The Protecting American Energy Security Act of 2026 requires exporters to obtain a separate certification from the U.S. Secretary of Energy before shipping natural gas to "covered nations" (as defined in federal law). This certification, valid for one year, must confirm the export serves the public interest and is required in addition to existing export authorizations. The bill directly affects natural gas exporters targeting these specific nations, adding a new federal approval step. The Secretary of Energy can revoke the certification early if needed, but the requirement applies only to exports to the designated covered nations.
HR 7051, the American Dream Act, allows individuals aged 65 or older to exclude taxable gains from selling their home to a first-time homebuyer under specific conditions. The bill applies when the home sells for $500,000 or less, the buyer is a first-time homebuyer purchasing it as their primary residence, and the buyer provides a sworn statement confirming these details. The exclusion is only available for sales occurring after December 31, 2026, and expires after December 31, 2031. This policy directly affects seniors aged 65+ selling their primary residence and first-time homebuyers purchasing it as their main home.
This resolution expresses the Senate's support for Operation Absolute Resolve, a military operation conducted on January 3, 2026, that successfully captured Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro and his wife Cilia Flores. It commends the U.S. military and law enforcement for executing the operation, which targeted Maduro’s regime and its alleged ties to drug trafficking and terrorism. The resolution does not create new policy but formally endorses the action taken to address Maduro’s leadership, citing his regime’s history of election fraud, drug trafficking, and collaboration with terrorist groups. As a commemorative resolution, it focuses on endorsing the operation’s outcome rather than proposing legislative changes.
HRES 995 is a symbolic resolution supporting Korean American Day, commemorating January 13 as the anniversary of the 1903 arrival of the first large wave of Korean immigrants to the U.S. It urges all Americans to recognize Korean Americans' contributions to U.S. society, economy, and U.S.-South Korea relations, honoring their historical journey and ongoing impact. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it serves solely as a formal acknowledgment of cultural heritage.
This symbolic House resolution expresses U.S. congressional support for Iranian protesters demanding democracy and human rights. It condemns the Iranian regime's violent suppression of protests, including killings, mass arrests, and internet restrictions, while urging the regime to release political prisoners and restore communication access. The resolution reaffirms the Iranian people's right to self-determination through free elections and echoes a 2023 resolution (HCR 7) that similarly praised protesters. As a non-binding expression of support, it does not impose new policies or alter U.S. government actions.
This resolution (HRES 985) expresses the House of Representatives' opposition to declawing cats for cosmetic or convenience reasons, not for medical necessity. It defines "declawing" broadly to include any procedure that disables a cat’s claws (such as surgical removal or tendon cutting), emphasizing that these practices cause long-term pain and behavioral issues. The resolution specifically supports banning elective declawing while allowing medically necessary procedures to address existing health conditions. It urges states without such bans to consider legislation, citing widespread support from veterinary organizations and existing bans in 7 U.S. states and numerous municipalities.
HR 7045, the PROTECT Act, repeals Section 230 of the Communications Act of 1934, which currently shields online platforms from liability for user-generated content. This repeal directly affects websites, social media companies, and other internet services that host third-party content, removing their legal immunity for such content. The bill also updates numerous other federal laws by replacing references to "Section 230" with new definitions from Section 223(i) of the Communications Act. The key change eliminates a foundational legal protection for digital platforms, shifting liability for user content to the platforms themselves.
HR 7046, the Qualified Immunity Abolition Act of 2026, removes qualified immunity as a defense in civil rights lawsuits against law enforcement officers. It directly affects federal, state, and local law enforcement officers by eliminating their ability to avoid liability in cases where they allegedly violated constitutional rights. The bill amends Section 1983 of federal law to prohibit using four specific defenses: claiming good faith, believing conduct was lawful, arguing rights weren't clearly established, or asserting the law was unclear at the time. This change means officers can no longer dismiss lawsuits based on these arguments after the bill's enactment. The law applies to all civil actions pending or filed after the effective date.
HR 7034 would remove the current $250,000 (single filers) and $500,000 (married couples) tax exclusion limit for capital gains when selling a primary residence. This change would allow all homeowners to exclude their full profit from federal income tax upon selling their main home, regardless of the sale price. The bill amends Section 121 of the Internal Revenue Code to eliminate the dollar caps and adjusts related provisions to reflect this change. It directly affects homeowners who sell their primary residence, making the tax exclusion fully unlimited for qualifying sales after the bill's enactment.
This bill would increase the base pay for Federal Bureau of Prisons correctional officers by 35 percent, replacing their current base rate for all pay calculations (including retirement and locality adjustments). It applies to officers whose duties involve inmate custody, control, or direct custodial contact, including certain supervisory staff and lower-grade Bureau of Prisons employees with similar duties. The pay increase is capped at the Executive Schedule level V rate and would expire after five years unless a Department of Justice Inspector General review finds progress in reducing non-custodial staff use for custodial duties and excessive overtime. The review, required 180 days before expiration, would assess impacts on recruitment, retention, and institutional safety.
This bill establishes minimum salary and wage standards for paraprofessionals and education support staff in public schools. It requires states to set a minimum annual salary of $45,000 for full-time staff (increasing with inflation after 2030) and a minimum hourly wage of $30 for part-time staff (also inflation-adjusted). The federal government will provide $25 billion in FY2026, with annual funding increases, to help states implement these standards through grants. States must ensure all local schools meet these minimums within 4 years of receiving funds, with 98% of grant money allocated directly to schools for salary increases or professional development.
The Renewed Hope Act (HR 6998) requires the Department of Homeland Security to hire 200 new staff, including 40 forensics analysts and 30 child exploitation investigators for the Victim Identification Laboratory, plus 130 additional personnel for the Child Exploitation Investigations Unit, to improve identification and rescue efforts for victims of child sexual exploitation. It establishes a mandatory training program for law enforcement and related organizations to use updated victim identification techniques and mandates coordination between DHS and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children to streamline investigations. The bill also includes strict privacy rules to secure victim information and allows temporary hiring of experts for forensic analysis at specified rates.
