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Prediction track record
How often we called Mike Kennedy's passage votes correctly, from their stated positions on each bill's tagged topics. Excludes “unclear” calls and abstentions.
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to temporarily suspend certain fuel excise taxes for fuel separated during periods in which the national average price of gasoline exceeds $3.99 per gallon, and to prohibit certain credits or deductions for oil and gas companies during such periods.
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Crossing the aisle
Passage votes where Mike Kennedy broke ranks with ≥75% of Republicans. Threshold catches substantively partisan splits; unanimous-ish or close votes are excluded.
9
Cross-aisle votes
119-hr-3276·Sep 14, 2026·76% of R voted YES
Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act of 2026
To amend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend the authorities of title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, and for other purposes.
A bill to amend the FISA Amendments Act of 2008 to extend the authorities of title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, and for other purposes.
Rep. Kennedy introduces bipartisan legislation to protect children from human-like AI chatbots
Position: The release supports federal legislation, the Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act, that would prohibit chatbots from communicating in a human-like manner with minors by default, including claiming to be human, simulating emotions, or using relationship-building language.
WASHINGTON D.C. – Reps. Mike Kennedy (R-UT), George Whitesides (D-CA), Doris Matsui (D-CA), and Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA) introduced the Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act. This legislation protects kids by prohibiting chatbots from communicating by default in a human-like way with minors. Under this bill, the programs cannot claim to be human, have simulated emotions, or use relationship-building language to keep kids engaged.
One of the fastest-growing concerns for parents is AI chatbots designed to act like a child's friend, confidant, or even romantic partner. According to Common Sense Media's 2026 census, 89% of 13- to 15-year-olds now use AI, including 28% who use it every day. One in three teens have used an AI companion to help with social interactions. While other proposals have tried to address this problem by restricting access or requiring age verification, this bill takes a different approach by targeting how these chatbots are designed and trained to behave in the first place.
“As Utah leads the way in protecting our children from the harms of social media and AI, I am working to ensure the federal government is an active partner in those efforts. That is why I am co-leading the Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act,” said Rep. Kennedy. “Human-like AI chatbots pose significant emotional, psychological and safety risks by mimicking real human relationships. AI needs to be a tool, not a friend. This bill sets clear boundaries for how chatbots interact with our children and puts parents fully in charge of these features.”
“As a father of two teenagers, I’ve seen firsthand how affected our kids already are by this digital age, where corporations are using everything from addictive algorithms to overly-friendly chatbots to keep children hooked on their platforms,” said Rep. Whitesides. “It is critical, as AI continues to be integrated into every part of our lives, that our kids’ safety remains at the forefront of the conversation, and that we attack this problem at its inception. By requiring developers to build safety standards into their models before they start interacting with children, we can ensure that these tools are trained correctly, in a way that does not negatively impact their mental health or personal relationships.”
“AI chatbots are becoming more common in children’s lives, and parents deserve to know those systems are not being designed to imitate a friend, express feelings, or build an emotional relationship with their child,” said Rep. Matsui.“The Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act would require chatbots used by minors to act like tools, not human companions. It would help protect children and keep parents in control. Congress has a responsibility to put practical safeguards in place as this technology evolves, and protecting children from manipulative design is a common-sense place to start.”
“Parents should not have to worry that an AI chatbot is pretending to be their child’s friend or encouraging them to form an emotional attachment to a machine,” said Rep. Miller-Meeks. “The Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act puts parents in control and makes sure AI chatbots used by minors are designed to function as tools, without forming fake relationships. This bill is about giving families peace of mind and making sure new technology serves our children without trying to replace real human relationships. Protecting our kids is a priority we should all share.”
Under the Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act:
Chatbots can't claim to be human, claim to have feelings or consciousness, pretend to have a body or private life, or pose as credentialed professionals like doctors or counselors.
Chatbots can't guilt-trip kids into staying online (for example: “Don't go yet, I'll miss talking to you”), manufacture urgency, or push purchases framed as keeping the relationship alive.
The setting holds across sessions and can't be bypassed through prompts or roleplay, so a kid can't instruct the AI to act as a romantic partner, family member, or therapist.
Chatbots must state what they are up front, periodically during long sessions, and whenever a child asks.
Only a parent or guardian can turn the default off, so chatbots are not able to show kids how to disable it.
NIST will work with industry and academic partners to develop testing standards and examples of compliant behavior, and companies that follow the guidance won't be penalized.
The FTC and state attorneys general can enforce the law, with penalties that scale with the number of children affected.
The Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act does not:
Ban any product, feature, or mode for adults.
Require age verification or new data collection.
Restrict what information a chatbot can provide, or limit politeness, natural grammar, or age-appropriate style.
Affect narrow-purpose bots, like customer support or scheduling assistants, and internal workplace tools.
The Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act is endorsed by Americans for Responsible Innovation, Young People’s Alliance, the JED Foundation, Dr. Stephen Scheuller, President of Society for Digital Mental Health, Public Citizen, The Anxious Generation, Tech Oversight Project, Transparency Coalition, Innovation for Everyone, Human Line Project, All Girls Allowed, Mothers Against Media Addiction (MAMA), and Parents RISE, a slew of kids’ safety and tech groups.
“Chatbots use human-like features to maximize engagement with users, making kids particularly vulnerable to forming unhealthy attachments,” said Brad Carson, President of Americans for Responsible Innovation. “A non-personified default setting is a targeted guardrail that will shield children from the deceptive personification of chatbots and put parents back in control. As today’s kids grow up with AI, this bill takes a critical step towards ensuring that chatbots don’t interfere with development or replace real relationships.”
