This resolution (SRES 628) is a symbolic Senate gesture supporting the designation of March 2026 as "Music in Our Schools Month." It recognizes music's cultural importance in the U.S., its historical role in education, and existing disparities in access to music programs - particularly for students in underserved urban, rural, and high-poverty schools. The resolution does not create new requirements or funding but formally expresses the Senate's support for prioritizing music education in public schools.
HRES 1107 is a House resolution urging the President to issue a proclamation flying the U.S. flag at half-staff to honor Rev. Jesse Jackson. The resolution recognizes his civil rights leadership, including founding the Rainbow PUSH Coalition and his presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988, which advanced racial equality and economic justice. This symbolic gesture directly affects the President (as the one who would issue the proclamation) and the public, who would observe the flag at half-staff.
The Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act of 2026 updates eligibility rules and benefit amounts for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, which provides financial assistance to low-income individuals with limited resources. The bill increases income and resource limits for SSI recipients, exempts certain retirement accounts and tribal welfare payments from counting toward eligibility limits, and extends the SSI program to U.S. territories including Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. Additionally, the legislation repeals a marriage penalty that previously reduced benefits for married couples and clarifies how various state tax credits and in-kind support are treated when determining eligibility.
This bill creates a federal tax credit for businesses that purchase electric lawn, garden, and landscaping equipment that produces zero emissions. The credit allows eligible businesses to claim 40 percent of the equipment's cost as a tax reduction, with annual limits of $25,000 and a 10-year aggregate cap of $100,000. Covered equipment includes electric-powered mowers, trimmers, and other landscaping tools powered by electricity, batteries, or solar energy, as well as batteries and generators used to charge them. The credit applies to equipment placed in service after December 31, 2024, and expires five years after the bill is enacted.
This bill, known as the Guarantee Access to Arts and Music Education Act of 2026, amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 to expand federal funding for arts and music programs in public schools. It requires that schools receiving federal education funds provide sequential, standards-based arts and music education taught by certified educators, including dance, theater, visual arts, and music. The legislation also allows schools designated for targeted assistance to use federal funds to support arts and music programs that address students' academic needs, covering costs for supplies, instruments, and teacher training. These changes directly affect public schools and school districts that receive funding under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
This bill reauthorizes the Tropical Forest and Coral Reef Conservation Act of 1998, which provides funding to protect tropical forests and coral reefs around the world. It directly affects the U.S. government agencies responsible for implementing conservation programs, primarily through the Department of State. The key provision allocates $20 million annually for fiscal years 2028 through 2032 to support ongoing conservation efforts. This legislation extends existing funding authority without changing the underlying conservation goals or program structure.
This bill, the PrEP Access and Coverage Act of 2026, requires most health insurance plans to cover HIV prevention medication without charging patients any out-of-pocket costs. It directly affects people with private insurance, government health programs like Medicare and Medicaid, military health care, and the Indian Health Service. The law mandates that insurance companies cannot require pre-approval for these medications, cannot charge deductibles or copayments for them, and cannot deny or charge higher premiums for life, disability, or long-term care insurance based on someone taking HIV prevention medication. The bill also creates a new public education campaign to increase awareness about HIV prevention options and provides federal funding to states and community organizations to expand access to these services.
This bill requires hospitals receiving Medicare funding to create discharge plans for pregnant patients who are expected to leave the hospital before delivery, ensuring they have safe transportation and access to backup care if needed. The discharge plans must include clinical justification for early discharge, assessment of travel logistics, identification of alternative delivery facilities, and confirmation that patients understand the information in their primary language. Additionally, the bill expands rural maternal health training grants to include racial bias training, establishes performance milestones for grant recipients, and creates a new initiative to evaluate different training models for healthcare professionals. The legislation also mandates the development of a public dashboard tracking maternal health outcomes and federal investments in maternal health research.
This bill, the Supplemental Security Income Restoration Act of 2026, updates eligibility rules and benefit amounts for the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, which provides financial assistance to low-income elderly, blind, and disabled individuals. Key changes include raising income and resource limits to help more people qualify, adjusting benefit calculations to better reflect poverty guidelines, and extending the program to U.S. territories like Puerto Rico and Guam. The legislation also removes certain financial penalties, excludes retirement accounts and tribal welfare payments from eligibility calculations, and clarifies how state tax credits are treated when determining income.
This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities within or against Iran unless a declaration of war or authorization to use military force for such purpose has been enacted. The resolution specifies that it shall not be construed to prevent the United States from defending against an attack on the United States or its personnel or facilities in other nations.
This bill, titled the Homeland Security Improvement Act, creates a new independent commission to oversee border security activities and improve transparency within the Department of Homeland Security. The commission would consist of 30 members appointed by congressional leaders and would include representatives from border communities, civil rights groups, law enforcement, and tribal officials to evaluate policies and make recommendations. The bill also establishes an Ombudsman office to handle complaints from individuals affected by border and immigration enforcement, provides mandatory training for border agents focused on civil rights and community relations, and requires detailed data collection on border stops and enforcement actions to improve accountability.
This bill, known as the DHS Hiring Review Act, requires the Department of Homeland Security to conduct audits and reviews of hiring and training processes at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The legislation mandates that the Under Secretary for Management audit hiring records for employees hired after a specific date to verify that background checks and other hiring standards were properly followed. It also requires cross-checking new employee records against state-level misconduct files to ensure prior law enforcement issues were considered before hiring. Additionally, the bill requires certification that all ICE and CBP officers have completed their required training, including documentation of training length, and directs the Government Accountability Office to report on these findings within one year.
