The PHD Talent Act of 2026 establishes a five-year pilot program to help universities create accelerated doctoral programs in critical fields like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and biotechnology. These programs aim to train U.S. citizens and permanent residents by shortening the time to earn a doctorate, integrating undergraduate and graduate coursework, and providing funding that covers at least three years of doctoral study. The Department of Energy will award grants to universities that partner with national laboratories and industry to offer these tracks, which also include structured mentorship and research rotations to build dual expertise in a specific science and computational methods. The legislation authorizes $250 million for the program between 2028 and 2032 and requires the Department of Energy to submit annual reports to Congress on the initiative's progress and student outcomes.
The ASSET Act prohibits states from using asset limits to determine eligibility for several federally funded assistance programs, including Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, SNAP, LIHEAP, and Supplemental Security Income. By removing these financial thresholds, the bill aims to allow low-income families to save money and build financial stability without risking their benefits. Additionally, the legislation updates the resource limit for SSI recipients to $20,000 for individuals and $10,000 for couples in 2026, with future increases tied to inflation. While the bill generally eliminates these limits, it includes a grace period for states that must pass their own laws to comply with the new rules.
This bill creates a streamlined process for transferring specific U.S. military supplies, such as artillery shells and rocket munitions, to Ukraine without requiring the usual case-by-case approval from Congress. It allows these items to be sold to designated allied nations like NATO members, Australia, Japan, and others, who can then transfer them directly to the Ukrainian government. To ensure control, the law requires Ukraine to promise in writing that it will not send these weapons to other countries without U.S. permission and must take physical possession of the items by December 31, 2030, a deadline that can be extended annually as long as Russia continues its invasion.
The Restoring Justice for Workers Act prohibits employers from forcing workers to agree to arbitration for workplace disputes and bans agreements that prevent employees from joining together to seek legal relief. Under this bill, any contract requiring arbitration before a dispute arises would be invalid, while agreements made after a dispute occurs must be truly voluntary, require plain language explanations, include a 45-day waiting period, and receive explicit written consent from the worker. The legislation also makes it illegal to retaliate against employees who refuse to sign arbitration clauses and ensures that courts, rather than arbitrators, decide whether these arbitration agreements are valid. Additionally, the act amends the National Labor Relations Act to explicitly forbid employers from interfering with employees' rights to engage in collective actions regarding their work. These changes apply to all workers, including independent contractors, and take effect immediately upon enactment.
The Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act aims to reduce intimate partner homicides by strengthening federal laws that prevent abusers from accessing firearms while restraining orders are active. It expands the definition of "intimate partner" to include dating partners and clarifies that emergency or temporary restraining orders must also trigger gun restrictions. The bill requires courts to automatically issue firearm surrender orders when a protection order is granted, mandating that abusers turn in their guns within 24 hours and prohibiting them from buying new ones for the duration of the order. Additionally, the legislation creates a new grant program to help states and local governments implement these surrender procedures and partner with domestic violence service providers.
The Homebuilding Materials Tariff Relief Act would exempt specific critical homebuilding products from tariffs imposed on or after January 20, 2025, to reduce costs for the construction and furnishing of single-family and multi-family residential buildings. The bill defines covered products by a detailed list of Harmonized Tariff Schedule codes, which includes items such as wood, glass, ceramics, and certain plastics used in housing. It restricts the President from reimposing these tariffs unless the National Association of Realtors Housing Affordability Index averages 160 or above for the preceding 12 months and Congress passes a joint resolution approving the action. This legislation directly affects homebuilders, suppliers, and consumers by potentially lowering the price of new homes through reduced material costs.
The Data Center Resource Disclosure Act requires operators of data centers in the United States to voluntarily report their annual energy and water usage to the Assistant Secretary of Commerce. These operators must submit the data within 180 days of the law's enactment and every year thereafter. The government will then publish the results on an interactive map, identify facilities that did not provide information, and share feedback from public interest groups. Additionally, the Assistant Secretary must coordinate with other federal agencies and submit a report to Congress with recommendations for improving data center transparency.
The Defending Our Energy and Water Act directs the Administrator of the Office of Electronic Government to update minimum requirements for new federal data centers, mandating the use of the most water-efficient cooling systems. This update must be completed within 180 days of the bill's enactment. Additionally, the legislation extends a previous deadline for reviewing data center standards from 2026 to 2031 and requires the Department of Defense to identify and integrate water efficiency technologies to protect water resources. These changes apply specifically to federal data centers and aim to minimize their operational impact on water supplies.
This joint resolution directs the President to remove U.S. military forces from ongoing hostilities against Iran that were not authorized by Congress. The bill is based on the constitutional principle that Congress holds the sole power to declare war and notes that no formal declaration or specific authorization for force against Iran has been enacted. While the resolution mandates withdrawal from active combat operations, it allows the U.S. to continue defensive actions, intelligence gathering, and limited support for allies facing Iranian attacks. The measure is intended to enforce congressional oversight of military engagements and restore constitutional war powers to the legislative branch.
The Making America's Food Safer Act expands the FDA's existing third-party certification program to allow more entities in the food supply chain to use independent audits for importing food into the United States. It also updates how the FDA uses these certifications to assess food safety and prioritize inspections, while establishing a formal system to recognize the organizations that accredit these auditors. Additionally, the bill permits the FDA to share unredacted food safety data, such as illness surveillance and inspection results, with state, local, and tribal health authorities to help them protect public health. Finally, it gives the FDA the authority to order the immediate destruction of imported food that poses a significant public health risk, provided the owner receives notice and an opportunity to challenge the decision.
This resolution commemorates the 61st anniversary of the Medicare program, which was enacted in 1965 to provide health insurance for seniors and individuals with disabilities. It acknowledges the program's role in covering approximately 70 million Americans and highlights its growth from 19 million beneficiaries in 1966 to its current scale. The text honors the contributions of healthcare providers, caregivers, and government personnel who maintain the system while recognizing the program's impact on healthcare access and financial security.
This House resolution formally acknowledges the courage and sacrifice of veterans who served in the Korean War and those who have continued to serve in South Korea as Korean Defense Veterans. It highlights that nearly 1.8 million U.S. service members participated in the conflict, which resulted in over 36,000 American deaths, and notes that approximately 25,000 troops remain stationed in the region today. The text emphasizes that these veterans often returned home without the widespread recognition given to World War II heroes and urges all Americans to honor their service in defending democracy.
