This non-binding resolution (HRES 844) expresses the U.S. House of Representatives' support for designating October 2025 as "Crime Prevention Month." It encourages federal agencies to fund evidence-based crime prevention programs - like youth mentorship, mental health services, and neighborhood safety initiatives - and urges state/local governments to adopt strategies such as Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. The resolution also commends community workers and calls on all citizens to participate in public safety activities during October. It has no legal effect but aims to raise awareness and foster collaboration across communities, government, and private sectors to reduce crime.
HRES 842 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House's support for placing a statue of Charles "Charlie" James Kirk in the Capitol's House wing. It honors Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA and a conservative political figure assassinated in 2025, for his advocacy of free expression, civic engagement, and conservative principles. The resolution directs the House Fine Arts Board to accept the statue and display it permanently by January 2, 2027, though actual placement remains subject to the Board's approval. This is a symbolic gesture to commemorate Kirk's legacy, not a new law with policy impacts.
HRES 843 is a symbolic resolution supporting the designation of October 30 as an "International Day of Political Prisoners" in the United States. It expresses the House's solidarity with global political prisoners - estimated at 1 million - including journalists, activists, and dissidents detained for political reasons without credible charges. The resolution urges the U.S. government to continue efforts to condemn political imprisonment, secure releases through diplomacy, and raise international awareness. It does not create new laws or directly affect specific individuals, as it is a non-binding expression of support for an existing international observance.
HRES 850 is a symbolic congressional resolution designating November 8, 2025, as "National First-Generation College Celebration Day." It does not create new laws or policies but urges all Americans to recognize and celebrate first-generation college students (those whose parents did not earn bachelor's degrees) and the Higher Education Act of 1965, which established key support programs like TRIO and Pell Grants. The resolution acknowledges these students' unique challenges and contributions to the workforce without imposing any requirements or funding changes. It serves as a formal expression of support for existing initiatives, not a concrete policy action.
This bill ensures that critical firearm-related government operations continue during federal shutdowns. It designates background checks (via the FBI's National Instant Criminal Background Check System), Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives enforcement, and firearm export licensing (handled by Commerce and State Departments) as essential services that must remain operational. These functions would be treated as "excepted" under federal law, meaning their employees would continue working even if other government services halt. The bill affects how background checks and firearm export licenses are processed during shutdowns but does not change gun ownership laws or eligibility.
HR 5900, the SCAM Act, establishes a cross-agency task force to investigate and disrupt foreign-operated scam networks targeting U.S. citizens, particularly those linked to China-linked transnational crime groups in Southeast Asia. The task force, including agencies like Defense, State, Treasury, and the FTC, will identify scam trends, recommend policy actions (such as sanctions or cybersecurity measures), and propose ways to protect vulnerable Americans and U.S. interests. It requires a detailed report within one year on scam operations near military sites, their ties to foreign governments, and strategies to safeguard data, allies' sovereignty, and military installations. The task force’s authority expires five years after the report is submitted.
HR 5876, the Keep America Building Act, prevents federal agencies from using funds to halt construction work under government contracts during budget gaps. It directly affects federal contractors and agencies managing construction projects by requiring them to continue work without interruption if a government funding lapse occurs. The key provision bans the use of federal money to suspend, delay, or stop any part of a project covered by a contract during an appropriations lapse. This ensures continuity for ongoing construction projects without requiring new funding approvals during temporary budget shortfalls.
This bill requires retirement plans to provide clear, standardized disclosures to participants before they use brokerage windows (self-directed investment options outside the plan's recommended choices). It mandates a 4-part notice explaining that non-designated investments aren't monitored by plan managers, may carry higher fees/risks, and includes a graph showing projected retirement balances at 4%, 6%, and 8% annual returns. The disclosure must be provided each time a participant directs funds into, out of, or within a brokerage window. The rule applies to pension plans with individual accounts and takes effect January 1, 2026. It directly affects retirement plan participants who choose investments outside the plan's designated options.
This bill clarifies that retirement plan fiduciaries must prioritize financial factors - such as investment risk and return - when selecting investments or voting on shareholder matters. It prohibits using nonfinancial goals (like environmental or social objectives) to choose investments or votes unless financial factors are equal, requiring detailed documentation for such decisions. For shareholder voting, it allows plans to adopt "safe harbor" policies that limit voting to proposals with material economic impact (e.g., when a plan holds significant stakes in a company), while mandating records of all voting activity. The law applies to ERISA-covered retirement plans (like 401(k)s), taking effect for investment decisions one year after enactment and for shareholder voting starting January 1, 2026.
This bill ensures that critical firearm-related operations continue during government shutdowns by designating them as "excepted" under federal law. It specifically covers the FBI's background check system (NICS), ATF enforcement programs, Commerce Department firearm export licensing, and State Department defense trade controls. These functions would remain operational even if most government services halt, directly affecting firearm background checks and export licensing processes. The policy change prevents temporary disruptions to gun sales and international firearm transactions during shutdowns.
This bill ensures military personnel and their support staff continue receiving pay during government funding gaps in fiscal year 2026. It authorizes funds from the Treasury to cover pay and allowances for active-duty service members, reserves, military support civilians (including Coast Guard staff), and qualifying contractors if regular budget appropriations aren't approved. The funding remains available until the earliest of: a new budget passing, a continuing resolution without this funding, or January 1, 2027. It directly affects all active-duty military, reserve components, and civilian/contractor support staff within the Department of Defense and Coast Guard.
House Resolution 838 recognizes Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) as an annual celebration honoring deceased loved ones, particularly within Mexican-American, Latino, and Indigenous communities. The resolution acknowledges the holiday's cultural significance, including its historical roots and role in fostering family bonds, and expresses solidarity with families who have lost loved ones, especially those who died in immigration custody. It urges federal agencies to ensure humane treatment of individuals in immigration custody during cultural observances but does not create new legal requirements or policy changes. As a commemorative resolution, it serves only to symbolically affirm the holiday's importance without altering laws or funding.
