Affordable Housing and Welfare Accountability Act: Fair Housing and System Reform

 

The Affordable Housing and Welfare Accountability Act (AHWAA)

Section 1. Short Title

This Act may be cited as the “Affordable Housing and Welfare Accountability Act” or AHWAA.

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Section 2. Findings and Purpose

1. Findings:
   1.1. The rising cost of housing has made affordable living unattainable for many hardworking Americans, even those earning $20 an hour.
   1.2. Current affordable housing policies disproportionately benefit those on welfare or disability, leaving many working individuals unable to access housing.
   1.3. The welfare system lacks sufficient safeguards to prevent long-term dependency and abuse.

2. Purpose:
   2.1. To ensure housing is affordable and accessible for all Americans, regardless of employment status.
   2.2. To regulate rental markets, preventing price gouging and exploitation.
   2.3. To reform the welfare system, encouraging self-sufficiency through work requirements and purchasing guidelines for public assistance programs.

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Title I: Affordable Housing Reform

Section 3. Expanding Access to Affordable Housing

1. Eligibility Expansion:
   1.1. Affordable housing programs shall expand eligibility to include working individuals earning up to 150% of the federal poverty level, adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences.
   1.2. Housing assistance eligibility shall no longer be contingent solely on being unemployed or receiving welfare benefits.

2. Income-Based Rent Caps:
   2.1. Rent prices for affordable housing units shall be capped at 30% of the tenant’s gross income.
   2.2. Landlords receiving federal subsidies for affordable housing must comply with these caps or face penalties, including subsidy revocation and fines.

3. Incentivizing Development:
   3.1. Federal grants and tax incentives shall be offered to developers building affordable housing units in high-cost areas.
   3.2. Local governments must allocate at least 15% of new residential zoning for affordable housing projects to qualify for federal housing grants.

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Section 4. Rental Market Regulation

1. Federal Rental Price Index (FRPI):
   1.1. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) shall establish the FRPI to set regional rent ceilings based on median incomes and housing costs.
   1.2. Landlords charging rents above the FRPI threshold must provide justification, subject to review by HUD.

2. Rent Transparency Requirements:
   2.1. Landlords shall disclose all fees, utilities, and maintenance costs in rental agreements upfront.
   2.2. Failure to disclose costs shall result in financial penalties and possible lease nullification.

3. Tenant Protections:
   3.1. Tenants may not be evicted without documented cause, including nonpayment of rent, lease violations, or property damage.
   3.2. States must adopt tenant protection laws compliant with federal guidelines within two years of this Act’s enactment.

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Title II: Welfare System Accountability

Section 5. Welfare Timeframes and Work Requirements

1. Time-Limited Assistance:
   1.1. Welfare recipients may not receive cash assistance for more than 36 cumulative months within a five-year period, except in cases of disability or caregiving for dependents with special needs.
   1.2. States shall develop transitional assistance programs to help recipients prepare for the expiration of benefits.

2. Work Requirements:
   2.1. Able-bodied adults without dependents receiving welfare benefits must secure part-time or full-time employment within 12 months of receiving assistance.
   2.2. States shall provide job training, education programs, and childcare subsidies to support recipients in meeting these requirements.

3. Benefit Phase-Out:
   3.1. Welfare benefits shall phase out gradually as recipients increase their income to ensure a smooth transition to self-sufficiency.
   3.2. The phase-out rate shall be no more than 50% of increased earnings to reduce disincentives for employment.

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Section 6. SNAP Program Reform

1. Eligible Purchases:
   1.1. SNAP benefits may be used only for essential, nutritious food items as determined by the Department of Agriculture.
   1.2. Prohibited items include but are not limited to: sweets, sodas, chips, fast food, alcohol, and luxury meats.

2. Health Incentives:
   1.1. SNAP benefits shall provide additional credits for purchasing fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
   1.2. Nutrition education programs shall be offered to recipients to encourage healthier food choices.

3. Fraud Prevention:
   1.1. Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards shall require multi-factor authentication for purchases to reduce fraud.
   1.2. Violations of SNAP guidelines shall result in temporary benefit suspension or permanent disqualification for repeat offenders.

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Title III: Oversight and Implementation

Section 7. Enforcement and Penalties

1. Affordable Housing Compliance:
   1.1. Landlords and developers failing to meet the requirements of this Act shall face fines up to $50,000 per violation, revocation of federal subsidies, or both.

