WHAT THE LAW DOINCongress, in plain words

H.R. 1118 · 119th Congress

Value Over Cost Act of 2026

Passed HouseGovernment Operations and Politics
IntroducedFeb 7, 2025
Passed HouseJul 21, 2026
Passed SenateNot yet
To PresidentNot yet
Became lawNot yet

Where it stands

Passed House. Latest step, Jul 22, 2026: Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. The House passed it 421–1. All 4 of Iowa's representatives voted yes in the House. It would change 1 section of existing law.

How this bill changes the law

Sourced

H.R. 1118 would change 1 section of existing law. Read from the bill text as sent to the Senate (Jul 22, 2026).

41 U.S.C. 152 Competitive procedures

  • (3) the procedures established by the Administrator of General Services for the… changed · Sec. 2 · see the words
What the words would change: every change, in place (1)

Today's wording of each part of the law, with what would be struck out and added. Each change also gives the bill's own instruction, word for word.

  1. 41 U.S.C. 152(3)(B)changedby H.R. 1118 Sec. 2

    (B) orders and contracts under those procedures result in the lowest overall cost alternativebest value to meet the needs of the Federal Government;

    The bill says: Section 152(3)(B) of title 41, United States Code, is amended by striking "lowest overall cost alternative" and inserting "best value".

    Bill text · Current law (41 U.S.C. 152)

From the bill's official text on GovInfo and the U.S. Code, 2024 edition, which may not yet show changes made since.

What it does

Sourced

Value Over Cost Act of 2025

This bill specifies that contracts and orders under the multiple award schedule program of the General Services Administration (GSA) may be evaluated on best value, rather than lowest overall cost, if the GSA determines that to be in the best interests of the federal government. (Best value allows consideration of non-cost factors when evaluating contract proposals to determine the offer that provides the greatest overall benefit. The GSA's multiple award schedules provide federal agencies with a simplified process for obtaining commercial supplies and commercial services at prices associated with volume buying.)

Official summary by the Congressional Research Service (Introduced in House, Feb 7, 2025).

Our plain-language breakdown, with what it means for you and the case for and against, is written once a bill starts to move.

What has happened

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  1. Jul 21, 2026Passed/agreed to in House: On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill, as amended Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 421 - 1 (Roll no. 252). Roll call recordLibrary of Congress
  2. Feb 7, 2025Introduced in HouseLibrary of Congress

Show all 16 recorded actions

Recorded votes

Sourced
  1. Jul 21, 2026 · HousePassed 421–1
    Iowa: Randy Feenstra yes, Ashley Hinson yes, Mariannette Miller-Meeks yes, Zachary Nunn yes
    On Motion to Suspend the Rules and Pass, as Amended · needed two-thirds
    R 210 yes, 1 noI 1 yes, 0 noD 210 yes, 0 noEach member · Record

Cosponsors

  • Jared Moskowitz D-FL-23