The CREATES Act authorizes a grant program for states to establish or improve publicly accessible databases of educational and occupational credentials. The Secretary of Labor, in consultation with the Secretary of Education, would award competitive grants up to $10 million over three years to states for this purpose. States receiving grants must create repositories that identify all credentials and training providers in the state, including details on program costs, skills developed, career pathways, and employment outcomes associated with each credential. These repositories must use transparent, interoperable data formats and be continuously updated, while strictly prohibiting the collection of any personally identifiable information. This initiative aims to help individuals make informed education and career choices, and provides data for employers, educators, and counselors.
The Revitalizing America’s Schoolyards Act of 2026 establishes a grant program, administered by the Department of Education, to help public elementary and secondary schools transform their outdoor spaces into "revitalized schoolyards." These new outdoor environments are designed to strengthen local ecological systems, provide hands-on learning opportunities, and promote nature play and social interaction for students and the community. Eligible entities, including local schools and partner non-profits, can apply for planning grants to design these spaces and then implementation grants to build them, with priority given to schools serving a high percentage of low-income students or those vulnerable to extreme heat or flooding. The bill requires a 20% non-federal match for implementation grants, which can be waived for high-need or tribal schools, and also directs the Secretary to maintain a clearinghouse of outdoor learning resources.
The Swalwell Act aims to reform how workplace misconduct claims involving Members of Congress and senior staff are handled. It prohibits the use of federal or campaign funds to pay settlements or awards for such claims, making the individuals personally liable for the full amount. The bill mandates the creation of a public database disclosing details of these settlements and awards, including historical data, while protecting victims' identities. Additionally, it requires prompt referral of any allegations of criminal conduct by Members or senior staff to the Department of Justice, regardless of settlement agreements.
The Supporting VA Families Act grants unpaid parental leave to Department of Veterans Affairs employees. This provision allows employees to take four weeks of unpaid leave within a 12-month period for the birth of a child or for adoption and foster care placements. The leave is designed to supplement existing leave policies rather than replace them, ensuring employees can balance family needs with their work responsibilities. The act defines eligible employees and children according to existing federal definitions found in Title 5 of the United States Code.
SRES 627 is a Senate resolution designating March 5, 2026, as "National Slam the Scam Day" to raise public awareness about government imposter scams. It specifically targets scams where fraudsters impersonate agencies like the IRS, Social Security, or Medicare to steal money or personal information, disproportionately affecting older adults. The resolution encourages education through community groups, law enforcement, and financial institutions to help people recognize and report these scams, without creating new laws or regulations.
The ALERT Act (HR 7613) requires the Federal Aviation Administration to improve aviation safety through several key measures. It mandates the evaluation and potential implementation of enhanced collision avoidance systems (ACAS-Xa) for commercial aircraft and ACAS-Xr for rotorcraft, with specific deadlines for rulemaking and installation. The bill establishes committees to develop recommendations for safety technology requirements, requires safety risk assessments for air traffic controllers, and addresses operational procedures at high-traffic airports like Ronald Reagan Washington National. These provisions affect air carriers, air traffic controllers, rotorcraft operators, and Department of Defense aircraft operations. The act aims to enhance situational awareness and reduce midair collision risks through technology upgrades and improved safety protocols.
HR 2289, the Proportional Reviews for Broadband Deployment Act, exempts wireless broadband infrastructure deployments from certain federal environmental and historic preservation reviews. Specifically, it removes the requirement for National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) reviews when federal agencies approve "eligible facilities requests" for wireless facilities. This directly affects wireless providers seeking federal permits to build broadband infrastructure, streamlining their approval process by eliminating these specific review requirements. The bill modifies existing law to treat such deployments as not constituting "major Federal actions" under NEPA or "undertakings" under NHPA.
This resolution expresses support for designating April 2026 as "Second Chance Month" to raise awareness about barriers faced by people with criminal records. The bill does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight challenges in employment, housing, and education for formerly incarcerated individuals. It calls on communities, employers, and organizations to promote awareness of these obstacles and encourage efforts to help people reintegrate into society. The resolution honors the bipartisan First Step Act of 2018 and the Second Chance Act of 2007, which provide reentry services to incarcerated individuals.
This resolution formally acknowledges the work of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in protecting communities from violent criminals and illegal immigrants. It calls on state and local law enforcement to cooperate with federal partners in investigating threats against ICE officers and condemns violence directed at federal law enforcement personnel. The measure also thanks ICE agents for their expanded security roles at airports during a partial government shutdown. As a congressional resolution, it does not change laws or funding but serves as an official statement of support and condemnation of violence.
This bill establishes a 17-member Commission on Presidential Capacity to Discharge the Powers and Duties of the Office. This commission, composed primarily of medical professionals and former high-ranking executive officials, would be activated by a concurrent resolution of Congress. Its duty would be to conduct a medical examination of the President to determine if they are mentally or physically unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office due to conditions such as illness, disability, or substance use. Following the examination, the commission would report its findings and a declaration on the President's capacity to Congress and the Vice President, with any refusal by the President to undergo examination taken into consideration.
The CLEAR LABELS Act aims to increase transparency in the drug supply chain by requiring more detailed information on pharmaceutical labels. It mandates that finished drug products' labels, or linked electronic portals, include the name, location, and unique identifier of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor. Additionally, labels must identify the original manufacturer of both the finished drug product and each active pharmaceutical ingredient, with this information also available in paper form upon request. The bill further exempts finished drug products from standard customs country-of-origin marking if they comply with these new labeling requirements.
This bill, titled the "Biotechnology for All High School Students Act," aims to expand biotechnology education for secondary school students across the United States. It authorizes a competitive grant program for eligible entities, such as schools, colleges, and non-profit organizations, to support new and existing biotechnology education initiatives. Funds from these grants can be used for purposes like professional development for teachers, developing curricula, acquiring laboratory equipment, establishing partnerships, and creating transferable biotechnology credentials for students. The bill also establishes a National Biotechnology Education Consortium to provide support and recommendations for these programs, promoting coordination and resource sharing among various stakeholders.
