This bill requires the Commerce Department's Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information to study the various technologies used to provide broadband internet access across the United States. The study must analyze seven different broadband technologies—fiber-optic cable, cable modem, digital subscriber line, fixed wireless, 4G and 5G mobile wireless, and both low-earth orbit and geostationary orbit satellite—examining factors like the workforce needed for deployment, deployment costs, performance characteristics such as speed and latency, equipment lifespan, and consumer costs. The bill affects broadband policy planning and technology assessment efforts within the federal government. The Assistant Secretary must complete the study and submit a report to Congress within one year of the law's enactment. No specific funding amount is designated in the legislation.

The SCALE Biology Act establishes a new measurement research program within the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) focused on engineering biology, biomanufacturing, and biotechnology. The program, called the Biometrology Laboratory Program, will develop technical standards, guidelines, and best practices to improve the accuracy and reliability of biological data and materials, support industrial competitiveness, and address biosafety and biosecurity concerns. The bill authorizes funding starting at $55 million in fiscal year 2026 and increasing to $85 million by 2030, with the Director required to submit an implementation plan within one year and a progress report within three years. The program will operate through partnerships with industry, universities, nonprofit organizations, and other federal agencies, including access to NIST user facilities and support for graduate research and training in biometrology.

The Democracy Without Intimidation Act prohibits the use of military troops at polling places during elections by removing a historical exception that allowed troops to be stationed at polls. The bill affects federal law enforcement officials and creates mechanisms to prosecute violations, including authorizing U.S. attorneys and marshals to bring criminal cases against those who violate the prohibition. The legislation also establishes a private right of action allowing voters who experience military intimidation at polls to sue in federal court for injunctive relief, with appeals going directly to the Supreme Court for expedited consideration. Additionally, the bill directs federal courts to increase the number of magistrate judges to handle prosecution of these violations and related civil rights crimes. The bill contains no specific funding amounts or implementation timelines but requires courts to prioritize cases brought under this legislation.

The Rural Child Care Facility Expansion Act would create a low-interest loan program through the Department of Agriculture to help child care providers in rural areas renovate, expand, or adapt buildings to increase child care capacity. The loans would be available to licensed child care providers serving children from birth through school age in rural communities with populations under 20,000 that have been identified as child care deserts, meaning they lack sufficient licensed child care slots relative to the number of children in the area. The interest rate would be set at the Treasury constant maturity rate plus one-eighth of one percent, with loan terms of up to 25 years. The program would begin accepting applications one year after the bill's enactment, with the Agriculture Department required to process applications within 30 days for completeness and 90 days for approval or denial. The department would need to submit annual reports to Congress detailing the number of loans awarded, child care slots created, jobs supported, and demographic information about the communities served.

H.R. 8144, the Quality Broadband for Connected Communities Act, increases the minimum broadband speed requirements for projects funded through the Community Connect Grant Program, which provides federal funding for broadband expansion in rural and underserved areas. The bill raises the minimum download speed requirement from 10 megabits per second (Mbps) to 25 Mbps for primary broadband projects, and from 1 Mbps to 3 Mbps for backup or secondary broadband projects. This change primarily affects rural communities and telecommunications providers seeking grants to expand broadband access, ensuring that federally funded projects deliver faster, more reliable internet service. The amendments become effective six months after the bill is enacted into law.

This bill expands an existing federal grant program that supports distance learning and telemedicine in rural communities by broadening what types of projects can receive funding. Currently, the program helps rural areas build telemedicine and distance learning capabilities, but this legislation adds three new areas: cybersecurity infrastructure for these systems, digital literacy training, and workforce development programs (particularly for jobs related to broadband construction). The bill modifies the Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants Program under existing agriculture law to make rural communities eligible for financial assistance to construct facilities and upgrade technology systems that support these expanded services. The changes take effect six months after the bill becomes law, giving administrators time to update grant guidelines and prepare to accept applications for the newly eligible projects.

