This bill amends the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 to require the Treasury Secretary to testify annually before Congress about the Fund's operations. It also strengthens the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program by adjusting guarantee limits and extending the program's authorization period. Additionally, the bill expands capital assistance options for community development financial institutions and creates a new lending program specifically for Native community development financial institutions to support homeownership in Tribal and Native communities.
This bill, known as the TAP Promotion Act, would allow representatives from recognized veterans service organizations to join presentations that inform service members about benefits they can access after leaving the military. These presentations are part of the Transition Assistance Program, which helps veterans prepare for civilian life, and the law requires that they be standardized and approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs before being used. The bill also mandates that the presentations include information on how veterans service organizations can help with filing benefit claims, while prohibiting any effort to encourage members to join a specific organization. Additionally, the Department of Veterans Affairs must submit an annual report to Congress detailing which organizations participated in these sessions and how many service members attended.
This bill, known as the Direct File Act of 2026, would establish a government-run online platform for taxpayers to prepare and file their individual income tax returns for free. It requires the Treasury Department to create a user-friendly system that uses IRS data to simplify the process, offers customer support, and is available in multiple languages and on mobile devices. The legislation also prohibits the Treasury from entering into agreements that would limit its ability to provide these tax preparation and filing services. Additionally, the bill allows eligible states to integrate their state tax filing with the federal system and provides funding to states that meet certain standards for doing so.
HR 7736, the RELIEF Act, requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to refund tariffs collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) on imports entered on or after January 1, 2025. It directly affects importers of record by mandating automatic refunds within 90 days of the bill's enactment, without requiring them to submit applications or protests. The bill directs Customs to use existing data to calculate and disburse refunds for all affected tariff collections, including entries involving goods withdrawn from warehouse for consumption. This policy change eliminates the need for importers to seek refunds through separate processes, streamlining the recovery of overpaid duties.
HR 7740, the African American History Act of 2026, authorizes $4 million annually for the National Museum of African American History and Culture to develop educational resources and support teaching about African American history. The bill directs the museum to create digital and print materials, provide teacher training, and expand access to curriculum resources for K-12 and college classrooms. It requires annual reports to Congress on fund usage and expires in 2030. This program directly affects educators and students by enhancing classroom materials and professional development on African American history.
This bill requires the Bureau of Prisons to employ at least one full-time, board-certified OB-GYN at every federal prison housing female inmates. It mandates specific services including menstrual care, contraception, prenatal care, cancer screenings, and postpartum support, along with patient protections like informed consent and the right to refuse non-emergency care. The bill also requires initial OB-GYN visits within 14 days of incarceration and establishes a process for referrals to other specialists without delays. Annual reports to Congress will track facility compliance, staffing vacancies, and health outcomes like prenatal visits, childbirths, and pregnancy-related deaths.
HR 7696 establishes a federal grant program to fund secure AI testbeds for simulating large-scale cyberattacks on critical infrastructure like power grids. The bill directs DHS and CISA to award grants from 2026-2030 to eligible entities - including universities, community colleges, Hispanic-serving institutions, national labs, and their consortia - to develop safe AI systems for grid cybersecurity training. It authorizes $100 million in funding over five years and requires annual reports to Congress on emerging threats and progress. This directly affects institutions and labs conducting AI research for grid security, creating a structured federal initiative to strengthen cyber defenses through practical testing.
SRES 613 is a Senate resolution (not a law) recognizing the Army-Navy football game as "America’s Game." It expresses the Senate’s view that the annual game between the U.S. Military Academy and U.S. Naval Academy - held since 1890 - should remain the only major college football game played on the second Saturday of December. The resolution urges broadcasters, athletic conferences, and universities to avoid scheduling competing games during this time slot to preserve the event’s national prominence and its role in honoring military service. It does not create new laws or funding but calls for federal agencies to review policies supporting the game’s civic significance. (Note: This is a symbolic resolution, not a bill with binding effects.)
HRES 1085 is a procedural resolution censuring Representative Al Green (D-TX) for disrupting the State of the Union address on February 24, 2026, with the House citing this as his second recent removal for violating decorum rules. The resolution requires Green to appear in the House chamber for the public reading of the censure by the Speaker. This formal reprimand directly affects Green’s standing in the House but does not impose new legal penalties or alter policy.
HRES 1080 is a symbolic resolution recognizing and celebrating Black History Month 2026, focusing on its theme "A Century of Black History Commemorations." It highlights historical figures and events central to Black history, including Carter G. Woodson’s founding of Negro History Week (the precursor to Black History Month), Juneteenth, and key moments like the 1865 Charleston commemoration. The resolution emphasizes how Black history commemorations counter historical erasure and affirm Black contributions to U.S. history, referencing figures like Mary McLeod Bethune and W.E.B. Du Bois. As a ceremonial resolution, it has no binding effect but aims to raise awareness of Black achievements through official recognition.
This bill requires states to create and maintain searchable online directories of career and technical education programs. Each directory must list programs by school district, industry focus, and credentials earned, using open, standardized data formats that work together. States must update the directories annually and include details like course sequences, work-based learning opportunities, and evidence linking programs to local job market needs. These directories directly affect state education agencies and school districts operating career training programs under the Perkins Act.
This bill directs the U.S. Secretary of State to create an international strategy focused on using artificial intelligence to upgrade and secure electrical grids around the world. It requires the development of partnerships with allied nations, academic institutions, and private companies to research and deploy AI tools that can predict grid failures, detect cyber threats, and integrate renewable energy sources. The legislation authorizes funding for pilot projects, workforce training, and technical assistance to help vulnerable regions modernize their power infrastructure while ensuring compliance with U.S. export control laws. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Secretary of State submit regular reports to Congress detailing the progress of these international cooperation efforts and the measurable improvements made to grid resilience.
