HR 6556, the Failing Bank Acquisition Fairness Act, modifies rules for merging failing banks to prevent financial instability. It allows regulators to bypass standard concentration limits (which restrict bank size) when merging banks in default or danger of default, but only if they prove the merger is necessary to avoid economic disruption and no "qualified bid" exists from a well-capitalized, well-managed institution. The bill requires regulators to submit detailed justifications to Congress within 30 days for such waivers, including analysis of alternative bids. It also prohibits considering bids that would violate these new rules when calculating the least costly resolution for the Deposit Insurance Fund. This directly affects the FDIC, bank regulators, and financial institutions involved in resolving failing banks.
The HEATS Act eliminates the need for federal drilling permits for geothermal exploration and production on non-Federal surface land under specific conditions. It applies to operators who hold a state permit and where the U.S. owns less than 50% of the underlying geothermal rights. Key provisions include: no requirement for federal environmental reviews (NEPA), exemptions from the Endangered Species Act, and a 30-day start period after submitting the state permit. The bill maintains existing royalty payments for geothermal electricity production and explicitly excludes activities on Indian lands. It does not alter federal royalty rates or require additional federal oversight beyond state permitting.
HR 4090, the Critical Mineral Dominance Act, aims to boost U.S. production of hardrock minerals (like rare earths, base metals, and gemstones) to strengthen domestic supply chains and national security. It requires the Secretary of the Interior to submit a 90-day report analyzing the economic impact of mineral import reliance, prioritize expedited permitting for mining projects on federal land, and review regulations to remove barriers to mineral development. The bill also mandates annual reports identifying federal lands with mineral potential and accelerates geologic mapping to locate new deposits. These provisions directly affect mining companies, federal land managers, and supply chain security efforts, focusing on concrete policy actions rather than outcomes.
HR 3074, the Common Cents Act, eliminates the regular production of one-cent coins by the U.S. Treasury after one year of enactment, except for limited production to meet collector demand under specific cost-recovery rules. It requires businesses to round cash transaction amounts to the nearest nickel (e.g., $1.03 rounds up to $1.05, $1.07 rounds down to $1.05), with exceptions for transactions under $0.02 (rounded up to $0.05) and non-cash payments. The bill affects all businesses handling cash payments and collectors of pennies, while ensuring all coins remain legal tender. The rounding rules take effect one year after enactment.
This bill, HR 1687 (the CLEAN Act), modifies geothermal leasing and permitting processes on federal lands. It shortens geothermal lease terms from two years to one year and requires the Interior Secretary to hold replacement lease sales if a sale is canceled or delayed. The bill also sets strict 30-day deadlines for the Interior Secretary to notify applicants about complete permit applications and issue final decisions on those applications. These changes directly affect geothermal energy developers seeking to lease federal land for energy projects.
Protecting Privacy in Purchases Act This bill prohibits payment card networks from using merchant codes that distinguish firearms retailers from general-merchandise retailers or sporting-goods retailers. The Department of Justice must enforce this bill and report annually on the resulting investigations and cases.
HR 655, the Dalles Watershed Development Act, authorizes the transfer of approximately 150 acres of National Forest System land in Oregon to the City of The Dalles. The bill requires the City to submit a written request within one year of the bill's enactment, after which the Secretary of Agriculture must convey the land via quitclaim deed without payment. The transfer includes conditions: the City must cover all administrative costs (including survey fees), the conveyance is subject to existing rights, and the exact land description is defined by a specific map. This bill directly affects the City of The Dalles and the designated National Forest land parcel.
The Sunshine Protection Act of 2025 would make daylight saving time permanent across the United States, ending the current practice of changing clocks twice yearly. It repeals the 1966 law requiring seasonal time changes and adjusts time zone offsets to reflect permanent daylight saving time (e.g., shifting from "4 hours" to "3 hours" in historical references). States that currently opt out of daylight saving time (like Arizona and Hawaii) would retain their existing arrangements, while all other states would adopt permanent daylight saving time unless they choose to stay on standard time. This change would directly affect all U.S. residents by eliminating the need to reset clocks in spring and fall.
This Senate resolution formally congratulates the Carolina Hurricanes on winning the 2026 Stanley Cup. It highlights the team's playoff performance, their second championship title, and the contributions of key figures like head coach Rod Brind'Amour and captain Jordan Staal. The document serves as a ceremonial acknowledgment of the team's achievement rather than establishing new laws or policies.
This resolution provides for the consideration of the bill (H.R. 139) to make daylight savings time permanent, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 8595) making appropriations for national security, Department of State, and related programs for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2027, and for other purposes; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 9237) to amend titles 10 and 38, United States Code, and other Federal laws, to improve benefits for veterans and the administration of the Department of Veterans Affairs; providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 1181) to prohibit payment card networks and covered entities from requiring the use of or assigning merchant category codes that distinguish a firearms retailer from general-merchandise retailer or sporting-goods retailer, and for other purposes; and for other purposes.
This resolution designates June 2026 as "Great Outdoors Month" to recognize the economic and health benefits of outdoor recreation. It encourages all individuals in the United States to participate in outdoor activities during that month and throughout the year. The bill does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the importance of nature and recreation.
The Reimbursable Screening Services Program Extension Act of 2026 extends and expands a federal program that reimburses states for conducting aviation security background checks. The bill directly affects federal and state agencies responsible for vetting airline employees by allowing the program to operate through fiscal year 2031 instead of ending in 2026. Additionally, it increases the maximum number of reimbursable screening services that can be provided annually from eight to 14. This legislation aims to maintain and slightly increase the capacity for background investigations without changing the underlying requirements for who must be screened.
