Massachusetts Congressional Bills

in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 30, 2026

HR 8592: No WAR Act

The No WAR Act prohibits Congress from using budget reconciliation procedures to fund military hostilities against Iran unless such actions are explicitly authorized by a formal declaration of war or a specific authorization for the use of military force. This legislation directly affects the legislative process by establishing a point of order that blocks any reconciliation bill attempting to provide budget authority for offensive military operations, strikes, or covert actions targeting Iranian military forces, territory, or government institutions. The bill also defines proxy forces as any foreign military or irregular groups operating with U.S. direction or material support, ensuring these entities are included in the restrictions on unauthorized funding. By amending the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act, the measure aims to prevent the use of budgetary shortcuts to bypass the constitutional requirement for congressional approval before engaging in armed conflict with Iran.

Val T. Hoyle (D) · 58 co-sponsors

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 30, 2026

SJRES 112: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Industry and Security of the Department of Commerce relating to "One Year Suspension of Expansion of End-User Controls for Affiliates of Certain Listed Entities".

SJRES 112 is a joint resolution seeking congressional disapproval of a Department of Commerce rule that would have suspended for one year the expansion of export controls on affiliates of certain entities already subject to U.S. restrictions. The rule, published in November 2025, aimed to delay stricter requirements for companies linked to designated entities under national security export regulations. If passed, this resolution would nullify the rule, requiring the expanded controls to take effect immediately instead of being paused. This directly affects businesses operating as affiliates of entities listed in U.S. export control programs.

passed · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SRES 703: A resolution expressing support for the designation of the week of May 3, 2026, through May 9, 2026, as "National Small Business Week" to celebrate the contributions of small businesses and entrepreneurs in every community in the United States.

This Senate resolution formally recognizes the week of May 3 through May 9, 2026, as National Small Business Week to honor the contributions of small business owners and entrepreneurs across the United States. The measure expresses appreciation for the economic role these businesses play and acknowledges the resilience of their owners and employees. By adopting this designation, the Senate aims to celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit within every community without imposing any new laws or regulations.

Joni Ernst (R) · 88 co-sponsors

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SRES 700: A resolution expressing support for the designation of April 1, 2026, through April 30, 2026, as "Fair Chance Jobs Month".

This Senate resolution expresses support for designating April 2026 as "Fair Chance Jobs Month" to raise awareness about employment barriers faced by formerly incarcerated individuals. While the bill itself does not change laws, it encourages the removal of obstacles like licensing restrictions and promotes fair-chance hiring practices. The resolution also calls for expanded workforce development programs, better access to housing and healthcare, and increased collaboration between government agencies and community groups to help returning citizens secure stable employment.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing ✓ Labor & Employment

in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 29, 2026

HRES 1234: Supporting the mission and goals of National Fentanyl Awareness Day in 2026, including increasing individual and public awareness of the impact of fake or counterfeit fentanyl pills on families and young people.

This resolution expresses support for National Fentanyl Awareness Day in 2026 and highlights the dangers of counterfeit pills that look like legitimate prescription medications. It notes that these fake pills often contain lethal doses of fentanyl and have been found in all 50 states, posing a significant risk to families and young people. The document also acknowledges the efforts of law enforcement agencies in seizing millions of these dangerous pills and encourages continued prevention efforts.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 29, 2026

HRES 1228: Directing the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform of the House of Representatives to initiate or intervene in judicial proceedings.

This resolution directs the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform to take legal action in federal court to enforce a subpoena issued to Attorney General Pamela Bondi. The specific goal is to obtain a court order requiring Bondi to provide deposition testimony and documents related to the government's handling of sex trafficking cases and the Jeffrey Epstein investigation. The House Office of General Counsel is authorized to represent the committee in these proceedings and may hire additional private lawyers to assist. If the committee initiates or intervenes in the lawsuit, it must report its actions to the full House of Representatives as soon as possible.

