This concurrent resolution formally recognizes the significant wage gap between Black women and white, non-Hispanic men in the United States. The document cites data showing that Black women earn roughly 65 cents for every dollar earned by white men and highlights how this disparity impacts their ability to support families and accumulate wealth. By referencing existing laws like the Equal Pay Act and the Civil Rights Act, the bill reaffirms Congress's support for equal pay for equal work without proposing new legislation or policy changes. Ultimately, the measure serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the economic challenges faced by Black women due to dual discrimination based on race and gender.
This concurrent resolution formally recognizes the persistent wage gap between Black women and white, non-Hispanic men in the United States. It highlights data showing that Black women earn significantly less than their male counterparts and reaffirms Congress's support for existing laws that prohibit pay discrimination based on sex or race. The document does not create new laws or change policy but serves as a symbolic statement to raise awareness about the economic disparities faced by Black women.
This bill directs the Federal Trade Commission to investigate and report on alleged antitrust violations within the fire truck manufacturing industry. The resolution specifically examines issues such as price fixing, price gouging, serial acquisitions, and monopolization that have led to rising costs and long delivery times for fire departments. By citing concerns over market consolidation and safety risks from outdated equipment, the bill aims to gather facts on how these practices affect public safety and local governments. The FTC is required to submit its findings and recommendations to Congress within one year of the bill's adoption.
This resolution condemns the 1994 bombing of the AMIA Jewish Community Center in Buenos Aires that killed 85 people and expresses sympathy to the victims' families. It highlights the U.S. concern over the decades-long delay in bringing perpetrators, including Iranian officials and Hezbollah operatives, to justice. The text calls for international cooperation to enforce arrest warrants, urges allies to designate terrorist groups, and supports Argentina's recent legal steps to prosecute suspects even if they are not present in the country.
The Child Marriage Prevention Act of 2026 establishes a federal commission to study child marriage in the United States and requires the Department of Justice to create a model state law that sets the minimum marriage age at 18. The bill also amends immigration laws to generally deny visas to spouses or fiancés who were under 18 years old at the time of their marriage, with limited exceptions for compelling humanitarian reasons. Additionally, the legislation prohibits the use of federal property to facilitate any marriage where one or both individuals are under 18 and provides grants to states that establish task forces to examine and address child marriage.
The Justice for Incarcerated Moms Act aims to improve maternal health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum individuals in the criminal justice system by restricting financial incentives for states that use restraints on pregnant inmates. Under the bill, states receiving federal justice grants would face a 25 percent funding penalty if they fail to implement laws limiting the use of shackles on pregnant individuals, with those withheld funds redirected to compliant states. The legislation also directs the Bureau of Prisons and the Department of Justice to create and fund programs in at least six federal facilities and across various state and local prisons that provide specialized prenatal care, mental health support, and reentry assistance. These programs are designed to address specific health disparities, particularly for racial and ethnic minority groups, by offering culturally competent care, nutrition counseling, and opportunities to maintain contact with newborn children. Additionally, the act requires an independent oversight organization to monitor program implementation and mandates a Government Accountability Office report to analyze maternal and infant health data within the correctional system.
The MOMMIES Act expands Medicaid and CHIP coverage for low-income pregnant and postpartum individuals by extending continuous benefits for one year after childbirth and mandating full coverage of oral health services. To support these changes, the bill includes maintenance of effort provisions that prevent states from restricting eligibility or reducing benefits for this population, alongside a temporary 100 percent federal funding match for states that increase spending on these services. Additionally, the legislation establishes a five-year demonstration project to fund maternity care home models that integrate medical and social support services, while also requiring studies and guidance on improving access to doula services and telehealth for maternity care.
The Small Business Development Centers Improvement Act of 2026 updates the rules and funding for federal programs that help small business owners, such as Small Business Development Centers, Women's Business Centers, and SCORE. The bill requires the Small Business Administration to report more detailed information on how these programs operate and spend money, while also establishing a working group to improve how data is collected from these organizations. It allows centers to use a small portion of their grants for marketing, permits them to charge fees for private partnerships, and sets a limit on new funding for centers that have not previously received federal grants. Additionally, the legislation increases annual funding for state grants, simplifies contract approval timelines, and mandates annual reports detailing the number of businesses started, jobs created, and participants served.
The Disabled Access Credit Modernization Act updates the tax credit available to small businesses that make their facilities more accessible to people with disabilities. It allows these businesses to claim the credit for a broader range of expenses, including equipment and services that go beyond the minimum requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act or are needed even if the business is not currently subject to those rules. Additionally, the bill clarifies the definitions of disability and reasonable accommodation within the tax code. The legislation also requires the Treasury Department to issue guidance and conduct public outreach to help eligible businesses understand the updated credit, with a report to Congress due two years after enactment. These changes will take effect for expenses incurred after December 31, 2026.
The FLOWS Act updates regulations for hydropower projects by clarifying which changes require Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approval and exempting routine maintenance from such requirements. It also establishes a new, streamlined licensing process for small-scale micro hydrokinetic energy projects that generate up to 5 megawatts from moving water without impounding it. Under this new section, applicants would file a notification of intent followed by a formal application, with the Commission required to issue a final decision within one year. Additionally, the bill mandates that the Commission create specific rules to define project alterations and implement categorical exclusions to speed up environmental reviews for these smaller projects.
The Protecting Immigrants From Legal Exploitation Act of 2026 aims to combat fraud by increasing criminal penalties for individuals who falsely represent themselves as immigration lawyers or provide fraudulent services. It requires non-lawyer immigration service providers to identify themselves on applications and allows victims of unauthorized practice of law to withdraw and resubmit their immigration forms without penalty. The bill also empowers the Attorney General to issue civil injunctions against fraudulent providers and mandates that convicted fraudsters reimburse their clients for services rendered. To support legitimate legal aid, the legislation authorizes funding for outreach programs and grants to nonprofit organizations that provide direct legal assistance to immigrants.
The Online Sellers' Bill of Rights Act of 2026 aims to protect third-party businesses using major online marketplaces by requiring these platforms to provide greater transparency and due process. Under the bill, the Federal Trade Commission must create rules that limit how long platforms can hold inventory or freeze funds, mandate written notice within 72 hours for any restrictions, and ensure sellers receive at least 30 days' warning before significant policy changes. The law also establishes a presumption of innocence, placing the burden of proof on the platform to demonstrate a violation rather than on the seller, and allows for specific appeals processes. Enforcement is handled through the FTC, which can pursue violations as unfair competition, while state attorneys general and individual sellers retain the right to file civil lawsuits for damages.
