This bill amends the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act to create a new 6% interest rate cap for student loan consolidation or refinancing. Specifically, it limits interest to 6% on loans consolidated or refinanced during military service to cover student debt incurred *before* service (not new debt during service). This applies to active-duty servicemembers (or jointly with their spouse) who refinance pre-service loans while serving. The change affects how military members manage existing student debt during their service, without altering interest rates on other loans or providing debt forgiveness.
Aviation Funding Solvency Act This bill provides continuing appropriations to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) if (1) an appropriations bill for the FAA has not been enacted before a fiscal year begins, or (2) a law making continuing appropriations for the FAA is not in effect. Specifically, the bill provides appropriations from the Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund at the rate of operations that was provided for the prior fiscal year to continue programs, projects, and activities that were funded in the preceding fiscal year. The FAA may use the balance of the fund, minus $1 billion. If the FAA determines that the amounts from the fund are insufficient to continue all programs, projects, or activities, then the FAA must prioritize compensation payments for employees of the Air Traffic Organization (e.g., air traffic controllers). The bill provides the appropriations until the date on which either (1) specified appropriations legislation for the fiscal year becomes law, or (2) a bill making continuing appropriations becomes law. Finally, the bill permanently extends the FAA Non-premium War Risk Insurance Program. This program provides aviation insurance without a premium to eligible air carriers at the request of the Department of Defense or another federal agency, provided that the agency agrees to indemnify the FAA from all losses covered under the insurance. Eligible air carriers include those whose operations are under a federal contract and are necessary for national security or to carry out U.S. foreign policy.
SJRES 100 is a joint resolution directing the President to end U.S. military actions against vessels in the Caribbean Sea or Eastern Pacific Ocean that lack congressional authorization. It specifically targets military strikes beginning September 2, 2025, which the resolution states exceed the 60-day deadline under the War Powers Resolution without a formal authorization. The bill requires the removal of U.S. forces from such hostilities unless Congress passes a specific declaration of war or authorization for use of military force. It does not affect self-defense actions against imminent threats, as clarified in Section 2(b). This resolution applies directly to U.S. military operations against vessels in those specific ocean regions.
HRES 955 is a symbolic House resolution recognizing the importance of maintaining U.S. leadership in ending pediatric HIV/AIDS globally. It affirms support for existing programs like PEPFAR and the Global Fund, which provide critical prevention services (e.g., antiretroviral prophylaxis for pregnant women) and treatment for children. The resolution specifically calls for continued commitment to closing the treatment gap for children, expanding access to long-acting prevention methods, and advancing the Global Alliance to End AIDS in Children by 2030. As a recognition measure, it does not create new laws or allocate funding but underscores ongoing U.S. efforts to prevent mother-to-child transmission and improve pediatric HIV outcomes.
This bill repeals origination fees charged on new Federal Direct Loans under the Higher Education Act. It directly affects borrowers who take out new federal student loans through the Direct Loan program, eliminating an upfront fee they previously paid. The change takes effect for loans with their first disbursement or consolidation applications received on or after July 1 following the bill's enactment. The bill focuses solely on removing this specific fee, not on tax changes as the title suggests.
This bill creates a new tax credit for employers who pay qualified wages to child care workers. Employers at eligible child care facilities (providing care for at least 6 children, charging fees, and meeting state regulations) can claim a 5% credit on those wages, increasing to 7% for facilities in rural areas. The credit applies to wage increases and is treated as part of the general business tax credit. It directly affects child care employers by reducing their federal tax liability for raising wages at qualifying facilities.
This bill reclassifies pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) as fiduciaries under federal law, requiring them to act in the best interest of group health plans they serve. It mandates PBMs to disclose all compensation sources (including rebates and fees) and prohibits them from shielding themselves from liability for breaches of duty. The law directly affects PBMs, employers offering health plans, and health insurers that use PBM services. Key provisions include new transparency rules, clarifying that PBMs cannot be the "responsible fiduciary" for disclosure purposes, and banning contracts that exempt PBMs from accountability.
The GRACE Act (S 3535) sets a minimum annual refugee admission target of 125,000 for the U.S., requiring the President to determine this number based on humanitarian needs and national interest. It introduces community/private sponsorship for refugees, allowing groups to provide initial resettlement services instead of traditional agency support. The bill mandates quarterly public reports to Congress on admissions numbers, regional allocations aligned with UN resettlement needs, processing times, security checks, and any shortfall in meeting targets. This directly affects refugees seeking admission, the Department of Homeland Security (which administers processing), and Congress (through transparency requirements).
This bill directs the Comptroller General to study whether a federal uniform residential building code could reduce local government approval times for new housing, lower construction costs nationwide, and improve the quality and affordability of housing. The study must be completed within one year of the bill's enactment and report findings to Congress. It does not create new regulations but examines potential benefits of standardized building codes. The study would primarily inform future policy decisions affecting local governments and the housing market, without directly changing current building standards or costs.
This bill eliminates waiting periods for Social Security disability benefits and Medicare coverage for individuals diagnosed with young-onset Alzheimer's disease. It amends the Social Security Act to add "young-onset Alzheimer's" (as defined by the Social Security Commissioner) to the list of conditions qualifying for immediate disability benefits, removing a 5-month waiting period for applications filed after its enactment date. It also waives the standard 24-month waiting period for Medicare coverage when young-onset Alzheimer's is diagnosed, effective for benefits starting after the bill's enactment. These changes directly affect people with young-onset Alzheimer's seeking timely access to critical financial and health coverage.
The Clean Competition Act (HR 6787) creates a carbon border adjustment mechanism that imposes fees on imported goods and domestic production based on their carbon intensity relative to U.S. industry averages. The bill requires covered entities to report greenhouse gas emissions and production data annually, calculates charges based on how much a facility's emissions exceed a baseline percentage that decreases over time, and provides rebates for exported goods. It includes provisions for carbon removal credits, establishes funding programs to support domestic industrial decarbonization through grants and contracts, and creates a framework for international 'carbon club' agreements with trading partners that meet specific environmental and labor standards.
This bill prohibits using fiscal year 2026 Department of Defense funds to implement hiring freezes, layoffs, or unnecessary delays in filling vacant positions at public shipyards. It directly affects public shipyards and their Federal civilian employees by preventing workforce reductions without justification. The key provision blocks specific personnel actions - hiring freezes, layoffs, and unfounded hiring delays - using Defense Department funding. This is a procedural measure focused on preserving existing workforce stability at these facilities.
