Browse Legislation

H.Res. 1222 is a resolution recognizing the week of April 24 through April 30 as 'National Reentry Week' in the United States. This designation is likely intended to raise awareness and support for individuals reentering society after incarceration, emphasizing the challenges they face and the importance of successful reintegration into communities.

H.Con.Res. 92 is a concurrent resolution directing the President of the United States to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran. This directive is made in accordance with section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, which allows Congress to compel the withdrawal of U.S. forces engaged in hostilities without a declaration of war or specific authorization.

H.Con.Res. 93 is a concurrent resolution that directs the President of the United States to withdraw U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran. This directive is made pursuant to section 5(c) of the War Powers Resolution, which allows Congress to require the removal of U.S. forces engaged in hostilities without a declaration of war or specific authorization.

The bill S. 4410 proposes amendments to the Mineral Leasing Act, specifically focusing on the financial aspects of coal leases. It aims to address the payment structures for bonus payments associated with certain coal leases. These bonus payments are typically upfront payments made by companies to secure the rights to extract coal from public lands.

S.Res. 691 is a resolution that supports the designation of April 2026 as the 'Month of the Military Child'. This likely means that the resolution aims to recognize and honor the unique challenges and contributions of children in military families during this month.

The Export Controls Enforcement Act (H.R. 4505) aims to strengthen the enforcement of U.S. export controls by increasing the number of export control officers stationed overseas. These officers are responsible for verifying that exported items are used in compliance with U.S. regulations and are not diverted to unauthorized users. The bill proposes establishing an Export Control Officer Program to station at least 20 officers at U.S. diplomatic or consular posts worldwide. Their duties include conducting end-use checks, advising diplomatic posts on export controls, performing industry outreach, liaising with foreign governments, and sharing enforcement information with the Bureau of Industry and Security.

The BIS Licensing Efficiency Act of 2026 aims to speed up the process for U.S. companies to get approval to export certain technologies. It requires the Department of Commerce to decide on export license applications within 90 days. If a decision takes longer than 120 days, the Department must inform the applicant about the delay and request any missing information. The bill also mandates that experts in the relevant technologies review the applications, ensures transparency through quarterly reports to Congress on application statuses and processing times, and calls for an independent audit to identify and address any bottlenecks in the licensing process.

The Export Control Enforcement and Enhancement Act (H.R. 8169) aims to streamline the process of updating the U.S. Entity List, which identifies foreign entities that pose risks to national security or foreign policy. The bill allows any member of the End-User Review Committee to propose changes to the list, including adding or removing entities. Once a proposal is submitted, the committee must vote on it within 30 days, with a possible 15-day extension for gathering additional information. If an entity is added to the list, there is a presumption of denial for export licenses involving that entity, meaning that exports to them are generally prohibited unless specifically approved. The bill also clarifies voting procedures within the committee and mandates prompt notification and implementation of decisions regarding the Entity List.

The Investing in the American Dream Act, introduced by Senator Edward J. Markey on April 28, 2026, aims to expand eligibility for Small Business Administration (SBA) loans to include small businesses that are at least 51% owned and controlled by certain legally present, work-authorized non-U.S. citizens. This includes lawful permanent residents (green card holders), refugees, asylees, and individuals with specific deferred action statuses. The bill seeks to address recent SBA rules that restricted loan access for many noncitizen business owners, thereby supporting immigrant entrepreneurs who contribute significantly to the U.S. economy.

The TEACH Improvement Act of 2026 aims to enhance the Teacher Education Assistance for College and Higher Education (TEACH) grant program. It proposes increasing grant amounts, expanding eligibility to attract more candidates into teaching, and clarifying service obligations for recipients. The bill also seeks to establish accountability measures for participating institutions and introduce new reporting requirements to assess the program's effectiveness.

H.R. 8556, known as the Homegrown Defense Act of 2026, aims to ensure that the Department of Defense (DoD) follows existing laws requiring the purchase of domestically produced food. The bill mandates regular audits by the DoD's Inspector General to assess compliance with these requirements. Specifically, within 90 days of the bill's enactment, and every three months thereafter, the Inspector General must conduct audits and report the findings to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees. This process is designed to enhance transparency and accountability in the DoD's food procurement practices, supporting domestic agriculture and strengthening national security by ensuring a reliable food supply for military operations.

