Wittman, Robert J. [R-VA-1]
Republican · VA · 17 bills sponsored
SECURE Minerals Act of 2026
# SECURE Minerals Act of 2026 Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The SECURE Minerals Act of 2026 aims to strengthen U.S. domestic production and supply chains for critical minerals needed for national security, energy, and technology. The bill seeks to reduce American dependence on foreign sources—particularly China—for minerals essential to manufacturing electronics, batteries, defense systems, and renewable energy equipment. **Who It Affects** This legislation would impact mining companies, manufacturers reliant on mineral supplies, national security agencies, and potentially consumers through effects on product availability and pricing. It may also affect environmental regulations in areas where mineral extraction occurs. **Current Status** The bill is currently in committee review in the House of Representatives and has not yet been voted on by the full chamber. No additional legislative action has occurred since its introduction. *Note: Detailed provisions are not available in the source information provided. For complete details on specific tax incentives, permitting changes, or other mechanisms included in the bill, you may consult Congress.gov or the bill's full text.*
Finding ORE Act
# Finding ORE Act Summary **What It Would Do** The Finding ORE Act would establish or expand programs to identify and develop domestic sources of minerals and metals needed for various industries. Based on its subjects, the bill appears designed to strengthen the United States' ability to locate, map, and extract strategic materials within its own borders rather than relying entirely on imports. This would likely involve government cooperation with private companies to explore and develop mining operations for materials considered important to national or economic interests. **Who It Affects** The bill would impact mining companies and the broader industries that depend on raw materials (such as manufacturing, defense, and technology sectors). It could also affect workers in mining and related employment sectors, as well as local communities where mining operations might occur. Taxpayers would potentially be involved through government funding or support for these programs. **Key Details** The bill focuses on strategic materials and public-private cooperation, suggesting it aims to balance government oversight with private sector involvement. The emphasis on "mapping" and "geography" indicates the bill would include surveying U.S. mineral resources. **Current Status** The bill is currently in committee, meaning it has been introduced but has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives.
PORCUPINE Act
# PORCUPINE Act Summary I don't have access to the detailed text of HR 7146 (the PORCUPINE Act) in my training data, so I cannot provide you with accurate information about what this specific bill would do, its key provisions, or who it affects. To get reliable, accurate information about this bill, I'd recommend: - **Congress.gov** - Search for "HR 7146" to see the full bill text, summary, and any amendments - **Your representative's website** - They often provide summaries of bills they sponsor - **Nonpartisan sources** like the Congressional Research Service or reputable government tracking sites I'd rather acknowledge this limitation than give you incomplete or potentially inaccurate information about legislative matters. If you have access to the bill text and would like help understanding specific sections, I'm happy to help explain them in plain language.
To designate the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 12109 New Kent Highway in New Kent, Virginia, as the "Patricia Paige Post Office".
# HR 6317 Summary **What the Bill Does** This bill would officially rename a U.S. Postal Service facility in New Kent, Virginia to the "Patricia Paige Post Office." The post office is located at 12109 New Kent Highway. Renaming federal buildings is a common congressional practice used to honor individuals for their contributions or service. **Who It Affects and Current Status** The bill would primarily affect the local New Kent community and postal customers who use that facility. It was introduced by Representative Robert Wittman (R-VA) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. The bill has not been enacted into law.
Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act
# Protecting Access for Hunters and Anglers Act (HR 556) – Summary **What the Bill Would Do** This bill would prevent federal agencies—including the Fish and Wildlife Service, Bureau of Land Management, and Forest Service—from banning or restricting the use of lead ammunition and fishing tackle on federal lands and waters. Currently, some federal areas have regulations limiting lead ammunition due to environmental and wildlife health concerns. If passed, this bill would largely prevent such restrictions, though it would allow exceptions in cases where agencies have field data proving that lead use is directly causing wildlife population declines at a specific location, and the state government approves new regulations. **Who It Affects** The bill primarily affects hunters and anglers who use federal lands and waters for recreation. It also impacts federal land management agencies and wildlife conservation efforts. Environmental groups and wildlife advocates have concerns about lead ammunition and tackle, as lead can harm or kill wildlife that ingest ammunition fragments or discarded fishing weights. **Current Status** The bill was introduced in the 119th Congress by Representative Robert Wittman (R-VA) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.
Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act
# Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act (HR 906) – Plain Language Summary **What the Bill Does:** This bill requires the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to publish an annual public list of companies that have licenses from the FCC and are owned or controlled by entities from countries considered foreign adversaries—including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Cuba, and Venezuela. The bill specifically targets companies operating submarine communications cables (which carry internet and phone signals underwater between continents) and other FCC-licensed entities. For submarine cable operators and similar high-security licenses, the FCC would immediately compile and publish the list. For other types of FCC licenses, the FCC would first create rules to gather ownership information before publishing the list. **Who It Affects:** This bill primarily affects telecommunications companies and internet service providers that operate under FCC licenses, particularly those with foreign ownership ties. It also affects the FCC, which must do the administrative work of collecting and publishing this information. Consumers may be indirectly affected if it influences which companies operate communication infrastructure. **Current Status:** The bill has passed the House of Representatives and is awaiting further action in the Senate.
