Save Our Sequoias Act This bill provides for the conservation of giant sequoia trees ( Sequoiadendron giganteum ) in California. Specifically, it provides statutory authority for the Giant Sequoia Lands Coalition and outlines the coalition's duties. The coalition must submit a Giant Sequoia Health and Resiliency Assessment and annually update it. The information from the assessment must be made available so the information can be integrated into certain other plans. The coalition must also create and maintain a website that contains the assessment, educational materials, searchable information about individual giant sequoia groves, and a searchable database to track the status and costs of reforestation and rehabilitation activities. In addition, the bill declares an emergency on certain public lands and allows officials to carry out protection plans during the emergency to respond to the threat of wildfires, insects, and drought. The emergency expires after seven years. The Department of the Interior must develop and implement a Giant Sequoia Reforestation and Rehabilitation Strategy. Finally, the bill establishes a variety of programs and funds to support the conservation of giant sequoias.
HR 2294 reauthorizes the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009, extending funding and updating governance for the nation's ocean and coastal observation network. It changes references from "Council" to "Committee" throughout the law and adds requirements for federal agencies to collaborate with regional coastal observing systems on data sharing. The bill specifically directs agencies to conduct operational oceanography measurements and establishes $56 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to support this system. This bill directly affects federal agencies managing ocean observation programs and regional coastal data networks.
Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 This bill imposes sanctions on certain foreign persons (individuals and entities) that are involved in Iran's petroleum sector as well as certain associated persons. The bill also requires or authorizes actions to facilitate the enforcement of sanctions on Iran. Specifically, the bill requires the President to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on any foreign person that, after the bill's enactment, knowingly engages in any transaction related to the processing, export, or sale of oil, condensates, gas, liquefied natural gas, or other petrochemical products in whole or in part from Iran. The President must also impose sanctions on certain foreign persons associated with a sanctioned individual or entity. For example, the President must sanction the subsidiaries and corporate officers of a sanctioned business. The bill provides certain exceptions to these sanctions, including specifying that sanctions do not apply to the importation of goods or to conducting or facilitating transactions for humanitarian assistance. The Department of State must establish an interagency working group that shall seek to establish a multilateral contact group to coordinate international efforts to enforce sanctions on Iran. The bill expands the State Department rewards program to authorize a reward payment to any individual who furnishes information leading to the identification of a person (1) subject to sanctions under this bill, or (2) that has attempted or is attempting to evade sanctions under this bill.
SRES 629 is a ceremonial Senate resolution honoring Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, Sr., recognizing his lifelong leadership in the Civil Rights Movement and advocacy for justice, equality, and human rights. It specifically commemorates his work founding organizations like Operation PUSH and the National Rainbow Coalition, his presidential campaigns, and his role as a civil rights leader from the 1960s until his death on February 17, 2026. The resolution expresses the Senate's tribute to his legacy, commends his contributions to American society, and extends condolences to his family. As a non-binding resolution, it contains no policy changes or direct effects on legislation or constituents.
The Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act (S 836) extends COPPA protections to teens aged 13-17 by requiring websites, apps, and online services to obtain verifiable consent from parents for children or from teens themselves before collecting or using their personal information for purposes beyond the service. It defines "personal information" broadly to include biometric data, voice recordings, persistent identifiers, and geolocation information, and prohibits using such information for individual-specific advertising without consent. The bill mandates clear notice about data practices and gives children and teens rights to access, correct, and delete their personal information. Additionally, it requires the FTC to conduct studies on mobile app oversight and the GAO to study teen privacy in financial technology products.
This resolution celebrates the 175th anniversary of the Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA), a nonprofit organization founded in 1851 that operates over 2,600 locations across the United States. The bill formally recognizes the YMCA's historical contributions, including its role in inventing basketball, providing early childcare and education services, and delivering humanitarian aid during wartime. It also acknowledges the organization's current work in offering fitness programs, youth services, and community support to millions of people annually. The Senate resolution expresses appreciation for the YMCA's staff and volunteers and encourages continued efforts to address social isolation through community-building programs.
This resolution designates March 6, 2026, as "National Speech and Debate Education Day" to recognize the value of speech and debate programs in schools. It does not create new laws or funding but encourages educational institutions, businesses, and communities to celebrate and promote these programs. The resolution highlights how speech and debate education develops communication, critical thinking, and civic skills for students. It directly affects schools, teachers, and students participating in these programs by raising awareness of their importance. The Senate formally designates the date and urges nationwide participation in honoring this educational focus.
This resolution designates February 21-28, 2026, as "National FFA Week" to honor the National FFA Organization’s work in agricultural education. It recognizes FFA’s role in developing leadership and career skills for students (with over 1 million members nationally) and celebrates the 50th anniversary of Alaska’s State FFA Association, which has 19 chapters and 493 members. As a symbolic resolution, it has no legal effect but formally expresses Senate support for FFA’s mission.
This resolution (SRES 617) designates February 2026 as "Career and Technical Education (CTE) Month" to symbolically recognize CTE programs nationwide. It supports CTE's role in preparing students for high-demand careers by promoting workforce readiness through academic and technical skills training. The resolution encourages educators, counselors, parents, and school administrators to advocate for CTE as a valid educational pathway. As a non-binding Senate resolution, it does not create new laws or allocate funds but affirms bipartisan support for CTE's importance in workforce development.
SRES 621 designates the week of February 23-27, 2026, as "National Public Schools Week" to recognize the role of public schools in U.S. education. The resolution highlights public schools' importance in fostering inclusive learning environments and preparing students for civic and economic participation, citing that 87% of U.S. children attend public schools. It does not create new laws, funding, or policy changes - it is a symbolic gesture by the Senate without binding effect. The resolution aligns with broader efforts to support public education but focuses solely on commemoration.
SRES 615 is a Senate resolution celebrating Black History Month, acknowledging the historical contributions of African Americans to U.S. society across fields like civil rights, arts, science, and leadership. The resolution encourages all citizens to reflect on this history as part of the nation's ongoing journey toward equality, without creating new laws or policies. It specifically recognizes figures such as Frederick Douglass, Maya Angelou, and Rosa Parks, and emphasizes the importance of Black History Month in February as a time for communal learning and inspiration. This ceremonial resolution was introduced by multiple senators and passed unanimously by the Senate in 2026.
Accessing Satellite Capabilities to Enable New Discoveries Act or the ASCEND Act This bill provides statutory authority for the Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition (CSDA) program run by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Through the CSDA program, NASA acquires remote sensing data and imagery from commercial satellites to support its Earth science research. ( Remote sensing generally refers to the collection of data by instruments in Earth’s orbit, such as satellites, that can be processed into imagery of Earth’s surface.) Under the bill, NASA may establish or modify end-use agreements to allow for broad use of data and imagery acquired under the program, including by individuals outside of NASA (e.g., other federal agencies). The terms of any data or imagery acquisition may not prevent the publication of such data or imagery for scientific purposes or the publication of information derived from it. To the extent practicable, NASA must acquire such data and imagery from U.S. vendors.
