This bill closes a regulatory loophole for "industrial banks" (entities that operate like banks but avoid full banking oversight). It requires all industrial banks seeking FDIC deposit insurance to have their applications approved by September 23, 2021, with pending applications needing a 90-day public comment period, a public hearing, and a 2/3 board vote for approval. Applications not approved by September 30, 2026, will automatically be denied. The bill also extends FDIC supervision to parent companies of these industrial banks, requiring them to undergo examinations and report financial risks to the FDIC, similar to bank holding companies.
This bill requires the U.S. Senate to provide advice and consent for any international climate agreement that involves legally binding domestic emissions reductions (like the Paris Agreement), treating such agreements as treaties under the Constitution. It directly affects the executive branch and federal agencies by blocking the use of federal funds to implement or comply with these agreements unless Senate approval is first obtained. The key mechanism is changing the process for entering climate agreements from executive action to a formal treaty ratification process. This would prevent the U.S. government from joining or rejoining international climate deals without Senate confirmation. The bill does not alter the content of climate agreements but changes how they are approved and funded.
HJRES 144 is a congressional disapproval resolution targeting a specific rule issued by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on December 31, 2025, which addressed "Reproductive Health Services" (90 Fed. Reg. 61310). This resolution directs Congress to disapprove the VA rule under Chapter 8 of Title 5, U.S. Code, meaning the rule would have no legal effect if passed. The bill directly affects the VA's implementation of reproductive health services for veterans, as it seeks to nullify the agency's existing policy. This is a procedural measure, not a substantive policy change, aimed solely at blocking the VA's rule through congressional action.
This resolution designates the week of January 25-31, 2026, as "National School Choice Week" to recognize educational options for K-12 students. It encourages parents to learn about school choices and urges the public to host events raising awareness about diverse education environments, including public schools, charter schools, private schools, and homeschooling. The resolution has no policy or funding impact - it is a ceremonial designation acknowledging existing annual events celebrating educational choice.
This resolution is a symbolic gesture supporting the designation of January 25-31, 2026, as "National School Choice Week." It does not create new laws or affect specific groups, but formally expresses the House's backing for raising public awareness about parental education options. The resolution encourages parents to learn about K-12 education choices (including public schools, charters, private schools, and homeschooling) and urges communities to host events during that week. It has no binding effect and focuses solely on recognition and awareness, not policy change.
The SAVE Moms and Babies Act of 2026 prohibits the FDA from approving new abortion drugs or granting investigational exemptions for them. It requires existing approved abortion drugs to be dispensed only in-person by certified healthcare providers in clinics or hospitals (not pharmacies), mandates providers to verify pregnancy duration and handle complications, and enforces strict adverse event reporting to the FDA. The bill directly affects healthcare providers prescribing abortion drugs, patients seeking these medications, and the FDA’s regulatory authority over such drugs. Key provisions include banning use after 70 days gestation, requiring provider certification for specific medical capabilities, and mandating documentation of risks to patients.
This bill designates the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Lafayette, Louisiana, as the "Rodney C. Hamilton Sr. VA Clinic" to honor his service and contributions. It commemorates Rodney C. Hamilton Sr., a Marine Corps veteran wounded in the Korean War (awarded the Purple Heart), who co-founded the clinic's development and served Lafayette as a public official. The bill changes all official references to the facility to reflect this name, effective upon enactment. It is a purely commemorative act with no policy or funding changes.
S 3627, the Pregnant Students’ Rights Act, requires colleges and universities participating in federal student aid programs to provide clear information about pregnancy-related resources and accommodations to all enrolled students. The bill mandates annual email notifications, inclusion in student handbooks and orientations, and availability at health centers and websites, detailing campus/community resources, available accommodations, and how to file Title IX complaints. It specifically covers students planning to or currently pregnant who wish to carry a baby to term. The law focuses solely on disseminating existing information and does not create new rights or accommodations. (Bill text amended under Section 485 of the Higher Education Act.)
HR 7252, the Restoring Community Trust Act of 2026, repeals Section 642 of the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (8 U.S.C. 1373). This provision currently requires state and local government agencies to share information about individuals with federal immigration authorities. The bill removes this mandate, allowing states and localities to decide independently whether to share such information with federal immigration officials, consistent with their own laws. It does not prohibit voluntary cooperation but aims to restore state authority over internal operations and reduce legal uncertainty for local governments.
HR 7262, the READ Act, provides $200 million annually (2026-2030) to help schools recover after disasters. It directs funds to state education agencies, which then distribute them to local public schools and non-public schools serving areas hit by declared disasters (like hurricanes or wildfires). Funds cover immediate recovery needs such as replacing lost student data, repairing minor facility damage, renting temporary classrooms, and replacing basic instructional materials - while prohibiting major construction or ideological content. Non-public schools must receive funding proportional to their student enrollment, ensuring equitable support compared to public schools. The bill requires funds to supplement, not replace, existing disaster aid.
The Prison Libraries Act of 2026 establishes a federal grant program to fund library services in state and territorial correctional facilities, directly benefiting incarcerated individuals. It requires grantees (states/territories) to submit plans demonstrating need, including demographic data on prison populations, and prohibits using funds for non-library purposes like food or facility maintenance. Grant funds must support library services such as digital access, educational programming (including job training and post-secondary curriculum), literacy initiatives, and partnerships with public libraries. The program authorizes $10 million annually from 2026-2031, prioritizes measurable outcomes like increased literacy and post-release employment opportunities, and mandates free access to all library resources for incarcerated people.
HR 5183 (District of Columbia Home Rule Improvement Act of 2025) modifies the process for Congress to review District of Columbia laws and mayoral actions. It extends the congressional review period from 30 to 60 days, allows disapproval of specific provisions within a law (not just entire laws), and prohibits the Council from resubmitting laws substantially identical to those previously disapproved by Congress. The bill also requires annual congressional hearings where DC's leadership reports on the District's condition and needs. These changes aim to clarify and streamline the home rule review process for DC legislation and executive actions.
