This bill proposes to exempt qualified religious institutions from a federal excise tax on excess investment income. To qualify for this exemption, an institution must be established after 1776, have at least 25% of its governing body appointed by or required to be members of a recognized religious organization, and maintain a mission statement based on religious beliefs. The changes would take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2025, with the Treasury Department required to issue guidance by the end of 2026.
The Voting Systems Protection Act restricts the Federal Government from seizing election materials, such as voting machines and ballots, during a 240-day window surrounding Federal elections unless a court finds an immediate threat to election integrity. The law requires that any seizure be authorized by a warrant and mandates that a designated State official maintain continuous oversight of the handling and storage of these materials. Additionally, the bill establishes strict notification procedures, requiring Federal agencies to inform State officials and congressional leaders at least 48 hours before a seizure, with limited exceptions for emergencies. Violations of these rules, including tampering with seized items or obstructing State oversight, are subject to criminal penalties, civil lawsuits, and significant fines.
HR 941, the Small LENDER Act, creates a 3-year compliance period and a subsequent 2-year penalty-free period for small lenders required to report small business lending data under a new rule. It directly affects financial institutions that originated at least 500 small business loans in each of the previous two years (defined as loans to businesses with under $1 million annual revenue). The bill delays full enforcement of new data reporting requirements, giving lenders time to adjust without penalties during the grace periods. This changes how the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau enforces reporting rules for smaller lenders focused on small business loans.
Repealing Big Brother Overreach Act This bill repeals the Corporate Transparency Act. The act requires existing companies and newly created companies to report beneficial ownership information to the Department of the Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network for purposes of addressing the financing of terrorism and money laundering.
This Senate resolution reaffirms the importance of the United States protecting refugees and displaced persons globally and within the country. It highlights specific statistics on displacement crises and criticizes current administration actions, such as an indefinite suspension of refugee admissions and cuts to foreign aid. The bill calls on government officials to restore the Refugee Admissions Program, lift bans on entry, and provide humanitarian support to vulnerable populations. While it does not change existing laws, it serves as a formal statement of support for refugee rights and urges the executive branch to resume resettlement efforts.
The Regional Export Promotion Act of 2026 directs the Export-Import Bank to partner with local governments and nonprofit organizations to help businesses in specific U.S. regions expand their exports. A key provision establishes a five-year pilot program that prioritizes working with entities serving small businesses, such as community banks, minority depository institutions, and chambers of commerce. Through this pilot, the Bank will offer specialized training, short-term insurance products, and simplified application processes to increase its reach in areas with high concentrations of small businesses. The Act also requires the Bank to submit annual reports to Congress detailing the program's progress, including the number of new partners and the volume of products used by small businesses.
The CHILD Labor Act strengthens existing federal protections against child labor by expanding the definition of hazardous work for minors and requiring stricter oversight of companies in supply chains. It mandates that federal contractors and recipients of federal financial assistance ensure no child under 16 is employed and that those aged 16 or 17 are not engaged in dangerous labor, with penalties for violations extending to parent companies that fail to verify their subcontractors' compliance. The legislation also increases fines for child labor offenses, allows the Department of Labor to issue stop-work orders, and establishes new civil damages for victims of these violations. Additionally, the bill requires the government to publish annual reports on work-related injuries and deaths while funding training programs to help identify and prevent child labor abuses.
This bill directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to grant Temporary Protected Status to nationals of Haiti. Under this provision, eligible Haitian immigrants would be allowed to live and work in the United States without fear of deportation until March 20, 2029. The legislation overrides other existing laws to ensure this designation remains in effect for the specified period.
The America the Beautiful Act reauthorizes the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund through 2033, increasing its annual funding from $1.9 billion to $2 billion. It requires that projects funded by the Legacy Restoration Fund must secure at least 15% of their costs from public donations, which will be solicited through public awareness campaigns, donation locations at recreation sites, and during the purchase of recreation passes. The bill also mandates new reporting requirements for deferred maintenance and disposal of assets no longer serving public interest, while ensuring donations are credited to the Fund and allocated to specific projects.
This resolution expresses support for designating June 2026 as Black Music Month to honor the historical and cultural significance of Black contributions to American music. It acknowledges the wide-ranging influence of Black music across various genres and its central role in the nation's history, including the civil rights movement. The bill calls on the public to celebrate this month by promoting diversity, performing Black music, and spreading awareness of its legacy.
This bill, known as the Government Bailout Prevention Act, prohibits the federal government from using taxpayer money or Federal Reserve funds to bail out state, local, county, or school district governments that face financial distress starting in 2026. Specifically, it bars the Treasury Department and Federal Reserve from purchasing bonds, issuing credit lines, or providing loans to any government entity that has filed for bankruptcy, defaulted on its debts, or is at risk of defaulting without federal help. The law explicitly excludes disaster relief assistance and discretionary grants from these restrictions, ensuring that emergency aid for declared disasters remains available even if a government is in financial trouble.
This bill requires the Department of Defense and the Department of Agriculture to jointly conduct research and development focused on food defense, agricultural resilience, and bioindustrial manufacturing. To manage these efforts, the two agencies must sign an agreement that mandates a competitive review process for projects and requires private partners to match federal funding dollar-for-dollar. The legislation outlines specific research areas such as using artificial intelligence for farm data, managing chemical threats on military bases, and developing secure supply chains for fuels and food.
