The Protect Working Musicians Act of 2026 allows independent musicians and small music businesses to collectively negotiate licensing terms with large online music platforms without facing antitrust lawsuits. This protection applies specifically to creators who earn less than $1 million in licensing revenue or qualify as small businesses, enabling them to form groups to discuss fair rates and refuse unfair deals. The law defines "dominant platforms" as those generating over $100 million in music distribution revenue and extends these negotiation rights to include discussions with companies developing generative artificial intelligence. By shielding these groups from legal liability, the bill aims to correct an imbalance where smaller creators currently lack the power to bargain effectively against major digital services.
The POWER Moldova Act of 2026 requires the Secretary of State to submit a report to Congress within 180 days detailing Moldova's energy landscape and security cooperation with the United States. This report must cover energy production and pricing transparency, infrastructure vulnerabilities, and ongoing military training and interoperability efforts between the two nations. Additionally, the bill assesses the potential for developing renewable energy sources like geothermal, solar, and wind power in Moldova, including the investment needs and barriers to deployment. The legislation reflects Congress's view that the U.S. and Moldova have strengthened their strategic partnership over the last three decades, particularly in response to regional security challenges.
The Puerto Rico Democratic Self-Determination Act establishes a mandatory, two-round plebiscite in 2027 to allow eligible voters in Puerto Rico to choose among four political status options: independence, current Commonwealth status, statehood, or sovereignty in free association with the United States. If a majority vote is not achieved in the initial election, a runoff will be held to select between the two most popular choices, with the results triggering specific transition procedures for each outcome. Under the independence and free association paths, the bill outlines steps for drafting a new constitution, electing officers, and a presidential proclamation that would transfer sovereignty and end U.S. territorial control. For the statehood option, the President would issue a proclamation admitting Puerto Rico as the 51st state, while the Commonwealth option would create a joint commission to negotiate reforms to the current relationship. The legislation also details how federal laws, including tax codes and immigration rules, would change depending on the chosen status and ensures that existing economic benefits and social security rights are protected during any transition.
The Business Activity Tax Simplification Act of 2026 updates federal rules to clarify when states can tax businesses operating across state lines, primarily affecting interstate companies and digital service providers. It expands the definition of taxable activities to include digital goods and services while clarifying that independent contractors do not create tax liability for their principal companies. The bill also establishes a minimum physical presence requirement, stating that states generally cannot tax businesses unless they have employees, agents, or property in the state for at least 15 days. Additionally, the law extends existing federal protections against state taxation to various "other business activity taxes" and provides specific guidelines for how states should calculate taxes on groups of affiliated companies. These changes are designed to take effect for taxable periods starting on or after January 1, 2026.
The No American Left Behind Act directs the Department of Defense to submit a detailed report to Congress within 180 days regarding its efforts to recover, repatriate, and account for U.S. citizens who are held hostage, unlawfully detained, or missing abroad. This report must specifically cover cases in regions like Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan and analyze how military planning, intelligence, and diplomatic strategies influence these recovery operations. The legislation requires the Secretary of Defense to assess current policies, identify gaps in authority or resources, and evaluate the feasibility of creating a formal "No American Left Behind" doctrine to guide future efforts. Ultimately, the bill aims to ensure that considerations for the safety and return of American nationals are integrated into core defense planning and contingency operations.
The No Equipment Left Behind Act of 2026 requires the Department of Defense to submit detailed reports to Congress within 60 days of any significant troop withdrawal or redeployment in designated areas. These reports must include comprehensive inventories of military equipment, cost estimates for disposal options like selling or destroying items, and specific plans to prevent captured gear from being used by hostile groups. The law also mandates that the Secretary of Defense obtain written approval from senior leadership for any decision to abandon, destroy, or demilitarize equipment valued over $10 million. Additionally, the bill establishes annual reporting requirements and tasks the Government Accountability Office with reviewing how the department implements these new accountability measures.
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.
This resolution expresses the House of Representatives' support for the Department of State to prevent members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps from infiltrating the Iranian National Football Delegation during the 2026 FIFA World Cup. It also urges the State Department to limit the delegation's time in the United States to only what is necessary for playing scheduled matches. As a non-binding measure of congressional sentiment, the bill does not create new laws or enforceable rules but instead signals official backing for existing security protocols. The text frames these actions as necessary national security steps given the IRGC's designation as a foreign terrorist organization and its history of using sports events for intelligence gathering.
North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a Congressional Gold Medal to recognize the individuals and communities that provided financial and other support for the North Platte Canteen in North Platte, Nebraska, during World War II.
The DOMINANCE Act aims to reduce U.S. reliance on strategic competitors like China for critical minerals by building international partnerships to secure diversified supply chains. It establishes a Minerals Security Partnership to coordinate diplomatic, development, and financial support for critical mineral projects with allies, creates a new Office of Energy Security Compacts to develop multi-year agreements with partner countries, and sets up a new Assistant Secretary position for Energy Security at the State Department. The bill also includes education programs like the Critical Mineral Mining Fellowship Program to build U.S. workforce capacity in mining. These measures are designed to enhance U.S. national security and economic competitiveness by ensuring reliable access to critical minerals needed for defense, technology, and energy systems.
Legislative Branch Agencies Clarification Act This bill revises the procedures for appointing and removing the Librarian of Congress, the Director of the Government Publishing Office (GPO), and the Register of Copyrights. The bill also establishes an Office of Inspector General within the Copyright Office and requires GPO to establish a human management system. Specifically, the bill requires the Librarian of Congress and the Director of GPO to be appointed by a bipartisan congressional commission, based on procedures outlined by the bill and without regard to political affiliation. (Currently, these positions are appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate.) The Librarian of Congress and the Director of GPO may only be removed from office by a majority vote of the majority and minority leaders of the House of Representatives and the Senate. Additionally, the bill requires the Librarian of Congress and the Director of GPO to each appoint a deputy within a set time frame and outlines related procedures. The bill removes the Library of Congress's (LOC's) supervisory authority over the Copyright Office and instead transfers those powers directly to the Register of Copyrights. LOC and other legislative agencies may provide support services to the Copyright Office. The bill requires the Register of Copyrights to be (1) a U.S. citizen with a background and experience in copyright law, and (2) appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. (Currently, the Register is appointed by the Librarian.) Before the President makes the appointment, the chair and ranking minority member of each specified committee must jointly recommend three individuals whom the President may consider in making the appointment. The bill limits the term of office for the Register to 10 years, but the individual may be reappointed. The bill requires subordinate officers and employees of the Copyright Office to be appointed by the Register. Further, the bill requires the Register (instead of the Librarian) to appoint the three administrative judges of the Copyright Royalty Board. The bill also establishes an Office of Inspector General within the Copyright Office to, among other duties, conduct and supervise audits and investigations (excluding incidents involving violence and personal property) relating to the Copyright Office. The Register must appoint an Inspector General to head this office without regard to political affiliation. The Register may remove or transfer the Inspector General with prior congressional notification. The bill also requires GPO to establish and maintain a human capital management system and outlines the requirements for the system.
This resolution expresses support for designating the week of May 31 through June 6, 2026, as "Our Roads, Our Safety Week." It directly affects all road users, including drivers of cars, trucks, buses, bicycles, and pedestrians, by highlighting shared responsibilities for road safety. The bill recognizes the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's campaign aimed at reducing crashes involving large commercial vehicles through increased public awareness. It encourages government agencies to continue their outreach efforts and urges the public to learn specific safety rules for sharing the road with large trucks and buses.
