Bills

This resolution addresses a critical policy contradiction in federal climate preparedness by formally recognizing the escalating frequency and severity of climate change-driven extreme weather events while simultaneously acknowledging the dismantling of government weather monitoring and alert systems. The resolution serves as a declarative statement highlighting the disconnect between increasing environmental risks and diminishing institutional capacity to detect, monitor, and warn the public about dangerous weather conditions. Rather than establishing new programs or mandating specific actions, the resolution functions as a formal congressional acknowledgment of systemic vulnerabilities in the nation's meteorological infrastructure at a time when such capabilities are most needed for public safety and emergency preparedness.

This bill amends the Consolidated Farm and Rural Development Act to expand eligibility criteria for federal farm loan programs administered by the United States Department of Agriculture. The legislation fundamentally restructures access to direct farm loans by allowing individuals or entities holding at least a fifty percent ownership interest in farm real estate to qualify for federal agricultural financing. This represents a significant departure from traditional loan qualification requirements that typically demanded full ownership or more restrictive ownership thresholds. The bill aims to facilitate agricultural entrepreneurship and farm succession by recognizing partial ownership arrangements as sufficient for loan eligibility, provided applicants demonstrate operational involvement in the farming enterprise. By lowering the ownership threshold while maintaining operational requirements, the legislation seeks to modernize farm financing to accommodate contemporary agricultural business structures including partnerships, family succession arrangements, and investment-backed farming operations.

This bill represents a legislative effort to protect and maintain the franchise business model as it currently operates in the United States. The legislation appears designed to safeguard the existing legal and economic relationships between franchisors and franchisees against potential regulatory changes or legal challenges that could fundamentally alter how franchise systems function. The bill's stated purpose suggests a defensive posture aimed at preserving the status quo of franchise operations, likely in response to emerging threats from labor law reclassification efforts, joint employer standards, or other regulatory initiatives that could impose additional obligations on franchisors for franchisee operations. The scope encompasses the entire franchise business ecosystem, which represents a significant portion of the American economy across multiple sectors including food service, retail, hospitality, and professional services.

This resolution serves as a formal congressional recognition of the technological maturity and economic viability of renewable energy technologies in the United States power sector. The resolution establishes a legislative record affirming that solar power, energy storage systems, and wind power have achieved sufficient technological advancement to meet the nation's growing electricity demand in a manner that is both economically competitive and rapidly deployable. Unlike substantive legislation that creates new programs or mandates specific actions, this resolution functions as a declaratory statement of congressional findings regarding the current state of renewable energy capabilities. The resolution positions Congress as acknowledging a fundamental shift in the energy landscape where renewable technologies are no longer experimental or cost-prohibitive but rather represent viable, mainstream solutions for power generation and grid reliability.

This bill establishes an honorary designation for Newark Penn Station, renaming it the "Donald M. Payne, Jr. Transit Center at Newark Penn Station." The legislation serves as a commemorative measure to recognize and honor Donald M. Payne, Jr., presumably a significant political or community figure in Newark, New Jersey. The bill represents a symbolic gesture that maintains the historical Penn Station name while adding an honorific prefix. This type of facility naming legislation is common at the local and state level to memorialize individuals who have made substantial contributions to their communities. The measure does not alter the operational structure, management, or service delivery of the transit facility itself, focusing exclusively on the official designation and public recognition of the station's name.

The Work Schedule Request and Stability Act establishes a comprehensive framework to address workplace scheduling instability by creating enforceable employee rights to request schedule modifications and imposing obligations on employers to provide predictable work schedules. The legislation targets industries and occupations characterized by irregular, unpredictable scheduling practices that create economic insecurity and work-life balance challenges for workers. By mandating employer consideration of schedule change requests and prohibiting retaliation, the bill seeks to shift the balance of scheduling power toward employees while maintaining employer operational flexibility. The Act represents a significant federal intervention into workplace scheduling practices, an area traditionally governed by private employment arrangements and limited state-level regulation.

This resolution serves as a formal congressional commemoration honoring two United States Army sergeants who were killed in action during military operations in Syria. The resolution specifically recognizes Sergeant William Nathaniel Howard and Sergeant Edgar Brian Torres-Tovar, who died on December 13, 2025, during a targeted assault in Palmyra, Syria. As a commemorative resolution, it functions as an official expression of congressional sentiment and recognition rather than substantive legislation that creates new law or modifies existing statutes. The resolution acknowledges the ultimate sacrifice made by these service members while performing their duties in an active combat zone and provides formal recognition of their service to the nation.

This bill represents a comprehensive federal initiative to address the linguistic digital divide by mandating that large online platforms develop and implement robust language accessibility strategies for non-English speaking users. The legislation seeks to move beyond superficial translation services to require substantive, culturally appropriate digital experiences that provide functional equivalence across all language versions. The bill establishes a framework for meaningful digital inclusion by setting minimum standards that large platforms must meet to serve diverse linguistic communities effectively. This represents the first federal attempt to systematically address language barriers in digital spaces, recognizing that true digital equity requires more than English-only interfaces with optional machine translation. The legislation aims to ensure that non-English speaking communities have equal access to digital services, information, and opportunities provided by major online platforms.