Chesapeake Bay Conservation Acceleration Act of 2025
# Chesapeake Bay Conservation Acceleration Act of 2025 Summary **What the Bill Does:** HR 2091 aims to speed up conservation and restoration efforts in the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. While specific provisions aren't detailed in the available information, bills with this title typically focus on protecting water quality, restoring habitat for fish and wildlife, and addressing pollution that flows into the bay from surrounding states. **Who It Affects:** This legislation would impact millions of people living in the Chesapeake Bay watershed (which spans Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Delaware, New York, and West Virginia), as well as industries like fishing, tourism, and agriculture in the region. The federal government would likely play a larger role in funding or coordinating cleanup and conservation efforts. **Current Status:** As of now, HR 2091 is in committee, meaning it has been introduced but hasn't yet advanced to a full floor vote in the House. The bill was sponsored by Representative Robert J. Wittman, a Republican from Virginia. For specific details about the bill's provisions, interested parties would need to review the full legislative text on Congress.gov.
BRAVE Act
# BRAVE Act Summary The BRAVE Act would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to create a system for reaching out to veterans who have gone through traumatic or highly stressful events. Under this bill, eligible veterans enrolled in VA health care could choose to receive information about mental health services and resources available to them. The VA would work with the Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program to coordinate these outreach efforts, ensuring veterans know what help is available. The bill is designed to support veterans' mental health by making it easier for them to learn about and access care during difficult times. It affects veterans currently enrolled in the VA health care system, particularly those dealing with trauma. As of now, the bill is in committee, meaning it has been introduced but has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.
Veteran’s Choice Accountability Act
# Veteran's Choice Accountability Act Summary **What the bill would do:** This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to evaluate its healthcare programs that provide hospital care, medical services, and nursing home care. The goal is to identify which specialized care programs are used most heavily and ensure those programs are maintained as "centers of excellence"—meaning they meet high quality standards. The bill also requires the VA to report back to Congress on how well it has implemented the VA Budget and Choice Improvement Act (a previous law giving veterans more healthcare options). **Who it affects and key provisions:** This legislation primarily affects veterans who use VA healthcare services, as well as the VA itself. It focuses on accountability and quality measurement, requiring the VA to evaluate its programs' performance and report findings to Congress. The emphasis on maintaining specialized care centers of excellence suggests the bill aims to concentrate resources in high-performing facilities while ensuring veterans receive quality care. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee, meaning it has been introduced but has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives. It was sponsored by Representative Robert Wittman (R-VA).
Veterans Collaboration Act
# Veterans Collaboration Act (HR 552) Summary **What the Bill Does** The Veterans Collaboration Act would require the Department of Veterans Affairs to run a two-year pilot program that brings together nonprofits, law schools, and veterans service organizations to provide legal help to veterans. Specifically, it would encourage partnerships where law schools offer free legal assistance while veterans service organizations provide trained staff to help veterans with legal issues they face. **Who It Affects** This bill primarily affects veterans who need legal services, law schools willing to participate in the program, veterans service organizations, and the VA. The program would test whether these partnerships can effectively help veterans address legal problems they encounter. **Current Status** The bill is currently in committee, meaning it has been introduced but not yet voted on by the full House of Representatives. As a new bill in the 119th Congress, it remains in the early stages of the legislative process. The bill is sponsored by Republican Representative Robert J. Wittman of Virginia.
Veterans Affairs Transfer of Information and Sharing of Disability Examination Procedures With DOD Doctors Act
# HR 555 Summary: Veterans Disability Examination Procedures **What the Bill Does** HR 555 would require that when military members leave active duty and need physical examinations to assess potential service-related disabilities, those exams must be conducted by VA-certified healthcare providers. If a DOD doctor discovers a condition during a separation physical that could qualify someone for disability benefits, a VA-certified provider would need to complete the evaluation. The disability ratings determined during these exams would be binding—meaning the VA would have to accept them as final rather than potentially reassessing them later. **Who It Affects and Key Provisions** This bill primarily affects military service members transitioning to civilian life and the VA system. It aims to streamline the disability rating process by ensuring consistent standards and reducing delays or disputes over disability determinations. The bill also requires the VA and DOD to establish shared procedures and standards for these examinations, promoting coordination between the two agencies. **Current Status** HR 555 was introduced in the 119th Congress by Rep. Robert Wittman (R-VA) and remains in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House. The bill has not been enacted into law.
Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act
# Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act — Summary **What it would do:** This bill would expand what parents and students can use 529 education savings plans for. Currently, these tax-advantaged accounts primarily cover college tuition and related expenses. The bill would allow withdrawals to also pay for career certification and credentialing programs—such as welding, emergency medical technician (EMT), project management, and other industry-recognized credentials. Eligible expenses would include tuition, fees, books, supplies, and equipment needed for these programs. **Who it affects:** The bill would benefit families saving for education through 529 plans, as well as students pursuing alternatives to traditional four-year college degrees. It would also affect people seeking mid-career training or skills certifications. Credential-granting organizations and trade/technical programs would likely see increased enrollment if these savings plans become available to their students. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee, meaning it has been introduced but has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives. It was sponsored by Representative Robert Wittman (R-VA).
SHARKED Act of 2025
# SHARKED Act of 2025 Summary **What the Bill Does** The SHARKED Act requires the Department of Commerce to create a task force focused on "shark depredation"—when sharks bite and steal fish that anglers have already hooked on their fishing lines. The task force would study this problem, recommend solutions, improve communication between fishing and shark research communities, identify research priorities, and create educational materials to help fishers deal with sharks. **Who It Affects** This bill primarily impacts commercial and recreational fishers who experience losses when sharks take their catch, as well as marine scientists and fisheries managers. It also indirectly affects shark conservation efforts, as understanding shark behavior and depredation patterns could inform broader ocean management policies. **Key Provisions** The task force must include representatives from regional fishing councils, state marine agencies, and wildlife departments. It will develop management strategies to reduce shark depredation, coordinate research funding, and share best practices with the fishing community through educational materials. **Current Status** The bill has passed the House of Representatives and is pending action in the Senate.
Organ Donation Referral Improvement Act
# Organ Donation Referral Improvement Act Summary **What it would do:** This bill would direct the federal government to study how hospitals use automated computer systems to identify potential organ donors and refer them to organ procurement organizations. The study would examine the benefits of these electronic referral systems, identify best practices currently being used, and make recommendations for improving how hospitals implement these technologies. **Who it affects:** The bill primarily affects hospitals, organ procurement organizations, and potentially patients and families waiting for organ transplants. It doesn't create new requirements but rather investigates current practices to understand how technology could improve the organ donation process. **Key provisions:** The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a comprehensive study on electronic systems that automatically flag eligible donors in hospital records and route them to the appropriate procurement organizations. The study must analyze what works well, what challenges exist, and offer recommendations for broader adoption. **Current status:** The bill (HR 330) was introduced in the 119th Congress by Rep. Robert Wittman (R-VA) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been voted on by the full House of Representatives.
Adoption Information Act
# Adoption Information Act Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The Adoption Information Act would require family planning clinics that receive federal funding to give people information about local adoption centers when they ask about medical services or abortion. The Department of Health and Human Services would create pamphlets with this adoption information that clinics would be required to distribute. **Who It Affects** This bill primarily affects people visiting federally funded family planning clinics and the clinics themselves. It would apply to any clinic receiving federal funding for family planning services, potentially impacting millions of Americans who use these clinics for reproductive health services. **Current Status** The bill (HR 215) was introduced in the 119th Congress by Representative Robert Wittman (R-VA) and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House of Representatives.
No Budget, No Pay Act
# No Budget, No Pay Act Summary **What the bill would do:** This bill would require Congress to pass a budget resolution by April 15 each year. If either the House or Senate fails to meet this deadline, members of that chamber would have their salaries withheld starting April 16. The withheld pay would be restored once the chamber passes a budget resolution, or at the end of the congressional session—whichever comes first. **Who it affects:** The primary targets are members of Congress (House and Senate). Indirectly, it could affect federal budget planning and the Congressional Budget Office, which helps draft budget resolutions. **Current status:** The bill is currently in committee and has not advanced further. It was introduced by Rep. Robert Wittman (R-VA) in the 119th Congress. The bill reflects ongoing frustration about Congress's difficulty in meeting budget deadlines—a requirement established by the 1974 Congressional Budget Act that frequently goes unmet in practice.
Inaction Has Consequences Act
# Inaction Has Consequences Act - Summary **What the bill would do:** This bill would withhold the salaries of members of Congress in any chamber that fails to pass all required annual budget bills before the new fiscal year begins (October 1). Members would receive their paychecks once their chamber passes all the appropriations bills, or at the end of their two-year term in Congress—whichever comes first. The policy would take effect starting with fiscal year 2026. **Who it affects:** The bill directly impacts members of the House and Senate. Indirectly, it could influence how quickly Congress handles its budget responsibilities and potentially affect federal employees and agencies whose funding depends on timely appropriations passage. **Current status:** The bill was introduced by Rep. Robert Wittman (R-VA) in the 119th Congress and is currently in committee, meaning it has not yet been debated or voted on by the full House. The bill's stated goal is to incentivize Congress to complete its annual appropriations process on schedule, rather than relying on temporary funding measures (continuing resolutions) when budgets aren't finalized on time.