Critical Minerals Security Act of 2025 This bill establishes requirements for the Department of the Interior related to securing U.S. access to critical minerals and rare earth element (REE) resources. Critical minerals mean any mineral, element, substance, or material designated as critical by the U.S. Geological Survey. REEs mean cerium, dysprosium, erbium, europium, gadolinium, holmium, lanthanum, lutetium, neodymium, praseodymium, promethium, samarium, scandium, terbium, thulium, ytterbium, and yttrium. First, Interior must report on the critical mineral and REE resources, including recyclable or recycled materials containing those resources, around the world. Among other information, the report must include an assessment of the global ownership and supply of critical mineral and REE resources. Interior must submit the report within a year and every two years thereafter. Next, Interior must establish a process to assist a U.S. person—a U.S. citizen, a non-U.S. National (alien under federal law) lawfully admitted for permanent residence, or an entity organized under U.S. laws—seeking to divest stock in mining, processing, or recycling operations for critical minerals and REEs in a foreign country with finding a purchaser that is not under the control of North Korea, China, Russia, or Iran. Finally, Interior must develop (1) a strategy to collaborate with U.S. allies and partners to develop advanced mining, refining, separation, processing, and recycling technologies; and (2) a method for sharing related intellectual property with U.S. allies and partners to enable those countries to license those technologies and develop their resources.
HR 7882 allows the U.S. Secretary of the Interior to lease certain federal mineral deposits within the City of Carlsbad, New Mexico, overriding a standard exemption that typically excludes incorporated cities from mineral leasing under federal law. The bill requires written consent from Carlsbad's city government before leasing can occur on land owned by the U.S. or designated as "acquired land" under mineral leasing laws. This specifically applies to mineral deposits located on parcels within Carlsbad's boundaries that would otherwise be exempt from leasing under the Mineral Leasing Act. The bill does not change existing leasing rules but creates an exception for this specific location to enable mineral leasing on those lands.
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 congratulates students, families, educators, and leaders of public charter schools across the United States for their contributions to education and support of National Charter Schools Week in May 2026. It recognizes the growth of the charter school sector, noting that approximately 8,000 such schools serve over 3.7 million children and operate under specific accountability measures similar to traditional public schools. The Senate formally supports the ideals of the annual celebration and encourages communities to hold events to demonstrate backing for these institutions.
This resolution introduces articles of impeachment against U.S. District Court Judge Eleanor Louise Ross, targeting her for three specific allegations of misconduct. The first article charges her with engaging in an undisclosed extramarital affair with a law enforcement officer while on the job, which created a conflict of interest and violated judicial conduct codes. The second article accuses her of attending a partisan political event sponsored by a district attorney's campaign and admitting to drinking alcohol before presiding over a criminal case. The third article alleges that she knowingly made false statements to federal judges during an investigation into her behavior, thereby obstructing an official proceeding and violating federal law.
H.R. 1350 is a non-binding resolution that expresses the House of Representatives' support for creating a National Day of Honor and Respect alongside Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. The bill aims to honor immigrants and diverse backgrounds while encouraging positive interactions among citizens and reducing hate and discrimination. It also affirms the importance of promoting civic education and public service across the nation.
This bill, known as the Statutory Term Limits on Congressional Pay and Power Act, restricts members of Congress who have served 12 or more cumulative years from receiving their regular salary and holding high-ranking leadership positions. Specifically, after reaching the 12-year mark, a member would no longer be eligible for their standard pay or roles such as committee chair, ranking minority member, or top leadership posts like Majority Leader or President pro Tempore. The law applies to all current and future members of the House and Senate, including delegates, and takes effect immediately for the 121st Congress. By limiting both compensation and influence for long-serving legislators, the bill aims to reduce the entrenchment of career politicians in power.
The National Defense Infrastructure Protection Act of 2026 empowers the Secretary of Defense to designate specific energy and logistics facilities as "certified infrastructure" essential for military fuel supply and readiness. Once certified, these facilities receive legal protections that make it significantly harder for states, local governments, or private parties to stop or delay their construction or operation through lawsuits. The bill mandates that any legal challenge to certified infrastructure be moved to federal courts, requires a high standard of proof to halt operations, and ensures expedited court timelines to prevent delays. Additionally, the law allows operators to recover attorney fees if they win a legal battle against interference and establishes a rebuttable presumption that previously certified facilities continue to meet defense needs.
This bill, known as the Double the Wage for Overtime Act of 2026, aims to change how overtime pay is calculated for employees covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act. It directly affects workers who currently earn less than $23,660 annually, as it would require employers to pay them two times their regular hourly rate instead of one and a half times for hours worked beyond 40 in a week. The law takes effect 180 days after it is signed, ensuring a transition period before the new pay requirements begin. By raising the overtime multiplier, the legislation seeks to increase earnings for hourly workers who work extra hours.
This bill establishes new pre-payment verification requirements for federal agencies to prevent fraud before any money is disbursed. It mandates that agencies confirm a payee's identity, bank account validity, and eligibility using a centralized "Do Not Pay" system that cross-references data from the Treasury, IRS, and Social Security Administration. Additionally, the legislation requires recipients of federal awards over $50,000 to submit a one-time report detailing how they intend to use the funds within 180 days of receiving them. The act also expands the types of sensitive data the Treasury can access to detect improper payments while including specific privacy protections and penalties for unauthorized disclosure.
HRES 830 is a procedural resolution that schedules consideration of H.R. 999, the bill aiming to protect access to contraceptives and related healthcare services. It removes obstacles to debating H.R. 999 by waiving objections and setting specific rules for debate time (one hour, equally divided) and amendments. The resolution does not change contraceptive access laws itself but enables the House to vote on H.R. 999 by streamlining the legislative process. It directly affects the House's workflow and the timing of the H.R. 999 vote.
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.
