The Build American Efficiency Act allows the Department of Housing and Urban Development to accept a specific industry standard, known as the Make It American Process Standard, as valid proof that construction materials meet domestic content requirements. This change directly affects recipients of federal housing funds by providing an additional, recognized method to certify that their projects comply with Buy America rules. The bill does not force anyone to use this new standard, nor does it ban the use of other existing certification methods, but it does give the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development the option to accept similar standards if they offer a clear way to verify domestic content.
The Right to Record Act of 2026 establishes a federal legal right for individuals to record, observe, or peacefully protest federal law enforcement activities in public view. It creates a new civil cause of action that allows individuals to sue federal officers and the United States government for specific retaliatory actions, such as arresting someone for recording or threatening them with database inclusion. Under this bill, violators could face civil penalties of up to $100,000 in punitive damages if the misconduct was done with malice or reckless disregard for rights. The law also mandates annual training for federal officers on respecting these rights while enforcing the law and clarifies that the right does not extend to physically restraining an officer.
This bill establishes a bipartisan Commission on Long-Term Social Security Solvency to study and propose solutions for ensuring the financial stability of Social Security for at least 75 years. The 13-member commission includes appointments from the President, congressional leaders, and committee chairs, with at least half of the congressional appointees required to be non-political experts. After holding public hearings and gathering data, the commission must submit a report with specific legislative recommendations, which Congress is then required to expedite and vote on without amendments. The commission is authorized up to $2 million in funding and will dissolve shortly after submitting its final report.
The Alan S. Lowenthal Blue Whales, Blue Skies Act directs the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to create a voluntary program that encourages large ships to slow down to reduce pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and risks to whales. Ships that are 300 gross tons or larger and operate in designated areas along the U.S. Pacific coast can participate by voluntarily limiting their speed to 10 knots or lower. In exchange for verified compliance, eligible vessel owners may receive annual Excellence Awards and display an official logo on their vessels to show their commitment to the program. The legislation explicitly states that joining the program is optional, provides no financial incentives, and does not compromise navigation safety. Additionally, the bill requires officials to review the possibility of expanding the program to cover all shipping channels along the Pacific coast within four years.
The Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act of 2026 directs the Environmental Protection Agency to study and report on the environmental effects of artificial intelligence, including energy and water use, pollution, and electronic waste. This bill requires large data centers to annually submit detailed public reports on their resource consumption and environmental footprint, with penalties for non-compliance. Additionally, it establishes a stakeholder consortium to develop standardized methods for measuring these impacts and to identify ways to promote beneficial uses of AI while reducing negative effects. The legislation aims to increase transparency and accountability regarding the growing environmental costs associated with AI infrastructure and operations.
The Fostering TRUST Act of 2026 requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to notify Congress and local representatives whenever a veteran commits or attempts suicide within a VA facility or an associated care provider. This notification must occur within seven days of the incident and include the facility location, along with detailed personal data such as the veteran's demographics, service history, medical insurance status, and housing situation within 60 days. The bill also mandates that these reports include guidance on suicide warning signs, available support resources, and best practices for securing lethal means while ensuring the privacy and dignity of the veteran and their family.
The Veterans Hearing Aid Improvement Act of 2026 directs the Department of Veterans Affairs to run a two-year demonstration project evaluating the cost and effectiveness of covering FDA-cleared, over-the-counter hearing aids for eligible veterans with mild-to-moderate hearing loss. To participate, veterans must be enrolled in the VA system, receive a clinical clearance from an audiologist, and have access to a smartphone or Wi-Fi to operate the devices. The project will compare these over-the-counter options against traditional prescription hearing aids at selected VA facilities and require the Secretary to submit interim and final reports on the fiscal impact and health outcomes. Additionally, the bill mandates a separate study by the Comptroller General to analyze the current coverage of hearing aids for veterans and provide recommendations for potential program changes.
This bill creates a program to correct burial markers for American-Jewish servicemembers who died in World War I or II and were mistakenly buried under Latin crosses (a Christian symbol) in overseas U.S. military cemeteries. The American Battle Monuments Commission will run this 10-year program, authorizing $500,000 annually to contract with qualified nonprofit organizations to identify affected veterans and contact their families. It directly affects Jewish veterans buried overseas with incorrect markers and their descendants, ensuring their religious heritage is properly recognized. The program requires nonprofits to verify burial records and facilitate marker corrections, with priority given to organizations experienced in Jewish military history.
This resolution expresses support for designating June 5, 2026, as National Gun Violence Awareness Day and June 2026 as National Gun Violence Awareness Month. The bill calls on the public to wear orange on the designated day to honor victims and promote awareness of gun safety. It highlights statistics on gun-related deaths and injuries to underscore the need for community discussions on making neighborhoods safer.
This resolution expresses support for recognizing June 7, 2026, as Tourette Syndrome Awareness Day to promote understanding and reduce stigma for individuals with the condition. The measure highlights that Tourette Syndrome is a neurological disorder affecting approximately 1 in 50 children, often accompanied by other mental health challenges. By designating this specific date, the House aims to encourage public awareness and compassion for those living with the disorder.
This resolution expresses the House of Representatives' opposition to foreign countries imposing digital services taxes that discriminate against U.S. companies. It highlights that these taxes unfairly target gross revenues rather than actual profits and penalize businesses that do not have a physical presence in the taxing country. The bill calls on other nations to repeal such measures and engage in fair trade negotiations based on international tax principles. Additionally, it supports the use of trade tools like Section 301 investigations to protect American businesses from these discriminatory practices.
The Public Lands Integrity Act modifies the rules used to determine whether certain budget items are considered "extraneous" or outside the scope of a budget resolution. Specifically, it adds the sale, disposal, or transfer of federal lands to the list of actions that must be treated as extraneous under the Byrd Rule. This change directly affects how Congress evaluates and processes legislation involving the sale of public lands by making it more likely that such provisions will be excluded from budget reconciliation bills. The bill does not authorize the sale of any specific land but instead alters the procedural framework governing how these transactions are handled in the legislative process.