The Rural Utilities Service Modernization Act requires the Department of Agriculture to create a secure online platform allowing recipients of Rural Utilities Service grants to track their project status through the permitting and review process, including environmental reviews and coordination with other federal agencies. The platform must include clear status indicators, estimated timelines, document upload and download capabilities, automated notifications, and coordination with multiple federal agencies. The bill also establishes a new grant program providing up to 75 percent funding for predevelopment activities like feasibility studies and permitting assistance for rural utilities projects, and requires the Rural Utilities Service to standardize timelines for funding opportunity announcements and move to online grant applications within two years. The legislation authorizes $30 million total for platform development and operations through fiscal year 2035, and $15 million annually from 2026 through 2035 for predevelopment planning grants. Within two years of enactment, the department must report to Congress on staffing efficiency and make recommendations to expedite rural project permitting.

H.R. 8147, the Prioritizing Rural Broadband Affordability Act, requires the Department of Agriculture to consider whether broadband service is affordable when deciding which rural communities qualify for federal broadband grants and funding. Currently, the department primarily focuses on whether areas have access to broadband service, but this bill adds affordability as a key factor in determining which projects receive support. The legislation amends the Rural Electrification Act of 1936 to ensure that rural households and service territories are evaluated not just on whether broadband is available, but whether residents can actually afford to use it. The bill takes effect one year after it becomes law, giving the department time to implement the new affordability requirement into its grant-awarding process for rural broadband programs.

This bill modernizes federal grants and fellowships for education in food and agricultural sciences by expanding funding priorities and increasing financial support. The legislation adds new emphasis on teaching enhancement projects and paid work-based learning programs that help develop skilled professionals in food and agricultural sciences, as well as rural economic and community development. The bill authorizes $60 million annually for these grant programs from fiscal year 2026 through 2035, significantly boosting resources for higher education in these fields. The changes affect colleges and universities that participate in federal agricultural education programs, as well as students pursuing careers in agriculture and rural development.

The Agricultural Conservation Mentorship Act amends the Food Security Act of 1985 to expand the experienced services program by adding a new focus on assisting higher education institutions—particularly land-grant colleges and universities—in improving their agricultural teaching programs. Specifically, the bill enables the program to support paid work-based learning opportunities for students in agriculture-related fields, connecting classroom instruction with practical, hands-on experience. The legislation affects agricultural educators, students pursuing agricultural careers, and land-grant institutions that train the next generation of farmers and conservation professionals. The bill does not specify new funding amounts or implementation timelines, instead modifying existing program authorities to include these educational partnership activities alongside current conservation mentorship efforts.

The Fiscal Harms of Federal Firings Act directs the Comptroller General to conduct a comprehensive study examining how federal workforce reductions (known as RIFs) affect state and local government budgets and economies. The study will analyze increased demands on state services like unemployment insurance and Medicaid, lost tax revenues, regional economic impacts, and how different states are equipped to handle these disruptions based on their financial capacity and federal employment concentration. The Government Accountability Office must submit its findings and policy recommendations to Congress within 18 months, identifying which states and localities face the greatest fiscal harm and proposing potential federal assistance or coordination mechanisms. The bill affects state and local governments across the country, particularly those with significant federal employment, and requires no specific funding amount though it authorizes the GAO to conduct the research using existing administrative data and economic modeling.

The Keep ICE Out of Washington County, Maryland Act would prohibit the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from establishing, operating, expanding, or reopening any immigration detention or holding facility in Washington County, Maryland. The bill would also ban the use of any federal funds for these purposes in the county. The legislation applies to facilities operated directly by the government or run through contracts with private companies and other entities. To enforce the ban, the bill grants standing to sue in federal court to Washington County residents, local government, Maryland state officials, and Members of Congress, allowing them to seek court orders blocking any violations. Congress justified the prohibition by citing community concerns about detention facilities' impacts on public health, housing, and local services, as well as documented problems with conditions and due process in immigration detention facilities nationwide.

The SERVE Act of 2026 would prohibit the federal government from naming, renaming, or redesignating federal buildings, land, or other assets after a sitting President. The bill also bars the use of federal funds for such renaming efforts and would require any federal property already named after the current President to revert to its previous official name. The legislation applies immediately upon enactment with no exceptions. This bill affects federal agencies responsible for managing government property and buildings across the country. The measure has no specified funding requirements since it primarily restricts actions rather than authorizing new spending.

