This House resolution formally recognizes Overdose Awareness Day in the United States and calls for strengthened efforts to combat the opioid crisis. It directs the House of Representatives to pursue bipartisan legislation aimed at reducing the stigma associated with substance use disorders and drug overdoses. Additionally, the bill commits lawmakers to work with state and local governments, businesses, and health care providers to build a comprehensive system that supports prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and recovery for individuals affected by opioid use disorder.
H.Res. 1497 is a House resolution that commemorates the fifth anniversary of the Abbey Gate bombing, in which 13 U.S. servicemembers were killed during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. The bill lists the names of the fallen soldiers and formally condemns the Biden-Harris administration for what it describes as dereliction of duty and the forfeiture of military property to the Taliban. It asserts that the withdrawal was a disastrous failure that ignored security warnings and left Americans at risk, while also criticizing the lack of accountability from officials involved in the decision-making process.
The Advancing Botanical Drug Development Act of 2026 extends the market exclusivity period for new FDA-approved botanical drugs from five years to twelve years. This change directly affects pharmaceutical companies and other sponsors that develop plant-based medicines, providing them with a longer window of protection against generic competitors. The bill aims to offset the high costs and unique manufacturing challenges associated with developing these complex therapies by offering stronger financial incentives. By securing this extended exclusivity, the legislation seeks to encourage private investment in research for multi-target treatments of chronic and age-related diseases.
The Lifeline for First Responders Act establishes a new federal grant program administered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to support the mental health and well-being of first responders. The program provides funding to eligible entities, including fire services, emergency medical services agencies, and dispatch centers, at all levels of government. Grant funds may be used for evidence-based stress reduction, suicide prevention, confidential counseling, family support services, and outreach programs aimed at reducing stigma. The bill authorizes $7.5 million in appropriations annually for fiscal years 2028 through 2032 to carry out these initiatives.
This bill reauthorizes and expands the Radiation Exposure Compensation Act, extending the program's funding through 2043 and allowing new claims to be filed until 2042. It increases compensation amounts for downwinders and Manhattan Project waste claimants from $100,000 or $50,000 to $150,000, respectively, and introduces a provision for reimbursing documented out-of-pocket medical expenses not covered by insurance. The legislation broadens eligibility by adding new geographic areas in states such as Colorado, Montana, Washington, Illinois, and Ohio, as well as the territory of Guam, while also permitting the use of third-party affidavits to verify employment history or physical presence in affected zones. Additionally, it establishes a discretionary process for the President to designate new groups of radiation-exposed individuals for compensation and mandates several health studies regarding the long-term effects of nuclear testing on specific populations.
The Screen to Save Act requires Medicare, Medicaid, and private health insurance plans to cover annual screening mammography for women aged 30 and older at no cost to the patient. This change takes effect on January 1, 2027, and specifically prohibits insurers from charging copays or deductibles for these screenings. The bill also establishes a frequency limit that prevents Medicare from paying for mammograms performed within 11 months of a previous screening for women over 29.
The First Time Homebuyer Debt Reduction Act directs the Federal Housing Finance Agency to require Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to treat student loan payments made by third parties toward first-time buyers as financial concessions rather than sales incentives. This classification applies specifically to payments for newly constructed principal residences, allowing these contributions to be counted toward a buyer's down payment or closing costs without triggering penalties associated with seller financing. However, the bill limits this benefit by stipulating that any portion of the student loan payment exceeding $25,000 will still be classified as a sales concession.
The Rural and Municipal Utility Cybersecurity Act establishes a federal program to provide grants and technical assistance to small electric utilities, including rural cooperatives, municipally owned systems, and smaller investor-owned companies. The program aims to help these entities deploy advanced cybersecurity technologies and participate in threat information sharing networks to better protect against cyberattacks. Funding is prioritized for utilities with limited security resources or those operating critical infrastructure that supports the national power grid. The bill authorizes $250 million in appropriations over five years, from fiscal year 2027 through 2031, and exempts shared cybersecurity information from public disclosure under freedom of information laws.
This joint resolution directs the President to withdraw U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities against Iran that were not authorized by Congress. The bill relies on the War Powers Resolution, asserting that military action in Iran began without a formal declaration of war or specific statutory approval and has exceeded the legal time limits for such engagement. While ordering a removal of troops, the measure allows the United States to continue defending against attacks on its own personnel, conducting intelligence activities, and providing defensive support to partner nations.
This Senate resolution commemorates the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union and recognizes the resilience of the Ukrainian people in pursuing sovereignty and democracy. The text affirms U.S. support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, specifically rejecting the annexation of Crimea, while condemning Russia’s 2022 military invasion. It encourages the U.S. government to provide strong security guarantees to facilitate a lasting peace agreement and to integrate lessons from Ukraine’s defense innovations into American military readiness. Additionally, the resolution urges Ukraine to continue implementing reforms related to anti-corruption measures, free markets, and the rule of law.
The Back-to-School Supplies Affordability Act prevents new tariffs from being applied to specific school supplies and educational materials, ensuring their prices remain at levels seen before January 19, 2025. This legislation directly affects students, families, teachers, and schools by exempting items such as notebooks, backpacks, pencils, pens, and certain electronic devices from increased import duties. The Secretary of Commerce is tasked with designating additional classroom items for this exemption in coordination with the Secretary of Education, while providing regular reports to Congress on the covered products. To maintain legislative oversight, the bill includes a mechanism allowing Congress to pass a joint resolution to disapprove any specific item designated for tariff exemption by the executive branch.
The Cooperative Institute Act of 2026 establishes a formal program for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to partner with non-federal academic and nonprofit research institutions. These partnerships, known as Cooperative Institutes, are designed to conduct collaborative research, support student and postdoctoral training, and expand scientific capacity in areas relevant to NOAA's mission. The bill authorizes five-year funding awards for these institutes, which can be renewed for an additional five years following a peer-reviewed performance assessment. It also sets specific procedures for selecting new partners through open competition or limited pools, allows for the co-location of federal and institutional staff, and requires detailed reports to Congress before any existing partnership is terminated or allowed to expire.
