The PROTECT Act of 2026 requires the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to list all perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as hazardous air pollutants under the Clean Air Act within 180 days of the bill becoming law. This would directly affect industries that manufacture or use PFAS, such as producers of non-stick cookware, firefighting foam, and other consumer products containing these chemicals. The EPA must then, within 365 days, update the list of specific industrial sources (including factories and facilities) that emit PFAS to establish regulatory oversight. These steps create the foundational framework for future EPA regulations targeting PFAS emissions, though the bill itself does not set specific emission limits.
HR 6989, the Public Health Nursing Act, provides $5 billion annually (2026-2035) to expand the public health nursing workforce through grants to state, local, and territorial health departments. It directly affects underserved communities by funding the recruitment, hiring, and training of registered nurses in areas with high chronic disease rates, maternal mortality, low-income populations, or rural settings. Key provisions require grant recipients to use funds for nurse wages, medical supplies (like PPE), and administrative costs, while prioritizing services for medically underserved groups and culturally appropriate care. The bill also mandates maintaining pre-grant funding levels and defines public health nurses as those providing preventive care, maternal health services, and chronic disease management.
This bill requires federal agencies to publicly disclose proposed regulatory settlements and consent decrees 60 days before court submission, including their legal basis and key terms (such as attorney fees). Agencies must accept public comments, respond to them, and include summaries of feedback in court filings. It directly affects agencies (like EPA or FDA), private parties suing over regulatory actions, and state/local governments whose rights may be impacted by settlements. The law aims to increase transparency in regulatory settlements without changing substantive regulations or agency authority.
HR 2405, the White Oak Resilience Act, establishes a voluntary coalition to coordinate federal, state, tribal, and private efforts for restoring white oak forests across the U.S. It creates pilot projects on public lands (including national forests and Department of the Interior sites), a non-regulatory grant program for landowners, and a strategy to address tree nursery shortages. The bill directly affects private landowners, tribes, state agencies, and federal land managers by providing technical assistance, funding for restoration, and research on white oak resilience. The program includes a 7-year sunset clause and emphasizes science-based restoration without mandating new regulations.
HR 1601, the Defending Ukraine’s Territorial Integrity Act, prohibits U.S. federal funds from being provided to any foreign government that recognizes Russian-occupied Ukrainian territories (including Crimea, Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia) or supports Russia's annexation of Ukraine. The bill requires the Secretary of State to publish a list of such countries on the State Department website and allows limited waivers for national security reasons. It directly affects foreign governments that formally acknowledge Russian control over these regions, restricting their access to U.S. aid. The law aims to uphold U.S. policy against recognizing Russia's territorial claims in Ukraine through concrete funding restrictions.
HR 1600, the Crimea Annexation Non-Recognition Act, prohibits U.S. federal departments and agencies from taking any action that implies recognition of Russia's claim to Crimea, its airspace, or territorial waters. The bill states U.S. policy explicitly rejects recognizing Russia's sovereignty over Crimea and requires federal agencies to avoid any actions that could be interpreted as such recognition. This directly affects all U.S. federal agencies by restricting their activities related to Crimea, such as diplomatic engagements or aid programs that might imply acceptance of Russia's control. The bill does not impose new sanctions or funding changes but establishes a clear policy stance on diplomatic recognition.
HR 670, the Lady Liberty Act of 2025, sets a minimum annual refugee admission target of 125,000 people for fiscal years after 2026. It directly affects the U.S. refugee resettlement program by overriding the President’s usual authority to set admission numbers. The key provision amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require that the number of refugees admitted each year cannot fall below 125,000, regardless of presidential determination. This creates a fixed minimum floor for refugee admissions starting in fiscal year 2027.
This resolution expresses the sense of the House of Representatives that (1) Congress should adopt a fiscal target to reduce the federal budget deficit to 3% of gross domestic product or less as soon as possible and no later than the end of FY2030; and (2) after the target is achieved, Congress should continue to pursue further deficit reduction with the goal of achieving a balanced federal budget.
The COURSE Credit Act (HR 6973) requires colleges and universities to publicly disclose their policies on awarding college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exam scores. Specifically, institutions must publish on their websites detailed information about how many credits they grant, the minimum exam scores required (which may vary by subject or degree program), and whether credits count as full courses, electives, or exemptions. The Department of Education will also collect and annually report this data on the College Scorecard website for transparency. This bill directly affects students seeking credit for AP/IB exams and institutions of higher education by standardizing how credit policies are shared.
HR 6972 (Reporting Accountability and Abuse Prevention Act of 2026) requires health centers receiving federal funds under Title X (which supports family planning services) to comply with all state and local laws requiring reporting of child abuse, sexual abuse, intimate partner violence, and human trafficking. It mandates that these centers create written compliance plans, provide annual training for staff on reporting obligations and safety protocols, screen minors for potential abuse when presenting with STIs or pregnancy, and document all reports. Centers must maintain detailed records of minor patients and reports, and allow federal officials to review these records. Failure to comply can result in corrective action, repayment of funds, or a 36-month ban on future Title X funding for repeat violations.
This resolution commemorates the fifth anniversary of the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack and honors the U.S. Capitol Police, Metropolitan Police Department, and Capitol staff (including custodial, janitorial, and maintenance personnel) who protected the building during the assault. It recognizes their bravery in defending Congress during the attack, which injured over 100 officers and contributed to five officer deaths, and acknowledges their ongoing essential work in maintaining Capitol operations. The resolution expresses Senate gratitude for their service and reaffirms commitment to protecting democratic processes. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or funding.
This bill creates a FEMA program providing income-based discounts to make flood insurance more affordable for qualifying policyholders. It caps annual premiums at 1% of a household's area median income for primary residences, small businesses (under 100 employees), and non-profits meeting hardship criteria. The program is funded by $250 million annually (with 95% required spending), and requires FEMA to implement monthly premium payments within 180 days. It directly affects millions of flood insurance policyholders in high-risk areas who struggle with current costs.
