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.
HRES 1077 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House of Representatives' support for the U.S. Postal Service to honor Lieutenant Colonel Charity Adams Earley with a commemorative stamp. It directly requests the Citizens’ Stamp Advisory Committee (part of the USPS) to recommend such a stamp to the Postmaster General. The resolution highlights Adams Earley’s historic role as the first Black officer in the Women’s Army Corps (WAC), her leadership of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during WWII, and her post-war advocacy for Black leadership development. This resolution does not create new law or funding but formally urges the USPS to recognize her legacy through a postage stamp.
This bill, known as the Tariff Free Farming Act, prevents the U.S. government from adding new tariffs on specific farm supplies coming from countries with which the U.S. maintains normal trade relations. It directly affects American farmers and agricultural businesses by capping tariff rates on essential items like seeds, fertilizers, crop protection chemicals, livestock feed, fuel, farm machinery, and building materials at the levels in effect as of January 19, 2025. The legislation applies to all countries that have received normal trade relations status from the United States, ensuring these agricultural inputs are not subject to additional duties beyond the established rates.
S 3905, the Tariff Refund Act of 2026, requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to refund all duties unlawfully collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to importers within 180 days of the bill's enactment, including interest. It mandates CBP to reliquidate previously processed imports to calculate refunds and prioritizes small businesses for faster processing, with coordinated outreach to them via the Small Business Administration. The bill also requires CBP to submit regular reports to Congress detailing refund progress and timelines. This directly affects importers who paid IEEPA duties, with specific provisions to streamline refunds for small business importers.
The American Homeownership Act restricts tax deductions for interest and depreciation on residential properties owned by institutional investment entities or "large owners" (defined as those holding 50+ single-family units). It creates exceptions for new construction, rehabilitation of uninhabitable properties, sales to individuals for primary residence, and properties serving affordable housing through tax credit programs. The bill also prohibits federal housing agencies from selling properties or providing mortgage loans to these large investors and allocates savings from these tax changes to fund affordable housing programs. These provisions aim to encourage homeownership by limiting tax benefits for large-scale rental property ownership while directing resources toward affordable housing development.
The SAVES Act of 2025 establishes a five-year pilot program at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to fund nonprofit organizations that provide service dogs to eligible veterans with specific disabilities, such as blindness, mobility issues, PTSD, or traumatic brain injury. Nonprofits must apply competitively, meet training and animal welfare standards (including ADA compliance), and provide service dogs at no cost to veterans, with the VA covering all program expenses. The VA will also provide ongoing veterinary insurance for the dogs, which continues even after the pilot ends. This program is funded with $10 million annually for five years, targeting veterans as defined by VA medical criteria.
Law-Enforcement Innovate to De-Escalate Act This bill removes less-than-lethal projectile devices (e.g., certain TASERs) from regulation under the Gun Control Act. The term less-than-lethal projectile device means a device that (1) is not designed or intended to expel (and may not be readily converted to discharge) commonly used ammunition or projectiles exceeding a velocity of 500 feet per second; (2) is designed and intended to be used in a manner not likely to cause death or serious bodily injury; and (3) does not accept (and cannot be readily modified to accept) an ammunition feeding device. The bill also requires the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives to determine whether a device satisfies the definition of a less-than-lethal projectile device within 90 days of a request.
This bill increases the annual stipend for books, supplies, and educational materials under the Post-9/11 GI Bill from $1,000 to $1,400, effective immediately. It also establishes a new automatic annual adjustment starting in fiscal year 2026, tying stipend increases to inflation using the Consumer Price Index (CPI). Specifically, the stipend will rise each year by the percentage difference between the current CPI and the previous year’s CPI. This directly affects veterans using the Post-9/11 Educational Assistance Program for their education expenses.
End Veteran Homelessness Act of 2025 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to furnish case management to certain veterans who are eligible for the HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the VA. Specifically, the VA must furnish case management to veterans who are eligible for HUD-VASH that the VA determines require case management. The VA must prioritize vulnerable homeless veterans in assigning case managers and providing services. The VA must take certain actions if a veteran refuses case management. HUD or a public housing authority may not revoke assistance solely on the basis that a veteran has refused case management. Additionally, a veteran may not be evicted or penalized by the owner of a property solely on the basis that they have refused case management or cannot be provided case management for health and safety reasons. The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress on veterans who are served by the HUD-VASH program, case managers and case management services provided under the program, and metrics about housing stability for veterans participating in federal housing assistance programs. The bill also provides statutory authority to expand eligibility for the HUD-VASH program to any veteran who is homeless, at risk of homelessness, or receiving assistance under another housing assistance program if the VA determines a voucher under HUD-VASH is more appropriate. (Currently, assistance is statutorily limited to certain veterans who have chronic mental illness or substance use disorders.)
HRES 1073 is a non-binding resolution designating February 21-28, 2026, as "National FFA Week" to recognize the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Organization’s role in developing agricultural education leaders and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Alaska’s State FFA Association. It does not create new laws or affect any specific groups or policies; instead, it formally expresses the House’s support for this commemorative week. The resolution highlights FFA’s mission to prepare students for leadership and careers in agriculture, food, and natural resources. As a symbolic gesture, it has no direct legislative or financial impact on constituents.
S 233, the "Restoring Confidence in the World Anti-Doping Agency Act of 2025," requires the U.S. Office of National Drug Control Policy to ensure the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has fair U.S. representation and governance reforms. It mandates a 90-day review to assess WADA’s governance model, conflict-of-interest policies, and inclusion of independent athletes (defined as those not affiliated with major sports bodies) in decision-making roles. If reforms are lacking, the U.S. may withhold full membership dues and issue a report detailing barriers to U.S. representation on WADA’s Executive Committee, Foundation Board, and committees. The bill directly affects U.S. participation in WADA governance and aims to strengthen U.S. influence in anti-doping standards.
Tribal Trust Land Homeownership Act of 2025 This bill sets forth requirements for the processing of a proposed residential leasehold mortgage, business leasehold mortgage, land mortgage, or right-of-way document by the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). The BIA must notify lenders upon receipt of such documentation, perform a preliminary review of such documents not later than 10 days after receipt, and approve or disapprove of such documents within 20 or 30 days, depending on the type of application. Additionally, the bill sets forth requirements for the BIA regarding (1) response times for the completion of certified title status reports, (2) notification of delays in processing, and (3) the form of notices and delivery of certain reports. The bill also provides relevant federal agencies and Indian tribes with read-only access to the Trust Asset and Accounting Management System maintained by the BIA. The Government Accountability Office must report on digitizing documents for the purpose of streamlining and expediting the completion of mortgage packages for residential mortgages on Indian land. Finally, the bill establishes within the BIA's Division of Real Estate Services the position of Realty Ombudsman.
