This bill extends the authorization period for the African American Civil Rights Network, a National Park Service program that preserves and interprets sites significant to African American civil rights history. The legislation amends current law to lengthen the program's authorization from 7 years to 10 years from the date the bill is enacted, giving the network an additional 3 years of continued operation. The bill affects the National Park Service and organizations involved in managing and promoting civil rights historical sites across the country. No specific funding amounts are mentioned in the legislation, as it focuses solely on extending the program's existing authorization to operate.

Voter Empowerment Act of 2026This bill expands voter registration and voting access.Specifically, the bill expands voter registration by requiring states to (1) make available online voter registration, (2) establish automatic voter registration systems, (3) permit same-day voter registration, and (4) accept voter registration applications from individuals under age 18.Further, the bill limits removing voters from voter rolls and prohibits interference with voter registration or voting.Next, the bill requires states to allow individuals with disabilities to use absentee registration procedures and to vote by absentee ballot in federal elections.The bill also prohibits voter caging (the practice of sending mail to addresses on voter rolls, compiling a list of the undeliverable mail, and using the list to remove registered voters from voter rolls).Next, the bill expands voting access by requiring states to allow early voting and voting by mail without additional conditions. It also requires states to provide secured drop boxes at which individuals may drop off their completed absentee ballots.In addition, the bill declares that the right of a U.S. citizen to vote in any federal election shall not be denied or abridged because that individual has been convicted of a criminal offense unless, at the time of the election, such individual is serving a felony sentence.Finally, the bill permanently reauthorizes the Election Assistance Commission (EAC). It also directs the EAC to make grants to states for specified activities, including to implement automatic voter registration systems.

Enhanced Background Checks Act of 2025This bill establishes more stringent background check requirements for proposed firearm transfers from a federal firearms licensee (e.g., a licensed gun dealer) to an unlicensed person.Specifically, it increases the amount of time, from 3 business days to a minimum of 10 business days, that a federal firearms licensee must wait to receive a completed background check prior to transferring a firearm to an unlicensed person. (This type of transaction is often referred to as a default proceed transaction.)If a submitted background check remains incomplete after 10 business days, then the prospective purchaser may submit a petition for a final firearms eligibility determination. If an additional 10 days elapse without a final determination, then the federal firearms licensee may transfer the firearm to the prospective purchaser.The Government Accountability Office must report on the extent to which the changes have prevented firearms transfers to prohibited persons.The Federal Bureau of Investigation must report on the number of petitions it receives for final federal firearms determinations.The Department of Justice, in consultation with the National Resource Center on Domestic Violence and Firearms, must report on further amendments to the background check process that would likely reduce the risk of death or great bodily harm to victims of domestic violence, domestic abuse, dating partner violence, sexual assault, and stalking.