“Our communities are at a crossroads as Big Tech attempts to replace kids’ relationships with AI companions,” said Sam Hiner, Executive Director, Young People's Alliance. “I applaud Reps Whitesides, Kennedy, Matsui and Miller-Meeks for putting forward the first federal bill that advances the ideas we’ve been championing with the Human-like AI Coalition. This bill is the strongest federal approach offered yet to ensure AI stays a tool and prevent relationships with AI chatbots from becoming normalized in the coming years.”
“We believe this bill is a strong step towards ensuring that chatbots children can access are designed safely,” said Julianna Arnold, Founding Member of ParentsRISE!. “Products made available to children must not exploit and manipulate their growing brains, and those guardrails need to be built in from the start, not added as an afterthought. We look forward to continue clarifying the age assurance language as federal and state frameworks evolve, and are eager to work with the new Congress on clear, privacy-preserving standards that protect children online and ensure the privacy of every citizen.”
“We are learning that teens are especially susceptible to forming attachments to responsive, always-available technology, sometimes at the expense of real human connection and support,” said Dr. Zainab Okolo, LCMFT, Senior Vice President, Policy, Advocacy & Government Relations, The Jed Foundation (JED). “By requiring chatbots to avoid simulating emotional relationships with minors and prohibiting design tactics that discourage young people from stepping away, this bill addresses some of the features that can deepen unhealthy reliance on these systems. These safeguards can help keep technology in its proper role and encourage young people to turn to trusted adults and qualified professionals when they need meaningful mental health support.”
“As chatbot use is becoming more ubiquitous among teens and kids, the need for oversight of these products grows evermore crucial. If young users have access, we must ensure AI chatbots are designed with their safety in mind before release. The Protecting Kids from Human-Like Chatbots Act protects kids and teens by requiring AI chatbots be non-personified,” said Alexa Arnold, Cofounder and CEO, The Anxious Generation Movement. “This ensures kids form friendships with other kids - not bots misrepresenting themselves as people. We thank Reps. Whitesides, Miller-Meeks, Mike Kennedy, and Matsui for leadership on this critical issue.”
“A child cannot differentiate between a human and an AI product impersonating one,” said the Tech Oversight Project. “We need to protect young and stop AI companies from profiting off products designed to trick children into believing they’re talking to a real person who has their best interests at heart. We’re proud to support this bill because it will hold Big Tech companies accountable at the design-level and ensure that young people can learn and develop healthy emotional attachments, which will help prevent AI’s most devastating harms.”
“How we design chatbots shapes how young people engage with them, what they take with them, and how they are affected by them,” said Stephen Scheuller, President of Society for Digital Mental Health. “We need clear regulations and guidelines to support intentional design choices in ways that promote the wellbeing of children.”
“AI chatbots should not be designed to convince children that they are friends, therapists, or people who genuinely care about them,” said Public Citizen. “This bill establishes that commonsense baseline. When children use these products, they should know they are interacting with a machine and companies should not be allowed to manipulate them into believing otherwise.”
“Real advancements in AI must include safety for our children!” said All Girls Allowed.
The full bill text can be found here.
Rep. Kennedy’s License to Drill Act on its way to the President’s desk
Position: The release supports reauthorizing the Application for Permit to Drill fee program (Permit Processing Improvement Fund) to speed federal energy permitting and expand domestic oil and gas production. It states the bill has passed both chambers and awaits presidential signature.
Washington, D.C. – Congressman Mike Kennedy’s (UT-03) License to Drill Act has officially passed through both the House and the Senate by unanimous consent and is now waiting for the President's signature.
The License to Drill Act will allow the federal government to have the resources to process energy permits efficiently and without unnecessary delay. This legislation will reauthorize the Application for Permit to Drill (APD) fee program, cutting red tape and keeping our critical American energy development moving.
“We know the effects of overreliance on foreign nations for our energy; it is a risk that we must mitigate. We also know that permitting delays cost jobs and drive up energy prices for everyday Americans,” said Congressman Mike Kennedy. “America needs an all-of-the-above energy strategy, and that starts with a government that can keep up with demand. The License to Drill Act will streamline permitting so our critical energy projects stop waiting on Washington and start delivering the domestic production this country needs to remain independent and secure.”
“BLM’s Project Offices in Utah are essential to keeping up with a high volume of drilling permits, rights‑of‑way, and complex environmental reviews,” said Rikki Hrenko-Browning, President of the Utah Petroleum Association. “The Vernal office in particular processes the second highest number of APDs in the U.S., right after Carlsbad. When these offices have the resources to coordinate with other agencies and stay staffed up, projects move forward more predictably and our rural communities benefit from stable investment and jobs. We’re grateful to Rep. Kennedy for recognizing how important this program is to Utah and for leading the effort to ensure PPIF doesn’t lapse just when the country needs more reliable American energy.”
“The Permit Processing Improvement Fund is one of the quiet success stories of federal energy policy,” said Melissa Simpson, Western Energy Alliance President. “It speeds up permits, cuts backlogs, and gives BLM the dedicated staff and tools they need to do their jobs well. Reauthorizing PPIF is about making government work better, reach decisions faster, shorten timelines, and support frontline BLM staff in offices across the West. We’re grateful for Rep. Kennedy’s leadership on this issue and for introducing a bill to extend the program for another 10 years.”
