Passed House
395 bills
Making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.
# HR 7147 Summary **What It Does:** This bill allocates federal funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for fiscal year 2026 (October 2025 through September 2026). It provides money for all major DHS agencies and departments, including border security (Customs and Border Protection), immigration enforcement (ICE), airport security (TSA), the Coast Guard, Secret Service, cybersecurity protection, disaster response (FEMA), and citizenship services. **Who It Affects:** The bill impacts anyone who interacts with DHS agencies—travelers using airports, people at borders, immigrants and visa applicants, and the general public who depend on emergency response and cybersecurity protection. It also affects the roughly 240,000 DHS employees who carry out these functions. **Current Status:** The bill has passed the House of Representatives. It now moves to the Senate for consideration before it can be sent to the President for signature. The specific funding amounts for each agency are not detailed in the summary provided, so the actual budget priorities within this bill would require reviewing the full legislative text.
Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026
# Summary of HR 7744: DHS Appropriations Act, 2026 **What the Bill Does:** This bill provides federal funding for the Department of Homeland Security for the remainder of fiscal year 2026. More importantly, it ends a partial government shutdown that began on February 14, 2026, after temporary funding (called a continuing resolution) expired and no regular budget had been passed. The bill funds various DHS operations including management offices, intelligence activities, and oversight functions. **Who It Affects and Key Areas Funded:** The bill allocates money to several major DHS agencies that affect Americans' daily lives: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (border and immigration operations), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (immigration enforcement), the Transportation Security Administration (airport security), the U.S. Coast Guard (maritime safety), and the U.S. Secret Service (presidential protection and fraud investigation). The bill also funds internal DHS management, the Office of Inspector General (which provides oversight), and various security and enforcement operations. **Current Status:** The bill has already passed the House of Representatives and is sponsored by Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK). It now awaits action in the Senate before it can be signed into law and fully restore DHS funding and end the shutdown.
Housing for the 21st Century Act
# Housing for the 21st Century Act - Summary **What It Does** The Housing for the 21st Century Act aims to make it easier and more affordable to build and finance housing. The bill increases loan limits for Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance programs, allowing larger loans for apartment buildings and multifamily homes. It also expands the HOME Investment Partnerships Program by raising income limits so more moderate-income households qualify for grants that help states and local governments support affordable housing. Additionally, the bill creates a new grant program to help communities develop strategies for increasing affordable housing availability. **Key Provisions & Who It Affects** The bill affects low- and moderate-income renters and homebuyers, housing developers, state and local governments, and the multifamily housing industry. A notable provision streamlines the environmental review process for certain housing construction and renovation projects, potentially speeding up development. The bill also adjusts how loan amounts are calculated using inflation indexes, which affects mortgage insurance pricing. These changes are intended to reduce barriers to affordable housing development and make federal housing financing programs more responsive to current economic conditions. **Current Status** The bill passed the House of Representatives and is now awaiting action in the Senate. Its fate depends on whether it receives a vote and approval there.
Home School Graduation Recognition Act
# Home School Graduation Recognition Act (HR 6392) - Summary **What the bill does:** This legislation clarifies that students who graduate from home schools—as long as those home schools are recognized under their state's laws—are considered official high school graduates. This recognition would make them eligible to apply for federal student financial aid programs, including grants and loans that are typically available to traditional high school graduates. **Who it affects:** The bill primarily affects home-schooled students and their families who wish to pursue higher education. It also impacts colleges and universities that administer federal student aid, as it establishes clearer eligibility guidelines. Additionally, states with existing home school regulations would see those rules formally recognized at the federal level for aid purposes. **Current status:** The bill passed the House of Representatives. Its next step would be consideration in the Senate. The bill addresses what some see as an ambiguity in federal student aid rules, ensuring that home-schooled students meeting their state's graduation requirements have the same access to federal education funding as traditionally schooled students.
Chugach Alaska Land Exchange Oil Spill Recovery Act of 2025
# Chugach Alaska Land Exchange Oil Spill Recovery Act of 2025 - Summary **What the Bill Does** This bill allows the Chugach Alaska Corporation, a Native Alaskan regional company, to exchange land with the federal government. Under the deal, Chugach would give the government about 231,000 acres of underground mineral rights in southcentral Alaska (in the Kenai Peninsula and Prince William Sound areas), and in return, the federal government would give Chugach about 65,374 acres of surface land. The exchange must be completed within one year of the bill becoming law. Village corporations in the region can keep their development rights to up to 209 acres of the land being transferred. **Who It Affects and Current Status** The bill primarily affects the Chugach Alaska Corporation and the Department of Interior, but could have broader implications for land use and development in the Chugach region of Alaska. The bill has already passed the House of Representatives and is part of the 119th Congress. The title references "Oil Spill Recovery," suggesting the land exchange may be related to recovery efforts from Alaska's history of oil spills, though specific details about that connection aren't provided in the official summary.
Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act
# Territorial Student Access to Higher Education Act Summary **What the bill does:** This bill requires colleges and universities that accept federal student aid to charge students from U.S. territories—Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, and the U.S. Virgin Islands—the same tuition rates as in-state students, rather than the typically higher out-of-state rates. The benefit applies to U.S. nationals from these territories. **Who it affects:** The primary beneficiaries are students from these four U.S. territories who want to attend mainland colleges and universities. It also affects higher education institutions that participate in federal student aid programs, which most public universities do. This could reduce education costs significantly for territorial residents while potentially changing revenue streams for colleges. **Current status:** The bill passed the House of Representatives and is awaiting action in the Senate. It was sponsored by Del. James C. Moylan, a Republican delegate from Guam (delegates represent territories but cannot vote on most legislation).
Enhancing Administrative Reviews for Broadband Deployment Act
# Summary of HR 5419: Enhancing Administrative Reviews for Broadband Deployment Act **What the bill does:** This bill requires the Department of the Interior and the Forest Service to study how quickly they process requests from companies wanting to build broadband and communications infrastructure on public lands and national forests. The bill asks these agencies to identify what's slowing down the approval process and what additional staff or resources they might need to speed things up. **Who it affects:** The bill primarily affects broadband companies and internet service providers seeking to expand coverage, as well as the federal agencies (Interior Department and Forest Service) responsible for reviewing their requests. Ultimately, it could impact Americans living in rural areas where broadband expansion depends on access to public lands. **Key provision and status:** The main requirement is a comprehensive study and report on barriers to timely reviews and staffing needs. The bill has already passed the House and is now in the Senate for consideration. It's a relatively modest measure focused on streamlining government processes rather than making major policy changes, and it has bipartisan potential appeal since broadband expansion is generally supported across the political spectrum.
Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025
# Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025 — Plain Language Summary **What the bill does:** This bill makes sure that the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the Department of Energy (DOE) use the same definition when identifying which minerals and materials are "critical" to America's economy and national security. Currently, these two agencies maintain separate lists of important minerals, which can create confusion and coordination problems. The bill requires USGS to automatically add any material that DOE designates as critical to its own official list within 45 days. **Who it affects:** The bill primarily affects government agencies, mining companies, manufacturers, and industries that depend on reliable supplies of essential materials (like those used in electronics, renewable energy, and defense equipment). By streamlining how critical minerals are identified, it could make supply chain planning easier for businesses and help policymakers focus resources on securing materials that are hard to obtain. **Current status:** The bill has passed the House and is now awaiting consideration in the Senate.
America the Beautiful Motorcycle Fairness Act
# America the Beautiful Motorcycle Fairness Act - Summary **What the Bill Does:** This bill changes the rules for the America the Beautiful Annual Pass, which gives people access to federal parks and recreation areas. Specifically, it allows a motorcyclist with this pass to bring along a second motorcycle (with its passengers) when visiting these federal lands and waters. The pass would cover entrance and recreation fees for the main rider and their passengers, plus one additional motorcycle and its riders. The bill also officially confirms that the pass covers fees for a main pass holder and passengers traveling together in a regular vehicle. **Who It Affects & Background:** This bill primarily affects motorcycle owners and riders who use federal recreation areas. The change came about because the Department of the Interior changed its policy in 2024 to limit pass coverage to one motorcycle per pass (instead of two). This bill would reverse that limitation, restoring what riders consider fairer access for group motorcycle trips. **Current Status:** The bill has passed the House of Representatives and is currently moving through the legislative process. It would need Senate approval and the President's signature to become law.
Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act
# Wintergreen Emergency Egress Act Summary **What it does:** This bill would allow the Department of the Interior to create an emergency exit road through the Blue Ridge Parkway to help residents of Wintergreen, a community in Nelson County, Virginia, evacuate during emergencies like wildfires. Before approving the road, the federal government must first complete several studies to ensure it's necessary and won't cause undue environmental harm. **Who it affects:** The bill primarily impacts Wintergreen residents who would benefit from an additional evacuation route, as well as the Blue Ridge Parkway and the surrounding environment. The Department of the Interior would be responsible for conducting the required evaluations and making the final decision. **Key requirements:** Before the road can be approved, Interior must evaluate whether non-federal alternatives exist (such as converting existing trails to roads), analyze how wildfires might behave if the road is built, and complete environmental reviews required by federal law. This means the bill doesn't automatically authorize construction—it sets conditions that must be met first. **Status:** The bill has passed the House and is awaiting Senate action.
To amend the Act of August 9, 1955 (commonly known as the “Long-Term Leasing Act”), to authorize leases of up to 99 years for land in the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe Reservation and land held in trust for the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), and for other purposes
# HR 681 Summary **What the Bill Does** This bill allows two Massachusetts-based Native American tribes—the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe and the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah)—to lease their federally-held trust lands for up to 99 years. Currently, the law limits leases to shorter terms. The longer lease period would give tribes and potential lessees (such as businesses or developers) more stability and certainty when planning long-term projects on tribal lands. **Who It Affects** The bill directly affects the two Wampanoag tribes and anyone interested in leasing land from them. Indirectly, it could impact Massachusetts communities where these reservations are located, as longer lease terms might facilitate economic development projects on tribal lands. The change applies only to these two specific tribes and their trust lands. **Current Status** The bill has passed the House of Representatives and is awaiting further action in the Senate.
To authorize leases of up to 99 years for land held in trust for federally recognized Indian Tribes.
# HR 5910 Summary **What the Bill Does** HR 5910 would allow federally recognized Indian tribes to lease their land—specifically land held in trust by the federal government on their behalf—for periods of up to 99 years. Currently, tribes have more limited lease options. This change would give tribes greater flexibility in how they use and generate revenue from their land by allowing longer-term agreements with businesses, developers, or other parties. **Who It Affects and Why** This bill primarily affects federally recognized Indian tribes and entities that want to lease tribal lands for extended periods. Longer leases could help tribes secure major development projects, infrastructure investments, or business ventures that require long-term certainty. It also affects potential lessees and investors who would benefit from the ability to enter into century-long agreements. The bill reflects broader policy discussions about tribal sovereignty and self-determination—the principle that tribes should have greater control over their own resources and economic development. **Current Status** The bill has passed the House of Representatives and is awaiting consideration in the Senate.
Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act
# Enhancing Detection of Human Trafficking Act (HR 4307) - Plain Language Summary **What the Bill Does** This bill requires the U.S. Department of Labor to train its employees to recognize and report potential cases of human trafficking. The training would teach Labor Department staff how to identify victims, spot signs of trafficking in their work, and properly refer suspected cases to law enforcement and the Department of Justice. Each employee's training would be tailored based on their specific job duties and the type of work environment they operate in. **Who It Affects** The bill primarily affects Department of Labor employees who, through their regular work, might encounter trafficking victims or suspicious activity. This could include labor inspectors, wage investigators, and other departmental staff. Indirectly, it aims to help human trafficking victims by increasing the chances they'll be identified and assisted through federal resources. **Current Status** The bill passed the House of Representatives and is proceeding through the legislative process. The measure received bipartisan attention and focuses on leveraging existing federal agencies to combat human trafficking—a widespread crime affecting thousands of victims in the United States.
ACRES Act
# ACRES Act Summary **What the Bill Does** The ACRES Act requires the U.S. Department of Agriculture and Department of the Interior to better track and report on wildfire prevention work done on federal lands. Specifically, it mandates that these agencies include annual reports in the President's budget showing how many acres received vegetation management activities aimed at reducing wildfire risk. The bill also requires the agencies to establish standardized methods for collecting and reviewing this data to ensure accuracy and timely reporting. **Who It Affects** This bill primarily affects federal land management agencies and Congress. Indirectly, it impacts wildfire prevention efforts and the public who depends on these lands for recreation and safety. The bill does not cover contract awards for these projects, only the tracking and reporting of the work itself. **Current Status** The bill has passed the House of Representatives and is now in the legislative process. If signed into law, it would improve transparency and consistency in how the government measures and reports on its wildfire prevention activities across federal lands.
