This bill creates a new White House Council on Fathers and Sons to address issues affecting men and boys across the United States. The Council would be led by senior federal officials and tasked with promoting the roles of fathers and sons in families, reducing deaths of despair among men, and coordinating federal responses to challenges faced by fathers and sons. It requires the Council to consult with federal agencies, nonprofit organizations, and faith institutions while submitting regular reports to the President on its findings and recommendations. The Council would operate using existing funding from the Department of Health and Human Services, with participating agencies covering their own administrative costs.
This bill reauthorizes and modernizes Trade Adjustment Assistance programs to help workers, firms, communities, and farmers affected by trade-related job losses. It extends program funding through 2033 and expands eligibility to include teleworkers, staffed workers, and public agency employees. Key provisions increase financial benefits, add new allowances for childcare and job search, require inflation adjustments to benefit amounts, and establish new outreach requirements to ensure underserved communities receive adequate support. The legislation also creates a new community assistance program providing grants for strategic economic development planning and expands technical assistance for businesses seeking adjustment support.
This bill, known as the Dalilah Law, would restrict commercial driver's licenses to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and holders of specific work visas. It requires states to verify the citizenship or visa status of all CDL applicants and renewals within 180 days of enactment, while also mandating English language proficiency testing for all license holders. States that fail to enforce these requirements or issue licenses to ineligible individuals risk losing federal transportation funding. The law also imposes lifetime disqualifications for operating commercial vehicles without proper immigration status.
HRES 1097 is a procedural resolution requesting federal agencies to provide specific documents to the House of Representatives. It directs the Treasury and Homeland Security Secretaries to share records about how they implement an existing agreement (the "Memorandum of Understanding") for sharing taxpayer information related to non-tax criminal enforcement. The resolution specifically asks for documents concerning access to IRS systems containing taxpayer data, policies for handling such information, and any violations of privacy rules. This request does not create new law but seeks transparency about current agency practices involving sensitive taxpayer information.
This bill, titled the Investments in Rural Transit Act, aims to improve funding and administrative support for public transportation in rural areas and on Tribal lands. It increases the Federal operating share for rural transit from 50 percent to 80 percent and allows Tribal transit agencies to receive up to 100 percent Federal funding for eligible projects. The legislation also streamlines how rural and Tribal agencies can purchase vehicles and equipment through cooperative purchasing arrangements and requires the creation of a new Associate Administrator position focused on Tribal transit support. Additionally, the bill mandates a joint report from the Departments of Transportation and Energy on improving the procurement of low-emission vehicles in rural communities.
This bill, titled the One Nation, One Visa Policy Act, would require all Chinese nationals to have a valid visa before being allowed entry into the United States. It directly affects Chinese citizens and passport holders by prohibiting their visa-free admission and directing the Department of Homeland Security to stop using funds for any Chinese participation in existing visa waiver programs. The legislation explicitly includes Hong Kong and Macau under the definition of the People's Republic of China for the purposes of this restriction. The bill would remove the ability of Chinese nationals to enter the country without a visa under current waiver arrangements.
The Railway Safety Act of 2026 establishes new safety requirements for trains transporting hazardous materials, including speed limits, enhanced reporting, and stricter tank car standards. It mandates that high-hazard trains carrying flammable liquids or toxic materials be limited to 40 mph in urban areas, while requiring railroads to provide real-time information to emergency responders. The bill also increases penalties for safety violations, requires more frequent inspections of rail equipment, and creates a new emergency response assistance program to help communities affected by hazardous materials incidents. Additionally, it authorizes funding for research into safer tank cars and defect detection systems, and requires the Federal Railroad Administration to improve its safety workforce management.
This bill establishes a permanent "Payroll Audit Independent Determination" (PAID) program under the Department of Labor, allowing employers to voluntarily self-audit and correct unintentional wage violations under federal law. Employers submit payroll audits identifying minimum wage or overtime errors, then pay back wages directly to affected employees through a streamlined process overseen by the Department. Employees who accept the settlement receive full payment but waive their right to sue for those specific violations, while employers gain protection from future investigations for the same issues. The program, based on a successful 2018-2019 pilot that resolved cases faster and with higher back-wage payments than traditional enforcement, includes strict safeguards like confidentiality for submitted data and requirements for employer good faith.
This symbolic resolution expresses congressional support for designating February 2026 as "Hawaiian Language Month" or "'Ōlelo Hawai'i Month." It urges the public to celebrate the language and commits to preserving Hawaiian language use in alignment with the Native American Languages Act. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a formal statement of support for ongoing revitalization efforts. It follows decades of grassroots work to restore the Hawaiian language, which saw over 20,000 speakers and expanded immersion education by 2026.
This bill, known as the Direct File Act of 2026, would establish a government-run online platform for taxpayers to prepare and file their individual income tax returns for free. It requires the Treasury Department to create a user-friendly system that uses IRS data to simplify the process, offers customer support, and is available in multiple languages and on mobile devices. The legislation also prohibits the Treasury from entering into agreements that would limit its ability to provide these tax preparation and filing services. Additionally, the bill allows eligible states to integrate their state tax filing with the federal system and provides funding to states that meet certain standards for doing so.
HR 7740, the African American History Act of 2026, authorizes $4 million annually for the National Museum of African American History and Culture to develop educational resources and support teaching about African American history. The bill directs the museum to create digital and print materials, provide teacher training, and expand access to curriculum resources for K-12 and college classrooms. It requires annual reports to Congress on fund usage and expires in 2030. This program directly affects educators and students by enhancing classroom materials and professional development on African American history.
This bill, known as the Promoting Innovation in Blockchain Development Act, modifies federal law to include digital assets like cryptocurrencies within the existing legal framework for money laundering. It directly affects individuals and organizations involved in blockchain technology by expanding the definition of what constitutes currency under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act. The key provision adds language recognizing that digital value substitutes for traditional currency, ensuring these assets are covered by current anti-money laundering regulations. This change aims to clarify legal protections and compliance requirements for the growing blockchain industry without altering other parts of the law.
