Resolution Act.
- Sponsor
- Rep. McGovern, James P. [D-MA-2]
- Committees
- Veterans' Affairs Committee (primary)
- Last action
- May 20, 2026
Bottom line
This joint resolution bundles diverse policy initiatives and appropriations, touching on veterans' healthcare, arts and culture, trade, tribal affairs, small business, national security, historical commemoration, tax law, and digital ethics.
What it actually does
H.J. Res. 143, the "Resolution Act," is an omnibus joint resolution that establishes a wide array of new programs, extends existing ones, and enacts various policy changes across numerous federal agencies. Key provisions include creating a VA-Public Health Service scholarship, establishing grants for nonprofit theaters, mandating "Buy American" for certain federal floral displays, protecting Native American seeds, extending small business innovation programs, requiring reports on acts of terrorism, placing a Benjamin Franklin statue, modifying tax deductions for fishing industry meals, prohibiting AI-based impersonation of federal officials, and appropriating funds for several departments.
Proponents argue
Supporters would argue that the bill addresses a wide range of pressing national needs, from bolstering healthcare workforce and supporting the arts to protecting cultural heritage, fostering small business innovation, enhancing national security, and modernizing legal frameworks for AI. They would emphasize the efficiency of packaging multiple beneficial policies into a single legislative vehicle.
Opponents contend
Critics might contend that the bill is an example of legislative overreach, combining unrelated policy items to ensure passage of provisions that might not survive standalone votes. They could argue that the diverse nature of the bill makes it difficult for the public and lawmakers to scrutinize individual components, potentially leading to wasteful spending or poorly vetted policies.
The bill covers a vast array of topics, requiring significant time for a thorough review. Given its omnibus nature, the time typically allotted for public and congressional review of such complex legislation is often insufficient for comprehensive understanding.
Sec. 101, Title I
Establishment of Veterans Affairs-Public Health Service Joint Scholarship Program
This title amends Title 38 of the U.S. Code to create a scholarship program. It allows Public Health Service (PHS) officers to attend the F. Edward Hebert School of Medicine at the Uniformed Services University (USU) at the Department of Veterans Affairs' expense. In return, after graduation and residency, these officers must serve a period of obligated service, up to ten years, at a VA medical facility. It also outlines interagency agreements, cost-sharing, and reimbursement for failure to complete service.
Supporters argue
Supporters argue this program addresses critical staffing shortages in VA medical facilities by leveraging the PHS commissioned corps and providing a pathway for medical professionals to serve veterans. It ensures a dedicated pipeline of healthcare providers.
Critics contend
Critics might raise concerns about the cost-effectiveness compared to other recruitment methods or potential administrative complexities of a tri-agency agreement. Some might argue it could divert PHS officers from other critical public health roles.
Tradeoffs
Balances the need to staff VA facilities with the costs of medical education and potential impact on PHS deployment flexibility.
Sec. 201, Title II
Professional Nonprofit Theater Grants
This section establishes a "Professional Nonprofit Theater Grant Program" within the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965. It authorizes $1 billion annually for fiscal years 2024-2028 for eligible nonprofit theater organizations. Grants can be used for payroll, rent, operating expenses, scenery fabrication, facility improvements (with priority for accessibility), marketing, and workforce development. Priority is given to entities allocating funds for payroll and those serving as primary theatrical venues for a region.
Sec. 202, Title II
Study on Sustaining the Nonprofit Arts Sector
This section mandates the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities to conduct a study, in consultation with the National Endowment for the Arts, National Endowment for the Humanities, and Institute of Museum and Library Services, on Federal support for the nonprofit arts sector. The study must include recommendations on how the Federal Government can sustain the sector and bolster its economic impact, with input from various stakeholders. A report is due within two years of enactment, and $1 million is authorized for the study.
Sec. 301, Title III
Limitation on Display of Foreign Cut Flowers and Greens
This title prohibits the official display of cut flowers or cut greens not produced in the United States in any public area of buildings belonging to the Executive Office of the President, Department of State, or Department of Defense. "Produced in the United States" includes any of the several States, DC, territories, or federally recognized Indian Tribe jurisdictions. This takes effect one year after enactment and does not apply to personal displays.
Sec. 401-404, Title IV
Protection of Native American Seeds
This title directs the Secretary of the Interior, within one year of enactment, to work with Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations to identify Native American seeds and support efforts to protect them, including seed banks and traditional agriculture systems. It mandates the Secretary not to disclose culturally sensitive, proprietary, or confidential information provided by Tribes for these purposes. It also includes a judicial review clause deferring to the Secretary's reasonable interpretation of ambiguous provisions and states no additional funds are authorized, making activities subject to appropriations.
Sec. 501-503, Title V
Extension and Expansion of Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Programs
This title extends and expands several Small Business Act programs. Section 501 extends the "Direct to Phase II" authority for SBIR programs from 2025 to 2030 and expands it to all federal agencies required to carry out an SBIR program (previously limited to NIH, DoD, and DoEd). It caps awards at 10% of total SBIR funds (15% for NIH) and requires reporting. Section 502 extends the "Commercialization Readiness Program for Civilian Agencies" from 2025 to 2030. Section 503 extends the "Phase 0 Proof of Concept Partnership Program" and "Commercialization Assistance Pilot Programs" until September 30, 2030.
Sec. 601, Title VI
Duty to Report on Acts of Terrorism
This title mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Attorney General, the FBI Director, and the head of the National Counterterrorism Center to submit an unclassified report (with a classified annex possible) to appropriate congressional committees within one year of an investigation's completion concerning an act of terrorism in the U.S. The report must include facts, identified security gaps, and recommendations for improvement. Information can be withheld if it jeopardizes an ongoing investigation. This section sunsets after five years.
