This bill directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a special study of the Scipio A. Jones House in Little Rock, Arkansas. The study will evaluate the site's national significance and explore options for its preservation, such as designating it as a National Historic Landmark or including it within the Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site. The analysis must consider various preservation methods by federal, state, local, tribal, or private entities and provide cost estimates for potential actions, while explicitly excluding any plans for the federal government to acquire the property. Within three years of receiving funding, the Secretary must submit a report detailing the study's results and recommendations to Congress.
HR 5267, the American Franchise Act, clarifies when franchisors can be considered joint employers of franchisee employees under federal labor laws. It defines "substantial direct and immediate control" over essential employment terms like wages, benefits, hours, hiring, and discipline - requiring franchisors to actively set these terms to be deemed joint employers. The bill explicitly excludes routine brand standards, training, or minimal safety requirements from constituting such control. This directly affects franchisors and franchisees by limiting joint employer liability to cases where franchisors exert significant, ongoing influence over core employment decisions. The law applies prospectively to new cases after enactment, not past disputes.
This House resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of the first admission of women to the United States service academies in 1976. It specifically honors the pioneering female cadets and midshipmen of the Class of 1980 who entered West Point, Annapolis, the Air Force Academy, and the Coast Guard Academy. The bill recognizes the challenges these early women faced and their role in establishing gender integration within military training institutions. Additionally, it encourages the service academies to continue documenting and preserving the history of women's leadership in the Armed Forces.
This House resolution marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks by formally honoring the memory of the nearly 3,000 victims and recognizing the sacrifices made by first responders, military personnel, and the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93. The bill acknowledges the ongoing health challenges faced by survivors and responders, highlighting the role of the World Trade Center Health Program in providing long-term medical support. It also credits charitable organizations and community groups that have continued to assist victims' families and veterans over the past two decades. Finally, the resolution urges the American public to observe the anniversary with ceremonies and reaffirms Congress's commitment to remembering the events and lessons of that day.
HR 10250, known as the No Preference Act, prohibits federal executive agencies and the Department of Defense from requiring or giving preference to contractors based on their use of union labor. The bill amends existing laws to ensure that government contract awards cannot be influenced by whether a company's workers are covered by collective bargaining agreements. This change directly affects federal procurement processes by mandating that offers be evaluated without regard to the labor status of the bidding firms.
The Crossett Experimental Forest Act of 2026 transfers ownership of the Crossett Experimental Forest in Arkansas from the federal government to the state of Arkansas. The transfer is contingent on the state submitting a written request within 180 days and covering all administrative costs associated with the deed. Upon receiving the land, the state must designate it as the Crossett State Forest and maintain its historic mission of supporting research, education, and demonstration activities in coordination with local universities. If the state fails to manage or use the forest according to these requirements, the federal government retains the right to reclaim ownership after a 180-day correction period.
This bill directs the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation to place a monument honoring Medal of Honor recipients on federal land near the Lincoln Memorial in Washington, D.C., overriding standard location rules. It specifically requires the monument to be located within the National Mall's "Reserve" area adjacent to the Lincoln Memorial, as defined in federal law. The bill affects the museum foundation's construction plans and the public's access to this new memorial site. It does not change how the Medal of Honor is awarded, only the physical location of its commemorative monument.
This House resolution formally recognizes the 80th anniversary of the Fulbright Program, which was established in 1946 to promote international goodwill through student and scholar exchanges. The bill highlights that the program currently operates in over 160 countries and has provided grants to more than 450,000 individuals since its inception. It encourages Congress to continue supporting educational and cultural affairs programs as tools for advancing foreign policy and national security. Additionally, the resolution congratulates past and present recipients and calls on global professionals to engage in cross-cultural partnerships.
The Consumer Financial Protection Accountability and Reform Act of 2026 significantly restructures the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection by subjecting it to the regular federal appropriations process and establishing an independent Inspector General appointed by the President. The bill restricts the Bureau's supervisory authority over banks and credit unions with assets under $30 billion, allowing these institutions to elect to remain under their existing prudential regulators instead. It also introduces a safe harbor for small-dollar loans of $3,500 or less that meet specific structural requirements, shielding compliant lenders from civil money penalties and private damages. Additionally, the legislation creates federal standards for earned wage access services, requiring providers to offer a no-cost option for early wage access and prohibiting them from treating these services as credit or debt under federal law.
HR 2555, the Freedom of Association in Higher Education Act of 2025, protects students who join or form single-sex social organizations (like fraternities or sororities) at colleges. It prohibits colleges receiving federal funds from taking negative actions against these students or organizations solely because they limit membership to one sex - such as denying housing, financial aid, leadership roles, or recognition. The bill ensures students can join such groups without coercion and stops colleges from imposing unfair recruitment rules on single-sex organizations compared to others. It does not require colleges to recognize single-sex groups, allow organizations to set their own membership rules, or override Title IX protections.
National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act. [ sic ] This bill temporarily directs the Department of the Interior to award a grant to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund for the expenses associated with operating and enhancing the community outreach, public education, and officer safety and wellness programs of the National Law Enforcement Museum.
This House resolution formally honors the life and legacy of the late Representative Kay Granger from Texas, recognizing her historic achievements in public service. The bill highlights her roles as the first woman elected mayor of Fort Worth, the first Republican woman to represent Texas in the U.S. House, and the first Republican woman to chair the House Committee on Appropriations. It also acknowledges her contributions to national defense, including her work on the F-35 fighter jet program and the naming of a Navy ship for Fort Worth. The resolution expresses sympathy to Granger's family and directs the Clerk of the House to send an official copy of the document to her loved ones.