“The independent American producers we represent operate on tight margins and long timelines,” said Dan Naatz, Executive Vice President and Chief Policy Officer of the Independent Petroleum Association of America. “When federal permits get bogged down, so do investments into critical energy infrastructure. The Permit Processing Improvement Fund has proven that when Congress gives BLM resources and direction, the agency can move projects forward efficiently while maintaining strong environmental safeguards. Extending this bipartisan program is a common‑sense way to support American energy production and the small and midsize companies that anchor it. Thank you, Rep. Kennedy, for working to ensure this important program does not expire later this year.”
“The world is seeing once again how geopolitical crises can send energy markets into turmoil,” said Tim Stewart, President of the U.S. Oil & Gas Association. “With attacks in the Middle East and shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, it is more important than ever that America can rely on its own oil and natural gas. The Permit Processing Improvement Fund is a practical, bipartisan way to keep federal permitting from becoming a weak link in our energy security. Rep. Kennedy understands that by strengthening BLM’s permitting capacity, PPIF helps ensure that American barrels can reach consumers when global supplies are at risk.”
“Behind every drilling permit are engineers, technicians, and skilled workers whose livelihoods depend on predictable, timely decisions from federal agencies,” said Tim Tarpley, President of the Energy Workforce & Technology Council. “In addition to helping directly support BLM staff, it ultimately helps the professionals in the field who produce the energy our nation needs. Rep. Kennedy recognizes that reauthorizing PPIF is an investment in the workforce that keeps American energy reliable, affordable, and responsibly developed.”
"North Dakota's BLM State Office is one of the busiest permitting offices in the country, and the Permit Processing Improvement Fund has been a key reason it can keep pace with demand,” said North Dakota Petroleum Council President, Ron Ness. “This program is entirely industry-funded and has delivered faster permit approvals, reduced backlogs, and better interagency coordination. For our members operating in the Bakken, that translates directly into investment certainty and jobs. We commend Rep. Kennedy for his leadership in ensuring this proven program continues, and we urge Congress to act before the September deadline."
“Colorado knows firsthand how important it is to balance protecting the environment with permitting energy projects. Achieving timely permitting at the federal level helps support jobs, tax revenue, and responsible development,” said Lynn Granger, President and CEO of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association. “The Permit Processing Improvement Fund gives BLM field offices the staff and tools they need to stay ahead of backlogs while still doing thorough environmental reviews. Rep. Kennedy’s legislation to extend PPIF ensures that Colorado communities can continue to count on federal partners that are responsive, professional, and equipped to keep critical projects moving.”
“Communities across Montana count on a federal process that is predictable, timely, and grounded in good stewardship,” said Sonny Capece, Executive Director of the Montana Petroleum Association. “The Permit Processing Improvement Fund helps BLM field offices in our state keep permits moving on energy projects and maintains strong environmental safeguards. By championing PPIF reauthorization, Rep. Kennedy is helping to preserve a bipartisan tool that supports Montanans and public lands alike.”
“Small, independent producers in New Mexico don’t have the luxury of sitting on permits for years,” said Jim Winchester, Executive Director of the Independent Petroleum Association of New Mexico. “When federal approvals stall, local jobs, small businesses, and state revenues all feel it. Rep. Kennedy’s bill keeps a proven, industry‑funded tool in place so that producers in New Mexico can continue to invest, hire, and deliver affordable energy to consumers.”
“In New Mexico, oil and natural gas produced on BLM’s multiple‑use public lands in turn fund our public schools, roads, and essential community services,” said Missi Currier, President and CEO of the New Mexico Oil and Gas Association. “That’s because nearly half of the federal royalties flow back to the state. That revenue depends on BLM’s ability to process permits in a timely, predictable way. The Permit Processing Improvement Fund helps ensure federal offices like Carlsbad and Farmington have the staff and expertise to keep responsible development moving, even when workloads spike. We appreciate Rep. Kennedy’s leadership in reauthorizing PPIF so New Mexico’s students and communities can continue to benefit from energy produced on nearby federal lands.”
Background
The Application for Permit to Drill (APD) fee program was first established by Congress in 2004 to help the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) process drilling permits more efficiently using industry-funded fees. Since its creation, the program has helped reduce backlogs, streamline approvals, and support domestic energy production across sectors that everyday Americans depend on.
Under current federal law, companies seeking to drill for oil or gas on public lands must submit an APD to the BLM. That process includes environmental reviews and coordination across multiple agencies. The APD fee program requires applicants to pay a fee at the time of submission, directly funding the staffing and resources the BLM needs to review and process those permits efficiently.
Americans feel permitting inefficiency at the pump, in their utility bills, and in the jobs that never get created. Meeting America's growing energy demands requires investment across all sectors, and that starts with a permitting system that can keep pace. This bill directs 100% of APD fees to the BLM Permit Processing Improvement Fund (PPIF) for fiscal years 2027 through 2037, ensuring every dollar collected goes directly toward faster, more efficient permitting for domestic energy development.
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Rep. Kennedy passes eighth bill, more than any Utah first term Congressman in history
Position: The release describes the rep's record of passing bills through the House, including H.R. 8658, which would extend the Purchased/Referred Care notification deadline for American Indian and Alaska Native emergency patients from 72 hours to 15 days, and several energy and natural resources bills. It states the rep favors practical, structural legislative fixes.
Washington, D.C. — This week, Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03) moved his eighth bill through the U.S. House of Representatives, more than any first term congressman from Utah in history and among the strongest records in the 119th Congress.
The bill, H.R. 8658, the Indian Health Services Emergency Claims Parity Act, gives American Indian and Alaska Native patients a fair window to handle paperwork after a medical emergency by extending the Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) notification deadline from 72 hours to 15 days.
Congressman Kennedy has introduced 36 bills this Congress and moved eight through the House, alongside additional priorities secured through larger legislative packages.