Reversionary Interest Conveyance Act
# Reversionary Interest Conveyance Act Summary **What the Bill Does** This bill allows the federal government to sell its remaining interest in approximately 8.43 acres of land in Sacramento, California. Currently, the U.S. government holds what's called a "reversionary interest"—essentially a claim that the land would return to federal ownership under certain conditions. The bill directs the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to offer to sell this interest to the current private landowner. The landowner would need to pay fair market value for the land interest, plus all costs associated with the sale (surveys, appraisals, paperwork, etc.). **Who It Affects and Key Details** This primarily affects the current property owner in Sacramento, California, who would have the opportunity to fully own their land without federal claims. The bill protects any existing legal rights on the property and requires money from the sale to go into a Federal Land Disposal Account. The BLM must respond to a sale request within two years. **Current Status** The bill has passed the House and is moving through the legislative process. It is a relatively narrow, location-specific bill affecting one particular parcel of California land.
To remove restrictions from a parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky.
# HR 1276 Summary **What the Bill Does** This bill would remove legal restrictions from a 3.62-acre parcel of land in Paducah, Kentucky, currently part of the Paducah Memorial Army Reserve Center. The restrictions—including easements and conditions—were originally placed on the property when the Department of the Interior transferred it to the City of Paducah in 2012. If passed, these deed restrictions would be completely removed, giving the city greater flexibility in how it uses the land. **Who It Affects** The bill primarily affects the City of Paducah and the Department of the Interior. By removing restrictions, it would allow the city to develop or repurpose the land more freely than current deed conditions permit. The change could impact any future plans the city has for the property. **Current Status** The bill has already passed the House of Representatives and is now awaiting action in the Senate. It is sponsored by Rep. James Comer (R-KY).
Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025
# Apache County and Navajo County Conveyance Act of 2025 - Summary **What the Bill Does** This bill would transfer ownership of certain parcels of land within the Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest in Arizona from the federal government (managed by the Forest Service) to Navajo County and Apache County. The counties would be required to use these lands exclusively as cemeteries. The counties must cover all costs associated with the transfer, including land surveys and environmental assessments. **Who It Affects** The bill directly impacts Navajo County and Apache County in Arizona, which would gain cemetery land. It also affects the federal Forest Service, which would relinquish management of these specific parcels. Local residents in these counties may benefit from additional cemetery capacity. **Current Status** The bill has already passed the House of Representatives. It would need to pass the Senate and receive the President's signature to become law.
America's National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark Act
# America's National Churchill Museum National Historic Landmark Act - Summary **What the bill does:** This bill officially designates the America's National Churchill Museum at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri as a National Historic Landmark. The museum houses the Winston Churchill Memorial and is historically significant as the location where Churchill delivered his famous 1946 "Iron Curtain Speech." If passed, the bill would authorize the Department of the Interior to work with public and private partners to protect the site, develop educational programs, and provide technical and financial support. The Interior Department would also conduct a study to evaluate whether the landmark should become part of the National Park System. **Who it affects and current status:** The bill primarily affects the museum, Westminster College, and visitors to the site, though it has minimal direct impact on the general public. The legislation has already passed the House and is now under consideration in the Senate. It represents a symbolic recognition of Churchill's historical importance and Cold War legacy in American history.
Captain Accursio “Gus” Sanfilippo Young Fishermen’s Development Act
# Captain Accursio "Gus" Sanfilippo Young Fishermen's Development Act Summary **What the Bill Does** This bill extends federal funding for the Young Fishermen's Development Grant Program through 2031. The program provides grants to organizations that offer training, education, and technical assistance to young people entering the fishing industry. These grants support local and regional initiatives that help new fishermen develop skills and learn about sustainable fishing practices. **Who It Affects** The bill primarily benefits young people interested in commercial fishing careers and the organizations that train them—including fishing associations, community colleges, and nonprofits. It also indirectly supports coastal fishing communities that rely on bringing new workers into the industry. **Current Status** The House of Representatives has already passed this bill. It now moves to the Senate for consideration. If approved there and signed by the President, the program's funding would continue through fiscal year 2031, ensuring ongoing support for fishery workforce development programs.
