This resolution commemorates the 10th anniversary of the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting in Orlando, Florida, which was an act of domestic terrorism. It formally honors the names of the victims and expresses condolences to their families while acknowledging the bravery of law enforcement and emergency responders who responded to the tragedy. The document also reaffirms support for the LGBTQ+ community and calls for continued efforts to improve gun safety and mental health legislation.
This resolution acknowledges and apologizes on behalf of the United States for the decades of discrimination and wrongful termination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals who served in the military, Foreign Service, and federal civil service. It condemns historical policies that excluded or fired these individuals based on their sexual orientation or gender identity while reaffirming a commitment to treat all federal employees and veterans with equal respect and fairness. The bill functions as a formal statement of regret and does not create any legal claims, financial settlements, or new laws.
This bill, known as the Gun Records Restoration and Preservation Act, aims to repeal specific restrictions on how the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives manages gun-related data. By removing these limits, the legislation would allow federal agencies to keep instant background check records longer than the current 24-hour requirement and enable the ATF to conduct annual inventory audits of gun dealers. Additionally, the bill would permit the consolidation of firearms records and allow for more Freedom of Information Act requests regarding gun traces. These changes are intended to help law enforcement track illegal firearms more effectively and support research into gun trafficking patterns.
The PRIDE Act of 2026 expands the Office of Minority and Women Inclusion to include LGBTQI+ individuals and businesses. It amends existing financial and housing laws to require the office to consider gender identity and sexual orientation when enforcing regulations and supporting small businesses. The bill formally defines LGBTQI+ as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, or intersex and sets a standard where more than 50 percent of a business's ownership and profits must accrue to LGBTQI+ individuals to qualify as LGBTQI+-owned. This change directly affects the Department of the Treasury's oversight of financial institutions and the Small Business Administration's lending programs. By updating the legal definitions within the Dodd-Frank Act and related housing legislation, the bill ensures that federal support and compliance measures explicitly cover the LGBTQI+ community.
The Postsecondary Student Success Act of 2026 creates a competitive grant program to help colleges improve graduation rates for high-need students, including those from low-income backgrounds, first-generation families, and military-connected individuals. To receive funding between 2027 and 2032, eligible institutions must submit plans detailing how they will use evidence-based strategies, such as better advising, accelerated learning options, and improved transfer pathways, to support student retention and completion. The law requires that at least 20 percent of the available funds go to projects using the most rigorously tested methods and mandates that 2 percent be reserved specifically for Tribal Colleges and Universities. Additionally, the Department of Education must evaluate the effectiveness of these programs and report the results to Congress within 18 months of the bill's enactment.
This bill, known as the Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act, expands legal protections for firearm manufacturers and sellers by strengthening their immunity from civil lawsuits. It requires courts to immediately dismiss any pending cases against these companies that are based on the criminal or unlawful misuse of a gun by a third party, while also clarifying that sellers are not liable for negligence in entrusting products to others. The legislation further restricts who can file such suits by prohibiting foreign governments from bringing these claims and adding a specific exception for victims under the age of 17, though it maintains immunity for cases involving design or manufacturing defects. Additionally, the bill allows companies to move these cases to federal court and grants them the right to appeal dismissal orders immediately, along with the ability to recover legal fees if they win. Finally, it preempts state and local laws that attempt to impose liability on these entities for the same types of misuse-related harms.
This bill proposes changes to the Social Security system that would affect workers, retirees, and survivors. Starting in 2028, it requires individuals to pay Social Security taxes on a decreasing percentage of their earnings above the annual cap, eventually eliminating the tax on excess income by 2032. The legislation also adjusts how benefits are calculated by increasing the portion of high earnings that count toward future payments and creating a new index to track inflation specifically for elderly consumers. Additionally, it modifies benefits for widows and widowers in two-income households and ensures that Supplemental Security Income recipients are not penalized by changes to their Social Security benefits.
The ReCement Act amends federal regulations to allow cement manufacturers to use non-hazardous secondary materials as fuel or ingredients without classifying them as waste. This change directly affects the cement industry by permitting the use of recovered resources that meet specific legitimacy criteria, such as being managed as valuable commodities or processed before use. By updating the definition of what constitutes waste under the Solid Waste Disposal Act, the bill aims to increase material efficiency in cement production through the incorporation of alternative fuels and recovered materials.
This bill, known as the Supreme Court Justice Circuit Riding Act, would require Supreme Court justices to travel across the country to serve as judges in federal appeals courts, a practice that had ended in 1911. Under the new rules, justices must sit on at least one panel of an appeals court for a minimum of 10 days of oral arguments each year, while also being eligible to vote on panel rehearings but barred from participating in full court en banc reviews. The legislation mandates that these appearances occur in person rather than via video or teleconference and establishes a system for reimbursing travel and lodging expenses. Additionally, the bill adds a disqualification provision to prevent a justice from voting on any case after they have already participated in it as a circuit judge. Finally, the Chief Justice is tasked with creating regulations within 180 days to manage the assignment of justices to specific circuits.
The Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act of 2026 eliminates a federal tax credit that allowed parents to deduct contributions to scholarship granting organizations from their income. By removing these specific tax breaks, the bill prevents the use of public tax dollars to support private school vouchers and scholarship programs. This change directly affects families who currently rely on these tax incentives to fund education outside the public school system. The provisions take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.
The DASH Act aims to expand affordable housing options for low-income individuals, homeless persons, and first-time homebuyers by creating new federal programs and modifying existing tax laws. A primary component is the creation of 250,000 new rental vouchers in 2026 for people experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness, which includes funding for supportive services like healthcare and job training, as well as requirements for public housing agencies to prioritize youth and families. The bill also establishes a modular construction pilot program to lower building costs, a grant system to reward local governments that adopt zoning rules allowing denser housing like duplexes and accessory dwelling units, and a new tax credit to help low-income families purchase starter homes in distressed communities. Additionally, the legislation introduces a new refundable tax credit for first-time homebuyers, expands tax incentives for middle-income housing, and makes several adjustments to how homeowners can deduct losses or handle debt discharges related to their principal residences.
The Parent PLUS Loan Fairness and Responsibility Act of 2026 allows parents to transfer their existing federal student loans directly to their adult children under specific conditions. To qualify for this transfer, the loan must be in good standing, have been used for the child's education, and the child must be at least 18 years old with demonstrated ability to repay based on income and credit history. Once transferred, the child becomes the sole borrower responsible for the debt, while the parent is relieved of all repayment obligations and the loan retains its original terms and forgiveness eligibility. The bill also ensures that payments made before the transfer count toward Public Service Loan Forgiveness and that the transferred amount does not affect the child's future borrowing limits.
