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.
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 Congressional Pension Accountability Act would strip former members of Congress of their pension eligibility if they are expelled from office or resign following an ethics committee finding of substantial misconduct. This measure directly affects current and future legislators by making their congressional service non-creditable for retirement benefits under both the Civil Service Retirement System and the Federal Employees Retirement System. While affected individuals would receive a refund of their personal contributions, they would forfeit any government-matched funds in their Thrift Savings Plans and would not be required to repay pension benefits already received before the forfeiture took effect. A presidential pardon or commutation of sentence would not restore these lost benefits, and the law applies only to misconduct occurring after its enactment.
The Stronger Start for Working Families Act amends the Internal Revenue Code to make the child tax credit fully refundable for all eligible taxpayers. By lowering the earned income threshold from $3,000 to $1, the bill removes the requirement that families must have a minimum level of earnings to receive the full credit amount. This change directly affects working families with children who previously had their refundable credit capped based on their income. The provision is scheduled to take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025.
Stop Secret Spending Act of 2025 This bill expands a requirement for federal agencies to report expenditures on the USAspending.gov website to include other transaction agreement expenditures. (Other transaction agreements, or OTAs, are contractual instruments other than standard procurement contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements; they are exempt from many federal procurement laws and regulations). Under current law, federal agencies must report expenditures on federal awards to USAspending.gov with the term federal award defined as federal grants, loans, cooperative agreements, contracts, and certain other types of expenditures. This bill expands the definition of federal award to include expenditures under OTAs, and therefore such expenditures must be included on the USAspending.gov website. The Department of the Treasury must ensure that data relating to OTAs are automatically transmitted to the website and a centralized view of this data is available on the website. Treasury must also annually post on the USAspending.gov website a report that includes (1) the total amount of federal spending on federal awards for which data has not been posted on the website, and (2) the reason why such spending data was not posted. For 10 years after enactment, the Office of Inspector General of specified federal agencies must periodically submit to Congress and make publicly available a report assessing the agency's spending data and use of data standards.
This bill restricts states from taxing the income of individuals who live in one state but work remotely for employers located elsewhere. It establishes that a state can only tax an individual's compensation if they are physically present within that state during the time the work is performed, preventing taxation based on where the employer is headquartered. The legislation specifically prohibits states from using "convenience of the employer" tests to claim taxing rights over workers who are physically located in another jurisdiction. These rules apply immediately upon enactment and affect nonresident employees and independent contractors, while leaving corporate taxes and unearned income regulations unchanged.
The Water Technology and Resilience Reauthorization Act extends the funding authorization for advanced drinking water technologies from 2027 through 2031. This change directly affects federal agencies responsible for implementing these programs by providing continued financial support for five additional years. The bill amends the Safe Drinking Water Act to ensure that resources remain available for developing and deploying new water treatment methods.
The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 imposes comprehensive economic restrictions on the Russian Federation, including blocking assets of government officials, state-owned financial institutions, and entities supporting the defense sector. The bill prohibits new U.S. investments in Russia, bans the purchase of Russian sovereign debt, and restricts the importation of uranium and energy products from the country. Additionally, it authorizes the imposition of tariffs up to 500 percent on goods imported directly from Russia and up to 100 percent on goods from foreign nations that continue to purchase significant volumes of Russian crude oil or natural gas. The legislation also extends the Iran Sanctions Act through 2031 and includes a five-year sunset provision for the new measures, subject to specific humanitarian and safety exceptions.
This Senate resolution commemorates the 35th anniversary of Ukraine’s independence from the Soviet Union and recognizes the resilience of the Ukrainian people in pursuing sovereignty and democracy. The text affirms U.S. support for Ukraine’s territorial integrity, specifically rejecting the annexation of Crimea, while condemning Russia’s 2022 military invasion. It encourages the U.S. government to provide strong security guarantees to facilitate a lasting peace agreement and to integrate lessons from Ukraine’s defense innovations into American military readiness. Additionally, the resolution urges Ukraine to continue implementing reforms related to anti-corruption measures, free markets, and the rule of law.
This Senate resolution celebrates the July 2026 NATO Summit held in Ankara, Türkiye, and reaffirms the United States' commitment to collective defense under Article 5 of the Washington Treaty. It commends NATO allies for pledging $80 billion in military support for Ukraine in 2026 and highlights the alliance's goal for members to spend at least 5 percent of their gross domestic product on defense by 2035. The resolution also urges the Department of Defense to consult with all NATO allies during its force posture review and encourages continued support for Ukraine through initiatives like the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List.
The Lebanon Sanctions, Stabilization, and Support Act authorizes the President to impose financial penalties and visa bans on foreign individuals or entities that support Hezbollah, impede Lebanese government disarmament efforts, or obstruct banking reforms in Lebanon. To promote stability, the bill directs federal funding for humanitarian aid, infrastructure reconstruction, and the salaries of Lebanese security forces, with a specific requirement that half of these funds be released only after the Lebanese government declares Hezbollah’s military activities illegal. Additionally, the legislation authorizes significant security assistance to the Lebanese Armed Forces over five years, contingent on progress in countering Iranian proxy forces and implementing state control over weapons.
The Strengthening Coast Guard Communities Act of 2026 transfers specific intergovernmental support agreement authorities from the Secretary of Defense to the Commandant of the Coast Guard. This change allows the Commandant to directly manage agreements that provide services and infrastructure support to Coast Guard communities, rather than requiring approval through the Department of Defense. To ensure transparency, the bill requires the Commandant to notify the relevant Senate and House committees in writing within 60 days of exercising this new authority.