Sec. 701, Title VII
Procurement and Placement of Statue of Benjamin Franklin in the United States Capitol
This title directs the Joint Committee on the Library to obtain a statue of Benjamin Franklin by December 31, 2026, and place it in a suitable permanent location in the U.S. Capitol, accessible to the public during guided tours, by December 31, 2027.
Sec. 801, Title VIII
Meals Provided on Certain Fishing Boats and at Certain Fish Processing Facilities Not Subject to 50 Percent Limitation
This title amends Section 274(n)(2)(C) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. It exempts meals provided on fishing vessels, fish processing vessels, or fish tender vessels, or at fish processing facilities located north of 50 degrees north latitude in the U.S. (and not in a metropolitan statistical area), from the 50 percent deduction limitation for business meals. This amendment applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.
Sec. 901, Title IX
Prohibition on AI-Based Impersonation of Federal Officials
This title amends Section 912 of Title 18, U.S. Code, to specifically prohibit knowingly using artificial intelligence to impersonate a federal officer or employee by mimicking their voice or likeness without an explicit disclaimer, thereby producing materially false or misleading content. Violators face fines or up to three years imprisonment, or both. It includes a saving provision for legitimate uses in satire, parody, or First Amendment-protected expressive conduct, provided clear disclosure is included. It defines "artificial intelligence" and "impersonates."
Sec. 1001, Title X
Hearings on Implementation
This title mandates that each standing committee of the House of Representatives hold a hearing on the implementation of this Act within one year of its enactment. It states this is an exercise of House rulemaking power, superseding inconsistent House rules, but recognizing the House's right to change its rules.
Sec. 1101, Title XI
Code of Official Conduct (House Rules)
This title amends Rule XXIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, striking clause 3 and replacing it. The new clause states that a Member, Delegate, Resident Commissioner, officer, or employee of the House may not receive compensation or permit compensation to accrue to their beneficial interest from any source if the receipt would occur "by virtue of influence improperly exerted from the position of such individual in Congress."
Sec. 1201, Title XII
Determination of Budgetary Effects (PAYGO)
This title specifies that the budgetary effects of this Act, for the purpose of complying with the Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (PAYGO), shall be determined by reference to the latest statement titled "Budgetary Effects of PAYGO Legislation" for this Act, submitted for printing in the Congressional Record by the Chairman of the House Budget Committee, provided such statement is submitted prior to the vote on passage.
Sec. 1301, Title XIII
Appropriations for Various Departments
This title appropriates specific additional amounts for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, for several federal departments and programs. It includes $1,000,000 for the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NIH), $1,000,000 for Rural Development (USDA) salaries and expenses, $1,000,000 for the Bureau of the Fiscal Service (Treasury) salaries and expenses, $1,000,000 for Military Personnel, Space Force (DoD), $1,000,000 for the Cooperative Endangered Species Conservation Fund (USFWS, Interior), and $1,000,000 for Federal Railroad Administration (DOT) research and development.
Allows nonprofit theater organizations primarily serving historically underserved communities (based on geography, economics, race/ethnicity, or disability) to be eligible for grants, even if they don't demonstrate a loss in gross or net revenue.
Sec. 201(b)(1)(D)(ii), Title II
Why it matters:This is likely standard legislative practice to ensure specific policy goals (equity in arts access) are met within a broader program, but it could be overlooked.
Case for: Proponents would argue this ensures that federal funding reaches organizations vital to communities that historically lack access to arts, promoting equity and cultural enrichment where it's most needed.
Case against: Some might argue that focusing on revenue loss is a more objective measure of need for economic recovery grants, and this criterion could be harder to define or administer, potentially diluting the program's primary economic stimulus goal.
Estimated impact: Potentially significant for arts organizations in rural, low-income, or minority communities, ensuring their eligibility and survival.
Directs courts to defer to the Secretary of the Interior's reasonable interpretation of any ambiguous provision within this Act (H.J. Res. 143), notwithstanding standard administrative procedure law (5 U.S.C. 706).
Sec. 403, Title IV
Why it matters:This is a tactical maneuver to grant significant deference to the executive branch in interpreting the broad and diverse provisions of this omnibus bill, potentially limiting judicial challenges to agency actions.
Case for: Proponents might argue that this provision promotes administrative efficiency and consistency by allowing the implementing agency to resolve ambiguities, especially in a complex, multi-faceted bill. It could prevent protracted litigation over technical interpretations.
Case against: Critics would argue that this provision undermines judicial oversight of agency actions and could lead to arbitrary or politically motivated interpretations of the law, reducing accountability and potentially infringing on the separation of powers.
Estimated impact: Could significantly impact the balance of power between the judiciary and the executive branch regarding the implementation of all provisions within this Act, potentially reducing the avenues for challenging agency decisions.
States that no additional funds are authorized to carry out the requirements of section 3 (which is likely a typo and meant to refer to Title IV, given its placement), and that activities authorized by this section are subject to the availability of appropriations made in advance for such purposes.
Sec. 404, Title IV
Why it matters:This is standard legislative practice to clarify that authorization does not equal appropriation, but it effectively makes the mandates of Title IV unfunded unless specific appropriations are made elsewhere or later.
Case for: Proponents would argue this maintains fiscal discipline by requiring separate appropriations for new mandates, preventing automatic spending increases. It ensures that funding decisions are made through the regular appropriations process.
Case against: Critics might argue that mandating new activities (like protecting Native American seeds) without authorizing dedicated funding is disingenuous, setting up agencies for failure or forcing them to reallocate existing, potentially insufficient, resources.
Estimated impact: The mandates of Title IV, such as working with Tribes to identify and protect Native American seeds, will be contingent on future appropriations, potentially delaying or limiting their implementation.