This bill would invalidate a final rule issued by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that rescinded the definition of "harm" under the Endangered Species Act. By declaring that the 2026 rule has no force or effect, the legislation aims to restore the previous legal interpretation of how actions can harm protected species. This change directly affects entities subject to the Endangered Species Act by reinstating the broader regulatory framework for protecting endangered and threatened wildlife.
This bill designates Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status, allowing nationals who have lived continuously in the United States since the law's enactment to apply for a legal stay until July 1, 2029. To qualify, applicants must pass background checks and submit biometric data, while the Department of Homeland Security is required to process these applications within 90 days unless national security concerns justify a brief extension. The legislation also permits eligible individuals to request fee waivers for their applications and allows for special travel consent in emergency situations that require a short trip abroad.
The Transportation for Reentry Act requires transit agencies receiving federal funding to offer free public transportation to individuals released from prison after serving at least one year. Under this bill, these agencies must provide the service for one year starting from the person's release date and cover costs related to program setup, staff training, and outreach. To receive federal grants, transit recipients must establish enrollment systems, track usage data, and ensure compliance with the program's duration requirements. The legislation authorizes $40 million annually from 2027 to 2031 to support these efforts and mandates a final report on the program's impact five years after enactment.
The WINGS Act of 2026 expands federal financial aid eligibility to cover specific aviation training expenses for students enrolled in qualifying aviation programs at colleges and universities. Under this bill, students could use federal funds to pay for costs such as flight simulator hours, aircraft instruction, aviation training materials, and licensing exam fees. The legislation defines eligible programs as those offering associate's or bachelor's degrees in aviation-related fields and includes professional degree programs that meet specific regulatory training standards. These changes would take effect on July 1, 2027, allowing students to access financial support for practical aviation training components starting with the 2027-2028 award year.
The American Dream Accounts Act of 2026 creates a new type of tax-advantaged trust designed to help U.S. citizens save for purchasing their first home. This account allows individuals to contribute up to $7,500 annually, or $10,000 if they are over 35, with a lifetime limit of $250,000, and the funds must be managed by a bank or a qualified administrator. Money withdrawn from the account remains tax-free only if used to buy a first home, provided the buyer has not previously claimed this benefit and the home is kept for at least three years. The bill also permits rolling over distributions into other American Dream Accounts or Roth IRAs and imposes taxes on excess contributions or withdrawals used for non-qualified expenses.
This bill prohibits the United States from providing any voluntary or assessed funding to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East. The restriction applies directly to the U.S. government's financial contributions to the agency, effectively cutting off official U.S. support. However, the law allows for humanitarian aid to individuals who receive help from UNRWA if that aid is delivered through other organizations that do not promote violence, terrorism, or antisemitism. Ultimately, the legislation mandates a complete halt to direct U.S. funding for UNRWA while permitting indirect assistance under specific conditions.
The Stop EU Overreach Act directs the United States Trade Representative to initiate a formal investigation within 30 days of enactment to determine if specific European Union environmental and sustainability regulations unfairly burden American commerce. These targeted measures include rules on corporate sustainability due diligence, reporting, deforestation traceability, and carbon border adjustments that apply to US companies based on their operations or supply chains outside the EU. If the investigation concludes that these foreign practices are unreasonable or discriminatory, the USTR is authorized to take retaliatory actions such as imposing duties on imports from EU member states or suspending trade agreement benefits. The bill includes a sunset provision that terminates its requirements for any specific EU measure once the USTR certifies that the European Union has repealed the rule or entered into a binding agreement to exempt US persons from its extraterritorial obligations.
The Daycare Not Detentions Act of 2026 provides additional funding to the Department of Health and Human Services to support child care programs, including the Child Care and Development Block Grant, Head Start, and preschool development grants. These funds are intended to help states and organizations cover necessary expenses for these programs through fiscal year 2029. The bill also rescinds $70 billion in previously allocated money for U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that has not yet been spent. Overall, the legislation redirects federal resources toward early childhood education and care rather than immigration enforcement activities.
The RAAM Act repeals federal fuel economy standards for cars and light trucks starting with the 2029 model year, removing the requirement for manufacturers to meet specific mileage targets. It also prevents states from creating their own fuel economy rules, reserving this authority exclusively to the federal government. Additionally, the bill updates legal definitions to clarify how vehicles are classified and modifies the process for challenging federal regulations in court. These changes directly affect automobile manufacturers, state governments, and consumers by eliminating federal mileage mandates and blocking state-level fuel economy laws.
The Coast Guard Leadership Modernization Act creates a new civilian leadership role called the Secretary of the Coast Guard, who would be appointed by the President and confirmed by the Senate. This position would have direct authority over the Coast Guard, reporting only to the Secretary of Homeland Security without any intervening officials, and would be filled by someone with significant management and leadership experience. The law also establishes an Under Secretary of the Coast Guard to assist the Secretary and clarifies the role of the Commandant, who would serve as the top military officer reporting directly to the new civilian Secretary. Additionally, the bill sets a rule preventing individuals from becoming Secretary within seven years of leaving active military duty and updates various federal codes to reflect this new organizational structure.
The Service Academy Parity Act establishes a competitive appointment system for the Coast Guard Academy, beginning in the 2029 academic year, to ensure fair selection of cadets alongside existing nomination methods. Under this new system, individuals nominated by the Vice President, Members of Congress, or the Coast Guard Commandant must meet minimum requirements and compete based on academic background, exam scores, and other indicators of success. The bill allocates specific slots for children of fallen or disabled service members, children of missing federal employees, and residents of each state and territory, with appointments made in order of merit within each group. Additionally, the law mandates that nominating officials be notified at least 48 hours before a cadet's appointment is announced to maintain transparency in the process.
This bill directs the Attorney General to create guidance for local and state governments on establishing voluntary registries for individuals at risk of receiving false emergency calls, commonly known as swatting. The guidance will outline best practices for data privacy, secure technology integration, and training law enforcement to use registry information to de-escalate dangerous situations without mandating a federal registry. Additionally, the bill allows the Justice Department to provide technical assistance and funding to help communities implement these safety measures while ensuring that participation remains optional and that officer safety is not compromised.
