This bill amends NOAA's policies to improve prevention and response to sexual harassment and assault for NOAA personnel and "covered personnel," including fisheries observers, protected species observers, and endangered species observers working with NOAA. Key provisions require annual reports on harassment and assault cases, establish new restricted reporting options that maintain victim anonymity, and mandate vessel operators to report incidents to the Coast Guard with specific details. The bill updates definitions to clarify who is covered, creates mechanisms for confidential reporting without automatically triggering investigations, and includes protections for victim privacy. It also requires summaries of cases reported to the Coast Guard and updates policies for handling restricted reports.
This joint resolution seeks to overturn a Department of Homeland Security rule that would establish fixed time periods for admission and specific extension procedures for nonimmigrant academic students, exchange visitors, and representatives of foreign information media. If enacted, the bill would prevent this immigration regulation from taking effect, thereby maintaining the existing framework for how these individuals manage their stay in the United States. The measure directly affects international students, cultural exchange participants, and foreign journalists by blocking changes to their visa duration limits and renewal processes.
This resolution recommends that the House of Representatives find Neville Singham in contempt of Congress for refusing to comply with a subpoena issued by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. It proposes imposing a fine of $25,000 for each day of continued non-compliance following the resolution's approval. The measure directs the Speaker of the House to take all appropriate actions necessary to enforce the subpoena and the resulting penalty.
The Protecting Workers' Wages from Medical Debt Act prohibits employers from withholding employee wages to pay for medical debts owed to health care facilities or providers. This federal ban overrides any conflicting state laws or court orders, ensuring that no government entity can enforce wage garnishment for these specific expenses. The bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to define medical debt and establish this protection, with the new rules taking effect six months after enactment.
The FABRIC Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to prohibit piece-rate pay for garment industry workers, requiring employers to pay them at least the federal minimum wage on an hourly basis while still allowing for incentive bonuses. The bill establishes joint and several liability for brand guarantors, meaning companies that contract for garment manufacturing can be held financially responsible for wage violations committed by their contractors or subcontractors. To improve oversight, the legislation mandates that all garment manufacturers and contractors register annually with the Department of Labor, providing detailed information about ownership, employees, and past legal violations. Additionally, the bill creates a new Office of the Garment Industry within the Department of Labor and authorizes $100 million in competitive grants to support domestic manufacturing, workforce development, and facility improvements.
The No Grounds for Discrimination Act requires coffee shops, cafes, tea houses, and similar informal dining establishments to provide equal access to their goods and services without discrimination based on factors such as race, religion, sex, or disability. The bill directly affects these businesses by prohibiting segregation or refusal of service on the listed protected grounds. Enforcement of these rules would follow the same procedures used for violations of Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
The Safeguarding Taxpayer Investment for Executive Airlift Act of 2026 prohibits the Department of Defense from using fiscal year 2027 funds to sell, donate, or transfer ownership of any aircraft from the VC-25B Bridge program. This restriction prevents these specific planes from being moved to individuals or entities outside the Department of the Air Force. The bill directly affects federal budgeting processes by limiting how appropriated defense money can be spent on executive airlift assets during that fiscal year.
The Priority for Pediatric Cures Act permanently extends the authority to award priority review vouchers for drugs and biologics that treat rare pediatric diseases. By amending the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, the bill removes a specific expiration provision that would otherwise limit this incentive program. This change ensures that pharmaceutical companies can continue to receive expedited FDA review in exchange for developing treatments for children with rare conditions.
The TEAM USA Act would amend the Higher Education Act to require colleges and universities receiving federal financial assistance to limit international student athletes to no more than 20 percent of any varsity sports team roster, or a maximum of one player for teams with fewer than ten members. The bill defines an international student athlete as someone who is not a U.S. national or permanent resident, or who has received athletic financial support from a foreign Olympic or Paralympic committee. Institutions would be required to report their compliance annually to the Secretary of Education and relevant athletic associations. These new restrictions would take effect on July 1, 2029, applying to the 2029-2030 academic year and all subsequent years.
This bill, known as Kayleigh's Law Act of 2026, requires federal courts to issue permanent restraining orders against defendants convicted of certain serious crimes, prohibiting them from contacting their victims for the rest of their lives. The law applies specifically to individuals convicted of violent felonies or felony offenses involving sexual acts, including crimes like child exploitation and human trafficking. Courts must include these orders in sentencing, and violations are treated as contempt of court, while the only way to lift the order is if the conviction is overturned or pardoned. The bill also ensures that victims cannot be charged any fees for obtaining these protective orders and clarifies that the restrictions apply regardless of state laws.
This House resolution expresses support for designating the week of September 19 through September 26, 2026, as National Estuaries Week to raise public awareness about the importance of these coastal ecosystems. The bill highlights that estuaries support a significant portion of the U.S. population and economy while providing critical services such as flood control, water filtration, and habitat for fish and wildlife. It acknowledges ongoing threats to estuary health, including pollution and sea level changes, and recognizes the efforts of government agencies, organizations, and individuals working to protect and restore these areas.
The Protecting Elders from Wire Fraud Act requires employees at covered financial institutions to report suspected exploitation of senior citizens to regulatory agencies within five days and mandates that these institutions place a hold on questionable transactions for up to 30 business days, with the possibility of two additional 30-day extensions. During this hold period, banks must notify a trusted contact identified by the account holder or a reasonably associated third party about the transaction freeze and the reasons for it. The bill also allows employees to share limited information about suspected fraud with people closely associated with the senior, provided those individuals are not believed to be involved in the exploitation. To protect institutions acting in good faith, the legislation includes a safe harbor provision that shields them from liability for delaying transactions or sharing necessary information with trusted contacts and law enforcement.