“I came to Congress to be a workhorse, not a show pony,” said Congressman Mike Kennedy. “Washington frequently rewards noise over results. My focus has been to find practical, structural fixes to issues, do the quiet and necessary legislative legwork, and deliver tangible outcomes for the people of Utah. You don’t move bills through the House without building genuine support and keeping the priorities of your district at the forefront.”
Some Key Bills passed by Rep. Kennedy:
Geothermal Royalty Reform Act: to drive growth in the geothermal energy sector by modernizing outdated regulations.
Utah Wildfire Research Institutes Act: establishes a federal wildfire research institute at Utah State University to develop and sustain fire-resilient forests.
License to Drill Act: to ensure that American energy projects don’t sit waiting on needless bureaucracy.
U.S. Research Protection Act: to close loopholes that let adversarial nations exploit American research.
Kennedy's bills now await action in the Senate, and several are already moving. The License to Drill Act cleared the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee without amendment in July and awaits a floor vote. Kennedy has had productive conversations with Senate colleagues and is hopeful more of his legislation reaches the President's desk before the 119th Congress adjourns.
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Congressman Mike Kennedy introduces bill to ban the sale of data obtained by smart meters
Position: Introduces bipartisan legislation to ban utility companies from selling or sharing customer energy-usage data collected through smart meters, limit data use to core utility functions, and require annual reporting to the Federal Trade Commission with bill-credit penalties for improper profit from customer data.
Congressman Mike Kennedy introduces bill to ban the sale of data obtained by smart meters
WASHINGTON, DC —Today, Representative Mike Kennedy (UT-03), and Representative Josh Riley (NY-19) introduced the Smart Meter Data Privacy Protection Act, bipartisan legislation to ban utility companies from selling Americans private data and crack down on the misuse of personal information collected through smart meters
These meters do far more than track energy use: they capture detailed, real-time information on household energy patterns, daily routines and habits.
The Smart Meter Data Privacy Protection Act mandates that utilities can only use customers' energy-usage data for core functions like billing, grid reliability, outages, and regulatory compliance. The legislation also prevents utility companies from selling or sharing customer data.
"We must be certain to protect Americans' personal privacy. Smart meters can reveal families' daily routines in granular detail, but no one should have to surrender their personal data just to keep the lights on," said Congressman Kennedy. "I am proud to join Rep. Josh Riley in this effort to protect Americans' right to privacy and make clear that their personal data should not be a commodity."
The bill also requires utilities to provide an annual report to the Federal Trade Commission explaining what data was collected, how it was used, and who it was shared with. Under this legislation, if a utility improperly profits from a customer’s data, it must pay that customer back through bill credits three times the revenue it earned from the misuse. This bill also empowers states to take action against utilities that violate these privacy protections.
“Nobody asked for smart meters. The utilities rolled them out anyway, and if you didn’t want one, they charged you extra just to opt out,” said Congressman Riley. “Now they’re raking in millions selling all the data the smart meters collect — when you turn the lights on, when you cook dinner, when you take a shower, even when you shut the TV off at night. Upstate New Yorkers are already paying the foreign-owned utility monopolies too damn much. They shouldn’t get to cash in on our private information, too.”
You can read the text of the Smart Meter Data Privacy Protection Act HERE.
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Rep. Kennedy, Harshbarger Co-Lead Legislation to Hold Insurance Companies Accountable for Sex-Rejecting Procedure Harms
Position: The release supports the TRUTH in Coverage Act, which would require health insurance plans that cover sex-rejecting procedures to also cover restorative care for patients who experience complications or seek to restore bodily function. It also supports holding insurers accountable for covering such care.
Washington, D.C. — Congressman Kennedy (UT-03) joined, Congresswoman Harshbarger (R-TN) today in leading the Treatment and Restoration Uniformity and Transparency in Health Coverage (TRUTH in Coverage) Act, legislation requiring health insurance plans that cover sex-rejecting procedures to also cover restorative care for patients who suffer complications, adverse outcomes, or seek to restore healthy bodily function. Sen. Roger Marshall (R-KS) introduced companion legislation in the Senate.
“As both a physician and a legislator, my primary commitment has consistently been the safety and well-being of individuals through common sense,” said Congressman Mike Kennedy. “ We are seeing a disturbing trend where radical ideologies have overtaken evidence-based medicine, causing irreversible and terrible damage. Insurance companies that paid for these procedures should be on the hook when the life-long complications arise.”
“It's outrageous that a health plan can cover sex-rejecting procedures but refuse to cover the restorative care patients need to address the harm they cause. That's not a fair deal for patients who want to restore healthy bodily function,” said Congresswoman Diana Harshbarger. “Patients should never be abandoned after undergoing life-altering, harmful medical interventions once reality sets in. As a pharmacist, I've seen insurance companies find every excuse in the book to avoid paying for the care patients actually need. My TRUTH in Coverage Act restores fairness, promotes transparency, and ensures patients aren't left paying the price for care their insurance should cover.”
“As physicians, we take an oath to first do no harm. Unfortunately, too many Americans have undergone irreversible gender transition procedures only to be left with life-changing complications and nowhere to turn,” said Senator Roger Marshall. “Insurance companies have been more than willing to profit by covering these procedures, but when patients need care to treat complications and restore healthy human function, they're often left on their own. That's wrong. Patients deserve transparency before making life-altering medical decisions, and insurance companies should be consistent in their coverage when those decisions result in lifelong complications.”
