First Rhode Island Regiment Congressional Gold Medal Act This bill provides for the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to the First Rhode Island Regiment, collectively, in recognition of their dedicated service during the Revolutionary War.
HR 2675, the Protecting Our Courts from Foreign Manipulation Act of 2025, requires parties and their lawyers in federal civil cases to disclose any foreign funding tied to case outcomes. It mandates written disclosure of foreign funders' identities (including country of origin) and certification about funding sources, while banning foreign states or sovereign wealth funds from funding litigation. The law also requires annual reports to Congress detailing foreign-funded cases, including amounts and jurisdictions. This directly affects parties using foreign-funded litigation, courts handling such cases, and foreign entities seeking to influence U.S. courts through financial support.
The VETRA Act directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to run a two-year pilot program aimed at upgrading its digital security systems to better protect veterans' benefits and reduce fraud. Under this initiative, the VA will test new multi-layered identity verification methods on up to three high-use platforms, such as those for disability claims, health care enrollment, and educational benefits. The program requires the use of commercially available, independently certified security tools that adjust verification strictness based on the risk level of each transaction. To ensure accountability, the bill mandates regular reports to Congress on performance metrics and requires an independent evaluation by the Government Accountability Office before deciding whether to expand the system nationwide.
The Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act expands legal protections for firearm manufacturers and sellers by immediately dismissing any lawsuits currently pending against them that allege harm caused by the criminal or unlawful misuse of their products. The bill defines these protected cases as those where the injury resulted from a third party's illegal actions rather than a defect in the product itself, while explicitly excluding claims involving negligent entrustment, specific federal violations, or design defects. To enforce these protections, the law allows defendants to remove such cases from state courts to federal court and grants them the right to appeal dismissal orders immediately. Additionally, the legislation preempts state and local laws that attempt to hold these companies liable for product misuse and provides for attorney's fees for defendants who successfully assert their immunity.
The Tax Court Parity Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to clarify the Tax Court's authority to correct errors or grant relief from final judgments. It allows the court to fix clerical mistakes at any time and provides specific grounds for overturning final decisions, including new evidence, fraud, or circumstances where justice requires it. The bill sets a one-year deadline for most motions to overturn a judgment and ensures that pending motions do not delay the original ruling. Additionally, it establishes a 90-day window for parties to appeal any new relief granted by the Tax Court.
The Tax Relief for Innocent Spouses Act allows the Tax Court to review innocent spouse claims from the beginning, rather than only reviewing the initial decision made by the IRS. This change directly affects married individuals who seek relief from tax liabilities caused by their spouse's unpaid taxes. The bill applies to any legal petitions or requests filed on or after the law's enactment date. It does not alter the existing rules for granting relief but ensures that courts can fully re-examine these cases without being limited to reviewing only the IRS's original ruling.
This bill, known as the Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act, expands legal protections for firearm manufacturers and sellers by strengthening their immunity from civil lawsuits. It requires courts to immediately dismiss any pending cases against these companies that are based on the criminal or unlawful misuse of a gun by a third party, while also clarifying that sellers are not liable for negligence in entrusting products to others. The legislation further restricts who can file such suits by prohibiting foreign governments from bringing these claims and adding a specific exception for victims under the age of 17, though it maintains immunity for cases involving design or manufacturing defects. Additionally, the bill allows companies to move these cases to federal court and grants them the right to appeal dismissal orders immediately, along with the ability to recover legal fees if they win. Finally, it preempts state and local laws that attempt to impose liability on these entities for the same types of misuse-related harms.
The Keep Public Funds in Public Schools Act of 2026 eliminates a federal tax credit that allowed parents to deduct contributions to scholarship granting organizations from their income. By removing these specific tax breaks, the bill prevents the use of public tax dollars to support private school vouchers and scholarship programs. This change directly affects families who currently rely on these tax incentives to fund education outside the public school system. The provisions take effect for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2026.
This bill directs the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information to conduct a comprehensive study on various broadband internet technologies, including fiber-optic cables, satellite systems, and mobile wireless networks. The study will examine specific factors such as workforce needs, deployment costs, internet speed and latency, equipment lifespan, and monthly subscription prices for consumers. The findings will be compiled into a report submitted to Congress within one year of the bill's enactment to inform future policy decisions regarding broadband infrastructure.
The Taxpayer Funds Oversight and Accountability Act aims to improve financial management and accountability across federal agencies by strengthening the roles of agency Chief Financial Officers (CFOs) and revising government-wide financial planning. It expands CFO responsibilities to include overseeing internal controls over financial reporting and requires them to create public agency-specific plans for effective financial management, which must align with a new 4-year government-wide financial management plan developed by the Office of Management and Budget. The bill mandates that agencies annually assess and report on the effectiveness of their internal controls over financial reporting and key financial data. These changes are intended to provide greater transparency and ensure that performance and cost information are linked for better decision-making within the federal government.
The Fraud Prevention and Accountability Act creates a new Office of the Inspector General for Fraud, Accountability, and Recovery within the Department of the Treasury to oversee federal spending and prevent fraud. This new office will have authority to conduct audits and investigations across multiple federal programs, including pandemic relief funds, and will coordinate with other agencies to share data and identify fraudulent activity. The bill also requires federal agencies to screen potential payees against a centralized fraud database and mandates that the Treasury establish a governmentwide data analysis program to detect improper payments. Additionally, the act transfers assets and personnel from the Pandemic Response Accountability Committee to the new office and requires annual reporting to Congress on fraud prevention efforts.
The Ending Child Soldiers in Africa Act requires the U.S. Department of Defense to submit a detailed report within 180 days on how child soldiering impacts national security and regional stability in Africa. This report must analyze connections to terrorism and crime, review current prevention efforts, and assess the feasibility of creating an Africa-based center to coordinate training and best practices for combating child recruitment. The legislation specifically targets countries partnering with U.S. Africa Command, including nations like Nigeria, Kenya, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and evaluates whether similar programs could be established in other global regions. By mandating this study, the bill aims to inform future policy decisions regarding the prevention of child soldiering and support for reintegration programs in conflict zones.