This bill directs the Secretary of Defense to establish a pilot program focused on developing advanced diagnostic technologies for traumatic brain injury specifically tailored to members of the Armed Forces. The legislation addresses a critical gap in military medical capabilities by creating a dedicated initiative to improve the assessment and detection of TBI among service members. The program represents a targeted effort to enhance medical diagnostic infrastructure within the Department of Defense, recognizing the unique nature of combat-related and military training-related brain injuries that may differ from civilian TBI presentations. By establishing this pilot program, the legislation aims to advance the state of medical science in detecting and characterizing traumatic brain injuries in military populations, potentially leading to earlier intervention and improved treatment outcomes for affected service members.

This bill proposes to amend Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to strengthen the Medicare Rural Hospital Flexibility Program grants. The legislation targets the enhancement of rural healthcare infrastructure by modifying the existing grant program framework to provide greater flexibility and support to rural hospitals operating under Medicare. The primary objective is to address the unique challenges faced by rural healthcare facilities by expanding the scope and adaptability of federal grant assistance, thereby improving access to quality healthcare services in underserved rural communities across the United States.

This bill seeks to reduce the financial burden on student loan borrowers by eliminating origination fees charged on Federal Direct loans under the Higher Education Act of 1965. Origination fees are upfront charges deducted from loan disbursements that effectively reduce the amount students receive while requiring repayment of the full principal amount. By removing these fees entirely, the legislation aims to make federal student loans more affordable and accessible, allowing borrowers to receive the full amount of their approved loan without deductions. This represents a straightforward policy intervention designed to lower the cost of higher education financing for millions of current and future students participating in the Federal Direct Loan Program.

This bill establishes a carbon border adjustment mechanism within the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, creating a novel framework for assessing tariffs on imported goods based on their carbon intensity. The legislation represents a significant policy innovation in climate-related trade regulation, aiming to address carbon leakage and create economic incentives for reducing greenhouse gas emissions in global supply chains. By linking trade policy with environmental objectives, the bill seeks to level the playing field between domestic producers subject to carbon regulations and foreign manufacturers operating under less stringent environmental standards. The carbon border adjustment mechanism is designed to quantify the carbon emissions associated with imported goods and impose corresponding charges, thereby incentivizing lower-carbon manufacturing practices internationally while protecting domestic industries from competitive disadvantages arising from stricter domestic climate policies.

This joint resolution seeks to reassert congressional authority over military operations by mandating the immediate withdrawal of United States Armed Forces from unauthorized hostilities in specific maritime regions. The resolution targets ongoing or potential military engagements against vessels operating in the Caribbean Sea and Eastern Pacific Ocean that lack explicit congressional authorization. The measure represents a direct exercise of Congress's constitutional war powers, establishing that military operations in these designated waters must cease unless Congress has provided specific authorization for such actions. This resolution addresses the fundamental constitutional question of which branch of government holds the authority to commit American military forces to hostile engagements, particularly in maritime contexts where executive branch discretion has historically been broad.

This resolution serves as a formal legislative acknowledgment of the scientifically established connection between particulate matter air pollution and serious adverse health outcomes. The measure aims to elevate public awareness and create an official legislative record recognizing the medical consensus on pollution-related health risks. As a declaratory resolution rather than substantive legislation, it establishes no new regulatory framework or enforcement mechanisms but instead functions as a statement of legislative findings regarding the public health threat posed by airborne particulate matter. The resolution draws upon research from public health scientists and the broader medical community to document the causal relationship between exposure to particulate pollution and multiple life-threatening conditions.

The Postal Theft Investigation Strategy Act addresses the growing problem of organized postal theft by mandating the development of a comprehensive federal investigative strategy. The legislation recognizes postal theft as an organized criminal enterprise requiring coordinated federal response rather than isolated enforcement actions. The bill directs federal agency heads to collaborate in creating a strategic framework that enhances investigative capabilities and establishes systematic approaches to dismantling postal theft networks. This represents a shift toward treating postal theft as a serious organized crime threat requiring dedicated federal resources and inter-agency coordination.

This legislation establishes a comprehensive framework to protect United States national security interests by imposing targeted economic sanctions on entities and persons associated with the People's Republic of China while simultaneously restricting and regulating investments by United States persons in countries deemed to pose national security concerns. The bill represents a significant expansion of federal oversight over cross-border capital flows and investment activities, moving beyond traditional sanctions regimes to create proactive investment screening and notification mechanisms. The legislation aims to prevent United States capital and expertise from contributing to the development of strategic capabilities in adversarial nations, particularly China, that could threaten American national security interests. By combining punitive sanctions with preventive investment controls, the bill creates a dual-track approach to managing economic relationships with geopolitical competitors.

This legislation establishes a Land Port of Entry Community Infrastructure Program designed to address critical infrastructure deficiencies in communities surrounding land border crossings. The bill recognizes that land ports of entry require not only secure border facilities but also robust community infrastructure to support efficient cross-border operations and economic activity. By creating a dedicated program focused on community-level infrastructure needs, the legislation aims to enhance the functionality of border regions while promoting economic development in areas adjacent to international land borders. The program represents a strategic investment in the physical and economic infrastructure that enables effective border management and facilitates legitimate trade and travel.

