This bill establishes the Red Star Service Banner as an officially recognized symbol to honor U.S. service members and veterans who died by suicide, as well as first responders who died by suicide. The banner features a white field with a blue border and a single red star, and it may be displayed at private residences, workplaces, public buildings, community spaces, and other appropriate locations to recognize the sacrifice of those who died and support their families. The legislation clarifies that displaying the banner does not create new eligibility for benefits, requires VA approval for individual display, or establish any legal status beyond recognition. It also allows the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to promote awareness of the banner in coordination with the Department of Defense without requiring additional funding.
This bill, known as the No Free Rides Act of 2026, would prohibit federal public transportation funding recipients from offering universal free fare policies that allow all riders to use transit services without paying. The law would still permit targeted fare policies that provide free or reduced-cost rides for specific groups such as seniors, low-income riders, students, or employees with employer-paid agreements. Additionally, the Secretary of Transportation could grant waivers if a transit agency can demonstrate a dedicated non-federal revenue source to support universal free fare programs. The measure directly affects public transportation agencies that receive federal assistance under Title 49 of the United States Code.
This bill, known as the Halo Act, creates a new federal crime for intentionally approaching or staying within 25 feet of immigration enforcement officers after receiving a verbal warning, if the person intends to interfere with their work, threaten them, or harass them. It directly affects individuals who may attempt to block or disrupt immigration officers performing their duties, such as during arrests or investigations. The law defines harassment as conduct that causes substantial emotional distress to an officer and serves no legitimate purpose, and it carries penalties of up to five years in prison, a fine, or both. This provision adds to existing Title 18 United States Code by establishing specific boundaries for behavior near federal immigration officials.
This bill requires the Secretary of Energy to conduct a study on how data centers impact communities of color and low-income communities, working with agencies like the EPA and the Council on Environmental Quality. The study will examine specific issues including water and energy consumption, air and soil quality, effects on property values and local tax revenue, and public health risks related to pollution and heat. The Secretary must consult with local governments and Indian Tribes during the study and submit a report to Congress within 18 months that includes a map of data center locations relative to affected communities, along with recommendations for mitigating potential harms.
HRES 1106 is a non-binding House resolution honoring the life and legacy of Rev. Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr., a prominent civil rights leader and activist. The resolution recognizes his lifelong work in advancing equality through organizations like Operation PUSH, his leadership in the anti-apartheid movement, and his historic presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988. It expresses condolences to his family and calls on all Americans to continue his legacy of promoting civil rights and unity. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or affect any policies.
This resolution expresses support for designating the week beginning March 2, 2026, as "School Social Work Week" to honor the contributions of school social workers. It highlights the role these professionals play in assisting students facing challenges such as mental health issues, poverty, and family stress by providing counseling and connecting families with community resources. The measure encourages the public to observe this week with activities that raise awareness about how school social workers help improve student outcomes and school safety.
NASA Transition Authorization Act of 2025 This bill reauthorizes through FY2025 the programs and activities of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). The bill also revises certain existing NASA programs and establishes new programs related to space exploration, research, and technology. For example, the bill directs NASA to continue its efforts to support crewed lunar landings and Mars explorations, including through partnerships with the private sector (i.e., the Moon to Mars and Artemis programs). The bill also requires NASA to maintain the capability for a continuous human presence in low-Earth orbit until and beyond the retirement of the International Space Station (ISS). NASA may solicit proposals for the development of a commercial space station in low-Earth orbit. When such a station is ready, NASA must initiate an orderly transition of operations from the ISS to the commercial station. NASA must also develop a de-orbit vehicle for the eventual retirement of the ISS. ( Low-Earth orbit encompasses orbits at an altitude of 1,200 miles or less.) In addition, NASA is authorized to develop an architecture for lunar communications and navigation, and must develop a strategy to implement a standardized lunar time to support operations and infrastructure on and around the moon. NASA must also continue to conduct research relating to advanced air mobility, unmanned aircraft systems (i.e., drones), and hypersonic technologies. Finally, the bill requires the Government Accountability Office to report on fire and emergency services at NASA launch and reentry facilities.
This bill, known as the Direct File Act of 2026, would establish a government-run online system allowing taxpayers to prepare and file their individual income tax returns for free. The legislation prohibits the Treasury Department from entering into agreements that restrict its ability to provide tax preparation or filing services, and it voids any existing contracts with such restrictions. The program would use IRS data to simplify filing, include customer support, be available in multiple languages, and allow users to file even if they are not required to. It also enables taxpayers in participating states to file state and local returns alongside their federal returns, with funding provided to states that meet certain standards.
School Social Workers Improving Student Success Act This bill provides certain resources to increase the number of social workers in elementary and secondary schools. Specifically, the bill directs the Department of Education to award grants to high-need local educational agencies to retain or hire school social workers. The bill also establishes a national technical assistance center for school social work to, among other duties, develop strategies for improving the effectiveness of the school social work workforce.
The DISCLOSE Act of 2026 aims to increase transparency in election spending and prevent foreign influence. It expands the ban on foreign money to cover federal, state, and local elections, including ballot initiatives and judicial nominations, and criminalizes using corporations to conceal these funds. The bill mandates that organizations spending over $10,000 on campaign-related activities, such as independent expenditures or judicial nomination advocacy, disclose their beneficial owners and top donors. Additionally, it establishes new "Stand By Every Ad" disclaimers for political communications, requiring the highest-ranking official to approve the message and, for certain ads, list their top funders. These provisions directly affect non-candidate organizations, individuals involved in political and judicial nomination spending, and foreign nationals.
This bill, known as the Stop Child Care Funding Fraud Act of 2026, requires states to report on the rate of improper payments made with federal child care funds and outlines specific penalties for high error rates. States must submit reports by June 30 of each program period detailing payment errors and plans to reduce them, with penalties ranging from 5 to 15 percent funding reductions if improper payment rates exceed 6 percent. The law also mandates that states create corrective action plans when error rates are too high and requires the Secretary to publish state-by-state data on payment accuracy in annual reports. These provisions aim to increase transparency and accountability in how states manage federal child care block grant money.
HR 7803, the "Save Medicare Act," renames Medicare Advantage plans to "Alternative Private Health Plan" for all federal references, including in the Social Security Act. It requires health plans to stop using "Medicare" in their titles after enactment, imposing a $100,000 civil penalty per violation. The change applies to all Part C Medicare plans and mandates a full transition by October 15, 2023, with a temporary period allowing both terms to be used during the switch. This bill directly affects private health insurers offering Medicare Part C plans and federal agencies managing Medicare programs. The policy change is solely about terminology, not benefits or coverage.
