The DISCLOSE Act of 2026 aims to increase transparency in election spending and prevent foreign influence. It expands the ban on foreign money to cover federal, state, and local elections, including ballot initiatives and judicial nominations, and criminalizes using corporations to conceal these funds. The bill mandates that organizations spending over $10,000 on campaign-related activities, such as independent expenditures or judicial nomination advocacy, disclose their beneficial owners and top donors. Additionally, it establishes new "Stand By Every Ad" disclaimers for political communications, requiring the highest-ranking official to approve the message and, for certain ads, list their top funders. These provisions directly affect non-candidate organizations, individuals involved in political and judicial nomination spending, and foreign nationals.
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.
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, known as the Tax Relief for Renters Act of 2026, would allow renters to deduct a portion of their rent payments from their federal income tax. The deduction would be limited to $4,000 per year for individuals who lease their primary residence, with the amount subject to inflation adjustments starting in 2028. Eligibility is restricted by income thresholds, with higher limits for joint filers and lower limits for single filers and married couples filing separately. The provision would apply to tax years beginning after December 31, 2026, and would be available to taxpayers who do not itemize deductions as well as those who do.
HRES 1086 is a symbolic resolution recognizing the Clotilda as the last known ship to illegally bring enslaved Africans to the U.S. in 1860 (carrying 110 people) and condemning the U.S. government's historical role in enabling the transatlantic slave trade. It acknowledges the lasting harm of slavery on African Americans, specifically honoring the descendants who established Africatown in Alabama and maintaining cultural heritage. The resolution urges support for preserving Africatown and encourages the Architect of the Capitol to consider a memorial on Capitol grounds for the Clotilda and all victims of the slave trade. As a non-binding resolution, it has no policy or funding impact.
This resolution (HRES 1088) is a non-binding House of Representatives measure recognizing the importance of Black history museums and cultural institutions. It formally acknowledges their role in preserving Black American history and contributions, particularly in relation to the 2026 100th anniversary of Black History Month and the U.S. 250th anniversary. The resolution urges the House to affirm that Black history is foundational to American history and calls for federal agencies to support these institutions through funding and partnerships. It also encourages the public to visit these museums, support them financially, and engage with their educational resources. The resolution does not create new laws or allocate funding, but serves as a symbolic endorsement of these institutions' cultural and historical significance.
This bill, titled the Enhanced Cybersecurity for SNAP Act of 2026, requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture to update cybersecurity and digital service regulations for Electronic Benefit Transfer (EBT) cards used in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The law mandates that states issue chip-enabled EBT cards within four years, ban magnetic stripe cards on new cards, and eliminate replacement fees for cards lost, stolen, or damaged due to fraud. It also requires online transaction security measures, provides funding for retailers to upgrade payment terminals, and establishes reporting requirements to track fraud and system performance.
This bill, titled the USDA Loan Modernization Act, would expand eligibility for guaranteed and direct farm loans under the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act. It allows individuals who own at least 50 percent of a farm and are qualified operators to qualify for farm ownership, operating, and emergency loans, replacing the previous requirement that they own a majority interest. The legislation also permits certain business entities to qualify for loans if at least 75 percent of their ownership is held by qualified farm operators, and it recognizes entities that operate farms without owning them if a majority owner meets the 50 percent threshold. These changes directly affect farmers and agricultural businesses seeking financing from USDA Rural Development programs.
This bill amends the Community Development Banking and Financial Institutions Act of 1994 to require the Treasury Secretary to testify annually before Congress about the Fund's operations. It also strengthens the CDFI Bond Guarantee Program by adjusting guarantee limits and extending the program's authorization period. Additionally, the bill expands capital assistance options for community development financial institutions and creates a new lending program specifically for Native community development financial institutions to support homeownership in Tribal and Native communities.
HR 7736, the RELIEF Act, requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection to refund tariffs collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) on imports entered on or after January 1, 2025. It directly affects importers of record by mandating automatic refunds within 90 days of the bill's enactment, without requiring them to submit applications or protests. The bill directs Customs to use existing data to calculate and disburse refunds for all affected tariff collections, including entries involving goods withdrawn from warehouse for consumption. This policy change eliminates the need for importers to seek refunds through separate processes, streamlining the recovery of overpaid duties.
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.
