This resolution expresses support for designating the week of May 3 through May 9, 2026, as "National Small Business Week." It aims to honor the contributions of small businesses and entrepreneurs across the United States, acknowledging their role in supporting millions of jobs. The bill does not create new laws or regulations but serves as a formal statement of appreciation from the House of Representatives.
This resolution formally designates May 10, 2026, as National Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Mental Health Day to raise awareness about mental health within these communities. The text highlights that many individuals in this diverse group face barriers to care, including high costs, language differences, and cultural stigma, which result in low rates of treatment utilization. While the measure itself is symbolic and does not create new laws or funding, it encourages federal, state, and local agencies to develop policies that improve access to culturally and linguistically appropriate mental health services.
The Blood Pressure MATTERS Act requires health insurance plans, Medicaid programs, and the Children's Health Insurance Program to cover self-measured blood pressure monitors for pregnant and postpartum individuals without charging copayments or deductibles. This coverage applies to devices that allow individuals to measure their own blood pressure without a doctor's help, provided the device is FDA-cleared and listed on a specific validated registry. The law mandates that these devices be covered regardless of whether a person has been diagnosed with high blood pressure, but limits the benefit to one device per person every two years. These changes take effect approximately 120 days after the bill is enacted, with a grace period for states that need to pass additional legislation to comply.
The Make DTE Pay Act amends the Clean Air Act to increase penalties for investor-owned electric and gas utilities that fail to comply with environmental regulations. Specifically, the bill requires that if a utility raises its rates within two years before or after receiving a penalty, the fine amount must be doubled. This provision directly affects utility companies by ensuring they cannot offset the financial cost of noncompliance with rate hikes passed on to consumers. The law aims to prevent utilities from using rate increases to recover the money they owe to the government for environmental violations.
The Homeownership Savings Act creates a new tax-advantaged account designed to help first-time homebuyers save for down payments and closing costs. This program allows individuals to deduct up to $3,000 annually from their federal income taxes for contributions made to a qualified homeownership savings account, subject to limits based on earned income and modified adjusted gross income. Contributions to these accounts are also excluded from federal income, Social Security, and unemployment taxes if made by employers, and funds withdrawn for approved housing expenses remain tax-free. The bill includes specific rules for account termination, penalties for non-qualified withdrawals, and requires trustees to file reports with the IRS. These tax provisions are scheduled to take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.
The Main Street BRIDGE Act requires the Small Business Administration and the Minority Business Development Agency to work together within 180 days to better support small businesses. These two agencies must collaborate on consultations, educational events, and outreach efforts to help small business owners. Two years after the law passes, they must submit a report to Congress detailing the results of this cooperation, including the number of businesses served, jobs created, and financial assistance provided. The bill also defines key terms to ensure both agencies understand their specific roles in this partnership.
This bill expands the review authority of the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to include real estate transactions involving specific foreign nations and entities linked to them. It designates certain locations, such as military bases, agricultural land, and critical infrastructure, as "sensitive sites" where purchases or leases by foreign adversaries face stricter scrutiny. Under the new rules, these transactions are presumed to pose an unresolvable national security risk unless the committee provides clear evidence that the threat can be mitigated. The legislation also ensures that existing state laws restricting foreign ownership of farmland remain in effect and requires the committee to issue new regulations within 120 days of enactment.
The Lower Prices at the Pump Act prohibits businesses from selling gasoline or petroleum distillates at prices deemed unconscionably excessive during a specific period tied to potential military operations against Iran. This ban applies to both wholesale and retail transactions and remains in effect until the President certifies that military operations have ceased and the Strait of Hormuz is fully open. To enforce these rules, the Federal Trade Commission will investigate violations using its existing powers, while state attorneys general can also file civil lawsuits to stop unfair pricing or seek compensation for affected residents. Penalties for breaking the law include fines of up to $500 million, and any money collected from these penalties will be placed in a fund to assist low-income households with home energy costs.
The Assault Weapon Financing Accountability Act prohibits the use of "Buy Now, Pay Later" loans to purchase semiautomatic assault weapons. This ban applies to both lenders offering these short-term credit products and dealers who accept such loans for firearm sales. The bill defines "semiautomatic assault weapons" based on specific physical features like pistol grips, forward grips, and high-capacity magazines, and sets a civil penalty of $100,000 for violations by lenders or sellers.
This bill, titled the Nursing is a Professional Degree Act, updates federal definitions to classify nursing degrees as professional degrees. It directly affects students pursuing nursing education and the federal financial aid programs that support them. The legislation amends the Higher Education Act to explicitly list nursing degrees, such as the Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice, alongside other advanced fields like medicine and law. By making this change, the bill ensures that nursing programs are recognized at the same level as other established professional disciplines within the federal student aid system.
This bill establishes a new Office of Export Controls and Border Security within the U.S. Department of State to help partner countries prevent the spread of weapons of mass destruction. The Office will train foreign nations on how to better regulate the export of sensitive technologies and goods that could be misused for military purposes. It also requires the Secretary of State to create a coordinated strategy using advanced analytics to identify risks and strengthen global supply chain security. Additionally, the legislation mandates that different parts of the State Department work together to avoid duplicating efforts in border security assistance.
This bill strengthens penalties for illegally importing electronic nicotine delivery systems, commonly known as vapes, into the United States. It directly affects companies and individuals who attempt to bring unauthorized vaping products into the country by increasing civil fines based on the number of devices and the severity of the violation. Under the new rules, fines can reach up to $5,000 per unit for fraudulent actions, $1,000 for gross negligence, and $500 for simple negligence, with multipliers applied for repeat offenses or attempts to evade customs laws. The legislation defines an unauthorized device as any vape product not approved by the Food and Drug Administration for sale in the U.S. and ensures that federal agencies retain their existing authority to pursue criminal or administrative actions alongside these new civil penalties.
