Referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means.
This bill designates the Quindaro Townsite in Kansas City, Kansas, as the Quindaro Townsite National Historic Landmark. This formal recognition highlights the site's historical significance, particularly its role in the Free-State movement and the Underground Railroad. The bill authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to enter into cooperative agreements with public or private entities to protect the site's historic resources and provide educational programs, offering technical and financial assistance for these efforts. Importantly, the designation does not restrict actions by property owners within the landmark area nor affect its current administration by Kansas City, Kansas, or the State.
This bill designates the American mastodon as the national fossil mammal and the Tyrannosaurus rex as the national fossil dinosaur for the United States. It achieves this by amending Title 36 of the U.S. Code to officially recognize these specific species within the legal framework for national symbols. The changes update the relevant chapter heading to include "fossil" and add a new section to formally establish these designations.
The Title IX Clarification Act of 2026 amends federal education law to explicitly define the terms "sex," "female," and "male" based on biological characteristics. Specifically, it states that "sex" refers to an individual's biologically determined status as male or female, while "female" and "male" are defined by the presence of specific reproductive systems capable of producing ova or sperm, respectively. These definitions apply to all education programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance starting on the date the bill becomes law. The legislation aims to clarify existing statutes by removing ambiguity around biological sex definitions in the context of Title IX protections.
HR 5267, the American Franchise Act, clarifies when franchisors can be considered joint employers of franchisee employees under federal labor laws. It defines "substantial direct and immediate control" over essential employment terms like wages, benefits, hours, hiring, and discipline - requiring franchisors to actively set these terms to be deemed joint employers. The bill explicitly excludes routine brand standards, training, or minimal safety requirements from constituting such control. This directly affects franchisors and franchisees by limiting joint employer liability to cases where franchisors exert significant, ongoing influence over core employment decisions. The law applies prospectively to new cases after enactment, not past disputes.
This bill amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to clarify that direct sellers and qualified real estate agents (as defined under IRS rules) are not considered "employees" under federal labor law. It directly affects these workers by excluding them from FLSA protections like minimum wage and overtime pay. The key provision inserts a new definition into the law, changing how these professions are classified for labor rights purposes. This is a technical definitional change, not a new policy or program.
This House resolution marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks by formally honoring the memory of the nearly 3,000 victims and recognizing the sacrifices made by first responders, military personnel, and the passengers of United Airlines Flight 93. The bill acknowledges the ongoing health challenges faced by survivors and responders, highlighting the role of the World Trade Center Health Program in providing long-term medical support. It also credits charitable organizations and community groups that have continued to assist victims' families and veterans over the past two decades. Finally, the resolution urges the American public to observe the anniversary with ceremonies and reaffirms Congress's commitment to remembering the events and lessons of that day.
The Rural Emergency Hospital Designation Improvement Act expands Medicaid coverage for services provided by rural emergency hospitals and allows these facilities to offer additional inpatient units for psychiatric, rehabilitation, and obstetric care. It also creates a pathway for existing facilities that operate similarly to rural emergency hospitals to convert their status by waiving certain requirements, while permitting them to provide skilled nursing "swing bed" services under specific agreements.
To support financial sustainability, the bill increases Medicare payments for diagnostic laboratory tests performed at these hospitals by 5 percent starting in 2027 and ensures that facilities reverting to critical access hospital status can regain their necessary provider designation. Additionally, the legislation designates rural emergency hospitals as health professional shortage areas to facilitate National Health Service Corps placements and includes them in the Small Rural Hospital Improvement Program grant eligibility.
This bill proposes a constitutional amendment requiring the U.S. Supreme Court to always have nine justices: one chief justice and eight associate justices. It directly affects the Court's structure by making the current nine-justice composition mandatory through the Constitution, rather than leaving it subject to future congressional changes. The key mechanism is a constitutional amendment process requiring ratification by three-fourths of state legislatures within seven years of submission. This would permanently establish the Court's size, bypassing the need for future laws to set the number. The bill does not change current Court operations or address other judicial matters.
The Advancing American Innovation Act amends Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to tighten the standards for what qualifies as a domestic industry in unfair trade investigations, specifically requiring that licensing activities lead to the adoption and development of articles sold in the United States. The bill also mandates that the International Trade Commission identify dispositive issues early in proceedings to allow for expedited fact-finding within 100 days, while requiring the agency to consider the impact of exclusion orders on public health, the economy, and consumers before taking action. Additionally, it requires complainants in patent infringement cases to disclose the identity and funding agreements of any third-party litigation funders, with sanctions imposed for non-compliance. These changes apply to complaints filed after the date of enactment and directly affect companies involved in international trade disputes and intellectual property enforcement.
The REACH Our Tribes Act requires the Department of Agriculture to establish a formal annual consultation process with Tribal Governments regarding budget requests and program reauthorizations, including major farm bills. The bill mandates that the Secretary of Agriculture publicly report on funding provided to Tribal entities through various programs and identify ways to improve outreach for underutilized assistance. Additionally, it directs the creation of an interagency task force involving the Departments of Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, and Commerce to streamline application requirements and reduce administrative burdens for economic development applicants. Finally, the legislation requires the Department of Commerce to build a comprehensive public repository listing all Federal economic development programs available to Tribal entities to improve awareness and access.
This resolution states that the House of Representatives condemns and denounces socialism in all its forms, including the Democratic Socialists of America, and opposes the implementation of socialist policies in the United States; reaffirms its support for free, fair, and secure elections and calls for enactment of the SAVE America Act; reiterates that American elections are for American citizens only; and recommits itself to upholding the U.S. Constitution.
