This bill strengthens child labor protections by expanding the definition of hazardous work for minors, particularly in dangerous industries like mining and explosives, and requires the government to update these regulations every five years. It imposes strict rules on companies with federal contracts, prohibiting them from using child labor in their supply chains and holding them jointly liable if their subcontractors violate these rules. The legislation also increases penalties for violations, including higher fines for serious injuries or deaths, allows for stop-work orders, and enables victims to seek significant compensatory and punitive damages. Additionally, the bill mandates training programs to help identify and prevent child labor abuses and requires the Department of Labor to report annually on work-related injuries and deaths.
HR 941, the Small LENDER Act, creates a 3-year compliance period and a subsequent 2-year penalty-free period for small lenders required to report small business lending data under a new rule. It directly affects financial institutions that originated at least 500 small business loans in each of the previous two years (defined as loans to businesses with under $1 million annual revenue). The bill delays full enforcement of new data reporting requirements, giving lenders time to adjust without penalties during the grace periods. This changes how the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau enforces reporting rules for smaller lenders focused on small business loans.
Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act This bill repeals the Corporate Transparency Act. The act requires existing companies and newly created companies to report beneficial ownership information to the Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network for purposes of addressing the financing of terrorism and money laundering.
This Senate resolution formally recognizes Father's Day and highlights the significant role fathers play in the lives of children and adults. It notes that children with engaged fathers are more likely to succeed academically and economically, while those without them face higher risks of poverty, crime, and other negative outcomes. The bill does not create new laws or change government policies; instead, it serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the importance of fatherhood and wishes a happy Father's Day to all fathers and father figures.
The STOP Scams Against Seniors Act authorizes the use of federal Byrne grant funds to create and run task forces specifically designed to combat financial scams targeting individuals aged 60 and older. These task forces would bring together local law enforcement, prosecutors, and federal agencies like the FBI and FTC to investigate fraud cases and assist victims. To ensure accountability, the bill requires grant recipients to submit detailed annual reports on the number of cases handled, victims supported, and the specific types of scams encountered. Additionally, the Attorney General must provide a yearly summary of this data to Congress.
The Save Our Shrimpers Act directs the U.S. Treasury to instruct American representatives at international financial institutions to vote against funding projects related to shrimp farming, processing, or export in borrowing countries. This restriction includes a waiver provision that allows the Treasury Secretary to override the vote if they determine the project serves the national interest, with the requirement to notify Congress. The mandate to oppose such financial assistance is set to expire seven years after the bill is enacted.
The Protection of Lawful Commerce in Stone Slab Products Act of 2026 prevents lawsuits against manufacturers and sellers of stone slab products for injuries caused by silica dust during the cutting or shaping of those products by third-party fabricators. The bill defines these lawsuits as "qualified civil actions" and mandates that any such pending cases be dismissed, arguing that producers should not be held liable for safety failures by independent workers who alter the materials. By shielding companies from these specific claims, the legislation aims to protect the stone industry from economic instability while maintaining that workplace safety remains the responsibility of the fabricators themselves.
The Stop Child Care Scams Act of 2026 strengthens fraud prevention measures within the Child Care and Development Block Grant program and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. This legislation requires the federal Secretary of Health and Human Services to actively investigate fraud and permanently ban any child care providers found guilty of submitting false information or misusing funds from receiving future assistance. Additionally, states with improper payment rates exceeding five percent must submit corrective action plans and could lose funding eligibility if they fail to improve over two consecutive years. The bill also mandates regular performance reviews for states, removes the ability to waive sanctions for fraud, and directs the Government Accountability Office to study fraud prevention efforts across early childhood and nutrition programs.
This resolution expresses support for designating June 2026 as Black Music Month to honor the historical and cultural significance of Black contributions to American music. It acknowledges the wide-ranging influence of Black music across various genres and its central role in the nation's history, including the civil rights movement. The bill calls on the public to celebrate this month by promoting diversity, performing Black music, and spreading awareness of its legacy.
The COMPASS Act expands protections for military families by updating the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to address homeschooling requirements during permanent moves. It ensures that a military child's home education is considered compliant with the laws of their new location if they were already following the rules of their legal residence state. This change aims to reduce administrative burdens and prevent conflicting state regulations from penalizing families when they relocate due to military orders. By clarifying these rules, the bill seeks to support family stability and ensure uninterrupted schooling for military-connected students.
The ReportScams.gov Act establishes a comprehensive federal framework to combat scams by creating a centralized website, reportscams.gov, where the public can access prevention resources, report incidents, and find victim assistance. This initiative requires the Office of Management and Budget to set a national priority goal for reducing scams and form an interagency Steering Committee involving major departments like the FBI, FTC, and Secret Service to develop a unified action plan. The bill mandates the creation of a secure online portal that routes scam reports to relevant federal and state authorities while providing detailed, up-to-date information on recognizing and avoiding fraud. Additionally, the legislation ensures accountability through quarterly progress reviews, annual public reports on scam trends and financial losses, and a specific authority for agencies to transfer funds to support these coordinated efforts.
This bill, known as the Government Bailout Prevention Act, prohibits the federal government from using taxpayer money or Federal Reserve funds to bail out state, local, county, or school district governments that face financial distress starting in 2026. Specifically, it bars the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve from purchasing bonds, issuing credit lines, or providing loans to any government entity that has filed for bankruptcy, defaulted on its debts, or is at risk of defaulting without federal help. The law explicitly excludes disaster relief assistance and discretionary grants from these restrictions, ensuring that emergency aid for declared disasters remains available even if a government is in financial trouble.
