HR 7163, the PUBLIC SAFETY Act, increases federal funding for local law enforcement by amending two key programs. It extends the deadline for COPS Hiring Program grants to September 30, 2030, and waives certain requirements for smaller jurisdictions (under 175 officers) and tribal governments to access funds. The bill appropriates $45 billion for fiscal year 2025 for the Byrne Justice Assistance Grant (JAG) Program, available until September 30, 2029. These changes directly affect local police departments, counties, municipalities, and tribal governments seeking federal funding to hire officers and support public safety initiatives. The core policy change is expanding access to funding for smaller agencies while significantly increasing overall grant availability.
HR 7166, the Stop Online Ammunition Sales Act of 2026, requires all ammunition sales to occur in person with identity verification, directly affecting licensed ammunition dealers and unlicensed buyers. The bill mandates that dealers verify a buyer’s identity using a photo ID during every transaction and prohibits online or remote sales. It also creates new recordkeeping rules requiring dealers to report multiple sales of over 1,000 ammunition rounds to an unlicensed person within 5 business days. These provisions update existing federal firearms laws to apply specifically to ammunition transactions.
HR 7156, the SCAM Act, would expand grounds for revoking U.S. citizenship (denaturalization) for naturalized citizens who commit specific offenses within 10 years of becoming citizens. It targets individuals convicted of defrauding federal, state, or local governments (e.g., $10,000+ in public benefit fraud), affiliating with foreign terrorist organizations, or committing aggravated felonies or espionage. If convicted in these categories, the government could automatically revoke citizenship retroactively (as if it never existed) based on evidence that the person lacked good moral character or loyalty to the U.S. at the time of naturalization. This bill directly affects naturalized citizens who commit these offenses within a decade of gaining citizenship, with revocation triggering immediate deportability.
This bill establishes a Senior Advisor for National Security within the USDA to coordinate national security efforts related to food and agriculture. It requires the USDA Secretary to submit biennial reports to Congress and the National Security Council identifying vulnerabilities such as foreign control of agricultural data, supply chain disruptions, cybersecurity risks, and dependence on foreign-sourced inputs. The bill mandates improved interagency coordination, including sharing personnel with defense and intelligence agencies, and requires the USDA to assess gaps in security efforts and propose solutions. The primary direct effect is on the USDA's internal operations and reporting structure, not on agricultural policies or farmers.
The PORCUPINE Act amends the Arms Export Control Act to include Taiwan alongside New Zealand and Israel in specific certification and reporting requirements related to U.S. arms exports. This legislative change ensures Taiwan is treated similarly to these allied nations in certain foreign policy contexts involving defense article transfers. The bill also directs the Secretary of State to assess the feasibility of creating an expedited licensing process for military equipment transfers from designated allies to Taiwan within 90 days. Additionally, the act requires biennial reports on the implementation of these amendments and includes a provision stating that the legislation does not alter existing U.S. policy toward Taiwan under the Taiwan Relations Act. The entire measure is set to expire seven years after its enactment.
HR 7137, the Shutdown Fairness Act, requires federal agencies to pay covered employees (including most federal workers and military personnel) and covered contractors their regular pay during government shutdowns. It appropriates funds from the Treasury to cover standard employee compensation and contractor payments for work performed during a lapse in regular appropriations, ensuring pay continues without delay (within 7 days if a shutdown is ongoing at enactment) and aligns with regular pay schedules. The bill applies only to individuals employed or with accepted offers before the shutdown began and mandates that these payments be charged to future appropriations. It does not change agency obligations under existing contracts or authorize new spending beyond the specified shutdown period.
HR 7145 defines "essential health systems" as hospitals serving large numbers of Medicaid and low-income patients, specifically targeting non-Federal, nonprofit, or government-run hospitals that meet one of three criteria for at least two of the past three years (e.g., high Medicaid patient percentage, high uncompensated care, or top 16th percentile in state rankings for low-income care). The bill requires MACPAC to annually publish an "essential health system index" ranking qualifying hospitals nationally, by state, and within local areas, using data from Medicare reporting. Hospitals designated as essential health systems receive a five-year designation, renewable if they maintain eligibility. This framework aims to identify facilities providing critical community care for vulnerable populations through standardized metrics.
This bill requires U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) law enforcement officers and agents to follow a new department-wide policy on use of force. It mandates that officers use only objectively reasonable force, prioritize de-escalation, ban chokeholds and carotid restraints, and complete regular training. The policy also requires DHS components to establish internal review teams to analyze incidents and report detailed data every six months - including incidents causing injury, death, or involving deadly force - to the public via the DHS website. Additionally, DHS must brief Congress and inform the public within 24 hours of any incident resulting in hospitalization or death.
HRES 1003 is a non-binding resolution expressing the House's support for greater corporate representation of women in leadership. It cites studies showing women make up 56% of the workforce but hold only 30% of S&P 500 board seats, and notes research linking diverse leadership to stronger financial performance. The resolution urges corporations to commit to utilizing women's talents in boards and senior management, emphasizing that a "critical mass" of at least three women on boards yields measurable benefits. It does not create new laws or requirements but serves as a symbolic statement to encourage voluntary corporate action.
This bill requires the U.S. Secretary of State to annually determine whether Hong Kong Economic and Trade Offices (HKETOs) in the U.S. merit diplomatic privileges and immunities. If denied, HKETOs must shut down within 180 days. It also prohibits U.S. government entities from partnering with HKETOs for tourism or business promotion unless the Secretary certifies they merit privileges and Congress does not disapprove within 90 days. The bill explicitly bars partnerships that promote efforts to dismantle Hong Kong's autonomy or justify actions against its freedoms, as defined by U.S. policy. This directly affects HKETOs operating in the U.S. and changes how U.S. agencies interact with them.
The SECURE Minerals Act of 2026 establishes a new Strategic Resilience Reserve Corporation to secure U.S. supply chains for critical minerals and materials essential to technology, defense, and energy sectors. The Reserve will finance domestic and partner country production, acquire critical minerals for strategic stockpiling, and develop market data to support responsible production practices. With $2.5 billion in initial funding, the Reserve aims to reduce U.S. dependence on foreign sources, particularly China, by developing alternative supply chains and ensuring production rates meet specific targets. The legislation includes provisions for transparency, oversight, and annual reporting to Congress, with the Reserve prioritizing domestic projects, recycling, and repurposing of critical minerals.
The Power for the People Act of 2026 requires data center owners and operators to pay for the grid upgrades they necessitate, rather than passing these costs to residential and business ratepayers. The bill establishes data center-specific load queues that prioritize facilities implementing low-carbon energy solutions, labor standards, and grid-friendly practices, while delaying or denying interconnection for those that don't meet these requirements. It also mandates that states create data center-specific rate classes to ensure these facilities pay for the full cost of grid upgrades, including transmission and distribution costs. The legislation includes provisions for transparency in forecasting data center energy demands and encourages the use of battery storage and renewable energy to reduce grid strain. The bill aims to protect grid reliability, ensure electricity affordability, and minimize environmental impacts of data center development.
