HR 2913, the Ukraine Support Act, provides comprehensive U.S. support for Ukraine in response to Russia's invasion. The bill authorizes security assistance including lend-lease authority for military equipment, establishes a Ukraine Reconstruction Trust Fund for economic recovery, and imposes new sanctions targeting Russian financial institutions, oil companies, and government officials. It also includes provisions to counter Russian disinformation, support Radio Free Europe, and address the kidnapping of Ukrainian children. The legislation directly affects U.S. foreign policy, Ukraine's defense capabilities, and Russia's access to international financial systems. The act aims to strengthen Ukraine's sovereignty while holding Russia accountable for its actions.
This resolution honors the life and legacy of the late Senator Lindsey Olin Graham from South Carolina. It formally acknowledges his extensive career in the military, state government, and Congress, noting his service as a Senator and his roles as Chairman of the Judiciary and Budget committees. The Senate expresses its sorrow over his death and requests that this tribute be shared with the House of Representatives and Graham's family.
Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act This bill prohibits payment card networks from using merchant codes that distinguish firearms retailers from general-merchandise retailers or sporting-goods retailers. The Department of Justice must enforce this bill and report annually on the resulting investigations and cases.
The Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 would make daylight saving time permanent across the United States, ending the current practice of changing clocks twice yearly. It repeals the 1966 law requiring seasonal time changes and adjusts time zone offsets to reflect permanent daylight saving time (e.g., shifting from "4 hours" to "3 hours" in historical references). States that currently opt out of daylight saving time (like Arizona and Hawaii) would retain their existing arrangements, while all other states would adopt permanent daylight saving time unless they choose to stay on standard time. This change would directly affect all U.S. residents by eliminating the need to reset clocks in spring and fall.
This bill amends the Energy Policy and Conservation Act to require states to include assessments of threats to local electricity infrastructure (defined as systems under 100 kilovolts) in their energy security plans. It mandates states address physical threats (like weather, attacks, and supply chain risks) and cybersecurity vulnerabilities specifically affecting these local systems, which directly impact electric utilities and their equipment suppliers. The bill updates deadlines, extending the requirement for states to submit plans from 2025 to 2030. These changes aim to strengthen grid resilience by focusing state planning on vulnerabilities in lower-voltage distribution networks.
The Energy Emergency Leadership Act (HR 7258) assigns new responsibilities to Assistant Secretaries at the Department of Energy (DOE) for managing energy infrastructure security, emergency response, and resilience. It requires them to handle cybersecurity, supply chain issues, and coordinated planning for energy security threats, risks, and incidents. The bill mandates that the DOE provide technical assistance to states, local governments, tribes, or energy companies upon their request, while working with other federal agencies. This change directly affects the DOE’s internal operations and the entities that can seek federal support during energy emergencies.
The TRIA Program Reauthorization Act of 2026 extends the Terrorism Risk Insurance Act (TRIA) through 2034, replacing its previous 2027 expiration date. It raises the financial threshold requiring federal assistance for terrorism-related insurance losses from $5 million to $25 million per incident. The bill also mandates that the Treasury Secretary publish a Federal Register notice within 30 days of starting a terrorism certification review and requires certification to be completed within 90 days of that notice. Additionally, it updates the program's official name from "Terrorism Insurance Program" to "Terrorism Risk Insurance Program" and adjusts related expiration dates in the law.
This bill requires investment companies and transfer agents to collect contact information for a trusted person when serving "specified adults" (individuals 65+ or with impairments affecting their ability to protect their interests). It allows these entities to temporarily delay cash payments from investments (up to 15 business days, extendable by 10 more days) if they reasonably suspect financial exploitation during a redemption request. The delay period requires written notification to the trusted contact, internal review, and holding funds securely. The bill aims to prevent exploitation by giving companies time to verify situations before releasing funds. It also mandates record-keeping and future SEC reporting on financial exploitation risks.
HR 915, the Small Business Technological Act of 2025, expands the use of Small Business Administration (SBA) Section 7(a) loans to cover business software, cloud computing services, and AI-powered tools that handle payroll, HR, sales, billing, accounting, and inventory management. It directly affects small businesses seeking loans for operational technology upgrades, allowing them to use SBA funds for these specific tech services without changing existing loan purposes. The bill amends the Small Business Act to explicitly permit these uses under Section 7(a), clarifying that existing loans for similar purposes before the law's enactment remain valid. It does not expand loan use for research, development, or working capital beyond current definitions.
The Declaration of Independence Reaffirmation Act of 2026 directs Congress to formally reaffirm and re-adopt the Declaration of Independence as an Organic Law of the United States. This legislative action commemorates the 250th anniversary of American independence by officially recognizing the document as the enduring charter for national sovereignty, natural rights, equal citizenship, and government by consent. The bill includes the full text of the Declaration within its provisions to serve as a historical record and statement of these foundational principles.
S 825 requires the Justice Department to develop a report within 150 days on programs providing evidence-based mental health care for public safety officers, including police, firefighters, EMTs, and 911 dispatchers. The report must outline how to deliver trauma-informed care, peer support, and family services through in-person or telehealth options, while ensuring confidentiality for officers seeking help. It also needs to detail administrative efficiency across states and territories, draft necessary grant conditions, and estimate annual funding needs. This bill does not fund programs but sets a framework for future action based on the high rates of PTSD and suicide among these frontline workers.
HR 5408, the Faster Labor Contracts Act, requires employers to begin negotiating a first contract with a newly certified union within 10 days of written request. If no agreement is reached within 90 days, the parties must seek mediation, and if unresolved after 30 days of mediation, the dispute moves to binding arbitration by a three-member panel. The arbitration decision, based on factors like employer finances, industry standards, and cost of living, becomes binding for two years. This bill directly affects newly certified unions and their employers during initial contract negotiations, aiming to reduce delays that currently average 465 days.
