As the government shutdown lumbers toward a new record, National Taxpayers Union on Wednesday highlighted 10 No-Brainer Bills with smart, practical reforms Congress should take up immediately to make the government more fair, transparent, and accountable for taxpayers.
“From helping small businesses succeed, to shining a light on ‘secret’ government spending, to improving IRS dispute resolution, these bills prove that Congress can set aside partisan rancor and come together on practical pro-taxpayer reforms,” said Brandon Arnold, Executive Vice President of National Taxpayers Union. “Democrats and Republicans should promptly agree to reopen the government and resume work on behalf of the American taxpayer. I can think of no better way to do that than by passing these 10 bills.”
The bills unite Democrats and Republicans around pragmatic solutions for taxpayers. Each bill earns its place on this year’s list by meeting three criteria:
Bipartisan support
New to this year’s list
Sensibly addresses a real problem facing taxpayers
2025 No Brainers in No Particular Order
Tax Court Improvement Act (H.R. 5349)
Reps. Nathaniel Moran (R-TX) and Terri Sewell (D-AL)
Allows the U.S. Tax Court to issue third-party subpoenas before hearings and waive certain deadlines, giving taxpayers a fairer, faster process to resolve disputes with the IRS.
Trade Review Act (H.R. 2665 / S. 1272)
Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ); Sens. Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA)
Restores Congress’s constitutional authority over tariffs by requiring a vote to extend any unilateral trade duties imposed by the executive branch beyond 60 days.
American Franchise Act (H.R. 5267)
Reps. Kevin Hern (R-OK) and Don Davis (D-NC)
Codifies a clear joint-employer standard to protect local franchise owners from regulatory whiplash and ensure small-business independence and job growth.
Stop Secret Spending Act (H.R. 2069 / S. 872)
Reps. Barry Moore (R-AL), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA); Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Gary Peters (D-MI)
Brings $40 billion in “other transaction” federal contracts onto USAspending.gov, improving transparency and allowing taxpayers to see where their money goes.
Unfunded Mandates Accountability and Transparency Act (H.R. 580)
Reps. Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Henry Cuellar (D-TX)
Extends reporting rules to 15 independent agencies like the SEC and FCC so that costly federal mandates on states and the private sector can no longer hide off-book.
Sustainable Budget Act (H.R. 222)
Reps. Ed Case (D-HI), Steve Womack (R-AR), Scott Peters (D-CA), Zach Nunn (R-IA)
Creates a bipartisan fiscal commission to confront America’s unsustainable $2 trillion annual deficit and recommend long-term debt solutions.
National Taxpayer Advocate Enhancement Act (H.R. 997 / S. 1704)
Reps. Randy Feenstra (R-IA), Danny Davis (D-IL); Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Bill Cassidy (R-LA)
Lets the National Taxpayer Advocate hire independent counsel to strengthen the office’s oversight of IRS practices and protect taxpayer rights.
Transparency in Contract Pricing Act (S. 2809)
Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Elissa Slotkin (D-MI)
Improves Pentagon cost oversight by requiring contractors to justify major price increases and notify the Defense Department when costs jump above 25 percent.
Claiming Age Clarity Act (H.R. 5284 / S. 1504)
Reps. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), Don Beyer (D-VA); Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Chris Coons (D-DE)
Simplifies Social Security’s claiming-age language so retirees can make informed decisions about when to start benefits and avoid lifetime income mistakes.
NO UPCODE Act (S. 1105)
Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Jeff Merkley (D-OR)
Targets “upcoding” in Medicare Advantage—when insurers exaggerate diagnoses to raise payments, saving taxpayers an estimated $124 billion over ten years.
For the status and full description of each bill, read the report.
This year marks the 15th year of the annual No-Brainers List.
National Taxpayers Union is the only free-market organization for taxpayers that unites effective advocacy with useful research about how to limit taxes, spending, and regulation at every level and branch of government—state, federal, administrative, and judicial.