H.R. 6925, the Kennedy Center Protection Act, would nullify the Kennedy Center's Board of Trustees' December 2025 vote to rename the institution "The Donald J. Trump and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts" and restore its official name to simply "John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts." The bill requires the removal of all signage and identification reflecting the renamed version within one day of enactment and mandates that all federal references to the center revert to its statutory name. The legislation also amends the John F. Kennedy Center Act to explicitly prohibit the Board of Trustees from voting on or proposing any future renaming of the facility, asserting that Congress alone retains authority to rename federal buildings. Additionally, the Kennedy Center's trustees must submit a report to Congress within 30 days detailing any public or private funds used to implement the name change.

The Federal Property Integrity Act prohibits the federal government from naming, renaming, or otherwise designating federal buildings, land, or other assets after a sitting president. The bill applies to all federal properties across the government and takes effect immediately upon passage. This legislation affects the executive branch and any federal agencies that manage or oversee federal properties and naming decisions. The bill has no specific funding mechanism or appropriations, as it simply restricts a naming practice rather than creating a new program. It was introduced in December 2025 and referred to the House Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Natural Resources, and Oversight and Government Reform for review.

The CFTC Charitable Organization Exemption Act of 2025 exempts qualified charitable organizations from federal registration and regulatory requirements that normally apply to commodity trading advisors and pool operators. The bill allows charitable organizations, their employees, and volunteers to provide commodity trading advice and manage investment pools without registering with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC), provided their activities are conducted solely for the charity itself or related investment vehicles. The exemption is narrowly tailored—it applies only when charitable organizations conduct these activities internally and does not relieve them of obligations under securities laws or disclosure requirements under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The bill also preserves an existing exemption for small commodity trading advisors (those advising fewer than 15 persons) and SEC-registered investment advisers whose primary business is not commodity trading. No new funding or implementation timelines are specified in the legislation.

The Rural Recovery Act of 2025 directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to establish a new program providing technical assistance to rural communities recovering from major disasters. The program will help eligible rural communities—defined as census-designated places with populations under 20,000—navigate disaster recovery by offering guidance on planning, identifying funding sources, preparing grant applications to federal and state agencies, and implementing recovery projects related to infrastructure, housing, water systems, and business development. Technical assistance will be delivered through USDA rural development offices and nonprofit contractors, with priority given to entities with experience in rural development. Communities affected by federally declared disasters can receive up to three years of assistance, potentially extended to six years if the Secretary determines additional help is needed. The bill authorizes $50 million annually in funding to support the program, with money distributed to states based on the population affected by each disaster.

This bill requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to open applications for its Next Generation Warning System grants for at least 30 days every year. Currently, the legislation appears designed to increase access and transparency in the grant application process. The bill also expands eligibility for these grants to include public broadcasting entities, which had not previously been eligible applicants. Public broadcasting stations would now be able to compete for federal funding to improve emergency alert systems in their communities. No specific funding amounts are mentioned in the legislation, but the changes would take effect once the bill is enacted into law.

The Food Bank Emergency Support Act of 2025 appropriates $462.5 million to support emergency food assistance programs operated by food banks if the federal government experiences a funding lapse or runs out of money for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, commonly known as food stamps). The bill ensures that food banks can continue distributing emergency food aid to low-income households during budget crises when SNAP benefits cannot be paid in full. The legislation also protects the staff and contractors who run these emergency food programs from being furloughed during government shutdowns, treating their work as essential to human safety. The funding is available until fully spent and takes effect retroactively as of September 30, 2025, meaning it would cover any funding gaps that may have already occurred at that date.