This bill represents a direct legislative intervention to block the implementation of an Executive Order titled 'Ensuring a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence.' The legislation aims to prevent any federal funds from being used to carry out, implement, or enforce the provisions of this Executive Order. The bill reflects a fundamental disagreement between the legislative and executive branches regarding the appropriate approach to artificial intelligence governance at the federal level. By cutting off funding for the Executive Order's implementation, Congress seeks to nullify the executive branch's attempt to establish a comprehensive national AI policy framework through unilateral executive action. This represents a significant assertion of congressional authority over AI policy development and demonstrates the ongoing political tensions surrounding how the federal government should regulate and manage artificial intelligence technologies.

This bill establishes a federal tax incentive program designed to accelerate the removal of lead-based hazards from residential and commercial properties across the United States. The legislation addresses the persistent public health threat posed by lead contamination in buildings by creating financial incentives for property owners to undertake remediation efforts. By amending the Internal Revenue Code, the bill seeks to reduce the economic barriers that have historically prevented widespread lead hazard abatement, particularly in older housing stock and commercial buildings where lead-based paint and other lead hazards remain prevalent. The tax credit mechanism represents a market-based approach to environmental health protection, leveraging the tax system to encourage voluntary compliance with lead safety standards while potentially reducing long-term public health costs associated with lead exposure, particularly among children and vulnerable populations.

This bill establishes a Congressional mandate requiring the Central Intelligence Agency to produce and deliver a comprehensive intelligence assessment focused on two major Mexican drug trafficking organizations: the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco Cartel. The legislation represents a formal mechanism for Congressional oversight of intelligence gathering related to transnational criminal organizations that pose significant threats to United States national security and public health. By directing the CIA Director to compile detailed intelligence on these specific cartels, Congress seeks to enhance its understanding of the operational capabilities, organizational structures, trafficking routes, and strategic threats posed by these criminal enterprises. The bill reflects heightened Congressional concern about the impact of Mexican drug cartels on domestic drug trafficking, border security, and broader national security interests, while establishing a structured framework for intelligence reporting to relevant oversight committees.

This bill represents a significant expansion of Medicare coverage by formally incorporating peer support services into the federal healthcare program for seniors and eligible individuals. The legislation amends Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to recognize peer support as a reimbursable medical service within certain healthcare facilities. This marks the first federal legislative effort to institutionalize peer support services within Medicare, reflecting a broader shift toward holistic and community-based healthcare models. The bill aims to provide Medicare beneficiaries with access to structured peer support interventions, which typically involve individuals with lived experience of health conditions providing guidance, encouragement, and practical assistance to others facing similar challenges. By integrating these services into the Medicare framework, the legislation seeks to enhance patient outcomes, reduce social isolation, and complement traditional medical treatments with experiential support mechanisms.

This bill fundamentally restructures the United States refugee admission framework by mandating that the President establish a minimum annual goal for refugee admissions. The legislation shifts the existing discretionary refugee admission system toward a floor-based approach that guarantees a baseline level of humanitarian protection. By amending the Immigration and Nationality Act, the bill creates a new mandatory obligation for presidential action in setting refugee admission targets, moving away from purely discretionary determinations. The primary objective is to introduce greater predictability and consistency into the refugee resettlement process while maintaining presidential flexibility to exceed minimum thresholds based on humanitarian needs and national capacity. This represents a significant policy shift that prioritizes refugee protection as a core component of U.S. immigration policy rather than a variable administrative function.

This bill amends Title 23 of the United States Code to explicitly authorize and prioritize school zone safety programming within State highway safety programs. The legislation recognizes school zones as critical areas requiring dedicated federal attention and resources, establishing a clear statutory mandate for states to develop and implement interventions aimed at reducing traffic-related injuries and deaths near educational institutions. By codifying school zone safety as an eligible and priority area for highway safety funding, the bill seeks to address the unique vulnerabilities of children and pedestrians in areas surrounding schools through comprehensive traffic management and safety measures.

This resolution serves as a formal legislative declaration condemning authoritarian political systems and practices. As a non-binding resolution, it functions primarily as an expression of legislative sentiment rather than as substantive law. The resolution aims to establish an official position against authoritarianism without creating enforceable legal obligations, regulatory requirements, or programmatic changes. It represents a symbolic political statement intended to articulate values and principles rather than to modify existing statutory frameworks or establish new governmental authorities.

This legislation proposes amendments to Title 38 of the United States Code, specifically targeting provisions related to memorial affairs administered by the Department of Veterans Affairs. The bill represents a comprehensive effort to modernize and improve the statutory framework governing veterans' memorial services, commemorative programs, and related benefits. The inclusion of the phrase 'and for other purposes' indicates the legislation may encompass broader reforms beyond the explicitly stated memorial affairs focus, potentially addressing ancillary veterans' services and administrative procedures. The bill reflects ongoing congressional efforts to refine the infrastructure supporting veterans and their families, particularly in matters of remembrance and commemoration.