Fighting Trade Cheats Act of 2026 This bill increases penalties for, and establishes additional enforcement mechanisms related to, fraudulent and grossly negligent violations of U.S. customs laws. Specifically, the bill increases the maximum civil penalty for a fraudulent violation to three times the domestic value of the merchandise. (Currently, the maximum penalty is the domestic value of the merchandise.) It prohibits a person who commits a fraudulent violation from importing merchandise into the United States for a five-year period. Additionally, the bill increases the maximum civil penalty for a grossly negligent violation to the lesser of (1) 3 times the domestic value of the merchandise; or (2) 10 times the lawful duties, taxes, and fees. (Currently, the maximum penalty is the lesser of the domestic value of the merchandise or four times the lawful duties, taxes, and fees.) It prohibits a person who commits a grossly negligent violation from importing merchandise into the United States for a two-year period. Further, the bill applies these importation bans to an affiliated person (e.g., a family member or employee) of the person who committed the fraudulent or grossly negligent violation. The bill establishes a private right of action for an interested party (e.g., a manufacturer) affected by customs fraud or grossly negligent violations. The bill prohibits any person (or an affiliated person) who commits a fraudulent or grossly negligent violation from participating in the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Importer of Record program, and further requires revocation of their importer of record numbers.
The Drone Espionage Act (S 1809) amends existing law to explicitly include video recordings alongside photographs in the prohibition against taking or transmitting defense information. This technical update to Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 793 clarifies that video footage of defense-related information - such as from drones or other devices - falls under espionage laws, just like photographic images. The bill directly affects individuals or entities recording defense information via video, expanding the scope of prohibited activities under current espionage statutes. It does not create new penalties but ensures modern recording methods are covered by existing legal protections.
HR 7417 reauthorizes and expands the WISEWOMAN program to include heart health screenings and education for low-income women. The bill directs the CDC to award grants for blood pressure and cholesterol screenings, health education, and referrals for heart disease prevention, building on existing breast and cervical cancer services. It specifically targets low-income women who are already served by the WISEWOMAN program or meet new eligibility criteria set by the Secretary. The expansion is funded with $250 million over five fiscal years (2027-2031), with services to be provided by current WISEWOMAN grantees or approved alternative providers.
HR 7419, the Foster Care Stabilization Act of 2026, provides $1 million demonstration grants to 3 foster care stabilization agencies to improve emergency relief and pre-placement services for foster youth under age 26. Agencies can use funds for hiring staff, providing up to $250 yearly in clothing/personal items per youth, preparing food, preventing abuse/neglect, and other emergency support. Grants must be spent within 3 years, with agencies required to report on how funds were used for youth needs and outcomes. The bill aims to stabilize placements by addressing immediate needs before and during foster care, targeting agencies serving youth under 26 in state or tribal care.
The HARM Act 2.0 requires the U.S. government to identify and designate successor groups of the Wagner mercenary force (such as Africa Corps, Redut PMC, and Patriot PMC) as terrorist organizations under existing law. It mandates the Secretary of State to submit a report listing these groups, their leaders, and related entities, followed by a review by the Comptroller General. If designated, these groups and individuals would face sanctions including asset freezes and transaction bans under Executive Order 13224. The bill also requires annual reports for five years detailing the groups' activities, human rights abuses, financial networks, and the effectiveness of sanctions.
This bill, known as the BASICS Act, creates a new $5.5 billion federal funding program over five years to repair and replace bridges in poor condition across the United States. The program prioritizes projects based on the cost of bridge rehabilitation in each state and guarantees a minimum funding allocation of $45 million per state annually. It also expands funding for regional transportation planning in rural areas and increases flexibility for local governments to select and manage transportation projects through enhanced consultation requirements. Additionally, the legislation removes local matching fund requirements for metropolitan planning activities and allows 100 percent federal funding for off-system bridge projects owned by local governments or tribes.
This bill imposes a hiring freeze on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), prohibiting the use of federal funds to hire new employees or transfer existing federal workers to ICE. The freeze begins upon the bill's enactment and automatically ends when Congress passes a specific law overriding it. It directly affects ICE's staffing capabilities by halting new appointments and transfers using federal funding. The measure is procedural, focusing solely on restricting hiring authority without altering immigration enforcement policies.
HRES 1041 is a non-binding resolution supporting the designation of February 8, 2026, as "Scouting America Day" to celebrate the 116th anniversary of the organization's incorporation. It recognizes Scouting America's history, including its founding in 1910, its youth development programs, and its contributions to community service (e.g., over 7 million service hours in 2025). The resolution does not create new laws or directly affect any group, as it serves only as a symbolic expression of congressional support. It honors Scouting America's role in fostering leadership and character among youth, citing its long-standing partnership with national initiatives like America 250.
HRES 1040 is a symbolic resolution recognizing the Greensboro Four sit-in during Black History Month. It commemorates the 66th anniversary of the February 1, 1960, sit-in at a Greensboro Woolworth's lunch counter, where four Black students challenged racial segregation. The resolution encourages states to include the Greensboro Four's history and contributions in school curricula. As a non-binding resolution, it has no legal effect but formally honors this pivotal civil rights moment.
The Predatory Lending Elimination Act applies military lending protections to all consumers, not just military members, by setting strict interest rate limits on personal loans and credit cards. It prohibits lenders from charging excessive rates on most consumer credit (except residential mortgages, auto loans for vehicle purchases, and federal credit union loans) and bans exemptions that would weaken these caps. The law preserves stronger state consumer protections and allows state attorneys general to enforce violations within three years. It requires the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to issue rules within one year to implement these rate limits and ensure consistency with existing military lending standards.
The ePermit Act requires federal agencies to adopt standardized digital systems for environmental reviews and authorizations, creating a unified online portal for project sponsors to submit documents, track progress, and access real-time data. It mandates data standards for consistent information sharing, automated tools for screening projects and managing public comments, and a deadline for full implementation by December 2027. The bill directly affects federal agencies (like the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers), project developers seeking permits, and the public by replacing fragmented paper-based processes with a transparent, digital platform. Key provisions include requiring agencies to report on current systems within 90 days, implement minimum functional tools within 180 days, and prioritize vendor-neutral interoperability to reduce delays and redundancy.
This bill establishes the Ohio River Basin Restoration Program within the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to improve water quality, restore ecosystems, and enhance resilience across the Ohio River Basin. It directly affects the 14 states in the basin (including Ohio, Kentucky, and Pennsylvania) and Tribal Governments within the region, authorizing $350 million annually from 2027-2031 for projects. Key mechanisms include creating an EPA Program Office led by a Director, requiring measurable goals for water quality and habitat restoration, and mandating public reporting on progress, projects, and funding. The program prioritizes natural infrastructure solutions, such as restoring wetlands and floodplains, and requires collaboration with states, tribes, and existing regional bodies like the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission.
