H.R. 6766 · 119th Congress

Requires nursing homes and similar facilities to let essential caregivers see residents

Official title: Essential Caregivers Act of 20251

Never got a floor votePublic health emergency powers and workplace vaccine requirements

§1What it does

Why this matters: A plain-English description of the bill as it was voted on, written by us from the official summary and text.

Drafted by AI from the public sources cited. Each sentence links to its source.

The bill would generally bar Medicare skilled nursing facilities, Medicaid nursing facilities, intermediate care facilities for people with intellectual disabilities, and related inpatient rehabilitation facilities from keeping residents' essential caregivers out, including during emergencies when other visits are restricted.2,3 During an emergency, a facility could limit caregiver access for up to seven days, or up to 14 days if the state health department approves.3 Caregivers would have to follow the facility's safety rules, which could be no stricter for them than for staff, and those who do not comply could be denied access, subject to an appeal.3

§2Status

StatusLatest action, December 16, 2025: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.1
IntroducedDecember 16, 2025
SponsorRep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]
Cosponsors160 cosponsors (84 Democratic, 76 Republican)
Official recordH.R. 6766 on Congress.gov

§3It never got a vote

Why this matters: This bill had wide support from both parties, but it never reached the House or Senate floor, so no member of Congress was ever recorded voting for or against it.

Latest action, December 16, 2025: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.1 How bills die without a vote.

2026 candidates who sponsored or cosponsored it (142)