Education (Early Childhood)

This bill would repeal numerous diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) requirements in federal STEM programs established under the CHIPS and Science Act. It targets provisions requiring outreach to underrepresented communities, diversity considerations in research programs, data collection on faculty demographics, and DEI-focused funding programs. The bill also repeals the NSF Chief Diversity Officer position and modifies programs to focus on STEM achievements for historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and Tribal Colleges or Universities (TCUs) without race-based activities. The bill would affect federal agencies like the National Science Foundation, Department of Energy, and National Institute of Standards and Technology that administer STEM programs.

The America First Act (HR 746) would restrict access to numerous federal benefits and programs for certain non-citizens by requiring citizenship verification and denying eligibility to individuals with specific immigration statuses. It affects programs including Medicaid, Medicare, Head Start, WIC, school meals, housing assistance, tax credits, and community development funds by denying benefits to people granted parole, temporary protected status (TPS), deferred action (including DACA), asylum, or who are unlawfully present. The bill also reduces funding for schools in "sanctuary jurisdictions" and limits refugee resettlement for certain Haitian immigrants. It mandates that federal agencies verify immigration status before providing benefits and prohibits use of federal funds for services to certain non-citizens.

The America First Act would restrict eligibility for numerous federal benefit programs based on immigration status. It requires verification of citizenship or lawful immigration status for programs including Medicaid, Medicare, Head Start, school meals, WIC, the Child Tax Credit, Earned Income Tax Credit, and housing assistance. The bill specifically would deny benefits to individuals who are unlawfully present in the U.S. or who have certain immigration statuses including parolees, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients, DACA recipients, and asylum seekers. These provisions would directly affect millions of immigrants and their families who currently qualify for these programs. The bill would also prohibit use of FEMA assistance for certain non-citizens and limit access to postsecondary financial aid based on immigration status.