Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benefits Act or the GUARD VA Benefits Act This bill imposes fines on individuals for soliciting, contracting for, charging, or receiving any unauthorized fee or compensation with respect to the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. The attempted commission of such offenses is also punishable by fine.
This resolution expresses support for designating the third week of March as National CACFP Week to raise awareness of the Child and Adult Care Food Program. The bill directly affects childcare centers, family daycare homes, emergency shelters, after-school programs, and adult daycare centers that provide meals to children and adults. It acknowledges the program's role in improving health outcomes and reducing costs for care providers while urging continued funding and administrative support for the initiative.
This bill, titled the Vote Without Fear Act, would make it a federal crime to knowingly possess or bring a firearm within 100 yards of a Federal election site, such as a polling place or ballot counting location. The law applies to anyone who has reason to believe they are at an election site and carries a weapon there, with exceptions for law enforcement, security personnel on duty, firearms in vehicles that are not removed or brandished, and lawful possession on private property or residences. Penalties include fines and up to one year in prison for unauthorized possession, or up to five years if the firearm is intended for use in a crime, with additional severe penalties for any deaths occurring during such violations.
This bill exempts H-1B visa holders working in healthcare from a presidential restriction that requires a $100,000 payment for entry into the United States. It directly affects foreign medical professionals and healthcare workers who hold H-1B nonimmigrant visas. The legislation removes the additional fee requirement for these workers while limiting any fees that may be charged to the standard amount already established under immigration law. The bill defines healthcare workers using the existing definition from the Affordable Care Act and was introduced in the 119th Congress in March 2026.
This bill establishes a new excise tax on crude oil extracted or imported by large oil companies and uses the revenue to provide rebates to eligible consumers. The tax would be imposed on companies that extract or import over 300,000 barrels of crude oil per day, at a rate of 50% of the difference between the current Brent crude oil price and a 2025 baseline price, adjusted for inflation. All revenue from this tax would be deposited into a new "Protect Consumers from Gas Hikes Fund." This fund would then be used to provide refundable tax credits, or rebates, to eligible individuals, with the rebate amount determined by the Secretary based on fund revenues and the number of eligible individuals. These rebates would be phased out for individuals with adjusted gross incomes exceeding certain thresholds, such as $150,000 for joint filers.
This resolution commemorates the fifth anniversary of the March 16, 2021, Atlanta spa shootings that killed eight people and denounces ongoing anti-Asian hate and xenophobic rhetoric. It honors the victims, condemns the violence, and calls for improved hate crime reporting and support services for affected communities. The measure also urges efforts to combat online disinformation, promote education on Asian American history, and expand federal programs aimed at preventing hate crimes.
This bill creates a legal exemption from jury duty for individuals who are breastfeeding. It directly affects federal and District of Columbia courts by allowing breastfeeding people to request excusal from jury service. The key provision amends existing federal and local laws to require courts to excuse breastfeeding individuals upon their request, either by the judge or court clerk. This change applies to both federal courts under Title 28 of the U.S. Code and District of Columbia courts under their official code. The legislation does not mandate automatic exemption but establishes the right for breastfeeding individuals to request relief from jury service obligations.
HCONRES 78 is a symbolic resolution designating March 10, 2026, as "Abortion Provider Appreciation Day" to honor abortion providers and staff. It recognizes their work amid rising violence, clinic closures, and abortion restrictions following the Dobbs decision, citing threats and challenges faced by providers. The resolution expresses congressional support for providers' safety and access to abortion care, condemning policies that restrict access. It does not create new laws or alter existing policies - it solely affirms Congress’s stance through a symbolic gesture. This is a procedural resolution focused on recognition, not policy change.
This bill amends the Espionage Act to reform how whistleblowers and press freedom are protected under federal law. It requires prosecutors to prove that individuals leaked classified information with specific intent to harm the United States or benefit foreign nations, rather than just showing they knew the information was classified. The legislation also establishes an affirmative defense allowing defendants to argue they disclosed information to reveal illegal activities, constitutional violations, or significant threats to public health and safety. Additionally, it permits defendants charged under these sections to testify about their motivations for releasing the information. These changes directly affect government employees, contractors, and journalists who handle classified materials.
This bill, known as the Fair Wages for Home Care Workers Act, would change federal labor rules to require overtime pay and minimum wage protections for certain babysitters. It specifically targets casual babysitting work that is irregular or intermittent, while excluding trained medical professionals like nurses and home health aides from these changes. The law would also allow babysitters to perform up to 20% of their work time on unrelated household tasks without losing their protected status. These amendments would apply to workers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 who provide custodial care for infants or children in private homes.
This bill reorganizes the Corporation for National and Community Service into a new executive department called the AmeriCorps Administration, which would oversee national service programs. It creates a seven-member Advisory Board with representatives from different age groups and political parties to advise on program policies and priorities. The legislation increases financial support for participants by raising living allowances and educational awards, while also establishing a new National Service Foundation to accept private donations for the programs. Additionally, the bill sets a goal of serving 1 million participants annually by 2036 and creates an outreach program to notify young people aged 17-30 about service opportunities.
This bill, titled the Take Back Our Hospitals Act of 2026, would prohibit Medicare from paying hospitals or skilled nursing facilities owned or controlled by private equity funds, real estate investment trusts, or corporations owned by those funds. The law defines control as owning 10 percent or more of voting securities or having the power to direct management and policies through contracts or other means. Facilities currently owned by these firms would have a three-year transition period before the prohibition takes full effect. The bill also establishes joint and several liability, meaning the owning firm would be responsible for any penalties if the facility violates the rule, and provides for notice, hearings, and judicial review for affected facilities.
