The Investing in the American Dream Act expands eligibility for Small Business Administration loans to include businesses owned by certain immigrants, such as refugees, asylees, and individuals with deferred action. To qualify, these businesses must be located in the United States and at least 51 percent owned and controlled by U.S. citizens or nationals of the United States. The law explicitly states that businesses meeting these ownership and location requirements cannot be denied loans solely because they are owned by eligible immigrants. Additionally, the bill clarifies that it does not grant the SBA authority to increase the 51 percent ownership threshold for any type of loan.
The Investing in the American Dream Act expands eligibility for Small Business Administration loans to include small businesses owned by certain non-citizens. Specifically, it allows businesses to qualify if they are at least 51 percent owned and controlled by individuals who are lawfully present in the United States and authorized to work, such as refugees, asylees, permanent residents, and specific nonimmigrant visa holders. The bill also permits businesses owned by individuals living outside the United States to apply for these loans. This change aims to broaden access to federal financial support for small enterprises by removing previous restrictions based on the citizenship or permanent residency status of the business owners.
This legislation establishes a new Commission on Americans Living Abroad within the executive branch to study the impact of federal laws on U.S. citizens residing overseas. The ten-member commission will be appointed by the President and tasked with examining issues such as tax compliance, access to federal benefits, and voting rights for Americans living abroad. Within one year of enactment, the commission must submit a report to Congress and the President containing findings and recommendations to reduce regulatory burdens on Americans living abroad. The commission is authorized to operate for two years with a funding allocation of $2 million before it terminates.
This bill prohibits U.S. universities from receiving federal research and development funding for five years if they previously accepted money from specific foreign governments for projects involving artificial intelligence, biotechnology, or quantum computing. The targeted foreign entities include China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, Venezuela, Cuba, Turkey, and Qatar, as well as organizations closely tied to these nations. By restricting access to future defense-related grants, the legislation aims to prevent institutions that have collaborated with these countries on sensitive technologies from participating in subsequent national security research.
This bill requires U.S. universities seeking federal research funding to certify that they do not operate permanent branch campuses in specific countries, including China, Russia, Iran, and others. The legislation defines a branch campus as a separate location that offers degree programs and has its own faculty and administrative control. If a university operates such a campus in a listed nation, it would be ineligible to receive federal research awards. The list of restricted countries also allows the Secretary of State to add additional nations as appropriate.
The Living Wage For All Act raises the federal minimum wage in a tiered schedule, requiring large corporations to reach $25 per hour by 2031 while giving smaller businesses a longer timeline to catch up. Once the standard is met, the law automatically indexes the minimum wage to two-thirds of the national median hourly wage to ensure it keeps pace with economic changes. The bill also eliminates the lower minimum wage for tipped employees and youth workers, phasing them out until they match the general standard, and extends similar protections to incarcerated workers. Additionally, the legislation restricts the issuance of special minimum wage certificates for workers with disabilities and mandates that employers provide technical assistance during the transition period.
The Second Look Act of 2026 allows federal courts to reduce prison sentences for individuals who have served at least 10 years in custody for offenses carrying a term of more than 10 years. To qualify, a defendant must demonstrate that they are no longer a danger to the community and are ready to reenter society, with special consideration given to those aged 50 or older who face a legal presumption in their favor for release. The process requires a formal application, a hearing where evidence regarding rehabilitation and age-related decline in criminality is presented, and the appointment of a lawyer for those who cannot afford one. If approved, the court may shorten the prison term while maintaining the original period of supervised release, and the United States Sentencing Commission will publish annual reports on the number of people granted or denied these reductions.
This bill authorizes the Attorney General to create a grant program that funds community-based organizations to establish "One Stop Shop" centers for formerly incarcerated individuals. These centers would provide a single location for comprehensive services, including job training, housing assistance, legal aid, and mental health support, while requiring applicants to develop needs assessments and plans for transportation and stakeholder collaboration. Additionally, the legislation authorizes funding for toll-free, 24/7 hotlines that connect people in need with local reentry resources and offer guidance on navigating the system. The program includes strict requirements for data collection and reporting to Congress to track outcomes such as recidivism rates and employment success, with a preference for hiring formerly incarcerated individuals to run these initiatives.
This bill, known as the Directly Impacted Child Rehab and Safety Act, modifies federal laws to adjust how children are processed within the juvenile justice system. It raises the minimum age for federal juvenile delinquency proceedings from 12 to 13 and increases the age threshold for transferring older juveniles to adult criminal court from 15 to 16, with specific exceptions for serious violent crimes. The legislation also requires courts to consider factors such as a child's exposure to trauma and their role in an offense before deciding on transfers or sentencing. Additionally, the bill mandates the collection of detailed statistics on children in federal custody and authorizes grants to help state agencies better coordinate between child welfare and juvenile justice systems to support vulnerable youth.
This resolution expresses the U.S. House of Representatives' disapproval of actions by the United Kingdom government that it claims restrict free speech and expression. The bill directly addresses Prime Minister Keir Starmer and UK officials, citing specific incidents such as arrests for online comments, protests, and silent prayer. It calls on the Trump Administration to consider sanctions, visa revocations, and other measures against UK officials accused of infringing on American constitutional rights. The document also urges the U.S. to refuse recognition of UK laws that the resolution deems to undermine freedom of speech.
The Neighborhood Tree Act of 2026 creates a new funding source to help states, tribes, and local governments improve urban tree canopies, with a specific focus on reducing disparities in areas affected by historical discrimination and poverty. To receive these funds, eligible entities must conduct tree assessments, engage with local communities, and design projects using climate science to ensure trees are properly planted and maintained. The legislation prioritizes funding for neighborhoods with high poverty rates, low existing tree cover, or higher summer temperatures, while also supporting community-led food production through trees. Additionally, the bill expands the National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council to include members representing small towns and low-income communities.
The Farmland for Farmers Act of 2026 restricts corporate and institutional investors from owning agricultural land in the United States to protect family farms from being outbid by large entities. The law defines 'authorized legal entities' as small groups of individual farmers or ranchers who actively work the land, while prohibiting 'unauthorized legal entities' - such as pension funds, corporations, and investment funds - from acquiring or holding ownership interests in farms. Exceptions allow certain nonprofits, public universities, and municipal governments to own farmland for research or public purposes. To enforce these rules, the bill requires legal entities to sign affidavits certifying compliance, mandates annual reporting to Congress, and empowers the Attorney General to investigate violations, impose fines, or force the sale of illegally held land.
