The Fairness in Federal Disaster Declarations Act of 2026 requires FEMA to revise its rules for evaluating disaster assistance requests by establishing specific weighted criteria. For public assistance, localized impacts receive 40% weight, while economic factors (like local tax base, median income, and poverty rate compared to the state) receive 10%. For individual assistance, damage concentration and trauma each get 20% weight, with economic factors (same local indicators) receiving 5%. These changes apply to disaster declarations denied on or after January 1, 2012, directly affecting communities that previously had requests rejected due to insufficient economic consideration.
S 3905, the Tariff Refund Act of 2026, requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to refund all duties unlawfully collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to importers within 180 days of the bill's enactment, including interest. It mandates CBP to reliquidate previously processed imports to calculate refunds and prioritizes small businesses for faster processing, with coordinated outreach to them via the Small Business Administration. The bill also requires CBP to submit regular reports to Congress detailing refund progress and timelines. This directly affects importers who paid IEEPA duties, with specific provisions to streamline refunds for small business importers.
The American Homeownership Act restricts tax deductions for interest and depreciation on residential properties owned by institutional investment entities or "large owners" (defined as those holding 50+ single-family units). It creates exceptions for new construction, rehabilitation of uninhabitable properties, sales to individuals for primary residence, and properties serving affordable housing through tax credit programs. The bill also prohibits federal housing agencies from selling properties or providing mortgage loans to these large investors and allocates savings from these tax changes to fund affordable housing programs. These provisions aim to encourage homeownership by limiting tax benefits for large-scale rental property ownership while directing resources toward affordable housing development.
The SAVES Act of 2025 establishes a five-year pilot program at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to fund nonprofit organizations that provide service dogs to eligible veterans with specific disabilities, such as blindness, mobility issues, PTSD, or traumatic brain injury. Nonprofits must apply competitively, meet training and animal welfare standards (including ADA compliance), and provide service dogs at no cost to veterans, with the VA covering all program expenses. The VA will also provide ongoing veterinary insurance for the dogs, which continues even after the pilot ends. This program is funded with $10 million annually for five years, targeting veterans as defined by VA medical criteria.
HR 7659 designates the Pride flag as an authorized flag eligible for display at all National Park System units, including national monuments and parks. The bill specifically expresses Congress's sense that the Pride flag should be displayed at the Stonewall National Monument in New York City, which commemorates the 1969 LGBTQ rights uprising at the Stonewall Inn. It cites the monument’s significance as the first U.S. national monument dedicated to LGBTQ history and condemns the removal of the Pride flag from the site. The bill does not change existing park regulations but formally recognizes the Pride flag’s eligibility for display under National Park Service policy. It directly affects how the National Park Service manages flag displays at the Stonewall National Monument and other park locations.
HR 2969, the Finding ORE Act, authorizes the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to enter into memorandums of understanding (MOUs) with partner countries that supply critical minerals and rare earth elements. The bill requires these MOUs to include cooperative mapping of mineral reserves, give U.S. or allied foreign country companies the "right of first refusal" for development, and facilitate U.S. private-sector investment through financial institutions like the Development Finance Corporation. It also mandates data protection for mapping information against unauthorized access by non-partner or non-allied countries. This legislation directly affects partner foreign countries (mineral sources), U.S. companies, and the U.S. Geological Survey, focusing on securing supply chains through international scientific collaboration.
This bill increases the annual stipend for books, supplies, and educational materials under the Post-9/11 GI Bill from $1,000 to $1,400, effective immediately. It also establishes a new automatic annual adjustment starting in fiscal year 2026, tying stipend increases to inflation using the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Specifically, the stipend will rise each year by the percentage difference between the current CPI and the previous year’s CPI. This directly affects veterans using the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program for their education expenses.
End Veteran Homelessness Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish case management to certain veterans who are eligible for the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the VA. Specifically, the VA must furnish case management to veterans who are eligible for HUD-VASH that the VA determines require case management. The VA must prioritize vulnerable homeless veterans in assigning case managers and providing services. The VA must take certain actions if a veteran refuses case management. HUD or a public housing authority may not revoke assistance solely on the basis that a veteran has refused case management. Additionally, a veteran may not be evicted or penalized by the owner of a property solely on the basis that they have refused case management or cannot be provided case management for health and safety reasons. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on veterans who are served by the HUD-VASH program, case managers and case management services provided under the program, and metrics about housing stability for veterans participating in federal housing assistance programs. The bill also provides statutory authority to expand eligibility for the HUD-VASH program to any veteran who is homeless, at risk of homelessness, or receiving assistance under another housing assistance program if the VA determines a voucher under HUD-VASH is more appropriate. (Currently, assistance is statutorily limited to certain veterans who have chronic mental illness or substance use disorders.)
HRES 1073 is a non-binding resolution designating February 21-28, 2026, as "National FFA Week" to recognize the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Organization’s role in developing agricultural education leaders and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Alaska’s State FFA Association. It does not create new laws or affect any specific groups or policies; instead, it formally expresses the House’s support for this commemorative week. The resolution highlights FFA’s mission to prepare students for leadership and careers in agriculture, food, and natural resources. As a symbolic gesture, it has no direct legislative or financial impact on constituents.
HRES 1071 is a non-binding resolution recognizing the historical desegregation efforts at Girard College in Philadelphia and the civil rights leaders involved. It highlights how the college, founded in 1848 to admit only poor white male orphans, rejected African-American students in 1954, leading to legal challenges led by figures like Raymond Pace Alexander and Cecil B. Moore. The resolution notes the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1957 ruling that the racial ban was unconstitutional, followed by Girard College’s eventual admission of seven students in 1968 after further court action. The resolution formally acknowledges these events and the leaders’ contributions to expanding civil rights and integration.
This resolution (HRES 1074) is a symbolic gesture by the U.S. House of Representatives to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), founded in 1851. It does not create new laws or affect any policies; instead, it formally congratulates the YMCA for its long-standing service. The resolution highlights the YMCA’s historical contributions, such as inventing basketball, establishing early childcare programs, and providing pandemic-era support. It recognizes the organization’s nationwide impact - serving over 17 million people annually through its 2,600 locations - and commends its staff and volunteers for fostering community connection and well-being.
This bill, titled the Security and Freedom Enhancement Act of 2026, amends the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act to reform how intelligence agencies collect and use information about Americans. It directly affects the FBI, intelligence agencies, and the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court by requiring stricter rules on searching communications of U.S. persons and limiting access to data about Americans located in the United States. Key provisions include mandatory audits of FBI queries, new approval requirements for searching sensitive individuals like elected officials, expanded reporting to Congress, and restrictions on purchasing personal data from data brokers. The bill also strengthens oversight by requiring the Inspector General to conduct periodic audits and mandates greater transparency through public reporting of surveillance activities.