2. Welfare and SNAP Compliance:
   1.1. States failing to enforce welfare timeframes or work requirements shall lose up to 10% of their federal welfare block grant funding.
   1.2. Retailers and recipients found guilty of SNAP fraud shall face fines, benefit suspension, or criminal penalties depending on the severity of the offense.

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Section 8. Reporting and Accountability

1. Annual Housing and Welfare Report:
   1.1. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) shall jointly issue an annual report to Congress detailing progress, challenges, and recommendations related to this Act.

2. Audits and Reviews:
   1.1. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) shall conduct biennial audits of affordable housing programs and welfare systems to ensure compliance and identify areas for improvement.

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Section 9. Effective Date

1. Timeline:
   1.1. This Act shall take effect one year after enactment, with specific provisions phased in over a three-year period.
   1.2. HUD and HHS shall issue detailed implementation guidelines within six months of enactment.

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Section 10. Severability

1. Provision Validity:
   1.1. If any provision of this Act is deemed invalid, the remaining provisions shall remain in effect.

National Secure Medical & DNA Records Repository Act

 

National Unified Medical Records Repository Act (NUMRRA)

Section 1. Short Title

This Act may be cited as the “National Unified Medical Records Repository Act” or NUMRRA.

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Section 2. Findings and Purpose

1. Findings:
   1.1. Complete, lifelong medical records (including mental health documentation and genetic profiles) can assist healthcare professionals in accurately diagnosing and treating patients.
   1.2. Permanent, centralized records facilitate medical research into inherited conditions and diseases, potentially leading to cures and preventative measures.
   1.3. Enhanced security measures are crucial to protect citizens’ sensitive health and genetic data from unauthorized access or misuse.

2. Purpose:
   2.1. To establish a national repository where all individuals’ medical, mental health, and DNA-related records are collected, preserved, and protected indefinitely.
   2.2. To provide healthcare professionals with comprehensive, up-to-date data on patient allergies, past treatments, and hereditary risks.
   2.3. To create a highly secure, multi-layered, encrypted environment that safeguards privacy while enabling beneficial medical research.

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Section 3. Definitions

For purposes of this Act:

1. Repository: The centralized database for storing all medical, mental health, and DNA records, administered under the authority of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
2. Health Service Provider: Any individual or entity licensed or certified to provide healthcare, including but not limited to hospitals, clinics, mental health professionals, and telehealth services.
3. DNA Company: Any commercial or research entity that collects, sequences, or analyzes human genetic material.
4. Record: Any documentation relevant to an individual’s physical or mental health, genetic information, treatments, prescriptions, or diagnoses.

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Section 4. Mandatory Submission of Health and Genetic Records

1. Medical & Mental Health Records:
   1.1. All Health Service Providers shall submit any new or existing patient records—including diagnoses, prescriptions, and mental health evaluations—to the Repository.
   1.2. Records must be submitted within thirty (30) days of creation, modification, or receipt.

2. DNA Profiles:
   2.1. All DNA Companies, research institutions, and genetic testing providers shall securely transmit a digital copy of the individual’s DNA profile to the Repository upon completion of analysis.
   2.2. Individuals must receive a clear disclosure, at the time of DNA collection, that their profile will be stored in the Repository.

3. Permanent Retention:
   3.1. All submitted records shall be maintained indefinitely, ensuring continuous availability for healthcare providers, research institutions (with proper permissions), and authorized government entities.

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Section 5. Access and Privacy Protections

1. Authorized Access:
   1.1. Only licensed healthcare providers, authorized researchers (with institutional review board approval), and designated governmental agencies for health oversight may access individual records.
   1.2. Patient consent or legal authorization shall be required for any disclosures beyond standard treatment or emergency care.

2. Patient Identification:
   1.1. Each record shall be assigned a unique identifier linked solely to the individual’s official identity information.
   1.2. The HHS shall define standards for secure record identification and retrieval.

3. Opt-Out Provisions:
   1.1. Individuals may request restricted access for sensitive data categories (e.g., certain mental health or genetic details), subject to safety exceptions or court orders.

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Section 6. Security Measures

1. Multi-Layered Encryption:
   1.1. All data transmissions and storage within the Repository must utilize advanced encryption protocols, updated regularly to meet evolving cybersecurity threats.