House Resolution 1221 is a bipartisan proposal introduced by Representative Jahana Hayes and co-sponsored by Representatives Suzanne Bonamici, Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Brian K. Fitzpatrick. The resolution aims to designate the week of April 27 through May 1, 2026, as 'National Specialized Instructional Support Personnel Appreciation Week.' This week is intended to recognize and honor over one million specialized instructional support personnel (SISP) across the United States, including school counselors, social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists, and speech-language pathologists. These professionals provide essential services that support students' academic success and well-being by addressing various barriers to learning and collaborating with educators, families, and communities.

The PORCUPINE Act is a proposed U.S. law aimed at strengthening Taiwan's defense capabilities. It seeks to amend the Arms Export Control Act to expedite the process for the U.S. to sell or transfer military equipment to Taiwan. The bill also proposes faster approval for U.S. allies to transfer their military equipment to Taiwan, enhancing the island's ability to defend itself against potential threats.

The Full AI Stack Export Promotion Act (H.R. 6996) is a proposed U.S. law introduced on January 9, 2026, by Representative Randy Fine. Its goal is to boost the global export of American artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, including AI systems, computing hardware, and related standards. The bill directs various federal agencies to work together to promote U.S. AI products abroad, set security standards, and remove international trade barriers. Key provisions include: establishing a Commerce Department program to support industry groups in exporting AI technologies; requiring the State Department to develop a diplomatic strategy to facilitate U.S. AI exports; mandating studies on the global impact of AI deployment; and creating a biennial report to track the success of these export efforts. The bill also emphasizes the importance of preventing unauthorized access to U.S. AI technologies by foreign adversaries and ensuring the security of the supply chain.

The Bureau of Industry and Security License Administration Enhancement Act (H.R. 8284) aims to improve the management of U.S. export control licenses to better protect national security. Key provisions include: 1) Requiring the Secretary of Commerce to regularly review and update export control policies, ensuring they effectively prevent adversaries from accessing sensitive technologies. 2) Establishing eight specialized technical advisory committees composed of experts from national security, industry, and academia to provide guidance on emerging technologies and potential threats. 3) Implementing a 'presumption of denial' standard for export licenses, meaning applications are more likely to be denied unless they clearly meet specific criteria. 4) Mandating that 'is-informed' letters, which notify entities of export restrictions, undergo the same formal review process as standard licenses and expire after 60 days unless formally extended. 5) Requiring the Secretary of Commerce to publish clear standards for licensing decisions within 90 days of the bill's enactment and submit these to Congress seven days prior to publication. 6) Conducting regular reviews of export controls on advanced computing integrated circuits and reporting findings to Congress within 120 days of enactment. These measures aim to enhance transparency, consistency, and effectiveness in the export control process, balancing the protection of critical technologies with the need for clear and consistent licensing procedures.

The USA 6G Global Leadership Act (H.R. 8320) is a bipartisan bill introduced in April 2026 by Representative Julie Johnson (D-TX) and co-sponsored by Representatives Sheri Biggs (R-SC), Michael Lawler (R-NY), and Brad Sherman (D-CA). The bill aims to strengthen the United States' leadership in 6G technology and international telecommunications. It directs the Ambassador at Large for Cyberspace and Digital Policy to coordinate U.S. diplomatic efforts ahead of key international conferences, such as the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) Plenipotentiary Conference in 2026 and the World Radiocommunication Conference in 2027. The Ambassador is tasked with promoting U.S. interests in telecommunications security, digital freedom, and information technology governance. Additionally, the bill requires the Secretary of State to report on efforts by countries like China and Russia to influence global telecommunications standards and to develop a comprehensive strategy for U.S. dominance in 6G technology, including collaboration with allies and the private sector.

The Downwinder Commemoration Act of 2025 is a bill introduced by Representative Gabe Vasquez on July 2, 2025, aiming to honor communities in New Mexico affected by radioactive fallout from the first atomic bomb test in 1945. The bill directs the Secretaries of the Army, Air Force, and Interior to collaborate in creating and placing three commemorative plaques within one year of the bill's enactment. These plaques are to be installed at White Sands Missile Range, Holloman Air Force Base, and White Sands National Park, all in New Mexico. The bill acknowledges the health issues, such as cancer and infertility, experienced by these communities due to radiation exposure but does not provide financial compensation.