American Farmers First ActThis bill prohibits the use of the Exchange Stabilization Fund (ESF) to provide financial support to Argentina and provides one-time economic assistance payments to certain crop producers. (The ESF is an emergency reserve fund of the Department of the Treasury, originally used for the purpose of maintaining the fixed dollar exchange rate. In October 2025, Treasury announced U.S. financial support for Argentina, including a $20 billion currency swap line financed through the ESF.)Specifically, the bill prohibits the use of the ESF to provide direct or indirect financial support to Argentina, including through the establishment of currency swap lines, the purchase of pesos or sovereign debt of Argentina, or the extension of any credit instrument. This prohibition terminates on December 10, 2027.Any financial contract or instrument that was entered into before the bill's enactment and violates the prohibition must be sold or terminated within seven days of the bill's enactment.Treasury must allocate to the Department of Agriculture (USDA) the proceeds from the sale or termination of financial contracts or instruments pursuant to the bill. USDA must then use the allocated proceeds to make one-time economic assistance payments to producers of each crop adversely impacted by loss of export markets during the 2025 marketing year for such crop, as determined by USDA.

VA Work-Study Improvement Act This bill modifies certain pay and eligibility requirements under the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) work-study program, including minimum wage and timesheet requirements. The bill expands the list of qualifying work-study activities to include state government, local government, or nonprofit organization activities that would benefit veterans or members of the Armed Forces. The bill also modifies minimum wage requirements under the work-study program. Under the bill, the hourly minimum wage paid under the work-study program must be the higher of (1) the minimum rate of basic pay for any federal employee (under the general schedule or federal wage system pursuant to specified regulations), (2) the hourly minimum wage in the state where the services are to be performed, or (3) the hourly minimum wage of the local government with jurisdiction over the area in which the services are to be performed. Additionally, the VA must ensure that (1) an individual participating in a qualifying work-study activity may electronically record such hours, and (2) the supervisor may electronically approve such records. Finally, the VA must annually publish specified information regarding qualifying work-study activities carried out during the year, including the demographics of individuals participating in the program.

The National Fire Academy RESCUE Act requires the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to reimburse fire departments for expenses related to training courses and activities that are cancelled due to federal government funding lapses (shutdowns). Fire departments can claim reimbursement for costs they incurred while planning to send personnel to National Fire Academy courses, including travel expenses and overtime costs paid to cover staff absences. Fire chiefs have 30 days after a funding lapse ends to submit itemized expense requests to FEMA, which must reimburse eligible costs within 90 days. The reimbursement requirement does not apply if courses are cancelled for other reasons, such as instructor illness, facility closures unrelated to the shutdown, or national emergencies. This bill addresses a gap where fire departments currently bear the financial burden when academy activities are cancelled due to congressional budget disputes.

Federal Agricultural Relief Maintained during Shutdowns And Federal Emergencies Act or the FARM SAFE ActThis bill requires the Department of Agriculture (USDA) to continue activities related to agricultural disaster assistance programs during a lapse in appropriations (i.e., government shutdown).Specifically, the bill provides that any USDA employee necessary to carry out an agricultural disaster assistance program (1) must be treated as an excepted employee who is required to perform work during a lapse in appropriations, and (2) may not be removed under a reduction in force.

The FLAME Act clarifies and strengthens the authority of the United States Fire Administration's National Academy for Fire Prevention and Control to cancel or delay training courses while establishing new protections for firefighters and their departments. The bill requires the Administrator to notify Congress at least 60 days before implementing any "large-scale" cancellation (canceling 25 percent or more of planned courses in a fiscal year) and to inform affected students and fire chiefs at least 45 days in advance. Fire departments that incur expenses—such as travel costs or overtime for staffing adjustments—when courses are cancelled without "good cause" (facility closure, instructor illness, or national emergency) can seek reimbursement from FEMA within 90 days. The legislation also directs the Government Accountability Office to study the impact of any large-scale cancellations in 2025 on fire department preparedness and the Academy's role in standardizing firefighter training nationwide, with findings due by March 30, 2026.

The Protecting Agricultural Borrower Information Act would strengthen privacy rules for farmers and ranchers who receive loans and payments from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Farm Service Agency. The bill prohibits the agency from sharing borrower information with certain types of temporary or loaned-in government workers, while allowing exceptions for statistical data and information shared with the borrower's consent. Farmers and ranchers would benefit from stricter safeguards on their personal and financial information. Violations of these new privacy rules would carry penalties of up to $10,000 in fines and up to one year in prison. The legislation does not specify implementation timelines or require new funding.