This bill directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create a program focused on researching how environmental factors, such as air pollution, chemicals, and heavy metals, may contribute to neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. The legislation would establish collaborative research centers at universities and medical institutions to study these environmental links, train scientists, and share findings with the public and healthcare professionals. The program includes provisions for creating a national data system and information clearinghouse to track disease patterns and environmental exposures across different communities. Funding of up to $50 million annually through 2031 is authorized to support these research efforts, with biennial reports required to Congress on progress and outcomes.
This bill, titled the Parks to People Active Transportation Act, directs the U.S. Department of Transportation to create a competitive grant program for building and improving greenway paths that connect communities. Eligible organizations such as state and local governments, regional planning councils, and Indian Tribes can apply for funding to construct hard-surfaced walkways, bikeways, or shared-use paths that cross jurisdictional lines and link to public transit. The program prioritizes projects that reduce vehicle congestion, improve safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and address disparities in access to jobs, schools, and recreational opportunities for low-income and minority communities. Grants may cover up to 80 percent of project costs, with higher funding levels available for rural areas and communities with high poverty rates, and the legislation authorizes $300 million annually from 2027 through 2031 to support these initiatives.
SRES 624 is a symbolic Senate resolution designating the week of March 2-6, 2026, as "National Social and Emotional Learning Week." It recognizes the role of social and emotional learning (SEL) in supporting students' academic success, well-being, and long-term outcomes, citing research on SEL's benefits. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but encourages federal agencies to advance SEL initiatives. It directly affects no specific group, as it is a non-binding expression of support. The resolution was introduced by Senators Durbin, Kaine, Van Hollen, and others.
The Smarter Sentencing Act of 2026 reduces mandatory minimum prison sentences for certain federal drug offenses involving couriers who only transport or store drugs or money. Under the bill, couriers face reduced minimum sentences of 5 years instead of 10 years for major drug offenses, and 2 years instead of 5 years for lesser offenses, while maintaining longer sentences for repeat offenders or those with serious prior convictions. The law applies to cases sentenced after enactment and allows courts to reduce sentences for past cases upon motion. The bill also directs the Sentencing Commission to update sentencing guidelines within 120 days and requires the Attorney General to report on how cost savings from reduced sentences will be used to address prison overcrowding and improve law enforcement spending.
This bill would transition Puerto Rico from its current nutrition assistance block grant system to the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), aligning it with how other U.S. states receive food aid. The legislation requires Puerto Rico to submit an operational plan within 180 days, with the Department of Agriculture providing technical assistance and approval or feedback on the plan. During a five-year transition period, Puerto Rico would continue receiving consolidated block grant funds while gradually shifting to SNAP, with annual reports tracking funding adjustments needed for the change. Once the transition is complete, Puerto Rico would be formally recognized as a state for SNAP purposes and would receive funding based on the same cost-of-living adjustments applied to other states.
This bill would allow federal judges more flexibility in deciding whether to keep defendants in jail before trial when they are charged with nonviolent drug crimes. It changes existing federal law by removing a specific provision that currently requires courts to consider certain factors when making pretrial detention decisions for these cases. The changes would apply to all federal criminal cases involving nonviolent drug offenses, giving judges broader authority to release defendants on bail or other conditions instead of holding them without bail. The legislation does not affect violent crimes or other types of offenses outside the scope of nonviolent drug charges.
This resolution designates February 21-28, 2026, as "National FFA Week" to honor the National FFA Organization’s work in agricultural education. It recognizes FFA’s role in developing leadership and career skills for students (with over 1 million members nationally) and celebrates the 50th anniversary of Alaska’s State FFA Association, which has 19 chapters and 493 members. As a symbolic resolution, it has no legal effect but formally expresses Senate support for FFA’s mission.
This resolution (SRES 617) designates February 2026 as "Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month" to symbolically recognize CTE programs nationwide. It supports CTE's role in preparing students for high-demand careers by promoting workforce readiness through academic and technical skills training. The resolution encourages educators, counselors, parents, and school administrators to advocate for CTE as a valid educational pathway. As a non-binding Senate resolution, it does not create new laws or allocate funds but affirms bipartisan support for CTE's importance in workforce development.
SRES 621 designates the week of February 23-27, 2026, as "National Public Schools Week" to recognize the role of public schools in U.S. education. The resolution highlights public schools' importance in fostering inclusive learning environments and preparing students for civic and economic participation, citing that 87% of U.S. children attend public schools. It does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes - it is a symbolic gesture by the Senate without binding effect. The resolution aligns with broader efforts to support public education but focuses solely on commemoration.
HRES 1086 is a symbolic resolution recognizing the Clotilda as the last known ship to illegally bring enslaved Africans to the U.S. in 1860 (carrying 110 people) and condemning the U.S. government's historical role in enabling the transatlantic slave trade. It acknowledges the lasting harm of slavery on African Americans, specifically honoring the descendants who established Africatown in Alabama and maintaining cultural heritage. The resolution urges support for preserving Africatown and encourages the Architect of the Capitol to consider a memorial on Capitol grounds for the Clotilda and all victims of the slave trade. As a non-binding resolution, it has no policy or funding impact.
This resolution (HRES 1090) expresses congressional support for designating February 2026 as "Low Vision and Vision Impairment Awareness Month" to raise public awareness about preventable vision loss. It does not create new laws or funding but highlights statistics showing millions of Americans face vision impairment, with significant health and economic impacts. The resolution urges better access to vision care information and promotes early detection for children and adults. It specifically calls on the Health and Human Services Secretary to improve surveillance and research on eye diseases, though it has no binding effect on policy or services.
This resolution (HRES 1088) is a non-binding House of Representatives measure recognizing the importance of Black history museums and cultural institutions. It formally acknowledges their role in preserving Black American history and contributions, particularly in relation to the 2026 100th anniversary of Black History Month and the U.S. 250th anniversary. The resolution urges the House to affirm that Black history is foundational to American history and calls for federal agencies to support these institutions through funding and partnerships. It also encourages the public to visit these museums, support them financially, and engage with their educational resources. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funding, but serves as a symbolic endorsement of these institutions' cultural and historical significance.
