SRES 597 is a Senate resolution authorizing the U.S. Senate to initiate or join a federal lawsuit against the Department of Justice for failing to fully comply with the Epstein Files Transparency Act (Public Law 119-38), which required the complete release of all Epstein-related documents by December 19, 2025. The resolution directs the Senate Majority Leader to file the lawsuit to compel the DOJ to release unredacted documents meeting the Act's requirements, covering legal costs from Senate appropriations. This action follows the DOJ's release of only about 12,000 documents (less than 1% of files) by the deadline, along with misrepresentations about the volume and completeness of the release.
This resolution designates January 2026 as "National Mentoring Month" to raise public awareness about mentoring programs. It recognizes the benefits of mentoring for youth - including improved academic performance, mental health, career development, and reduced risk of delinquency - and highlights that 40% of U.S. youth lack a mentor. The Senate encourages community, school, and workplace efforts to expand existing mentoring programs and recruit volunteers to support young people. It does not create new laws or funding but aims to promote existing mentoring initiatives across the country.
The Predatory Lending Elimination Act applies military lending protections to all consumers, not just military members, by setting strict interest rate limits on personal loans and credit cards. It prohibits lenders from charging excessive rates on most consumer credit (except residential mortgages, auto loans for vehicle purchases, and federal credit union loans) and bans exemptions that would weaken these caps. The law preserves stronger state consumer protections and allows state attorneys general to enforce violations within three years. It requires the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to issue rules within one year to implement these rate limits and ensure consistency with existing military lending standards.
This bill amends the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act to add two new prohibitions for dietary supplements. It bans introducing into interstate commerce any product marketed as a dietary supplement that doesn't meet the legal definition (Section 201(ff)), and prohibits supplements prepared, packed, or held using a person banned from the industry (Section 306). These changes update import restrictions (Section 801) and seizure authorities (Section 304) to include violations of these new prohibitions. The law directly affects dietary supplement manufacturers, distributors, and sellers who handle products meeting these specific criteria.
HR 7391, the Community Health Center Drug Pricing Protection Act, requires that Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) pay the discounted 340B ceiling price for covered drugs **at the time of purchase**, not later through rebates or adjustments. This directly affects FQHCs, which rely on 340B discounts to provide affordable care to low-income patients. The bill amends the Public Health Service Act to prohibit manufacturers from entering agreements where FQHCs initially pay more than the ceiling price, with later reimbursement. It takes effect immediately upon enactment for all new drug purchases and applies to existing agreements starting then.
HR 7371 (No Flight, No Fight Act of 2026) bans air carriers from transporting adult roosters as cargo, except for shipments originating from or destined to qualifying commercial farms. The bill requires shippers to provide USDA-certified documentation proving the farm meets the $350,000 annual gross income threshold for commercial operations. It defines "adult rooster" as a male chicken over 6 months old and specifies that exemptions apply only to legitimate agricultural purposes, not to prevent illegal activities like cockfighting. The Department of Transportation will enforce this rule, with violations subject to civil penalties, effective 180 days after enactment.
SRES 596 is a non-binding Senate resolution designating February 2-6, 2026, as "National School Counseling Week." It directly recognizes school counselors and their role in supporting students' academic, social, emotional, and career development. The resolution encourages public awareness through ceremonies and activities to highlight counselors' contributions, addressing their critical but often underfunded role (with a national student-to-counselor ratio of 376:1). It does not create new programs or alter funding but formally acknowledges counselors' work in schools.
HRES 1002 is a symbolic House resolution recognizing the Older Americans Act (OAA) nutrition program, which provides meals and social services to seniors aged 60+. It directly affects millions of older adults - particularly those who are homebound, isolated, or facing hunger, malnutrition, or chronic health conditions - by highlighting how the program reduces hospital visits, lowers healthcare costs, and improves quality of life. Key provisions include acknowledging the program’s role in preventing falls and institutionalization, emphasizing volunteer support as its "backbone," and urging Congress to secure sustained federal funding. As a non-binding resolution, it does not change policy but formally endorses the program’s value and calls for community and legislative support.
The Rebuild America's Schools Act of 2026 would provide $20 billion annually (2027-2031) to improve public school facilities across the United States. The bill directs funds to states based on previous Title I funding allocations, requiring states to contribute 10% of the funds (with some exceptions) and develop plans for equitable distribution to school districts. Local educational agencies must prioritize schools with high numbers of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch, and funds can be used for construction, renovation, energy efficiency upgrades, removal of toxic substances, and making facilities accessible. The bill also establishes school infrastructure bonds to leverage private investment and includes specific provisions to repair foundations damaged by pyrrhotite.
The Stop Underrides Act 2.0 requires new safety standards for side underride guards on commercial trucks and trailers to prevent passenger vehicles from sliding under them during collisions. The bill mandates that the Secretary of Transportation finalize regulations requiring these guards within 18 months, with full compliance required within two years. The regulations must meet specific performance standards to prevent intrusion into passenger vehicle occupant space during side collisions at speeds up to 40 mph. This law directly affects commercial truck manufacturers, trucking companies, and all road users, particularly vulnerable road users like cyclists and pedestrians who are at higher risk in underride crashes. The bill also establishes a public website for underride crash resources and requires studies to better understand and prevent these crashes.
This bill would impose a 100% tax on civil damages received by a former President or their family members (spouse or relatives covered under tax code rules) from lawsuits filed against the U.S. government during their presidency. It applies to all settlement, verdict, or judgment amounts received while the individual served as President, covering damages from cases filed by them against the government. The tax treats these damages as taxable income, with no exclusion from gross income calculations. The bill amends the Internal Revenue Code to add this specific tax provision for such civil action awards.
The Rebuild America's Schools Act of 2026 authorizes $20 billion annually from 2027 to 2031 to improve public school facilities nationwide. The bill provides grants to states to fund school construction, renovation, and modernization projects that focus on safety, energy efficiency, and accessibility, with priority given to schools serving high percentages of students eligible for free or reduced-price lunch. Funds cannot be used for routine maintenance, athletic facilities, or vehicles, and must meet specific environmental, safety, and energy efficiency standards. The bill also includes specific provisions for repairing school foundations affected by pyrrhotite, a mineral that causes concrete deterioration, and requires use of American-made materials for construction projects.