S.Res. 692 is a resolution passed by the U.S. Senate that designates the week of April 20 through April 24, 2026, as 'National Home Visiting Week.' This resolution aims to recognize and promote the importance of home visiting programs, which provide support and resources to families with young children, helping to enhance child development, strengthen family bonds, and reduce the risk of child abuse and neglect.

S.Res. 693 is a resolution passed by the U.S. Senate on April 28, 2026, recognizing and supporting the goals and ideals of National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. This resolution aims to raise public awareness about sexual assault, honor survivors, and promote prevention efforts across the nation.

S.Res. 668 is a resolution that designates April 2026 as 'Second Chance Month,' aimed at raising awareness about the importance of providing opportunities for individuals who have been incarcerated to reintegrate into society. The resolution encourages communities to support programs that help these individuals find employment and rebuild their lives.

The bill titled 'S. 4413: A bill to amend the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to expand coverage under the Act, to increase protections for whistleblowers, to increase penalties for high gravity violations, to adjust penalties for inflation, to provide rights' aims to make several key changes to workplace safety laws. It seeks to extend the protections of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) to more workers, ensuring that a broader range of employees are covered under its safety regulations. The bill also proposes stronger safeguards for employees who report unsafe working conditions or violations, offering them better protection against retaliation. Additionally, it plans to increase the fines and penalties for serious safety violations to deter non-compliance and adjust these penalties over time to keep up with inflation. Overall, the bill is designed to enhance worker safety and ensure that employers are held accountable for maintaining safe working environments.

S. 4417, titled the Pechanga Band of Indians Water Rights Settlement Technical Amendments Act, proposes technical corrections to the existing Pechanga Band of Luiseño Mission Indians Water Rights Settlement Act. Key provisions include: 1) Clarifying the definition of the 'Reservation' to encompass specific lands set aside for the Pechanga Band on various dates, as well as contiguous trust lands and those within the Santa Margarita River Watershed placed into trust after a certain date. 2) Expanding the scope of activities eligible for funding under the Pechanga Water Quality account to address broader water quality issues within the Wolf Valley Basin, beyond just groundwater desalination. 3) Authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to execute amendments to the Pechanga Settlement Agreement to align with these changes, without affecting the status of existing conditions or the validity of prior findings. 4) Ensuring that the bill does not alter or require changes to any existing water rights at the time of its enactment.

H.R. 8536, titled the 'Fuel and Strengthen the American Refinery Act of 2026,' proposes several reforms to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) under the Clean Air Act. Key provisions include: 1) Limiting the volume of conventional renewable fuel (like ethanol) that must be blended into gasoline to align with projected ethanol-blended fuel consumption, addressing the 'blend wall' issue. 2) Allowing Renewable Identification Number (RIN) credits generated between 2020 and 2022 to be used for compliance for five years after the bill's enactment, with a cap of 20% of credits used in any year coming from this period. 3) Modifying small refinery exemptions by granting automatic approval if the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) misses decision deadlines and mandating approval based on older hardship indices, potentially broadening eligibility for exemptions. 4) Reallocating waived obligations from small refinery exemptions to other obligated parties, ensuring overall renewable fuel volume requirements are met. 5) Granting the EPA authority to approve electric Renewable Identification Numbers (e-RINs) for electricity derived from renewable biomass used in electric vehicles. 6) Removing restrictions on the sale of E15 (gasoline with 15% ethanol) during summer months, promoting year-round availability.

H.R. 8552, titled the Veterans’ Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026, proposes to increase, effective December 1, 2026, the compensation rates for veterans with service-connected disabilities and the dependency and indemnity compensation for their survivors. The increase will match the percentage used for Social Security's annual cost-of-living adjustment (COLA), ensuring that these veterans' benefits keep pace with inflation. The bill covers various compensation categories, including wartime disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, clothing allowances, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is tasked with implementing these adjustments and publishing the updated rates in the Federal Register.