with disabilities. Grant winners would file annual reports and several federal agencies would report to Congress within one year on how to support AI literacy.
Small FY2027 agency appropriations
If enacted, the bill would provide $1,000,000 in additional Treasury funds for each listed agency purpose for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027. Recipients include NIH NIDCR, USDA APHIS, the United States Tax Court, Space Force operations, the North American Wetlands Conservation Fund, and the Federal Railroad Administration. Some amounts would remain available until expended where the bill notes it.
Which PAYGO statement counts
If enacted, the budgetary effects of this Act for PAYGO rules would be measured by the latest PAYGO statement that the Chairman of the House Budget Committee submitted for printing in the Congressional Record before the final passage vote. This changes which Congressional score is used for statutory PAYGO compliance.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
McGovern
MA • D
Cosponsors
There are no cosponsors for this bill.
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.govRelated Bills
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