The Federal Worker Protection Act aims to prevent federal agencies from using non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) to chill whistleblowing by requiring all such contracts to include a prominent notice of employees' rights to report wrongdoing to oversight bodies like Congress and Inspectors General. The bill mandates that the Office of Special Counsel pre-approve NDA templates and establishes a private right of action allowing employees to sue for damages if they face retaliation based on protected disclosures. Additionally, it grants Inspectors General the authority to block non-compliant NDAs and provides them with specific protections against removal for issuing negative certifications regarding agency practices.
H.Res. 1497 is a House resolution that commemorates the fifth anniversary of the Abbey Gate bombing, in which 13 U.S. servicemembers were killed during the withdrawal from Afghanistan. The bill lists the names of the fallen soldiers and formally condemns the Biden-Harris administration for what it describes as dereliction of duty and the forfeiture of military property to the Taliban. It asserts that the withdrawal was a disastrous failure that ignored security warnings and left Americans at risk, while also criticizing the lack of accountability from officials involved in the decision-making process.
This bill amends federal law to allow certain prior active duty service as a regular member of an Armed Force to count toward the reduced eligibility age for retirement in the reserve components. The change directly affects members of the Ready Reserve who have served on active duty, enabling them to qualify for retirement benefits at an earlier age than previously permitted under current rules. The legislation applies retroactively to qualifying service performed after January 28, 2008, ensuring that past service is recognized for these retirement calculations.
The BAD DEAL Act of 2026 repeals Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, which previously allowed the President to impose tariffs on foreign countries that engaged in unfair trade practices. This legislation directly affects importers and businesses by removing the legal authority for these specific duties and invalidating any presidential proclamations issued under that section. The bill requires the President to refund all tariffs or other duties collected before, on, or after the enactment date that resulted from actions taken under the repealed provision.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
The National Archives Protection Act amends federal law to restrict the Archivist of the United States from closing existing record centers or imposing unreasonable limits on public access to them. It also prevents the Archivist from reconstructing, converting, or rehabilitating these facilities if such work would require moving records for more than 180 days. These provisions directly affect the National Archives and Records Administration by limiting its ability to consolidate or modify its physical storage infrastructure.
The National Flood Impact Reduction and Resilience Act of 2026 establishes a new federal program designed to reduce flood-related losses to life and property through coordinated research, data sharing, and the promotion of resilient construction practices. The bill creates an Interagency Coordinating Committee chaired by the Chief of the Army Corps of Engineers to oversee planning, manage budgets, and ensure cooperation among agencies such as FEMA, NOAA, and the USGS. This committee will work with a non-federal advisory group to develop standards, publish flood vulnerability maps, and provide technical assistance to local governments and building owners. The legislation aims to integrate engineering, natural science, and social science research to improve flood forecasting and encourage the adoption of nature-based features and innovative design methods across the country.
This House resolution supports the designation of August 17 through August 23, 2026, as Warehouse Worker Recognition Week to honor over 1.8 million employees in the logistics industry. The bill highlights the critical role these workers play in the U.S. economy and supply chain while acknowledging the challenging conditions they face, such as extreme heat and long hours. It encourages increased public awareness of their contributions and commits lawmakers to collaborating on efforts to reduce workplace injuries and better support these front-line employees.
The No Utility Junk Fees Act requires states to prohibit regulated electric utilities from charging residential customers fees that exceed the actual cost of processing payments or are applied to free payment methods like mail and in-person services. To enforce these consumer protections, the bill withholds 10 percent of federal energy program funding from any state that fails to adopt laws banning such "spurious charges" and requiring clear disclosure of all billing fees. States must also ensure at least one fee-free payment option is available without internet access and ban fees on automatic recurring payments and electronic fund transfers. The Secretary of Energy will monitor state compliance through annual documentation submissions, with a 90-day cure period provided before financial penalties are applied.
The Energy Utility Lobbying Ban Act requires states to adopt specific restrictions on former state regulatory officials who seek to lobby electric utilities regarding matters they previously handled. To receive full federal funding for energy programs, a state must prohibit these former employees from advocating before their former agency in cases where they had personal and substantial involvement or where the matter was pending under their responsibility within a year of their departure. The Secretary of Energy will annually review state laws to ensure compliance, withholding 10 percent of a state's financial assistance if it fails to meet these requirements, though funds are restored if the state corrects the issue in the following year. States have a 90-day cure period to remedy noncompliance and may implement the necessary restrictions through legislation, administrative rules, or binding regulatory orders.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 imposes comprehensive economic restrictions on the Russian Federation, including blocking assets of government officials, state-owned financial institutions, and entities supporting the defense sector. The bill prohibits new U.S. investments in Russia, bans the purchase of Russian sovereign debt, and restricts the importation of uranium and energy products from the country. Additionally, it authorizes the imposition of tariffs up to 500 percent on goods imported directly from Russia and up to 100 percent on goods from foreign nations that continue to purchase significant volumes of Russian crude oil or natural gas. The legislation also extends the Iran Sanctions Act through 2031 and includes a five-year sunset provision for the new measures, subject to specific humanitarian and safety exceptions.
The Border Patrol Overtime Parity Act amends federal law to expand eligibility for special overtime pay rates for U.S. Border Patrol agents. Currently, these higher pay rates are restricted to agents occupying positions at the GS-12 grade level or above. By removing this specific grade requirement from the statute, the bill allows agents in lower-grade positions to qualify for the same overtime compensation. This change directly affects Border Patrol officers by broadening the group of employees who can receive additional pay for working beyond standard hours.
