This bill, known as the Plastic Pellet Free Waters Act, directs the Environmental Protection Agency to ban the discharge of pre-production plastic pellets and related materials into wastewater and runoff from specific industrial facilities. It requires the EPA to issue new rules within 60 days that prohibit these discharges from factories that make, use, package, or transport plastic pellets, as well as from facilities regulated under existing federal water pollution regulations. The law mandates that these new restrictions be included in all wastewater and stormwater permits issued by the EPA and state programs, as well as in performance standards for affected industrial point sources. This legislation directly impacts manufacturers and distributors of plastic pellets and aims to prevent plastic pollution from entering water systems during the production and packaging stages.
Extending WIC for New Moms Act This bill amends the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to extend the eligibility periods for breastfeeding and postpartum women. Specifically, a state program may elect to certify a breastfeeding woman for up to 24 months (currently 1 year) postpartum. The bill also expands the eligibility period for postpartum women to up to 24 months after termination of pregnancy (currently 6 months). The Department of Agriculture must submit a report to Congress evaluating the effect of these changes to the program on (1) maternal and infant health outcomes, (2) breastfeeding rates, and (3) qualitative evaluations of family experiences under WIC.
This bill would eliminate interest on all existing and future Federal student loans starting in 2026, directly affecting current borrowers and future students. It requires the Department of Education to automatically modify eligible Federal Direct loans to stop interest accrual and allows borrowers to refinance other Federal loans into zero-interest consolidation loans without origination fees. The legislation also creates a new Education Affordability Trust Fund that would use loan repayments to fund these interest-free loans and potentially provide additional Pell Grants, while establishing a six-member board to oversee investments in government bonds.
This bill requires licensed firearm dealers to add serial numbers to unserialized guns they receive and to those they manufacture using 3D printing or similar non-traditional methods. It defines additive manufacturing as layer-by-layer processes like 3D printing and mandates that dealers engrave or cast serial numbers on frames and receivers, then report this information to the Attorney General. Dealers who fail to comply face civil fines up to $10,000 for first offenses and criminal penalties including up to $100,000 in fines and one year in prison for subsequent violations. The bill also creates a tax credit for dealers who spend money on serialization equipment and limits how the Attorney General can use the collected serial number data to only active criminal investigations. State laws regarding firearm serialization remain unaffected by these federal requirements.
SJRES 116 requires the President to remove U.S. military forces from hostilities against Iran that lack a congressional declaration of war or specific statutory authorization. It specifically cites the Trump administration's Operation Epic Fury as an example of unapproved military action, referencing statements from officials calling it a "war." The resolution allows for continued defense of U.S. personnel, intelligence sharing, and support for allies attacked by Iran, but mandates withdrawal of forces engaged in unapproved hostilities. This policy change enforces the constitutional principle that Congress, not the executive, must authorize military conflict.
This bill, the No Harm Data Centers Act, requires large data centers to pay their full share of electricity costs and infrastructure upgrades without shifting those expenses to residential or small business customers. It gives the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission authority to approve rates for data centers and mandates that utilities cover all transmission, distribution, and generation costs needed to support these facilities. The legislation also establishes a new penalty system for violations and directs the EPA to conduct an assessment of data centers' environmental and public health impacts.
The GUARDRAILS Act (HR 8031) repeals the December 11, 2025 Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence, which previously established a national policy framework for AI development. By removing this executive order, the bill prevents the federal government from using funds to implement, enforce, or administer the policies outlined in that directive. This change directly affects federal agencies and any organizations that were relying on the executive order's framework for AI regulation. The legislation does not create new AI rules but instead eliminates the existing executive mandate that had been in place.
This bill establishes a new Office of Small Farms within the USDA's farm production and conservation mission area to better serve small agricultural operations. It defines "small farm, ranch, or forest operation" as those under 180 acres or with less than $350,000 annual income, directly affecting these operators. Key provisions include creating a Director to coordinate USDA programs, reviewing barriers to participation, developing new initiatives (including $25,000 grants for repairs, land access, or conservation), and requiring State coordinators in each state to improve local program delivery. The bill authorizes $15 million annually for the Office's administration and $10 million for grants/technical assistance from 2027-2031, with annual reports to Congress on progress.
HR 7522, the Improving Access to Nutrition Act of 2026, removes work requirements from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It directly affects approximately 6.1 million SNAP recipients currently subject to these requirements, including people with health issues, Black Americans disproportionately impacted by such rules, families with children, and individuals experiencing homelessness. The bill amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 by striking subsection (o) and related provisions that mandate work requirements for SNAP eligibility. This change would eliminate a barrier that studies show reduces participation without reducing poverty and increases administrative burdens. The bill does not create new benefits but removes an existing eligibility requirement affecting vulnerable populations.
This bill creates new funding opportunities for rural health facilities (like hospitals, clinics, and long-term care centers) in areas with populations under 50,000. It allows these facilities to use existing Rural Development Agency funds to refinance debt, update telehealth/equipment, or cover operating costs - provided the assistance preserves health access and improves the facility’s financial health. Eligibility requires the facility to be in a rural area or a persistent poverty area (defined as a 20%+ poverty rate for 30 years), and the Secretary may waive certain requirements for insolvent facilities in distressed communities. The law amends existing farm and rural development programs to directly support rural health infrastructure without creating new funding streams.
The Opportunities in Organic Act establishes a new federal program to support farmers and ranchers transitioning to organic certification and expanding organic operations. It provides cost-share payments for organic certification (up to $1,500 per producer, with higher amounts allowed for socially disadvantaged farmers or in high-cost regions) and funds eligible nonprofits to deliver technical assistance, transition support, and supply chain development. The program specifically targets socially disadvantaged farmers, organic producers, and farms in vulnerable or under-resourced areas, with annual funding starting at $50 million for 2027-2028 and increasing to $100 million annually by 2030.
HR 7251, the "Prohibit Partisan Park Passes Act," amends federal law to prevent the use of living political figures on National Park Service and federal recreational lands passes. The bill specifically prohibits including images of current or former elected officials or other living political figures on these passes. This change directly affects the National Park Service, which issues the passes, and ensures the design remains neutral. The law modifies existing regulations under the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act to remove partisan imagery from these commonly used visitor passes.
