The Empowering States to Protect Seniors from Bad Actors Act authorizes the Securities and Exchange Commission to distribute competitive grants to state securities commissions and insurance departments to combat financial fraud targeting individuals aged 62 and older. These funds can be used to hire staff for investigations, purchase technology and training equipment, develop educational materials for seniors, and strengthen state laws against exploitation. Each eligible entity may receive up to $500,000 annually, or $1,000,000 if the state agency handles both securities and insurance regulation. The bill appropriates $10 million per year from fiscal years 2025 through 2030 and requires the Commission to conduct annual audits and submit effectiveness reports to Congress at two and five-year intervals.
This House resolution supports the designation of August 17 through August 23, 2026, as Warehouse Worker Recognition Week to honor over 1.8 million employees in the logistics industry. The bill highlights the critical role these workers play in the U.S. economy and supply chain while acknowledging the challenging conditions they face, such as extreme heat and long hours. It encourages increased public awareness of their contributions and commits lawmakers to collaborating on efforts to reduce workplace injuries and better support these front-line employees.
This House resolution formally honors the life and legacy of the late Representative Kay Granger from Texas, recognizing her historic achievements in public service. The bill highlights her roles as the first woman elected mayor of Fort Worth, the first Republican woman to represent Texas in the U.S. House, and the first Republican woman to chair the House Committee on Appropriations. It also acknowledges her contributions to national defense, including her work on the F-35 fighter jet program and the naming of a Navy ship for Fort Worth. The resolution expresses sympathy to Granger's family and directs the Clerk of the House to send an official copy of the document to her loved ones.
This bill amends the Foreign Service Act of 1980 to ensure that members of the U.S. Foreign Service who are ordered to take leave continue to receive their standard daily allowances and lodging benefits. The legislation directly affects foreign service officers by making them eligible for these financial supports, including those outlined in federal employee housing regulations. By codifying this requirement, the bill clarifies that such benefits must be provided during mandated leave periods rather than being discretionary.
The Beverage Regulatory Parity Act establishes a federal framework for regulating hemp-derived non-alcoholic beverages containing naturally occurring cannabinoids, such as delta-9 THC and CBD. The bill assigns primary regulatory authority to the Tax and Trade Bureau, which will enforce a three-tiered distribution system requiring separate permits for manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, while also setting strict labeling, advertising, and age-restriction requirements modeled after alcohol regulations. Additionally, the Food and Drug Administration will oversee product safety by defining standards for adulteration and misbranding, ensuring that beverages do not contain synthetic cannabinoids or harmful additives like alcohol or nicotine. The legislation imposes a federal excise tax of 8 cents per milligram of intoxicating THC content on these products and explicitly preserves state and local authority to enact more stringent laws or prohibit the sale of such beverages within their jurisdictions.
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.
The Critically Endangered Animals Conservation Act of 2026 establishes a dedicated fund within the existing Multinational Species Conservation Fund to provide competitive grants for the protection of animal species classified as endangered or critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The Secretary of the Interior will manage this program, awarding financial assistance to foreign wildlife authorities and qualified organizations to support projects such as habitat restoration, illegal trade enforcement, and scientific research aimed at recovering wild populations outside the United States. To ensure accountability and effectiveness, grant recipients must submit periodic progress reports that are generally made available to the public, while specific restrictions prohibit the use of funds for captive breeding unless it is strictly necessary for releasing animals back into the wild. The legislation authorizes $5 million per year in appropriations from fiscal years 2027 through 2032 and requires the Secretary to report on the program's results to Congress every two years.
This bill amends the Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program to improve processing of claims for officers injured or killed in the line of duty. It establishes clear timelines for the Bureau to notify claimants about missing information (90 days) and make determinations (270 days), with automatic interim benefits issued if deadlines aren't met. The bill requires regular outreach to public safety officers and underserved agencies, mandates annual audits of backlogged claims, and strengthens subpoena authority to obtain necessary information. It also creates a pathway for expedited processing when claims are approved by the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund or World Trade Center Health Program. The bill does not change benefit amounts but aims to make the claims process more efficient and transparent for public safety officers and their families.
This bill establishes the "INCLUDE Project" at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to advance research on Down syndrome. It directs NIH to coordinate and expand research into co-occurring health conditions (like Alzheimer's, heart disease, and autoimmune disorders) affecting individuals with Down syndrome, while avoiding duplication of existing efforts. The law requires NIH to build large study populations, support inclusive clinical trials, identify biomarkers, and improve quality of life for people with Down syndrome and their families. NIH must submit biennial reports to Congress detailing research progress and findings. The bill directly affects NIH research programs and future medical care for people with Down syndrome.
National Plan for Epilepsy Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a national plan, form an advisory council, and take other actions to address epilepsy. The requirements sunset on December 31, 2035. Specifically, the bill requires HHS to carry out a National Plan for Epilepsy to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure epilepsy. In carrying out the plan, HHS must implement activities such as coordinating research and services across all federal agencies and soliciting public comments. Also, HHS must establish an Advisory Council on Epilepsy Research, Care, and Services. The advisory council must report to HHS and Congress every two years with an evaluation of federally funded efforts. Additionally, HHS must annually report to Congress with recommended actions based on its assessments of the nation’s progress on epilepsy.
This Senate resolution designates the first week of August 2026 as "National Community Health Center Week" to recognize the role these facilities play in providing affordable primary care across the United States. The bill highlights that community health centers serve a diverse range of populations, including those in rural and urban areas, by offering integrated services such as mental health, dental, and pharmacy care. It encourages the general public to participate in the observance by visiting local centers and celebrating the partnership between these organizations and their communities.
The FITNESS Act establishes uniform eligibility standards and mandatory training requirements for all federal law enforcement officers, prohibiting agencies from deploying personnel who have not completed specific academic and use-of-force programs. The bill creates a centralized National Law Enforcement Accountability Database to track officer misconduct and requires agencies to conduct background checks against this database before hiring or promoting candidates. Additionally, it imposes a hiring freeze on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement until all current officers meet the new standards, while also mandating that federal agencies obtain accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.