2. Network Segmentation and Zero-Trust Architecture:
   1.1. The Repository shall be protected by a segmented network design, isolating sensitive data from public or external-facing systems.
   1.2. All access points require multi-factor authentication, robust logging, and continuous monitoring.

3. Regular Audits and Testing:
   1.1. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) and third-party security firms shall conduct annual penetration tests and audits.
   1.2. Findings shall be reported to Congress and the HHS, with remediation deadlines for identified vulnerabilities.

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Section 7. Enforcement and Penalties

1. Non-Compliance:
   1.1. Healthcare entities or DNA Companies failing to transmit records in a timely manner or violating security protocols may face civil penalties up to $50,000 per incident.
   1.2. Repeated or willful violations may result in suspension of operating licenses or further administrative sanctions.

2. Data Misuse and Breaches:
   1.1. Any entity found responsible for unauthorized disclosure or misuse of Repository data may be subject to criminal penalties, including fines and imprisonment, as prescribed by existing federal data protection laws.

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Section 8. Research Access

1. Regulated Research Use:
   1.1. Accredited universities, government agencies, and healthcare institutions may request access to anonymized or de-identified data for medical research on inherited conditions, disease patterns, or other public health interests.
   1.2. Such requests must be reviewed and approved by an independent ethical review panel ensuring compliance with privacy standards and subject protections.

2. De-Identification Procedures:
   1.1. The HHS shall establish stringent protocols to remove direct and indirect identifiers from shared datasets, safeguarding individual privacy while enabling valuable research.

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Section 9. Implementation

1. Timeline:
   1.1. This Act shall take effect one hundred eighty (180) days after enactment.
   1.2. Within one (1) year of enactment, the Repository shall be operational and begin accepting electronic submissions.

2. Guidelines and Regulations:
   1.1. The HHS, in consultation with the Department of Homeland Security (for cybersecurity expertise), shall develop additional regulations to ensure consistent implementation and compliance.

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Section 10. Severability

1. Invalidation of Specific Provisions:
   1.1. If any provision of this Act, or its application to any person or circumstance, is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Act and its application to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected.

A start to fixing the budget problem in the United States

 

The Balanced Budget and National Debt Reduction Act (BBNDRA)

Section 1. Short Title

This Act may be cited as the “Balanced Budget and National Debt Reduction Act” or BBNDRA.

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Section 2. Findings and Purpose

1. Findings:
   1.1. The United States’ growing national debt and recurring budget deficits pose long-term risks to economic stability, national security, and future generations’ prosperity.
   1.2. Balancing the federal budget and reducing the national debt require a combination of responsible spending, efficient government operations, and prudent revenue measures.
   1.3. A clear framework for deficit reduction and debt management can foster market confidence, promote sustainable economic growth, and safeguard critical public investments.

2. Purpose:
   2.1. To establish enforceable spending and revenue targets that achieve a balanced budget over a defined timeframe.
   2.2. To create mechanisms that gradually reduce the national debt through consistent annual debt-reduction milestones.
   2.3. To enhance transparency, accountability, and government efficiency by enacting structural reforms and limiting unwarranted federal spending.

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Section 3. Definitions

For purposes of this Act:

1. Balanced Budget: A federal budget in which total outlays for a fiscal year do not exceed total receipts.
2. Debt-to-GDP Ratio: The ratio of the total national debt to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
3. Primary Deficit: The difference between current federal spending (excluding interest payments on the debt) and current federal revenue for a given fiscal year.
4. Sequestration: Automatic across-the-board spending cuts triggered if budgetary targets set by this Act are not met.

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Section 4. Timetable for Balancing the Budget

1. Fiscal Targets:
   1.1. Beginning in Fiscal Year (FY) 2026, the federal budget shall reduce the primary deficit by at least 10% per year until the budget is balanced, relative to the primary deficit for FY 2025.
   1.2. No later than FY 2032, total federal outlays shall not exceed total federal receipts, achieving a fully balanced budget.

2. Annual Reporting:
   1.1. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) shall jointly certify the nation’s compliance with the annual deficit reduction target.
   1.2. If the annual target is not met, provisions in Section 8 (Sequestration) shall be triggered unless new legislative measures are enacted to correct the shortfall.

