Criminal Justice

The Justice for Incarcerated Moms Act aims to improve maternal health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum individuals in the criminal justice system by restricting financial incentives for states that use restraints on pregnant inmates. Under the bill, states receiving federal justice grants would face a 25 percent funding penalty if they fail to implement laws limiting the use of shackles on pregnant individuals, with those withheld funds redirected to compliant states. The legislation also directs the Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Justice to create and fund programs in at least six federal facilities and across various state and local prisons that provide specialized prenatal care, mental health support, and reentry assistance. These programs are designed to address specific health disparities, particularly for racial and ethnic minority groups, by offering culturally competent care, nutrition counseling, and opportunities to maintain contact with newborn children. Additionally, the act requires an independent oversight organization to monitor program implementation and mandates a Government Accountability Office report to analyze maternal and infant health data within the correctional system.

This resolution allows the House of Representatives to immediately consider and pass H.R. 185, known as the Epstein Files Transparency Act II, which strengthens rules for releasing government documents related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. The bill empowers state attorneys general and victims to sue the U.S. Attorney General in federal court if they believe records are being unlawfully withheld, redacted, or delayed, while also requiring courts to expedite these legal cases. It mandates that victims receive unredacted copies of records pertaining to them and grants state law enforcement full access to previously sealed or classified materials for their investigations. Additionally, the law imposes criminal penalties on federal officials who conceal or falsify records and requires Members of Congress to receive unredacted documents within seven days of requesting them.

The Fourth Amendment Restoration and Protection Act of 2026 restricts how U.S. intelligence agencies can surveil and use information about American citizens. It prohibits officials from conducting electronic surveillance, physical searches, or data collection specifically targeting United States persons under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act and Executive Order 12333. Additionally, the bill bans government agencies from using search terms related to Americans to query intelligence databases and generally forbids using such collected information as evidence against those individuals in legal proceedings. The only exception allows an American citizen who was surveilled to use that same information in their own defense during a criminal, civil, or administrative case.

This bill strengthens the Epstein Files Transparency Act by giving state attorneys general and victims the legal right to sue the U.S. Attorney General if they unlawfully withhold, redact, or delay access to investigation records. It requires the Justice Department to provide unredacted copies of documents to state officials for use in investigations and to victims personally, while allowing redactions only to protect the privacy of other victims. The legislation also mandates that courts expedite these cases, removes common legal excuses for hiding documents, and imposes criminal penalties on federal employees who obstruct compliance. Additionally, it grants Members of Congress the authority to request full access to records and to file lawsuits if the Attorney General fails to comply within a set timeframe.

The Subpoena Abuse Prevention Act restricts how federal agencies can use administrative subpoenas to obtain phone and app records from service providers. It requires agencies to identify a specific person or account before requesting data, bans subpoenas aimed at investigating or retaliating against constitutionally protected activities like free speech, and mandates that agencies certify the subpoena's legitimate purpose. The law also allows service providers to notify customers about the subpoena and consult with lawyers, unless a court order specifically prevents such notification. Additionally, federal agencies must publicly report annually on the number of subpoenas issued and the total accounts affected.

The Universal School Meals Program Act of 2026 mandates that all public schools provide free breakfast and lunch to every enrolled student, regardless of income. It establishes specific funding rates for these meals, adjusts payments based on the use of locally sourced food, and eliminates the ability of schools to collect debt for unpaid charges. Additionally, the bill expands free meal access to summer programs, afterschool care, and incarcerated juveniles while updating poverty measurement standards across various federal education and nutrition laws.

This resolution expresses support for police officers and other law enforcement personnel. The resolution further recognizes law enforcement officers across the United States in the pursuit of preserving safe and secure communities; the need to ensure that such officers have the equipment, training, and resources necessary to protect their health and safety while they are protecting the public; and the law enforcement community for acts of sacrifice and heroism. The resolution expresses condolences and appreciation to the loved ones of each law enforcement officer who has made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty.

This bill amends the Small Business Act to require the Service Corps of Retired Executives to provide entrepreneurship counseling and training to individuals formerly incarcerated in federal prisons across the country. The program would offer one-on-one mentoring sessions over a year, workshops, and instructional materials designed to help formerly incarcerated people start or expand small businesses. Key services include assistance with creating business plans, identifying funding sources, and connecting with local business resources, along with regular surveys to measure participant satisfaction. The bill also mandates annual reports to Congress detailing the number of participants, hours of mentorship provided, demographic information, and an analysis of survey results.

The Surveillance Accountability Act aims to strengthen Fourth Amendment protections against warrantless government searches, directly affecting federal employees involved in surveillance and individuals whose data or privacy is subject to government access. It generally mandates that government entities obtain a warrant based on probable cause for most searches, explicitly requiring one to access data held by third-party companies like internet providers or financial institutions. While outlining exceptions for situations like plain view or publicly available information, the bill specifically prohibits the warrantless collection or analysis of biometric data (e.g., facial recognition) or license plate reader data from public places without informed consent. Additionally, it creates a new legal avenue for individuals to sue federal employees who violate their Fourth Amendment rights, allowing for redress and attorney's fees.

This resolution formally acknowledges the work of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in protecting communities from violent criminals and illegal immigrants. It calls on state and local law enforcement to cooperate with federal partners in investigating threats against ICE officers and condemns violence directed at federal law enforcement personnel. The measure also thanks ICE agents for their expanded security roles at airports during a partial government shutdown. As a congressional resolution, it does not change laws or funding but serves as an official statement of support and condemnation of violence.