Colleges and universities could charge the federal government less for research overhead. The cap would match the average rate used by private research funders. A federal watchdog would study how these costs are set and used.
Modern Action explains what the legislation does, helps you choose whether to support, oppose, or ask for changes, and drafts a message tied to the bill, your stance, and the elected officials who can act on it.
Federal Grant Accountability Act is a House bill committee Action. The latest recorded action: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Latest action on H.R. 420: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
Who this affects: This bill mainly affects colleges and universities that receive federal research money. Schools with overhead rates above the new private-sector average could receive less money for buildings, utilities, and administrative support tied to research. Federal research agencies would also have to use the new cap when making awards. Private research funders matter because their average overhead rate would set the federal limit.
Why this matters: This bill matters because research overhead helps pay for the basic support that makes campus research possible. If the cap is lower than current federal rates, some schools may have to cover more of those costs themselves. That could affect budgets, staffing, or which research projects schools choose to take on. The bill does not say how large the gap is between federal and private rates today, so the exact effect is unclear.
You do not have to start with a blank letter. Modern Action turns the bill, your position, and the relevant congressional context into a message you can edit and send. The goal is to make contacting Congress clear, specific, and useful without forcing you to parse bill text or figure out the right office on your own.
Officially: Federal Grant Accountability Act
Colleges and universities could charge the federal government less for research overhead. The cap would match the average rate used by private research funders. A federal watchdog would study how these costs are set and used.
Use this page to support, oppose, or ask Congress to amend HR420. Modern Action explains what the bill does, helps identify the right senators or representative, and drafts a bill-specific message you can edit and send.
Where it stands
Sitting in House Committee
No vote scheduled. Constituent contact is what moves bills out of committee.
↓ Why your message matters here
This bill is sitting in committee with no scheduled vote — which means a small number of constituent messages can decide whether it moves forward or quietly dies.
Enter your ZIP to see how your senators and member of Congress have voted, sponsored, or spoken on this bill.
Where this bill is in the process
Introduced
Introduced in House
House Committee
Under House committee consideration
Latest: Referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology. (1/15/2025)
House Floor Vote
Voted on by House
Passed House
Approved by House
Senate Review
Sent to Senate for consideration
Passed Both Chambers
Approved by both House and Senate
Signed into Law
Signed by the President
For more detail
Choose one clear position: support, oppose, or amend. Then pick any reasons or personal context you want included. Modern Action uses that input and the bill context to draft a message you can edit and send.
Congressional offices prioritize messages from their own constituents. Modern Action uses your address to route the drafted message to your House representative when that is the most relevant target for this bill.
The draft includes the bill number, your position, the reasons you selected, any personal context you added, and a direct ask such as voting yes, voting no, cosponsoring, opposing, or seeking changes. You stay in control because you can edit the message before sending.
This page gives you an opportunity to support, oppose, or ask for changes to Federal Grant Accountability Act, then contact the elected officials who can act. Modern Action drafts the message from your position and the reasons you select.
Modern Action keeps the action tied to the bill itself: what it does, where it is in the process (Committee Action), which office can still act, and what ask belongs in the message.
You are not starting from a blank form. Modern Action drafts the message around HR420, your stance, and the reasons you choose, then lets you edit and send when ready.
