This bill establishes the Biometric Identification Transnational Migration Alert Program (BITMAP) within the Department of Homeland Security. The program aims to identify and reduce national security, border security, and terrorist threats posed by foreign nationals before they reach the United States border. DHS will coordinate with foreign governments to facilitate the voluntary sharing of biometric and biographic information from these individuals. Partner countries will receive training and equipment to collect this data and compare it against various U.S. national security and counter-terrorism databases. The program is authorized for six years and includes provisions for congressional reporting and a GAO audit.
This resolution seeks to expel Representative Eric Swalwell from the House of Representatives following allegations of misconduct. It is based on claims that Swalwell engaged in a sexual relationship with a subordinate staffer, including an incident where the staffer was intoxicated and unable to consent, which is currently under investigation by the Manhattan District Attorney's Office. The bill cites House rules requiring members to conduct themselves in a way that reflects creditably on the institution and argues that Swalwell's actions violate these standards and damage public trust. If passed, the resolution would remove Swalwell from his position as a Member of Congress.
The Water Access and Affordability Act establishes a federal program, administered by the EPA, to provide financial assistance to low-income households for their drinking water and sanitary sewer bills. States, large water systems, or Indian Tribes can receive grants to implement these programs, offering aid for bill payments, debt relief, and water efficiency improvements. The bill includes provisions to simplify enrollment, such as automatic enrollment and self-attestation, and prohibits service disconnections for participating households. Additionally, it revises federal State Revolving Loan Fund programs for water infrastructure, requiring states to increase transparency, public engagement, and prioritize assistance for disadvantaged communities. This includes public review of funding plans, reporting on the socioeconomic impact of projects, and expediting aid to communities with affordability challenges.
This bill seeks to block a specific rule issued by the Department of Education that affects the William D. Ford Federal Direct Loan Program. If passed, it would prevent the rule from taking effect, meaning the proposed changes to federal student loans would not be implemented. The measure uses a legislative process known as a joint resolution of disapproval to override agency regulations. It directly impacts students, families, and institutions that rely on federal student loans by stopping the Department of Education from enforcing the new policy.
This resolution formally recognizes the heroic actions of U.S. Combat Search and Rescue teams and Air Force personnel involved in recovering two American airmen who ejected over Iran in April 2026. The bill does not create new laws or change policy but serves as a formal expression of congressional appreciation for the rescue mission. It highlights the coordination between military and intelligence personnel, the endurance of the aviators during their evasion, and the successful extraction of both service members from hostile territory. The measure aims to honor the bravery displayed by the rescue teams and the pilots who survived the incident.
The GRACIE Act of 2026 provides federal grants to state child welfare agencies to help them record and keep all interviews related to child abuse and neglect investigations. Under this bill, states receiving funding must create or update rules requiring electronic recording of these interviews and store the recordings securely for at least five years. The funds can only be used for costs directly tied to conducting and retaining these recordings, including audio or video capture. States must also establish access controls that limit who can view the recordings while allowing caregivers to request copies in certain legal situations. The program is authorized for six years, with up to $30 million available annually from 2026 through 2031.
The Power for the People Act of 2026 requires the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to create a special approval process for data centers, which are defined as facilities using more than 50 megawatts of electricity. Under this system, data centers must offset their energy consumption by bringing their own clean power sources to the grid or agreeing to flexible power usage that can be reduced when needed. The bill also directs states to establish separate electricity rates for data centers so these facilities pay their full share of grid upgrade costs rather than spreading those expenses across all customers. Additionally, the legislation mandates that data center construction use prevailing wages and registered apprenticeship programs, while requiring greater transparency in how data center energy demands are forecasted and approved.
The SACRED Act adds a new federal crime to protect access to places of religious worship by prohibiting intimidating or harassing conduct within 100 feet of religious buildings. It directly affects individuals who engage in disruptive behavior near religious sites and those seeking to enter or exit them. The law defines prohibited actions as conduct that causes reasonable fear for physical safety or intentionally harasses people within 8 feet, with penalties ranging from fines up to $10,000 for nonviolent first offenses to potential life imprisonment if death results. The bill also establishes civil remedies allowing aggrieved individuals or religious organizations to sue for damages and injunctive relief, while permitting state and federal attorneys general to bring civil actions on behalf of affected persons. Importantly, the legislation explicitly preserves the right to peaceful expressive conduct like picketing and does not override existing state or local laws.
This bill directs the U.S. Treasury Department to designate the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist, which would block all U.S. assets belonging to CAIR and its affiliates and prohibit Americans from engaging in any financial transactions with the organization. The legislation also requires the Treasury Secretary to suspend CAIR's tax-exempt status under federal law. These actions are based on provisions in Executive Order 13224 that allow the government to restrict support for designated terrorist organizations. The bill includes a requirement for federal agencies to submit a detailed report to Congress within 30 days explaining the legal criteria used to justify the designation.
The Books Save Lives Act requires public libraries and schools receiving federal funding to maintain diverse book collections that include works by and about members of underrepresented communities. It mandates that covered schools employ trained librarians and establishes that excluding books with a disparate impact on underrepresented groups serves as initial evidence of discrimination under existing civil rights laws. Additionally, the bill directs the Comptroller General to produce a report within 180 days on how recent book ban campaigns have affected underrepresented communities. The legislation defines underrepresented communities to include racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, religious minorities, and people with disabilities.
The Next Gen Road Safety Act amends federal funding provisions to allow law enforcement agencies to purchase specialized equipment for managing high-speed vehicle pursuits. This legislation specifically authorizes the procurement of technologies such as vehicle-disabling systems, police bumper systems, and drones to help prevent and de-escalate dangerous chase situations. The changes apply to federal crime control grants under the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968, enabling agencies to use these funds for the specified safety equipment. The bill focuses on updating existing grant categories to include modern tools that support officer safety and public safety during vehicular pursuits.
This bill creates a temporary tax credit for middle-income households earning between $80,000 and $160,000 to help offset rising costs for commuting, groceries, and utilities during a designated emergency period related to the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict. The credit is refundable and will automatically phase out once the conflict ends or energy prices return to normal levels for at least 180 consecutive days. It also establishes federal price gouging prohibitions on fuel, heating, and essential consumer staples, allowing the FTC and Department of Justice to enforce penalties against businesses that charge grossly excessive prices without justified cost increases. The bill includes a requirement for the FTC to study state and local price gouging laws during the emergency and report recommendations to Congress within 18 months. All provisions expire when the designated emergency period ends, though enforcement actions can continue after that date.
