Ken Calvert

Civics and History Advancement to Restore Learning, Integrity, and Education Act or the CHARLIE Act

This bill prohibits the use of federal funding made available for the American History and Civics Education program to fund discriminatory equity ideology or gender ideology, as defined in certain executive orders. Further, in awarding grants under this program, the Department of Education may not give priority to an eligible entity on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or immigration status.

The bill defines discriminatory equity ideology in accordance with Executive Order 14190, which was published on January 29, 2025. This definition refers to ideology that treats individuals as members of preferred or disfavored groups rather than as individuals, including listed ideologies (e.g., an ideology that members of one race, color, sex, or national origin are morally or inherently superior to members of another race, color, sex, or national origin, or that an individual is inherently racist, sexist, or oppressive by virtue of the individual's race, color, sex, or national origin).

The bill defines gender ideology in accordance with Executive Order 14168, which was published on January 20, 2025. This definition refers to an ideology that replaces categories of biological sex with gender identity.

Personal Health Investment Today Act of 2025 or the PHIT Act of 2025

This bill allows a federal tax deduction of up to $1,000 ($2,000 for married individuals who file a joint federal tax return or a head of a household) for qualified sports and fitness expenses. (Conditions apply.)

Under current law, an individual may deduct unreimbursed expenses paid for medical care for themselves, their spouse, or a qualified dependent to the extent that such expenses exceed 7.5% of adjusted gross income.

Under the bill, the definition of medical care (for purposes of the tax deduction) is expanded to include qualified sports and fitness expenses. The bill defines qualified sports and fitness expenses as amounts paid exclusively for the sole purpose of participating in a physical activity, including

• fitness facility memberships,

• participation or instruction in physical exercise or activity, or

• equipment for a physical exercise or activity program.

The following analysis is based on draft bill text that was made available by the House of Representatives and may differ from the bill text as introduced.

Nuclear REFUEL (Recycling Efficient Fuels Utilizing Expedited Licensing) Act

This bill directs the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) to license future recycling facilities that reprocess certain spent nuclear fuel (i.e., radioactive waste) under regulations for special nuclear material rather than regulations for production and utilization facilities. The bill applies to domestic facilities that reprocess spent nuclear fuel in a manner that does not isolate plutonium. Generally, such recycling facilities reprocess spent nuclear fuel into materials that may be reused as nuclear fuel for electricity.

While there are no commercial reprocessing facilities currently operating in the United States, the bill specifies which regulatory framework the NRC must use when issuing licenses to future facilities by excluding such facilities from the statutory definition of production facility. The licensing process under regulations for special nuclear material has fewer steps than the licensing process under regulations for production and utilization facilities.

North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act

This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to recognize the individuals and communities that provided financial and other support for the North Platte Canteen in North Platte, Nebraska, during World War II.

This bill designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 15642 Sand Canyon Avenue in Irvine, California, as the "Mary Kageyama Nomura Post Office Building".

This joint resolution revokes the partial authorization granted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to amend its Commercial Harbor Craft regulation. Among other elements, the amendments proposed by CARB and partially authorized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) create new emission standards and compliance dates depending on vessel category and engine model year and expand the types of vessels covered by the regulation (e.g. commercial fishing boats). (Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA may authorize California to adopt and enforce standards relating to the control of emissions from nonroad vehicles or engines if those standards meet certain requirements.)

Specifically, the joint resolution nullifies the EPA authorization decision titled California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Commercial Harbor Craft Regulations; Notice of Decision.

Firearm Industry Non-Discrimination Act or the FIND Act

This bill prohibits the federal government from entering into contracts with an entity that discriminates against firearm trade associations or businesses that deal in firearms, ammunition, or related products.

Specifically, the bill requires a federal agency to include in each contract for the procurement of goods or services awarded by the agency a clause requiring the prime contractor to certify that it (1) has no policy, practice, guidance, or directive that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association; and (2) will not adopt a policy, practice, guidance, or directive that discriminates against a firearm entity or firearm trade association during the term of the contract.

The bill establishes (1) a similar requirement with respect to subcontracts, and (2) penalties for violations.

The bill makes such prohibition inapplicable to a contract for the procurement of goods or services that is a sole-source contract.

This joint resolution revokes the authorization granted to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to amend its Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth Regulation. Among other elements, the amendment proposed by CARB and authorized by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expanded auxiliary engine emissions reductions requirements to include additional categories of ocean-going vessels. (Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA may authorize California to adopt and enforce standards relating to the control of emissions from nonroad vehicles or engines if those standards meet certain requirements.)

Specifically, the joint resolution nullifies the EPA authorization decision titled California State Nonroad Engine Pollution Control Standards; Ocean-Going Vessels At-Berth; Notice of Decision.

No Leniency for Fentanyl Dealers Act

This bill modifies the drug quantity thresholds that trigger a mandatory minimum prison term for a defendant who manufactures, distributes, imports, exports, or possesses with intent to distribute fentanyl.

Specifically, the bill reduces from 400 to 20 grams the fentanyl quantity and from 100 to 5 grams the fentanyl analogue quantity that trigger a mandatory minimum prison term for high-level first-time or repeat offenders. It also reduces from 40 to 2 grams the fentanyl quantity and from 10 to 0.5 grams the fentanyl analogue quantity that trigger a mandatory minimum prison term for low-level first-time or repeat offenders.

Additionally, the bill directs the U.S. Postal Service to increase the availability of chemical screening devices and dedicate the appropriate number of personnel to interdict fentanyl and other substances that are unlawfully imported into the United States.

Fair Treatment of Religious Organizations Act of 2026

This bill provides that an organization’s religious beliefs or practices concerning marriage, sexuality, or gender identity may not be treated as inconsistent with public law or policy for purposes of determining whether the organization has a charitable purpose and, thus, is exempt from federal income tax.

As background, charitable organizations generally must be organized and operated for one or more tax-exempt purposes (e.g., religious, charitable, scientific, or educational) to be exempt from federal income tax and receive tax-deductible contributions. The Internal Revenue Service’s position, which was upheld by the Supreme Court in Bob Jones University v. United States, is that an organization is not organized or operated for a tax-exempt purpose if the organization is against public policy or illegal.

The bill provides that a religious belief or practice concerning marriage, sexuality or gender identity may not be treated as being inconsistent with public law or policy for purposes of determining if an organization is organized and operated for a tax-exempt purpose. Further, under the bill, a belief need not be compelled by or central to a system of religion to be a religious belief.