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Section 5. National Debt Reduction Strategy

1. Debt Reduction Milestones:
   1.1. Beginning in FY 2026, the Secretary of the Treasury shall publish an annual Debt Reduction Report establishing year-by-year targets to reduce the debt-to-GDP ratio.
   1.2. These targets shall aim to lower the debt-to-GDP ratio by a minimum of 2% every two (2) years from the FY 2026 level, continuing until it falls below 60%.

2. Mandatory Debt Payments:
   1.1. Any budget surplus achieved under this Act shall be applied toward the principal reduction of publicly held debt.
   1.2. Such payments shall be allocated automatically unless Congress directs otherwise via legislation signed into law by the President.

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Section 6. Revenue and Tax Policy

1. Revenue Stabilization Measures:
   1.1. A bipartisan commission, formed by the Chairpersons of the House Committee on Ways and Means and the Senate Committee on Finance, shall review tax policies annually to recommend adjustments that ensure stable revenue streams.
   1.2. Recommendations may include reducing tax loopholes, simplifying the tax code, or adjusting rates for high-income earners to meet revenue shortfalls.

2. Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) Rule:
   1.1. All newly proposed mandatory spending increases or tax cuts must include corresponding revenue increases or spending offsets to maintain budget neutrality.
   1.2. Any legislation failing to meet PAYGO requirements shall be subject to an automatic sequestration in an amount sufficient to offset the fiscal impact.

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Section 7. Spending Reforms and Efficiency

1. Spending Caps:
   1.1. Discretionary spending caps shall be imposed for all major federal departments and agencies, subject to adjustment only by a three-fifths supermajority vote in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
   1.2. The caps shall be set at levels consistent with the annual deficit reduction goals in Section 4 and the debt reduction targets in Section 5.

2. Program Performance Reviews:
   1.1. Every federal department and agency shall undergo a biannual performance audit by the Government Accountability Office (GAO).
   1.2. Programs identified as duplicative, inefficient, or redundant shall be consolidated, restructured, or eliminated. Savings realized shall be redirected to deficit and debt reduction, or to sustain critical programs with demonstrated high effectiveness.

3. Fraud and Waste Reduction:
   1.1. The Inspector General of each federal agency shall establish a comprehensive program to detect and prevent fraud, waste, and abuse of public funds.
   1.2. The OMB shall publish an annual report quantifying recovered funds and cost savings related to fraud-prevention measures.

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Section 8. Sequestration Enforcement

1. Triggering Sequestration:
   1.1. If the federal government fails to achieve the annual deficit reduction target under Section 4 or if spending caps under Section 7 are exceeded, sequestration shall be triggered automatically.
   1.2. Sequestration cuts shall be applied across non-exempt discretionary and mandatory programs to the degree necessary to realign expenditures with the targets.

2. Exempt Programs:
   1.1. Certain essential programs, including Social Security retirement benefits and Veterans’ benefits, may be exempt from sequestration to protect vulnerable populations.
   1.2. The Director of the OMB, in consultation with Congress, shall compile a list of any newly exempt programs and provide justification for exemption in the annual budget submission.

3. Release from Sequestration:
   1.1. Sequestration measures remain in effect until compliance with the targets is certified by the OMB and CBO.
   1.2. Congress may pass corrective legislation with a three-fifths supermajority in both chambers to override or modify sequestration.

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Section 9. Transparency and Public Accountability

1. Public Debt Dashboard:
   1.1. The Department of the Treasury shall maintain an online, real-time dashboard tracking the national debt, deficit levels, and progress toward meeting the goals set forth in this Act.
   1.2. This dashboard shall be freely accessible to the public and updated at least monthly with clear data visualizations.

2. Citizen Oversight Board:
   1.1. A non-partisan Citizen Oversight Board of up to fifteen (15) members appointed by the Comptroller General shall review budgetary data and hold public forums to solicit input on federal spending priorities.
   1.2. The Board’s findings shall be submitted to Congress and publicly posted.

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Section 10. Effective Date and Severability

1. Effective Date:
   1.1. This Act shall take effect one hundred eighty (180) days after its enactment.
   1.2. The Secretary of the Treasury, in consultation with the OMB and relevant congressional committees, shall promulgate any necessary regulations within that timeframe.

2. Severability:
   1.1. If any provision of this Act, or its application to any person or circumstance, is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remainder of this Act and the application of that provision to other persons or circumstances shall not be affected.