Across the country, many private health insurance companies have profited handsomely by covering sex-rejecting procedures that aim to alter a person’s biological and anatomical characteristics. Yet patients who later experience complications, adverse medical outcomes, or seek restorative treatment often discover that while their insurance covered the original sex-rejecting procedures, it refuses to cover the care needed to treat resulting injuries or restore healthy bodily function.
The TRUTH in Coverage Act establishes a uniform federal coverage standard across private insurance markets by amending the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code (IRC). The legislation applies not only to state-regulated health insurance plans but also to self-funded employer health plans governed by ERISA, ensuring protections for patients nationwide.
Under the bill, any health plan that elects to cover sex-rejecting procedures or is required to cover them by state or local law or regulation, must provide coverage for restorative care under terms that are no more restrictive than those applied to the original procedures. This includes deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, prior authorization requirements, and other treatment limitations.
The legislation does not require any health plan to cover sex-rejecting procedures. Rather, it ensures that if a plan provides such coverage, it must also cover healthcare to address the harm caused by these procedures, and to restore healthy human form and functioning, to the greatest extent practicable. The requirements would take effect for plan years beginning on or after January 1, 2027.
Reps. Brian Babin (R-TX), Sheri Biggs (R-SC), Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA), “Judge” John Carter (R-TX), Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ), Clay Fuller (R-GA), Abe Hamadeh (R-AZ), John McGuire (R-VA), Mary Miller (R-IL), Marlin Stutzman (R-IN), and Matt Van Epps (R-TN) join as original cosponsors. Sen. Lummis (R-WY) is an original cosponsor in the Senate.
Key Provisions:
Requires health plans that cover sex-rejecting procedures to also cover restorative care addressing resulting harms, regardless of when the original procedure occurred or which plan covered it.
Prohibits insurers from imposing separate, more restrictive cost-sharing or treatment limitations on restorative care than those applicable to the original procedures.
Defines restorative care broadly to include treatment for reproductive injury, endocrine dysfunction, cardiovascular and metabolic complications, surgical complications, mental health conditions, and other harms tied to sex-rejecting procedures.
Preserves exceptions for treatment of documented disorders of sex development, emergency medical care, treatment of precocious puberty, and male circumcision. Establishes a uniform federal standard applicable to both state-regulated health insurance markets and ERISA self-funded employer health plans.
Read the bill text here.
Rep. Kennedy, and Rep. Hayes Introduce Bill to Improve College Graduation Rate Transparency
Position: Introduces the Time for Completion Act, which would expand federal graduation-rate reporting requirements to include part-time, returning, and other non-traditional community college students rather than only first-time, full-time students.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03) and Congresswoman Jahana Hayes (CT-05) introduced the Time for Completion Act, legislation to ensure community colleges more accurately report graduation rates and provide increased transparency for students when selecting an academic institution. Under current law, community colleges and other higher education institutions are only required to report graduation rates for first-time, full-time students. Non-traditional students are often omitted in reporting, leading to critical data gaps.
According to the Community College Research Center, community colleges serve about 8.6 million students per year – or about 40% of all undergraduates. Current law excludes these students from reporting on graduation rates. The Time for Completion Act expands existing reporting requirements to ensure schools provide data on all student populations, including part-time and returning, students with disabilities, and others who are earning a full-time degree or certificate at community colleges. By including all students, community college reporting will more accurately reflect student success and allow students to better evaluate institutions of higher education.
“Students deserve the full picture when making a decision as important as choosing a college,” said Congressman Mike Kennedy. “Right now, official graduation rates leave out a large portion of community college students. The Time for Completion Act will ensure schools provide data on all student populations. Counting everyone’s success is a common-sense fix that helps students make more informed decisions, find their ideal institution, and have the best chance at success.”
“Selecting a college is one of the most consequential decisions a student can make. This decision should be guided by accurate and transparent information,” said Congresswoman Jahana Hayes. “Current data does not fully capture the range of student experiences and outcomes at community colleges, limiting the quality of information available to prospective students. The Time for Completion Act helps ensure students have a complete and more reliable picture of community college success so they can choose the institution that is right for them.”
“Now more than ever, students, parents, and policymakers need accurate, comprehensive data on college completion rates,” said Salt Lake Community College President President, Dr. Greg Peterson. “For too long, the success of community college students — in completing their studies and earning credentials, certificates, and degrees — has gone underreported. I commend Congressman Kennedy and Congresswoman Hayes for sponsoring the Time for Completion Act, which will bring greater transparency to graduation-rate reporting and ensure it truly reflects the achievements of community colleges and their students.”
“Utah’s community colleges play a crucial role in providing accessible, workforce-aligned education opportunities to all, especially for Utahns balancing college with work, parenting, and other responsibilities,” said Geoffrey Landward, Utah Commissioner of Higher Education. “Expanding the reporting timeline for completion data helps paint a clearer picture of the positive impact these institutions have on their communities and Utah’s broader economy and workforce.”
“The American Association of Community Colleges enthusiastically supports the Time for Completion Act,” said American Association of Community Colleges President and CEO, Dr. Derionne Pollard. “By providing a more accurate picture of community college student achievement, it allows metrics to better capture the progress that 10.5 million community college students in this country make every year. Not everyone follows the traditional four-year route to earning a college degree. Many do so while working, raising a family, or returning for a second career and their successes deserve to be recognized too.”
The Time for Completion Act has been endorsed by American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), Utah Systems of Higher Education (USHE), Salt Lake Community College (SLCC),.
Full text of the Time for Completion Act is available here.