Robert Garcia (D) · 20 co-sponsors

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 29, 2026

S 4438: Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2026

The Promoting Access to Broadband Act of 2026 directs the Federal Communications Commission to create two grant programs for states to improve access to the Lifeline broadband subsidy. The first program provides funding to help states inform low-income residents who qualify for the Lifeline benefit but are not yet enrolled about how to apply and what the program offers. The second program funds states to connect their local benefit databases with the National Lifeline Eligibility Verifier, ensuring that receipt of other government assistance is properly recorded for eligibility checks. To receive these grants, states must submit detailed plans outlining their outreach strategies and expected reach, with the FCC prioritizing areas with more eligible individuals and diverse geographic regions. The bill also requires the FCC to report on the programs' effectiveness to Congress within three years and authorizes funding for the first five fiscal years.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Technology

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 29, 2026

S 4436: Protecting Human Rights and Public Health in Foreign Assistance Act

This bill, known as the Protecting Human Rights and Public Health in Foreign Assistance Act, directs federal agencies to ignore three specific final rules issued by the Department of State. It explicitly prohibits any government department from implementing, enforcing, or creating new policies similar to these existing rules, effectively treating them as if they never existed. The targeted regulations concern protecting life, combating discriminatory equity ideology, and addressing gender ideology within foreign aid programs. By nullifying these rules, the legislation removes the current administrative requirements related to these topics from U.S. foreign assistance activities.

Jeanne Shaheen (D) · 42 co-sponsors

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 29, 2026

S 4434: CLEAN Mergers Act

The CLEAN Mergers Act strengthens antitrust enforcement by requiring companies involved in mergers worth at least $10 billion to divest assets or keep them separate while regulators review the deal. It also allows agencies to retroactively investigate and force divestitures of smaller mergers if they were approved despite internal objections, evidence of corruption, or misleading information. To support these measures, the bill mandates strict record-keeping for all parties and extends the time limit for filing antitrust lawsuits from four to ten years.

in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 29, 2026

HR 8588: Housing FIRST Act

This bill amends the Fair Credit Reporting Act to restrict how background information is shared with landlords when screening potential tenants. It directly affects individuals with criminal records by prohibiting consumer reporting agencies from including specific data in reports used for rental housing decisions. Key provisions ban the inclusion of arrest records, juvenile adjudications, expunged convictions, and cases resolved through diversion programs, while also preventing the reporting of convictions that have been completed or where the individual is currently on probation or parole. Additionally, the legislation requires landlords who deny housing based on these reports to provide applicants with the specific reasons for the denial within three days. Finally, the bill prevents states from setting their own time limits for how long certain types of criminal information can be excluded from these reports.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Housing

Ayanna Pressley (D) · 20 co-sponsors

in committee · Massachusetts · House Apr 29, 2026

HR 8582: Protecting Human Rights and Public Health in Foreign Assistance Act

This bill, titled the Protecting Human Rights and Public Health in Foreign Assistance Act, aims to cancel specific regulations issued by the Department of State. It directly affects the federal government by prohibiting any department or agency from enforcing, implementing, or proposing rules related to protecting life, combating discriminatory equity ideology, and combating gender ideology in foreign aid programs. The legislation treats these cancelled rules as if they never existed, effectively nullifying their impact on future foreign assistance policies.

Grace Meng (D) · 173 co-sponsors

in committee · Massachusetts · Senate Apr 29, 2026

SJRES 99: A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services relating to "Removal of the Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization Documents".

This joint resolution (SJRES 99) seeks congressional disapproval of a specific U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) rule that removed automatic extensions for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). The rule, published in the Federal Register on October 30, 2025, ended the prior practice of automatically extending work permits for certain immigrants while their renewal applications were pending. If approved, this resolution would block the rule from taking effect, restoring the automatic extension process for EAD holders. The policy change directly affects non-citizens in the U.S. who hold EADs and are waiting for renewal processing, preventing potential gaps in work authorization.

Topics ✓ Immigration ✓ Labor & Employment

Massachusetts Congressional Bills

Bill results