James T. Woods Act
# James T. Woods Act (HR 6719) - Plain Language Summary **What the Bill Does** This bill creates new federal crimes targeting "sextortion"—a form of online extortion where predators threaten to share sexually explicit images of minors (or people they believe are minors) to force victims into creating or sending explicit material. The bill makes it illegal to engage in sextortion, as well as to attempt or plan such crimes. Currently, federal law doesn't specifically address this tactic, so this bill fills that gap by establishing dedicated criminal offenses. **Who It Affects** The bill primarily aims to protect minors from online sexual exploitation. It also affects law enforcement, who would gain clearer legal tools to investigate and prosecute sextortion cases. Anyone who engages in this form of extortion would face federal criminal penalties if the bill becomes law. **Current Status** The bill has passed the U.S. House of Representatives and is named after James T. Woods, likely a victim or related to a case involving this crime. It now awaits consideration in the Senate.
Information Quality Assurance Act of 2025
# Information Quality Assurance Act of 2025 - Summary **What It Does:** This bill requires the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to create stricter guidelines for how federal agencies use and share information when making important decisions. Specifically, it focuses on "influential information"—data or evidence that significantly impacts government policies, rules, or public guidance. The bill requires agencies to use the best available information for their purposes and to be transparent about what sources they relied on. **Key Requirements:** If passed, federal agencies would need to publicly disclose the key facts and sources they used when developing new rules or guidance. This transparency requirement applies to information that could substantially affect either government decisions or private business decisions. The bill essentially aims to ensure federal agencies base their decisions on solid evidence and show their work to the public. **Current Status & Who It Affects:** The bill has already passed the House of Representatives and is sponsored by Rep. Lisa McClain (R-MI). It would affect all federal agencies and could influence how Americans interact with government regulations and policies. The bill doesn't appear to have advanced further in the Senate at this time based on the information provided.
Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act
# Home Appliance Protection and Affordability Act (HR 4626) - Summary **What the bill does:** This legislation changes how the Department of Energy sets efficiency standards for household appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, and stoves. Currently, DOE must update these standards by specific deadlines. The bill would allow DOE more flexibility to revise standards when needed and would make it easier for manufacturers to request that existing standards be changed or removed if they believe the standards are too costly for consumers, technologically impossible to meet, or cause appliances to become unavailable for purchase in the U.S. market. **Who it affects:** Consumers, appliance manufacturers, and the Department of Energy. The bill could impact appliance prices, product availability, and energy costs for American households. **Key provisions:** The bill requires DOE to consider new factors when setting standards, including consumer costs and product availability—not just energy conservation. It allows manufacturers to petition to revoke or weaken standards if those standards increase consumer expenses, don't save significant energy or water, aren't technically achievable, or result in certain products no longer being sold in America. **Current status:** The bill has passed the House of Representatives and awaits Senate action.
Homeowner Energy Freedom Act
# Homeowner Energy Freedom Act Summary **What the Bill Would Do** The Homeowner Energy Freedom Act would eliminate three federal energy programs. Specifically, it would cancel: (1) a Department of Energy rebate program that helps low- and moderate-income households pay for home electrification projects like switching to electric heating or appliances, (2) federal grants that train contractors in energy-efficient home construction and upgrades, and (3) federal assistance helping states and local governments adopt stricter building energy codes. The bill would also recover any unspent federal money previously allocated to these programs. **Who It Affects and Current Status** This legislation primarily affects low- and moderate-income homeowners who could have received financial assistance for energy upgrades, as well as contractors who train workers in energy efficiency. It also impacts state and local governments that received federal support for updating building standards. The bill has already passed the House and now moves to the Senate for consideration. Since the bill eliminates federal spending rather than creating new programs, it appeals to those prioritizing reduced government spending, though supporters of energy efficiency initiatives and clean energy advocates oppose it.
ASCEND Act
# ASCEND Act Summary **What It Does:** The ASCEND Act creates official legal authority for NASA's Commercial SmallSat Data Acquisition (CSDA) program, which purchases satellite imagery and data from private companies to support Earth science research. The bill allows NASA to share this satellite data more broadly with other federal agencies and the public for scientific purposes, rather than keeping it limited to internal use. It also requires that any agreements NASA makes with satellite companies cannot prevent scientists from publishing the data or findings based on it. **Who It Affects:** This bill primarily affects NASA and other federal agencies that conduct Earth science research, as well as the private satellite companies that sell data to NASA. Scientists and the broader public also benefit by gaining better access to satellite imagery for research purposes. The legislation supports Earth observation work that can inform climate research, disaster response, and environmental monitoring. **Current Status:** The bill has passed the House of Representatives and is a bipartisan effort sponsored by Representative Jeff Hurd (R-CO). It now awaits Senate consideration.