This Senate resolution formally recognizes and honors Cambodian veterans of the Khmer National Armed Forces for their service and sacrifices during the Vietnam War era. The bill highlights their direct support of U.S. military efforts, including intelligence gathering, combat operations, and assisting in the evacuation of American personnel from Phnom Penh in 1975. It also acknowledges the hardships these veterans faced, such as the Khmer Rouge genocide and subsequent resettlement challenges in the United States. By issuing this recognition, the Senate aims to express gratitude for their historical contributions without changing any laws or policies.
This House resolution reaffirms the United States' commitment to protecting refugees and displaced persons by calling for the restoration of the Refugee Admissions Program and asylum protections. It urges federal officials to lift current bans on refugee entry, resume vetting for approved applicants, and increase humanitarian aid to host countries. The measure highlights the economic contributions of refugees and emphasizes the need for fair, humane policies that align with international obligations and domestic law.
This resolution expresses support for designating June 21, 2026, as National ASK Day to promote the safe storage of firearms in homes. The bill encourages parents to ask visitors if there are guns in their house and, if so, whether those guns are locked and unloaded. It also urges medical and public health professionals to discuss gun safety and secure storage with their patients and parents. This symbolic measure aims to raise awareness about preventing accidental shootings and suicides among children by ensuring guns are stored safely.
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should recognize and encourage acts of kindness to foster community and build social resilience. It highlights the belief that kindness strengthens families, neighborhoods, and the nation by connecting people across differences and promoting a healthier society. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic statement affirming the value of everyday compassionate actions.
The PFAS Alternatives Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create grant programs that help develop and train firefighters on using protective gear free from PFAS chemicals. Under this law, eligible nonprofit and educational organizations can receive funding to research next-generation turnout gear that maintains safety standards without relying on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The legislation allocates up to $25 million between 2027 and 2031 for research grants and $2 million between 2028 and 2032 for training initiatives, ensuring that new gear designs are tested and that first responders learn proper care and decontamination methods. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary to submit a progress report to Congress within two years of enactment to track the implementation of these safety improvements.
The No Robot Bosses Act prevents employers from relying predominantly on automated systems to make hiring, firing, or other employment decisions, while also requiring these systems to be transparent about how they evaluate workers. Companies using such technology must disclose how the system works, train their staff on potential biases, and allow employees to opt out of having their applications or management handled by algorithms. The bill mandates that developers and employers conduct detailed pre-deployment evaluations and annual impact assessments to ensure these tools do not discriminate or harm workers' rights. A new Fairness and Transparency Office within the Department of Labor will oversee compliance, investigate violations, and enforce penalties that include substantial fines and protections against retaliation for whistleblowers.
The Stop Spying Bosses Act establishes new federal rules to limit how employers collect, use, and share employee data, primarily affecting businesses with at least 11 workers and their employees. It prohibits employers from gathering sensitive information such as biometric scans, off-duty activities, or political views unless the data is strictly necessary for specific job functions like ensuring safety or administering benefits. The law requires employers to clearly disclose what data they collect and how it influences decisions about hiring, firing, or promotions, while also granting workers the right to access and correct their own records. To enforce these standards, the bill creates a new Worker Protection and Technology Division within the Department of Labor, which will investigate violations and provide whistleblower protections against retaliation. Additionally, the legislation invalidates pre-dispute arbitration agreements that would stop workers from joining class-action lawsuits regarding privacy violations.
The Saving the OOI Act of 2026 directs the National Science Foundation to stop using federal money to shut down or reduce the scope of the Ocean Observatories Initiative instruments located off Oregon, Washington, Alaska, North Carolina, and in the Irminger Sea. Instead, the bill requires the NSF to keep these ocean monitoring systems fully operational until a comprehensive review of the initiative is conducted with input from scientists and coastal communities. This legislation ensures that the existing network continues to function without interruption while the evaluation process takes place.
The Honor Their Service Act directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide grants to eligible organizations that offer immigration legal assistance to noncitizen veterans. These funds are intended to help veterans facing deportation, seeking citizenship, or needing discharge upgrades by covering legal services in removal proceedings, naturalization applications, and reentry efforts. To ensure broad access, the bill requires the VA to establish clear eligibility criteria, consult with relevant service groups, and prioritize funding for entities that can deliver services virtually or in remote areas. The legislation authorizes $20 million in funding for fiscal years 2027 through 2030 and mandates biennial reports to Congress detailing the number of assisted veterans and the effectiveness of the programs.
The Protect Local Funding Act prohibits federal agencies from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing a specific proposed rule regarding federal financial assistance scheduled for publication in May 2026. This legislation directly affects the Office of Management and Budget and other federal agencies by legally blocking them from acting on that particular regulation. By preventing the enforcement of this rule, the bill aims to stop a specific administrative action that could impact how federal funds are distributed. The measure does not alter existing funding programs but rather serves as a procedural barrier to a future regulatory change.
The FAST Repairs for Wheelchairs Act prohibits Medicare Advantage plans from requiring prior authorization, prescriptions, or medical documentation for repairs to complex rehabilitation wheelchairs and their accessories. This change directly affects individuals who use these devices, allowing them to get necessary maintenance without waiting for plan approval. However, the law still permits plans to review the initial medical necessity of the equipment or approve replacements when the device is lost, damaged, or has been used for five years. By removing these specific barriers for repairs, the bill aims to ensure faster access to essential maintenance services for wheelchair users.
The No 9/11 Family Left Behind Act of 2026 provides an additional lump-sum payment to certain eligible families of victims of state-sponsored terrorism. This extra payment equals 5.8573 percent of the original judgment amount awarded to those who have not yet received a prior payment under the existing law. The bill requires the Special Master to notify eligible claimants within 90 days of the act's enactment and to process their claims for this additional amount within 90 days of receiving the necessary information. Funding for these payments will come from any unappropriated funds in the U.S. Treasury.
