This joint resolution expresses the support of the U.S. House of Representatives for designating November 9 of each year as Gold Star Father's Day. The bill honors fathers who have lost a child while serving in the Armed Forces by recognizing their sacrifice and the unique bond between fathers and their children. It does not create new legal requirements or funding but serves as a formal statement of congressional backing for this observance, which has already been adopted by several state legislatures.
This resolution designates the week of August 2 through August 8, 2026, as "National Farmers Market Week" to recognize the importance of local food markets. It highlights how these markets support farmers' incomes, connect urban and rural communities, and promote sustainable farming practices. The measure serves as a symbolic gesture to celebrate the role farmers markets play in strengthening local economies and improving public access to fresh food.
The READ Act amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to improve reading instruction by defining specific terms like "science of reading" and "high-impact tutoring" and requiring states to exclude certain teaching models that rely on context clues. The bill directs federal literacy grants to states, with mandatory funding for low-performing states, to implement evidence-based strategies such as universal early literacy screenings, professional development for teachers, and the adoption of high-quality instructional materials. It also mandates that states report data on student progress and teacher training while prohibiting the Department of Education from issuing regulations that dictate specific instructional content or curricula. Additionally, the legislation expands research initiatives to study reading development and requires the federal government to provide states with detailed reports on academic outcomes and achievement gaps.
This bill, titled the Permanent CBDC Ban Act, aims to permanently prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency. It achieves this by amending the Federal Reserve Act to remove the specific legal authority that allows the Reserve to create such a digital currency. The legislation directly affects the Federal Reserve by stripping away its power to launch a digital version of the dollar. By deleting the relevant subsection of the law, the bill ensures that the Reserve cannot issue a CBDC in the future.
This resolution designates August 1, 2026, as Gold Star Children's Day to honor the sacrifices and hardships faced by children of fallen members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The bill does not create new laws or change government operations; instead, it serves as a formal expression of gratitude from the Senate and encourages the public to observe this day in support of these families. By establishing this specific date, the measure aims to raise awareness about the legacy carried by children who lost a parent in military service.
The Restoring Justice for Workers Act prohibits employers from forcing workers to agree to arbitration for workplace disputes and bans agreements that prevent employees from joining together to seek legal relief. Under this bill, any contract requiring arbitration before a dispute arises would be invalid, while agreements made after a dispute occurs must be truly voluntary, require plain language explanations, include a 45-day waiting period, and receive explicit written consent from the worker. The legislation also makes it illegal to retaliate against employees who refuse to sign arbitration clauses and ensures that courts, rather than arbitrators, decide whether these arbitration agreements are valid. Additionally, the act amends the National Labor Relations Act to explicitly forbid employers from interfering with employees' rights to engage in collective actions regarding their work. These changes apply to all workers, including independent contractors, and take effect immediately upon enactment.
The STOP the SWAMP Act strengthens penalties for witnesses who refuse to answer questions during congressional investigations or are convicted of lying, adding mandatory fines, jail time, and a ban on future federal employment. It also creates a streamlined process that allows any member of Congress to quickly introduce a resolution to cut off salary funds for federal employees who appear as witnesses in these investigations. By setting strict deadlines for committee reviews and votes, the bill aims to ensure that decisions to rescind these funds happen rapidly and are subject to judicial review.
The FASTER Act of 2026 expands the list of major food allergens regulated by the FDA to include barley, rye, and oats alongside wheat. This change requires food manufacturers to clearly label these gluten-containing grains, helping consumers with allergies and Celiac disease identify potential triggers. The law also mandates that the FDA update its compliance guides within a year to reflect these new allergen categories. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to produce a comprehensive report on Celiac disease, covering data on prevalence, diagnostic methods, prevention strategies, and potential treatments. These provisions apply to all foods entering the market starting one year after the law is enacted.
The Read for Reentry Act of 2026 directs the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on library services within state and federal prisons. This report will examine who currently has access to these services, how they are funded, and the demographic characteristics of incarcerated individuals who use them. The study will also analyze specific outcomes related to recidivism, parole compliance, workforce placement, and disciplinary infractions for those released from facilities offering library programs. Ultimately, the bill aims to gather data to inform Congress about the current state and impact of prison libraries.
This bill strengthens protections and administrative processes for whistleblowers who report violations to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. It expands the definition of a whistleblower to include individuals reporting misconduct to supervisors or internal investigators, while also adding a right to a jury trial for those facing retaliation. The legislation requires registered entities to provide mandatory training to employees about whistleblower rights and mandates that the Commission issue preliminary decisions on award claims within one year. Additionally, the bill creates a separate account within the Commission's customer protection fund to finance education initiatives and administrative expenses, and it increases the fund's total capacity.
The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025 reauthorizes federal funding for nursing education programs through 2030, increasing annual appropriations to support nurse training and workforce development. It expands grant eligibility to include nurse practitioner, nurse-midwifery, nurse anesthesia, and clinical nurse specialist programs, while requiring funds to cover clinical education costs like preceptor fees. The bill directs grants toward technology such as simulation labs, telehealth, and virtual training to modernize nursing education, and mandates partnerships with healthcare facilities to create clinical training opportunities. Additionally, it updates program requirements to include support for survivors of sexual assault and focuses on increasing nursing faculty and student enrollment to address nationwide nursing shortages.
This resolution expresses support for designating July as Disability Pride Month to honor the contributions of the approximately 70 million American adults and over 3 million children with disabilities. The bill calls on individuals, interest groups, and organizations across the United States to observe the month with celebrations and activities that promote inclusion. Additionally, it urges everyone to actively work against the exclusion and discrimination that people with disabilities often face. While the measure does not create new laws or funding, it serves as an official statement of recognition and encouragement for community engagement during this time.
