This bill requires Veterans Affairs call centers to use multi-factor authentication to verify the identity of callers before taking high-impact actions. It directly affects veterans and beneficiaries who interact with VA services, ensuring their identities are confirmed more securely. The law defines high-impact actions as those where fraud could cause lasting harm, such as diverting funds or accessing sensitive accounts. By adding this requirement to federal code, the bill strengthens existing security controls for vulnerable service members.
This bill prevents property owners from paying income tax on the profit they make when the government takes their land or buildings through eminent domain (such as for public projects) or when they sell due to immediate threat of taking. It creates a new tax exclusion in the Internal Revenue Code, meaning the government's payment for the property isn't counted as taxable income. Property owners can choose to waive this exclusion and pay tax on the gain if they prefer. The bill directly affects homeowners and businesses facing government acquisitions using eminent domain powers.
This bill requires states to create and maintain searchable online directories of career and technical education programs. Each directory must list programs by school district, industry focus, and credentials earned, using open, standardized data formats that work together. States must update the directories annually and include details like course sequences, work-based learning opportunities, and evidence linking programs to local job market needs. These directories directly affect state education agencies and school districts operating career training programs under the Perkins Act.
The SCOPE Act of 2026 directs the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to conduct a study and issue guidance for specific industrial facilities, referred to as "direct emitters," regarding the calculation and reporting of their "scope 3 emissions." Scope 3 emissions are defined as indirect greenhouse gas emissions resulting from activities throughout a company's upstream and downstream value chain. Within one year of the bill's enactment, the EPA Administrator must publish comprehensive guidance for these direct emitters. This guidance will include recommended reporting thresholds, standardized calculation methodologies, advice on monitoring frequency, data quality assurance, and recordkeeping requirements for these indirect emissions.
HR 7678, the Gun Owner Registration Information Protection Act, prohibits federal funding for state or local databases that track lawfully owned firearms or their owners. The bill allows federal funding for databases recording lost or stolen firearms but bans it for databases listing legal gun ownership. This means states cannot use federal money to create or maintain systems that compile information about legally owned guns. The bill directly affects state and local governments that rely on federal funds for firearm ownership databases.
The Stop Illegal Alien Cops Act amends federal law to modify exemptions for government entities regarding firearms. Currently, federal, state, and local government agencies are generally exempt from many federal prohibitions when acquiring or supplying firearms for official use. This bill would remove that exemption for specific prohibitions, making it unlawful for government entities to provide firearms to or employ individuals who are unlawfully in the United States. Additionally, the bill removes the
This bill would allow Indian tribes to access the Defense Community Infrastructure Program, which currently provides funding for infrastructure improvements near military installations. By amending Title 10 of the U.S. Code, the legislation adds "Indian tribes" as eligible recipients alongside local governments and other entities. The bill defines "Indian tribe" using the existing legal definition from the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act. This change expands the pool of organizations that can apply for infrastructure support related to defense facilities.
Respect State Housing Laws Act This bill eliminates a provision that requires a 30-day notice period before a landlord may begin eviction proceedings against a tenant in federally assisted or federally backed housing.
SRES 612 is a non-binding Senate resolution acknowledging the fourth anniversary of Russia’s February 2022 invasion of Ukraine. It reaffirms U.S. support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its 1991 borders, condemns Russia’s attacks on civilians and infrastructure, and emphasizes the need for sustained U.S. and transatlantic security guarantees. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but expresses congressional support for Ukraine’s defense and calls for continued international cooperation. It specifically highlights Russia’s targeting of Ukrainian children and U.S. companies as part of its aggression. As a symbolic gesture, it has no legal effect on policy or funding.
HRES 1075 is a procedural resolution that enables the House to debate and vote on two specific bills. It allows consideration of H.R. 4626, which would prevent the Energy Secretary from setting new appliance efficiency standards unless they are both technologically possible and economically reasonable for manufacturers. It also enables consideration of H.R. 4758, which would eliminate federal tax subsidies for home electrification projects under Public Law 117-169. This resolution waives objections to debating these bills and sets rules for their floor consideration. The resolution itself does not change policy but facilitates the legislative process for these two bills.
S 3905, the Tariff Refund Act of 2026, requires U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to refund all duties unlawfully collected under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to importers within 180 days of the bill's enactment, including interest. It mandates CBP to reliquidate previously processed imports to calculate refunds and prioritizes small businesses for faster processing, with coordinated outreach to them via the Small Business Administration. The bill also requires CBP to submit regular reports to Congress detailing refund progress and timelines. This directly affects importers who paid IEEPA duties, with specific provisions to streamline refunds for small business importers.
The American Homeownership Act restricts tax deductions for interest and depreciation on residential properties owned by institutional investment entities or "large owners" (defined as those holding 50+ single-family units). It creates exceptions for new construction, rehabilitation of uninhabitable properties, sales to individuals for primary residence, and properties serving affordable housing through tax credit programs. The bill also prohibits federal housing agencies from selling properties or providing mortgage loans to these large investors and allocates savings from these tax changes to fund affordable housing programs. These provisions aim to encourage homeownership by limiting tax benefits for large-scale rental property ownership while directing resources toward affordable housing development.
