HJRES 144 is a congressional disapproval resolution targeting a specific rule issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on December 31, 2025, which addressed "Reproductive Health Services" (90 Fed. Reg. 61310). This resolution directs Congress to disapprove the VA rule under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code, meaning the rule would have no legal effect if passed. The bill directly affects the VA's implementation of reproductive health services for veterans, as it seeks to nullify the agency's existing policy. This is a procedural measure, not a substantive policy change, aimed solely at blocking the VA's rule through congressional action.
HRES 1022 is a non-binding congressional resolution expressing support for Catholic schools and celebrating the 52nd annual National Catholic Schools Week (January 25-31, 2026). It recognizes Catholic schools' contributions to education, noting their role in serving 1.7 million students across diverse backgrounds, with high graduation rates and community-focused values. The resolution specifically supports the week's goals, highlights the National Catholic Educational Association and U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' partnership, and applauds the 2026 theme "Catholic Schools: United in Faith and Community." It does not create new policies, allocate funding, or impose obligations.
This bill requires health insurance plans to cover mental health and substance use disorder services without copays, deductibles, or other out-of-pocket costs for pregnant and postpartum individuals. It applies to in-network providers and includes telehealth services, covering care from pregnancy diagnosis through the first year after birth. The law takes effect for plan years beginning two years after enactment. It directly affects individuals enrolled in employer-sponsored or individual health insurance plans who need mental health support during pregnancy and the postpartum period.
The BRIDGE Act creates a new federal grant program to fund the maintenance, replacement, or rehabilitation of commuter rail bridges used by public transit systems. Public transportation agencies can apply for these competitive grants, which require a bridge access agreement with bridge owners if the agency doesn’t own the bridge. Grants cover eligible capital costs based on the bridge’s projected use and are subject to factors like bridge condition and priority in transit planning. The program is authorized to spend $1.5 billion annually from 2027 through 2031.
The Nurse Faculty Shortage Reduction Act of 2026 creates a federal grant program to help nursing schools address faculty shortages by supplementing salaries. Nursing schools applying for grants must submit detailed salary data comparing clinical nurse pay to current faculty pay (adjusted for inflation), then receive funding to cover the difference for eligible faculty - those who previously worked in clinical practice or are new hires. Grants last up to three years ($15 million annually from 2027-2031) and require schools to maintain the salary supplement level throughout the grant period. Priority is given to schools in health professional shortage areas, serving vulnerable populations, or focusing on underrepresented faculty. The program requires schools to demonstrate plans for sustaining salary support after the grant ends.
The Dignity for Detained Immigrants Act establishes new standards for facilities detaining immigrants under DHS custody, requiring compliance with minimum protections based on American Bar Association standards. It mandates annual unannounced inspections by the DHS Inspector General with public reporting of findings, creates a detailed public database of all detention facilities, and phases out private detention facilities within 3 years. The bill prohibits solitary confinement, requires access to legal orientation and counsel for detainees, and changes detention procedures to require more frequent hearings with a presumption of release for most detainees. These changes directly affect immigrants in DHS custody, DHS facilities, and private contractors operating detention facilities.
HR 7270 creates a federal grant program administered by the Treasury Secretary to provide funding to states for developing secure digital identity systems. States would use these grants to create digital driver’s licenses and identity credentials that comply with NIST guidelines, prioritize protection against deepfake attacks, and replace vulnerable legacy systems. The bill requires states to use at least 10% of grant funds to assist individuals in obtaining digital identity services, while prohibiting states from forcing residents to use digital IDs or eliminating physical licenses. It aims to reduce identity theft fraud in government benefit programs and the financial system by enhancing digital identity security, with no requirement for states to develop digital credentials.
HR 7252, the Restoring Community Trust Act of 2026, repeals Section 642 of the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (8 U.S.C. 1373). This provision currently requires state and local government agencies to share information about individuals with federal immigration authorities. The bill removes this mandate, allowing states and localities to decide independently whether to share such information with federal immigration officials, consistent with their own laws. It does not prohibit voluntary cooperation but aims to restore state authority over internal operations and reduce legal uncertainty for local governments.
HR 7246 establishes two new bodies within the Financial Stability Oversight Council to address climate-related financial risks. It creates a Climate Financial Risk Committee to coordinate agency efforts and an Advisory Committee with 30 members (including climate scientists, financial experts, and consumer advocates, but excluding oil/gas industry representatives) to provide input. The bill requires annual reports assessing climate risks to financial stability, updates to banking supervisory guidance for institutions over $50 billion in assets, and detailed data collection on homeowners insurance underwriting by zip code. These provisions directly affect federal financial regulators (like the Fed, SEC, and FDIC), banks, insurers, and the broader financial system by mandating structured analysis of climate risks.
The Prison Libraries Act of 2026 establishes a federal grant program to fund library services in state and territorial correctional facilities, directly benefiting incarcerated individuals. It requires grantees (states/territories) to submit plans demonstrating need, including demographic data on prison populations, and prohibits using funds for non-library purposes like food or facility maintenance. Grant funds must support library services such as digital access, educational programming (including job training and post-secondary curriculum), literacy initiatives, and partnerships with public libraries. The program authorizes $10 million annually from 2026-2031, prioritizes measurable outcomes like increased literacy and post-release employment opportunities, and mandates free access to all library resources for incarcerated people.
HR 7271, the Evan Anzoo Memorial Act, requires the Comptroller General to produce a report investigating deaths linked to USAID service cuts. The bill mandates a one-year report estimating 2025 deaths and five-year future deaths due to USAID stop-work orders, plus an assessment of whether specific individuals (like Evan Anzoo, 5, South Sudan, who died after losing HIV treatment) died because of lost USAID services. It also requires an interim update within 180 days and a list of other verified deaths tied to these service disruptions. The act does not change USAID policy but directs a factual review of impacts from prior USAID service reductions.
HRES 1019 is a symbolic House resolution recognizing Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) for their 150+ years of service in providing anesthesia care across the U.S. health system. It highlights CRNAs' critical role in rural areas, military medicine, and during public health emergencies, noting they administer over 58 million anesthetics annually and serve as primary providers for 69,000 CRNAs nationwide. The resolution encourages the public, healthcare leaders, and policymakers to acknowledge CRNAs' contributions and participate in National CRNA Week (January 18-24, 2026), though it does not create new laws or policy changes.