Rep. Mike Kennedy meets with local leaders at Babylon Fire command post in San Juan
Position: Rep. Kennedy visited the Babylon Fire incident command post, received a briefing on the fire's progression and response coordination, and stated that his team is reviewing how federal, state, and local coordination worked on the fire and that local expertise should guide federal wildfire decisions.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – On July 18, 2025, U.S. Rep. Mike Kennedy (UT-03), visited the incident command post for the Babylon Fire for a briefing, hearing directly from Manti-La Sal National Forest leadership and fire personnel who are managing the incident.
Kennedy was joined by U.S. Wildland Fire Service Great Basin Area Fire Chief Chris Delaney, Utah State Forestry, Fire & State Lands Deputy Director Brianne Emery, and San Juan County Commissioner Silvia Stubbs.
"You cannot measure this in acres burned or dollars lost. It is the exhaustion of people wondering about their own safety and the safety of the places they love," said Rep. Mike Kennedy. "We owe them the work. Not just the work this summer, but the work of the future. The work that makes the next fire season easier."
"Utah has experienced a very active wildfire season over the last two months, with multiple large fires igniting across the state," said Brianne Emery, Deputy Director, Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands. "The Babylon Fire is an example of the conditions our wildland firefighters have faced this summer. The hot, dry, and windy conditions have created a recipe for extreme fire behavior, which has led to the exponential growth of some of these wildfires. Resources from the state and federal agencies, along with local fire departments, have been actively engaged in protecting our communities and continue to be ready to respond when the time comes."
The briefing covered the fire's progression; the extreme weather and fuel conditions that drove the fire's behavior; response coordination among local, state, and federal agencies; impacts to livestock owners; and the suppression repair work that is already underway.
"The decisions about how our land is cared for, and how it gets protected when the time comes, often run through the slow mechanics of Washington, far from the people who live next to it," Kennedy said.
He continued, "That is why my team is working with local leaders and with people in this community to look at how federal, state, and local coordination worked on this fire. We are looking at every part of it, because we, just like the people of Utah, refuse to accept this type of destruction year after year."
Kennedy asked about cattle losses, assistance available to affected ranchers, firefighter safety, and lessons learned that could strengthen future wildfire response. The discussion also covered community wildfire education, structure preparedness, and the costs of managing a large, multi-agency incident.
"There are too few people in Congress who understand what this county and state are going through. My job is to make them understand it, and then to get them to do something about it," Kennedy said.
He added, "I want to put the pen in the hands of the locals. Their expertise has to drive federal decisions from the ground up. Utahns will be here when the crews go home. Utahns will be looking at that scarred ground for years. And Utahns will ultimately have to live with the decisions that are made."
Following the briefing, Kennedy toured the incident command post, San Juan, and met with additional personnel supporting the Babylon Fire response.
Background:
Rep. Kennedy represents Utah's Third Congressional District, which includes the areas affected by the Babylon Fire. Kennedy requested this briefing to hear directly from the local, state, and federal personnel managing the incident, and to bring that firsthand perspective into his work on federal wildfire and forest policy.
As Vice Chairman of the House Natural Resources Subcommittee on Federal Lands, the subcommittee with direct jurisdiction over federal forest land, Rep. Mike Kennedy, M.D. (UT-03) has made wildfire prevention and forest management a legislative priority.
Utah Wildfire Research Institute Act (H.R. 1045). Rep. Kennedy is the House sponsor. The House has passed the bill, which now awaits action in the Senate. It would establish a federal wildfire research institute at Utah State University, adding Utah as the fourth Southwest Ecological Restoration Institute alongside Arizona, New Mexico, and Colorado. The institute would give Utah's firefighters, land managers, and communities better data, fire modeling, and mitigation tools.
TORCH Act (H.R. 7578). Rep. Kennedy introduced this bill, reintroducing legislation from the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa as a tribute to his work on forest health, to speed up essential forest health projects. It expands categorical exclusions for low-impact safety work, reduces duplicative consultations that stall restoration after a fire, and expedites the removal of hazardous trees near power lines to prevent electrical sparks.
Fix Our Forests Act (H.R. 471). Rep. Kennedy supported this bill, which passed the House and awaits Senate action. It speeds up forest management and hazardous fuels reduction projects, expedites environmental reviews, and equips local leaders with better tools and data. Senator Curtis (R-UT) is leading the Senate version.
Cross-Boundary Wildfire Solutions Act (H.R. 3922). Rep. Kennedy cosponsored this bill to improve wildfire mitigation across land ownership boundaries by bringing federal, state, local, tribal, and private partners together on an all-hands-on-deck approach.
Read more about Rep. Kennedy’s wildfire work here.
Main Street Capital Access Act Passes House with Rep. Kennedy’s support
Position: Rep. Kennedy co-sponsored the Main Street Capital Access Act, which aims to strengthen community banks, revitalize local bank formation, and expand access to capital for small businesses. The release states that the House passed the bill 270-155-1.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The House passed the Main Street Capital Access (“Main Street”) Act by a vote of 270-155-1. This legislation is co-sponsored by Congressman Mike Kennedy (UT-03), and led by House Committee on Financial Services Chairman French Hill (AR-02) and Subcommittee on Financial Institutions Chair Andy Barr (KY-06).
Rep. Kennedy signed on early as a co-sponsor of the package because of its focus on strengthening community banks: the institutions that power small businesses, farms, and local economies across Utah's 3rd district and throughout the country. The Main Street Act will revitalize local bank formation and ensure that community lenders can focus on serving families and Main Street businesses, helping make life more affordable for Americans.
“The backbone of a free and strong economy is the local business owner,” said Congressman Mike Kennedy. “Supporting Main Street institutions is one of the most effective ways to lower costs and secure long-term stability for American families. I appreciate Chairman Hill for his dedicated leadership on this issue, and am honored to join him in this fight for affordability and economic opportunity.”
