Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
The STARS Act of 2026 establishes a new United States Space Academy within NASA to provide undergraduate technical education and leadership training for future space domain professionals. The bill mandates that the academy's permanent campus be located in Florida, prioritizing sites near existing launch facilities like Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. It requires the NASA Administrator to consult with the Governor of Florida during site selection and submit a detailed implementation report to Congress within 180 days of enactment. The legislation also authorizes necessary federal appropriations for the construction and operation of the new institution.
The BAD DEAL Act repeals Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930, which previously allowed the President to impose tariffs on foreign countries that engaged in unfair trade practices. This legislation directly affects importers and businesses by removing the legal authority for these specific duties and invalidating any presidential proclamations issued under that section. A key provision requires the government to refund all tariffs collected based on those repealed authorities, including amounts paid before the law is enacted.
The No Fencing at the United States Capitol Complex Act prohibits federal agencies from using government funds to install new permanent fencing around the perimeter of the U.S. Capitol Buildings or the Capitol Grounds. This legislation directly affects the management and security planning for the Capitol complex by restricting specific types of physical barrier construction. However, the bill explicitly allows for the repair or replacement of any fencing that was already in place on the date the law is enacted.
The Survivor Justice Tax Prevention Act amends the federal tax code to exclude damages received for sexual acts or sexual contact from a person's taxable income, provided the damages are not punitive. This change directly affects survivors of sexual violence who receive financial settlements or court awards by ensuring they do not owe taxes on these specific funds. The bill establishes that if a legal decision or agreement explicitly states the money is compensation for such an act, that statement serves as credible evidence for tax purposes, simplifying the process for taxpayers. Additionally, it requires the Treasury Department to work with other federal agencies to inform the public about this new tax exclusion.
This bill grants Sindy Gualdina Rodriguez-Fernandez eligibility for a U.S. immigrant visa or adjustment to lawful permanent resident status by waiving standard immigration requirements and any existing grounds for removal. It directs the Secretary of Homeland Security to rescind any outstanding deportation orders or findings of inadmissibility against her, effectively allowing her to remain in the country legally if she files an application within two years of enactment. The legislation also reduces the annual immigrant visa quota for her country of birth by one to account for her admission and explicitly prevents her natural parents and siblings from gaining immigration benefits through their relationship with her.
The Back to School Tax Credit Act would create a new federal income tax credit for parents and guardians who pay for school supplies for dependent children under age 17. The credit is calculated separately for each eligible child and is capped at $250 per child, based on the actual amount spent on qualified items. Covered expenses include common necessities such as backpacks, notebooks, calculators, lunch boxes, writing instruments, and school uniforms for primary or secondary education in public, private, or home schools. This provision would apply to taxable years beginning after the date of the Act's enactment.
The Good Energy Jobs Act of 2026 amends the Department of Energy Organization Act to impose strict labor standards on any construction, maintenance, or repair project that receives financial assistance from the Department. The bill requires contractors to pay prevailing wages, ensure at least 15 percent of total labor hours are performed by registered apprentices, and maintain labor neutrality regarding employee unionization rights. Additionally, projects costing more than $1 million must negotiate project labor agreements, while all applicants must submit community benefits plans that include specific commitments to local hiring, job quality, and environmental protections for disadvantaged communities. The legislation also mandates that products developed with Department funding be manufactured substantially in the United States and prohibits offshoring production for five years after the assistance period ends.
Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.
The SMARTER Act proposes a comprehensive overhaul of U.S. immigration law by eliminating the Diversity Visa program, restricting family-sponsored visas to spouses and children under 18, and establishing a new points-based system for employment-based immigrants. It creates a Skilled Migration and Recruitment of Talent Board within the Department of Commerce to annually determine visa caps based on industrial labor needs, economic data, and wage growth trends. The bill replaces the H-1B visa with a "SMARTER" nonimmigrant status that allows greater job flexibility and eliminates per-country limits, while also introducing a paid "gold card" program offering 25,000 annual visas to individuals or corporations paying substantial fees. Additionally, the legislation mandates the use of artificial intelligence to identify visa overstays and requires permanent residents to have their sponsors reimburse the government for any means-tested public benefits received before they can be naturalized.
