Byron Donalds (R-FL)
Value Over Cost Act of 2026
A Republican bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
In the other chamber's committee
Passed one chamber and has been handed to a committee in the other.
The committee decides whether it goes any further, and most bills that reach a committee never leave it. A committee that simply does nothing kills a bill without anyone ever voting against it, so no news from here is usually the news.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- Passed House 421–1
- In Senate committee
What this bill would do
This bill is titled the Value Over Cost Act of 2026''. It aims to amend title 41 of the United States Code. The primary purpose is to change how the multiple award schedule program operates. Specifically, it replaces the requirement for the lowest overall cost alternative'' with a standard of ``best value''.
Yes
- Scored +3
Does this make it easier to run a small business?
The shift to a best value standard may allow small businesses with higher quality offerings to compete more effectively against those offering only the lowest cost.
- Scored +2
Would business owners be better off under this?
Business owners providing high-quality goods and services may benefit from the ability to compete on value rather than just being the lowest bidder.
- Scored +1
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill modifies federal procurement standards to prioritize value over mere cost, which can influence how government contracts are awarded.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
What Congress actually voted on
One recorded vote has been taken on this bill.
- The House: a fast-track vote, needing two-thirds to pass The House sets aside its normal procedure to move quickly: no amendments, little debate, and a two-thirds bar instead of a simple majority. It is used for measures expected to be uncontroversial, so a bill that fails here failed despite broad expectations that it would not. Passed 421 yes · 1 no
07/21/2026 · Roll call 252 · recorded as “On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended”
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
- Providing best value through the multiple award schedule program: By striking the requirement for the
lowest overall cost alternative'' and insertingbest value'', the bill allows for a different standard in the multiple award schedule program (Section 2).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No specific negative impacts are mentioned in the text: The provided text does not list any specific negative consequences or burdens resulting from the changes made to title 41 (Section 2).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The shift to a best value standard may allow small businesses with higher quality offerings to compete more effectively against those offering only the lowest cost.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would business owners be better off under this? — Business owners providing high-quality goods and services may benefit from the ability to compete on value rather than just being the lowest bidder.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill modifies federal procurement standards to prioritize value over mere cost, which can influence how government contracts are awarded.
- 7/22/2026
- Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
- 7/21/2026
- The title of the measure was amended. Agreed to without objection.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 421 - 1 (Roll no. 252).
- On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 421 - 1 (Roll no. 252).
- Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H4705-4706)
- 7/20/2026
- At the conclusion of debate, the Yeas and Nays were demanded and ordered. Pursuant to the provisions of clause 8, rule XX, the Chair announced that further proceedings on the motion would be postponed.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 1118.
- Considered under suspension of the rules. (consideration: CR H4656; text: CR H4656)
- Mr. Burlison moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended.
- 2/5/2026
- Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 44 - 0.
- 2/4/2026
- Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held
- 2/7/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, and in addition to the Committee on Armed Services, 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.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Jared MoskowitzDemocrat · Florida