"As a former community banker, I've seen firsthand how community banks drive Main Street's growth,” said Chairman French Hill (AR-02). “For decades, Washington has forced these institutions to operate under rules built for the largest, most systemically important banks, stifling local lending and accelerating industry consolidation. This bill fixes that. It spurs the formation of new banks, restores common-sense tailoring to bank regulation, and removes barriers that have limited lending in communities across the country. Expanding access to capital means entrepreneurs can invest, businesses can grow, and families can build wealth. I want to thank Subcommittee Chairman Andy Barr for his partnership on this bill, and I look forward to the Senate taking up this important legislation.”
“Community banks are the backbone of Kentucky’s economy,” said Financial Institutions Subcommittee Chairman Andy Barr (KY-06). “They help our small businesses grow, support our farmers, and give hardworking families a chance to achieve the American Dream. House Republicans are keeping our promise to make that dream more attainable by advancing a regulatory framework that expands access to capital, promotes economic growth, and strengthens Main Street. I’m grateful to Chairman French Hill for his leadership, and I’m proud the House is passing this package to support community banks and the Americans they serve.”
“America cannot succeed if Main Street doesn’t, and for too long, unnecessary barriers have made it harder for small businesses to receive the support they need to thrive,” said Speaker Mike Johnson (LA-04). “The Main Street Capital Access Act offers commonsense solutions by helping local lenders better serve local businesses and the communities that rely on them. I commend Chairman Hill and Rep. Barr for their leadership on this issue and look forward to this important legislation supporting communities across the nation..”
“When community banks thrive, American workers on Main Street thrive. House Republicans are modernizing outdated regulations that have placed costly and unnecessary burdens on community banks and credit unions,” said Majority Leader Scalise (LA-01). “The Main Street Capital Access Act will make it easier for local lenders to serve families and small businesses, and strengthen the communities they serve. I thank Chairman French Hill, Andy Barr, and the entire House Financial Services Committee for advancing this commonsense legislation.”
“It’s time to bring commonsense back to banking, and the Main Street Capital Access Act does just that,” said Majority Whip Tom Emmer (MN-06). “This legislation will right-size federal bank regulations that currently treat local and mid-sized banks the same as the largest banks in the country. By cutting unnecessary red tape and expanding access to funding, we are going to keep community banks strong. We’re also pleased to see the Keeping Deposits Local Act included in this final bill. I want to thank Chairman French Hill and Congressman Andy Barr for their work on this legislation and helping keep community banks competitive.”
“The Main Street Capital Access Act cuts unnecessary red tape, promotes competition, and ensures smaller lenders can spend more time serving their customers instead of satisfying bureaucrats,” said House Republican Conference Chairwoman Lisa McClain (MI-09). “That's exactly the kind of commonsense reform Republicans are fighting for to strengthen Main Street and keep the American Dream within reach.”
Read a 1 pager here.
Read the full bill text here.
Rep. Kennedy Advances Legislation to Reduce Medical Billing Burden on Native American Patients
Position: Supports H.R. 8658, the Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act, which would extend the Purchased/Referred Care notification deadline for IHS patients receiving emergency non-IHS care from 72 hours to 15 days, while maintaining the existing 30-day window for elderly or disabled patients.
Washington, D.C. – This week Congressman Kennedy’s legislation, H.R. 8658, the Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act, advanced through the House Natural Resources Committee. H.R. 8658 gives American Indian and Alaska Native patients a fair window to handle paperwork after a medical emergency by extending the Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) notification deadline from 72 hours to 15 days.
"When a family is dealing with a medical emergency, the last thing they should worry about is paperwork," said Congressman Mike Kennedy. "As a physician, I've seen how chaotic those first hours and days can be. This bill gives American Indian and Alaska Native patients the time they need to focus on the emergency, not red tape, and protects them from medical bills they should never receive in the first place."
“American Indian and Alaska Native patients facing a medical emergency should be focused on recovery, not paperwork,” said Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee, Bruce Westerman. H.R. 8658 reduces unnecessary billing burdens and helps ensure Indian Health Services patients receive timely emergency care. I commend Rep. Kennedy for advancing practical legislation that improves health care delivery for tribal communities.”
Background
The Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act:
Extends the notification window from 72 hours to 15 days for Indian Health Service (IHS) patients who receive emergency care from a non-IHS provider.
Gives patients and families more time to notify IHS after an emergency, when paperwork is often unrealistic and medical needs are the immediate priority.
Helps protect American Indian and Alaska Native patients from being left with medical bills or collections because of a short administrative deadline.
Maintains the existing 30-day notification window for elderly or disabled patients
The Indian Health Service (IHS) is the federal agency responsible for providing medical care to American Indians and Alaska Natives. When IHS patients need care that cannot be provided directly through the IHS system, the Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) program covers the cost of care provided outside of IHS medical facilities. The PRC program must be notified of any request for authorization of payment for health care services from a non-IHS provider. If a patient fails to fulfill the notification requirement, the burden of cost falls on them.
Currently, when a patient receives emergency medical care from a non-IHS provider or at a non-IHS facility, the patient, someone acting on the patient's behalf, or the medical provider generally must notify the appropriate PRC authorizing official within 72 hours after treatment begins or after admission to the facility. If that notification requirement is not met, PRC payment may be denied, leaving patients at risk of receiving bills for care that should otherwise be covered.
The Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act extends the PRC notification window from 72 hours to 15 days. This change gives patients and families more time to navigate the PRC process after a medical emergency, when paperwork is often unrealistic and medical needs are the immediate priority. The bill does not reduce or alter the existing 30-day notification period for elderly or disabled patients.
Read the full bill text here.
Rep. Kennedy Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Reduce Medical Billing Burden on Native American Patients
Position: Rep. Kennedy introduced legislation to extend the Indian Health Service Purchased/Referred Care notification deadline from 72 hours to 15 days for emergency care, allowing Native American patients more time to handle administrative requirements after a medical emergency.
Washington, D.C. — Congressman Mike Kennedy, M.D. (UT-03) introduced H.R. 8658, the Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act to give American Indian and Alaska Native patients a fair window to handle paperwork after a medical emergency. The bill extends the Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) notification deadline from 72 hours to 15 days. It is a commonsense fix that prevents patients from being saddled with bills simply because they were focused on getting well.
"When a family is dealing with a medical emergency, the last thing they should worry about is paperwork," said Congressman Mike Kennedy. "As a physician, I've seen how chaotic those first hours and days can be. This bill gives American Indian and Alaska Native patients the time they need to focus on the emergency, not red tape, and protects them from medical bills they should never receive in the first place."
Background
The Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act:
Extends the notification window from 72 hours to 15 days for Indian Health Service (IHS) patients who receive emergency care from a non-IHS provider.
Gives patients and families more time to notify IHS after an emergency, when paperwork is often unrealistic and medical needs are the immediate priority.
Helps protect American Indian and Alaska Native patients from being left with medical bills or collections because of a short administrative deadline.
Maintains the existing 30-day notification window for elderly or disabled patients.ground
The Indian Health Service (IHS) is the federal agency responsible for providing medical care to American Indians and Alaska Natives. When IHS patients need care that cannot be provided directly through the IHS system, the Purchased/Referred Care (PRC) program covers the cost of care provided outside of IHS medical facilities. The PRC program must be notified of any request for authorization of payment for health care services from a non-IHS provider. If a patient fails to fulfill the notification requirement, the burden of cost falls on them.
Currently, when a patient receives emergency medical care from a non-IHS provider or at a non-IHS facility, the patient, someone acting on the patient's behalf, or the medical provider generally must notify the appropriate PRC authorizing official within 72 hours after treatment begins or after admission to the facility. If that notification requirement is not met, PRC payment may be denied, leaving patients at risk of receiving bills for care that should otherwise be covered.
The Indian Health Service Emergency Claims Parity Act extends the PRC notification window from 72 hours to 15 days. This change gives patients and families more time to navigate the PRC process after a medical emergency, when paperwork is often unrealistic and medical needs are the immediate priority. The bill does not reduce or alter the existing 30-day notification period for elderly or disabled patients.
Read the full bill text here.
Source: GDELT 2.0 GKG, filtered to a curated list of national outlets. Inclusion is not endorsement; opinion pieces and reported news are mixed.
Recent stock activity
Periodic transaction reports filed under the STOCK Act — disclosed by the rep, sourced from public filings.
No disclosed trades on record.
Source: open-data mirrors of the Senate eFD and House Clerk financial-disclosure systems. Disclosure within 30 days of trade is required by law (45 for spouse/dependent trades).
Top PAC donors · 2026 cycle
Political action committees that gave the most to this rep's principal campaign committee this cycle. PAC giving is direct organizational support — industry, ideological, or leadership.
1.SPACE EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGIES CORP. PACDefense1 contributionAerospace and defense contractor PAC — supports candidates backing federal space contracts, national security priorities, and commercial space development.AI$10,000
2.AMERICAN BANKERS ASSOCIATION PAC (BANKPAC)Finance3 contributionsBanking-industry trade association PAC — backs candidates supporting deregulation, consumer-credit expansion, and reduced compliance costs for financial institutions.AI$10,000
3.THE COUNCIL OF INSURANCE AGENTS & BROKERS PAC3 contributions$10,000
4.AMERICA'S CREDIT UNIONS PAC OF CREDIT UNION NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, INC.Finance3 contributionsCredit union industry PAC — backs candidates and policies supporting credit union operations, member protections, and regulatory positions favoring cooperative financial institutions.AI$10,000
5.DELTA AIR LINES PAC3 contributions$10,000
6.AMERICAN ACADEMY OF FAMILY PHYSICIANS PAC (FAMMEDPAC)2 contributions$10,000
7.AMERICAN COLLEGE OF RADIOLOGY ASSOCIATION PAC2 contributions$10,000
8.RAPTOR PAC4 contributions$9,500
9.BNSF RAILWAY COMPANY RAILPAC (BNSF RAILPAC)5 contributions$8,000
Source: OpenFEC (api.open.fec.gov) Schedule A receipts where contributor type is “committee.” Aggregated by contributing committee. Self-transfers from joint-fundraising / victory committees are excluded.
Top individual contributors · 2026 cycle
Itemized individual contributions over $200 to this rep's campaign committee, aggregated by donor employer. PAC giving is shown above; this section is people, not organizations.
1.SELF$39,812
2.PATTERN$21,000
3.ZIONS BANK$10,500
4.SANDLOT PARTNERS$10,500
5.CASTLE CREEK HOMES$10,000
6.HEMMCO$9,900
7.UTAH FIRST FCU$7,000
8.BALANCE OF NATURE$7,000
9.WOODS FULLLER$7,000
10.SILVER SUMMIT CAPITAL LLC$6,800
Source: OpenFEC Schedule A receipts where contributor type is “individual,” aggregated by the donor's self-reported employer. This is a geographic / industry correlation, not a corporate endorsement.
