This resolution expresses support for designating June 21, 2026, as National ASK Day to promote the safe storage of firearms in homes. The bill encourages parents to ask visitors if there are guns in their house and, if so, whether those guns are locked and unloaded. It also urges medical and public health professionals to discuss gun safety and secure storage with their patients and parents. This symbolic measure aims to raise awareness about preventing accidental shootings and suicides among children by ensuring guns are stored safely.
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that the United States should recognize and encourage acts of kindness to foster community and build social resilience. It highlights the belief that kindness strengthens families, neighborhoods, and the nation by connecting people across differences and promoting a healthier society. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic statement affirming the value of everyday compassionate actions.
The Protect Our Polls Act establishes a strict notification and approval process before federal troops or armed men can be deployed to election sites to repel armed enemies. Under this bill, the head of the agency sending troops must submit a detailed report to congressional leaders at least 48 hours in advance, including intelligence on the threat and justification for why local forces cannot handle the situation. If Congress is not in session, the Speaker and Senate President pro tempore must request a special session to review the report, and no deployment can occur until Congress passes a joint resolution authorizing the action. The legislation also amends the Civil Rights Act of 1960 to prohibit federal funds from being used to allow military personnel to access election records, while explicitly preserving the right of service members to vote. These provisions are set to expire on January 20, 2029.
The PFAS Alternatives Act directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to create grant programs that help develop and train firefighters on using protective gear free from PFAS chemicals. Under this law, eligible nonprofit and educational organizations can receive funding to research next-generation turnout gear that maintains safety standards without relying on per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances. The legislation allocates up to $25 million between 2027 and 2031 for research grants and $2 million between 2028 and 2032 for training initiatives, ensuring that new gear designs are tested and that first responders learn proper care and decontamination methods. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary to submit a progress report to Congress within two years of enactment to track the implementation of these safety improvements.
The Protecting America's Herds Act creates a grant program for cooperative extension services to help prepare for and respond to New World screwworm outbreaks in livestock. Funds awarded through this competitive process can be used to train staff, support animal inspections, educate producers, and provide direct technical assistance on prevention and treatment. The Department of Agriculture must prioritize grants for states and Tribal communities at higher risk of the pest spreading and coordinate closely with veterinary and agricultural experts. This legislation aims to strengthen the nation's ability to detect and manage this specific animal health threat through improved readiness and education.
The Protect Local Funding Act prohibits federal agencies from finalizing, implementing, or enforcing a specific proposed rule regarding federal financial assistance scheduled for publication in May 2026. This legislation directly affects the Office of Management and Budget and other federal agencies by legally blocking them from acting on that particular regulation. By preventing the enforcement of this rule, the bill aims to stop a specific administrative action that could impact how federal funds are distributed. The measure does not alter existing funding programs but rather serves as a procedural barrier to a future regulatory change.
This bill, titled the Ending Stolen SNAP Benefits Act of 2026, aims to help households recover food assistance funds lost to identity theft and skimming. It requires the federal government to create new rules that make it easier for states to identify stolen benefits and reissue them to victims without placing a heavy burden on them to prove the crime occurred. Additionally, the legislation provides states with 90 percent funding to cover the administrative costs of upgrading their electronic benefit transfer cards to more secure chip-enabled technology. The bill also mandates regular reports to Congress on how many benefits are being recovered and sets a deadline for these specific cost-sharing provisions to end in 2031.
The Veteran Headstone Honor Act creates a tax credit for private cemeteries that attach official veteran headstone medallions to deceased individuals' markers. This financial incentive allows eligible cemeteries to claim a dollar-for-dollar reduction in their federal income tax liability for the specific costs of affixing these medallions. To receive the credit, the cemetery must certify to the IRS that the medallion has been installed and provide an itemized statement of the expenses incurred. The legislation applies to medallions defined under existing federal law and takes effect for expenses paid or incurred after the bill is enacted.
The No 9/11 Family Left Behind Act of 2026 provides an additional lump-sum payment to certain eligible families of victims of state-sponsored terrorism. This extra payment equals 5.8573 percent of the original judgment amount awarded to those who have not yet received a prior payment under the existing law. The bill requires the Special Master to notify eligible claimants within 90 days of the act's enactment and to process their claims for this additional amount within 90 days of receiving the necessary information. Funding for these payments will come from any unappropriated funds in the U.S. Treasury.
The Voting Systems Protection Act restricts the Federal Government from seizing election materials, such as voting machines and ballots, during a 240-day window surrounding Federal elections unless a court finds an immediate threat to election integrity. The law requires that any seizure be authorized by a warrant and mandates that a designated State official maintain continuous oversight of the handling and storage of these materials. Additionally, the bill establishes strict notification procedures, requiring Federal agencies to inform State officials and congressional leaders at least 48 hours before a seizure, with limited exceptions for emergencies. Violations of these rules, including tampering with seized items or obstructing State oversight, are subject to criminal penalties, civil lawsuits, and significant fines.
This bill strengthens child labor protections by expanding the definition of hazardous work for minors, particularly in dangerous industries like mining and explosives, and requires the government to update these regulations every five years. It imposes strict rules on companies with federal contracts, prohibiting them from using child labor in their supply chains and holding them jointly liable if their subcontractors violate these rules. The legislation also increases penalties for violations, including higher fines for serious injuries or deaths, allows for stop-work orders, and enables victims to seek significant compensatory and punitive damages. Additionally, the bill mandates training programs to help identify and prevent child labor abuses and requires the Department of Labor to report annually on work-related injuries and deaths.
The Hydropower Licensing Affordability Act amends the Federal Power Act to modify how federal licenses for hydropower projects are issued. Specifically, it requires that license conditions include measures to reasonably mitigate direct adverse effects on federal reservations and fish populations within applicable river systems. These changes aim to ensure that new or existing hydropower projects address environmental impacts on protected lands and aquatic species before a license is granted. The bill directly affects hydropower project developers and federal agencies responsible for licensing and environmental oversight.
