This resolution designates July 30, 2026, as "National Whistleblower Appreciation Day" to honor individuals who report misconduct, fraud, or abuse within the government. It requires federal agencies to inform employees, contractors, and the public about the legal protections available for reporting wrongdoing and to acknowledge the contributions whistleblowers make to saving taxpayer money. The bill does not create new laws or penalties but serves as a commemorative measure to encourage ethical reporting and recognize the role of whistleblowers in maintaining an ethical government.
The Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act expands federal firearm restrictions to include individuals subject to any domestic violence restraining order, including temporary or emergency orders issued without the abuser's presence. It broadens the legal definition of an "intimate partner" to cover dating partners and other relationships protected by state laws, closing previous loopholes that allowed some abusers to keep guns. The bill also creates a federal grant program for states and tribes to fund the removal, storage, and return of firearms from individuals subject to these orders, requiring them to partner with local domestic violence service providers to ensure victim safety.
The Restoring Justice for Workers Act prohibits employers from requiring workers to sign agreements that force them to resolve disputes through individual arbitration rather than in court or as part of a group. It bans retaliation against employees who refuse to arbitrate and mandates that any post-dispute arbitration agreements be truly voluntary, requiring plain language explanations, a 45-day waiting period, and written consent. The bill also amends the National Labor Relations Act to make it illegal for employers to enter into or enforce contracts that prevent workers from joining together to file joint or class-action lawsuits regarding workplace rights. These changes apply to all workers, including independent contractors, and take effect immediately upon enactment.
This bill updates federal laws to ensure that members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force cannot be excluded from jobs or assignments based on their gender. It requires the Department of Defense to establish occupational standards using scientifically rigorous methods that evaluate technical, tactical, cognitive, and physical abilities without gender bias. Additionally, the legislation mandates annual reports to Congress detailing any involuntary reclassifications or separations and requires a detailed review of the operational effectiveness of Army and Marine Corps ground combat units. These changes are scheduled to take effect on September 30, 2026, with the first required report due the following year.
The ASSET Act prohibits states from using asset limits to determine eligibility for several federally funded assistance programs, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, SNAP, LIHEAP, and Supplemental Security Income. By removing these financial thresholds, the bill aims to allow low-income families to save money and build financial stability without risking their benefits. Additionally, the legislation updates the resource limit for SSI recipients to $20,000 for individuals and $10,000 for couples in 2026, with future increases tied to inflation. While the bill generally eliminates these limits, it includes a grace period for states that must pass their own laws to comply with the new rules.
The Audit the Pentagon Act requires the Department of Defense to reduce its funding by 2 percent if it fails to receive a clean financial audit for a given year. This penalty applies to all departments, agencies, and elements within the Pentagon starting after fiscal year 2024. The withheld money is distributed proportionally across various programs and projects, while the remaining funds are sent to the Treasury to help reduce the national deficit.
The Family Poverty is Not Child Neglect Act requires states to ensure that children are not separated from their parents solely because of poverty. It mandates that states develop or improve services, such as housing and unemployment assistance, to help low-income families stay together safely. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to submit a report within two years detailing how poverty influences child welfare investigations, removals, and foster care placements. This legislation aims to prevent the separation of families due to financial hardship and to gather data on the link between poverty and child neglect cases.
The Rise Up for Child Care Act of 2026 expands federal child care funding to guarantee services for current and former recipients of public assistance programs, removing previous restrictions on how states must use these funds. It eliminates state-imposed spending caps and changes the funding structure to an open-ended entitlement, allowing states to request unlimited sums to support child care needs. Additionally, the bill creates a separate matching rate of 75 percent for states that invest in wages and benefits for home-based child care providers and funds a study to evaluate the impact of these changes.
The Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act aims to reduce intimate partner homicides by strengthening federal laws that prevent abusers from accessing firearms while restraining orders are active. It expands the definition of "intimate partner" to include dating partners and clarifies that emergency or temporary restraining orders must also trigger gun restrictions. The bill requires courts to automatically issue firearm surrender orders when a protection order is granted, mandating that abusers turn in their guns within 24 hours and prohibiting them from buying new ones for the duration of the order. Additionally, the legislation creates a new grant program to help states and local governments implement these surrender procedures and partner with domestic violence service providers.
This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. military forces from ongoing hostilities against Iran that were not authorized by Congress. The bill is based on the constitutional principle that Congress holds the sole power to declare war and notes that no formal declaration or specific authorization for force against Iran has been enacted. While the resolution mandates withdrawal from active combat operations, it allows the U.S. to continue defensive actions, intelligence gathering, and limited support for allies facing Iranian attacks. The measure is intended to enforce congressional oversight of military engagements and restore constitutional war powers to the legislative branch.
The Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative Act establishes a new nonregulatory program within the Environmental Protection Agency to protect and restore the ecological health of the Mississippi River and its floodplain. This initiative directly affects federal agencies, state and local governments, Tribal organizations, and non-Federal entities by creating a dedicated National Program Office to coordinate funding and projects across ten specific states. Key provisions include setting measurable goals for improving water quality, enhancing community resilience against floods, restoring fish and wildlife habitats, and preventing the spread of invasive species. The bill authorizes grants for specific restoration actions such as removing dams, protecting wetlands, and managing stormwater, while requiring a science plan and research centers to guide these efforts. Additionally, the act mandates that at least 5 percent of funds be transferred to the Bureau of Indian Affairs to support projects led by Tribal governments.
The Title VIII Nursing Workforce Reauthorization Act of 2025 reauthorizes federal funding for nursing education programs through 2030, increasing annual appropriations to support nurse training and workforce development. It expands grant eligibility to include nurse practitioner, nurse-midwifery, nurse anesthesia, and clinical nurse specialist programs, while requiring funds to cover clinical education costs like preceptor fees. The bill directs grants toward technology such as simulation labs, telehealth, and virtual training to modernize nursing education, and mandates partnerships with healthcare facilities to create clinical training opportunities. Additionally, it updates program requirements to include support for survivors of sexual assault and focuses on increasing nursing faculty and student enrollment to address nationwide nursing shortages.
