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.
This Senate resolution formally acknowledges and apologizes for the decades of discrimination and wrongful termination faced by lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals who served in the U.S. military, Foreign Service, and federal civil service. The measure highlights historical policies, such as the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" rule and the "Lavender Scare," which forced hundreds of thousands of service members to leave their jobs or hide their identities, while also noting recent executive actions that have rescinded protections for gender identity. While the resolution reaffirms a commitment to equal rights and respect for all LGBT government employees, it explicitly states that it does not create any legal claims or settlements for affected individuals.
This resolution designates the second Friday of June as National Service and Conservation Corps Day to honor the work of over 140 organizations that engage young adults and veterans in community and environmental projects. These programs, which are descendants of the Civilian Conservation Corps, provide participants with skills training, stipends, and opportunities to work on conservation, disaster response, and infrastructure improvements. The bill formally recognizes the contributions of these groups and encourages citizens to value civic engagement as the nation approaches its 250th anniversary.
The Juice for Healthy Families Act of 2026 amends the Child Nutrition Act to increase the maximum monthly allowance of single-strength juice for participants in the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Under this change, families receiving Food Packages IV, V, VI, or VII would be authorized to receive up to 128 fluid ounces of juice per month instead of the current limit. This policy adjustment directly affects WIC participants by expanding their access to juice as part of their nutritional support. The bill does not alter eligibility requirements or the overall structure of the program, focusing solely on the specific quantity of juice permitted.
The Juice Access Improvement Act modifies the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) to make juice the standard food benefit for specific participant groups, including young children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding mothers. Under this bill, the Secretary of Agriculture must require state agencies to set juice as the default option while still allowing participants to request a cash-value voucher instead if they prefer other food items. The law defines eligible juice based on existing federal nutritional standards and ensures that the value of any cash vouchers used for substitutions is adjusted annually for inflation. This change directly affects families enrolled in WIC food packages designed for children, pregnant women, and postpartum or breastfeeding individuals.
This bill, known as the Stopping Harmful and Outrageous Torts Act, expands legal protections for firearm manufacturers and sellers by strengthening their immunity from civil lawsuits. It requires courts to immediately dismiss any pending cases against these companies that are based on the criminal or unlawful misuse of a gun by a third party, while also clarifying that sellers are not liable for negligence in entrusting products to others. The legislation further restricts who can file such suits by prohibiting foreign governments from bringing these claims and adding a specific exception for victims under the age of 17, though it maintains immunity for cases involving design or manufacturing defects. Additionally, the bill allows companies to move these cases to federal court and grants them the right to appeal dismissal orders immediately, along with the ability to recover legal fees if they win. Finally, it preempts state and local laws that attempt to impose liability on these entities for the same types of misuse-related harms.
