This resolution (HRES 1088) is a non-binding House of Representatives measure recognizing the importance of Black history museums and cultural institutions. It formally acknowledges their role in preserving Black American history and contributions, particularly in relation to the 2026 100th anniversary of Black History Month and the U.S. 250th anniversary. The resolution urges the House to affirm that Black history is foundational to American history and calls for federal agencies to support these institutions through funding and partnerships. It also encourages the public to visit these museums, support them financially, and engage with their educational resources. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funding, but serves as a symbolic endorsement of these institutions' cultural and historical significance.
This bill, titled the African American History Act of 2026, authorizes the Director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture to use up to $4 million annually for five years to support African American history education programs. The funding can be used to create digital and print educational resources, provide teacher training and professional development, expand museum collections, and develop online content for educators, students, and families. The legislation also requires the museum director to submit annual reports to Congress and provide briefings to congressional committees on how the funds are being used. Additionally, the bill includes a sense of Congress statement encouraging the federal government to lead efforts in improving the teaching of African American and other minority group histories.
This bill amends the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 to require the Treasury Secretary to testify annually before Congress about the Fund's operations. It also strengthens the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program by adjusting guarantee limits and extending the program's authorization period. Additionally, the bill expands capital assistance options for community development financial institutions and creates a new lending program specifically for Native community development financial institutions to support homeownership in Tribal and Native communities.
This bill expands Medicare Part B coverage for medical nutrition therapy (MNT) to include more chronic conditions beyond diabetes and kidney disease. It directly affects Medicare beneficiaries with conditions like obesity, hypertension, heart disease, cancer, eating disorders, and others listed in the bill. Key provisions broaden the definition of covered conditions and allow additional healthcare providers (like nurse practitioners and clinical psychologists for eating disorders) to deliver MNT services. The change would make MNT services covered for prevention, management, or treatment of these additional conditions, as determined by the Secretary.
This bill, known as the TAP Promotion Act, would allow representatives from recognized veterans service organizations to join presentations that inform service members about benefits they can access after leaving the military. These presentations are part of the Transition Assistance Program, which helps veterans prepare for civilian life, and the law requires that they be standardized and approved by the Department of Veterans Affairs before being used. The bill also mandates that the presentations include information on how veterans service organizations can help with filing benefit claims, while prohibiting any effort to encourage members to join a specific organization. Additionally, the Department of Veterans Affairs must submit an annual report to Congress detailing which organizations participated in these sessions and how many service members attended.
This bill, known as the Direct File Act of 2026, would establish a government-run online platform for taxpayers to prepare and file their individual income tax returns for free. It requires the Treasury Department to create a user-friendly system that uses IRS data to simplify the process, offers customer support, and is available in multiple languages and on mobile devices. The legislation also prohibits the Treasury from entering into agreements that would limit its ability to provide these tax preparation and filing services. Additionally, the bill allows eligible states to integrate their state tax filing with the federal system and provides funding to states that meet certain standards for doing so.
HR 7728, the Connect the Grid Act, requires Texas' ERCOT grid to connect with neighboring power systems by repealing its special exemptions from federal grid regulations. It mandates minimum power flow capacity between ERCOT and other grids (SPP, MISO, and the Western Interconnection) ranging from 2.5 to 12.6 gigawatts, with specific deadlines for new transmission projects by 2037. The bill directs grid operators to prioritize using existing infrastructure, degraded land sites, renewable energy access, and community engagement - including environmental justice and Tribal communities - in planning new transmission. It also increases federal funding for transmission projects and requires a study on benefits of connecting with Mexico’s grid.
HR 7736, the RELIEF Act, requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to refund tariffs collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) on imports entered on or after January 1, 2025. It directly affects importers of record by mandating automatic refunds within 90 days of the bill's enactment, without requiring them to submit applications or protests. The bill directs Customs to use existing data to calculate and disburse refunds for all affected tariff collections, including entries involving goods withdrawn from warehouse for consumption. This policy change eliminates the need for importers to seek refunds through separate processes, streamlining the recovery of overpaid duties.
HR 7740, the African American History Act of 2026, authorizes $4 million annually for the National Museum of African American History and Culture to develop educational resources and support teaching about African American history. The bill directs the museum to create digital and print materials, provide teacher training, and expand access to curriculum resources for K-12 and college classrooms. It requires annual reports to Congress on fund usage and expires in 2030. This program directly affects educators and students by enhancing classroom materials and professional development on African American history.
This bill removes the income limit that currently applies to prize money and medals won at the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Under current law, athletes can exclude up to $200,000 of such winnings from their taxable income, but this bill would eliminate that cap entirely. The change would affect all athletes who compete in these international events and receive medals or prize money from the United States Olympic Committee. The new rules would apply to any awards received after December 31, 2025.
SRES 615 is a Senate resolution celebrating Black History Month, acknowledging the historical contributions of African Americans to U.S. society across fields like civil rights, arts, science, and leadership. The resolution encourages all citizens to reflect on this history as part of the nation's ongoing journey toward equality, without creating new laws or policies. It specifically recognizes figures such as Frederick Douglass, Maya Angelou, and Rosa Parks, and emphasizes the importance of Black History Month in February as a time for communal learning and inspiration. This ceremonial resolution was introduced by multiple senators and passed unanimously by the Senate in 2026.
SRES 602 is a symbolic Senate resolution expressing support for the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Teams (Team USA) competing in the 2026 Winter Games in Milano Cortina, Italy. It formally applauds Team USA athletes, coaches, and their supporters, commends Italy for hosting the event, and commits to ensuring safety for future U.S. host events (2028 Los Angeles Summer Games and 2034 Utah Winter Games). The resolution does not create new policies, funding, or obligations - it is purely a statement of congressional support. It directly affects Team USA athletes and organizers by acknowledging their efforts and achievements. This is a procedural resolution with no binding effect on government actions.
