James McGovern (D-MA)
Commonsense Legislating Act
A Democratic bill with no cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The Commonsense Legislating Act is a multi-title bill that introduces several legislative changes across various sectors. It extends the FAST program and expands assistance for small business SBIR and STTR programs to include increased outreach to minority and Hispanic-serving institutions. The bill also authorizes grant programs for Native American and Native Hawaiian tourism and extends work opportunity credits to qualified military spouses. Furthermore, it mandates annual mental health consultations for certain veterans and establishes a National Security Council Fentanyl Disruption Steering Group. Additionally, the bill creates a Working Families Task Force to address economic challenges and updates House rules regarding official conduct.
Yes· 3 of 36
- Scored +5
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill authorizes new grant programs specifically for Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations.
- Scored +5
Does this make mental health care easier to get?
The bill mandates annual mental health consultations and outreach for certain veterans.
- Scored +5
Does this help veterans get medical care?
The bill requires annual mental health consultations and outreach for veterans with service-connected disabilities.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Small Business Support: The bill extends the FAST program through September 30, 2030 (Section 101) and provides assistance to help small businesses apply for SBIR or STTR programs (Section 102).
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Increased Diversity in Research: The bill requires enhanced outreach to increase participation for individuals conducting research at minority institutions and Hispanic-serving institutions in SBIR and STTR programs (Section 102).
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Native American and Hawaiian Tourism: The bill authorizes grants for Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations to carry out tourism and improving visitor experience purposes (Section 201).
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Financial Relief for Military Spouses: The bill makes qualified military spouses eligible for the Work Opportunity Credit (Section 301).
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Veteran Mental Health Care: The bill mandates that the Secretary offer annual mental health consultations and outreach to veterans receiving compensation for service-connected mental health disabilities (Section 401).
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Support for Working Families: The establishment of a Working Families Task Force aims to develop recommendations to improve the standard of living and quality of life for working families (Section 601).
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Fentanyl Disruption: The creation of a Steering Group within the National Security Council is intended to oversee efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking and use (Section s 701).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Increased Criminal Liability for Carriers: The bill expands the legal definition of those who embezzle, steal, or unlawfully take packages to include items delivered by private or commercial interstate carriers before the addressee takes possession (Section 501).
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House Official Restrictions: The bill prohibits Members, Delegates, Resident Commissioners, officers, or employees of the House from serving as officers or directors of any public company (Section 901).
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill authorizes new grant programs specifically for Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — The bill mandates annual mental health consultations and outreach for veterans. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill extends the FAST program and provides assistance for small business research programs. Would Hispanic Americans be better off under this? — The bill mandates enhanced outreach to increase participation of Hispanic-serving institutions in research programs. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill includes requirements for enhanced outreach to minority institutions. Would children be better off under this? — The Working Families Task Force is tasked with expanding affordable child care. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The Working Families Tasks Force aims to address affordability challenges like housing and food access. Would retired people be better off under this? — The Working Families Task Force is tasked with supporting home and medical care for seniors. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — The Working Families Task Force is tasked with supporting home care and medical care for seniors. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — The Working Families Task Force aims to improve the standard of living for working families. Would union members be better off under this? — The Working Families Task Force is tasked with improving access to quality jobs with strong labor standards.
- Healthcare
- Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill mandates annual mental health consultations and outreach for certain veterans. Does this help veterans get medical care? — The bill requires annual mental health consultations and outreach for veterans with service-connected disabilities. Does this do more about addiction and overdose deaths? — The bill creates a National Security Council Steering Group to combat fentanyl trafficking and use. Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The Working Families Task Force is directed to mitigate barriers to accessing quality health care. Does this put more money into medical research? — The bill provides additional funding for the National Institutes of Health.
- Economy And Finance
- Does this make it easier to run a small business? — The bill extends the FAST program and provides assistance for applying to SBIR and STTR programs. Does this give people more protection from unfair business practices? — The bill updates laws to include penalties for the theft of packages from commercial carriers. Is this likely to grow the economy? — The bill provides resources for small business assistance and entrepreneurship development. Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill provides assistance to help small business concerns participate in federal research programs. Does this cut taxes for small businesses? — The bill extends the FAST program and provides assistance for small business concerns to apply for SBIR and ST러 programs. Does this raise the lowest wage an employer may pay? — The Working Families Task Force is directed to address access to quality jobs with livable wages. Is this likely to slow the rise in prices? — The Working Families Task Force is tasked with addressing affordability challenges related to inflation. Does this cut taxes for middle-income families? — The bill establishes a Task Force to examine ways to improve the standard of living for working families through tax policies.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this tighten control of the border? — The bill establishes a group to oversee efforts to combat fentanyl trafficking. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill requires enhanced outreach to increase participation of minority institutions in federal research programs. Does this make housing cost less? — The Working Families Task Force is tasked with obtaining and building quality, affordable housing. Does this make child care cost less? — The Working Families Task Force is tasked with expanding affordable child care. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The Working Families Task Force is tasked with improving the standard of living for working families.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill provides funding for the National Institutes of Health and supports small business research programs. Does this get reliable internet to more people? — The Working Families Task Force is tasked with reducing gaps in access to technology and the internet.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill provides funding for the Neotropical Migratory Bird Conservation Act. Does this improve buses, trains and other public transport? — The Working Families Task Force is tasked with accessing efficient transportation systems. Does this put more money into wind, solar and other renewable power? — The Working Families Task Force is tasked with accessing affordable and renewable energy sources.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill mandates annual mental health consultations for veterans receiving compensation for service-connected disabilities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires a public report from the newly established Working Families Task Force.
- 11/20/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
- 11/13/2025
- Referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement.
- 11/12/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Ways and Means, and in addition to the Committees on Small Business, Appropriations, Ethics, Education and Workforce, the Judiciary, Veterans' Affairs, Natural Resources, House Administration, Science, Space, and Technology, Energy and Commerce, Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, Oversight and Government Reform, Agriculture, Armed Services, Foreign Affairs, Intelligence (Permanent Select), Homeland Security, Rules, and the Budget, 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.
- Introduced in House
7 bills Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
- 119-HR-2033: Military Spouse Hiring Act
- 119-HR-2949: Working Families Task Force Act of 2025
- 119-HR-3863: VA Mental Health Outreach and Engagement Act
- 119-HR-4276: To amend the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act to authorize grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations, and for other purposes.
- 119-HR-4520: SBIR/STTR Application Assistance Act
- 119-S-612: A bill to amend the Native American Tourism and Improving Visitor Experience Act to authorize grants to Indian tribes, tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations, and for other purposes.
- 119-S-1027: Military Spouse Hiring Act