Community life and organization

S 2354: Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2026

This bill provides FY2026 appropriations to the Department of Commerce, the Department of Justice (DOJ), the science agencies, and several related agencies.

The bill provides appropriations to the Department of Commerce for

  • the International Trade Administration,
  • the Bureau of Industry and Security,
  • the Economic Development Administration,
  • the Minority Business Development Agency,
  • Economic and Statistical Analysis,
  • the Bureau of the Census,
  • the National Telecommunications and Information Administration,
  • the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office,
  • the National Institute of Standards and Technology,
  • the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and
  • Departmental Management.

The bill provides appropriations to DOJ for

  • Justice Operations, Management, and Accountability;
  • the Executive Office for Immigration Review;
  • the Office of Inspector General;
  • the U.S. Parole Commission;
  • Legal Activities;
  • the U.S. Marshals Service;
  • the National Security Division;
  • Interagency Law Enforcement;
  • the Federal Bureau of Investigation;
  • the Drug Enforcement Administration;
  • the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; and
  • the Federal Prison System.

The bill also provides appropriations to DOJ for state and local law enforcement activities, including

  • the Office on Violence Against Women,
  • the Office of Justice Programs, and
  • Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS).

The bill provides appropriations for science agencies, including

  • the Office of Science and Technology Policy,
  • the National Space Council,
  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and
  • the National Science Foundation.

The bill provides appropriations to related agencies, including

  • the Commission on Civil Rights,
  • the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission,
  • the U.S. International Trade Commission,
  • the Legal Services Corporation,
  • the Marine Mammal Commission,
  • the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, and
  • the State Justice Institute.

The bill also sets forth requirements and restrictions for using funds provided by this and other appropriations acts.

HRES 364: Calling upon local communities to support organizations that provide resources and aid Gold Shield Families in their time of need.

This resolution encourages local communities throughout the United States to support nonprofit organizations that provide resources to Gold Shield Families during their time of need. Gold Shield Families consist of the families of fallen police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, correction officers, emergency dispatch officers, and emergency service providers.

HRES 352: Calling on elected officials and civil society leaders to counter antisemitism and educate the public on the contributions of the Jewish American community.

This resolution calls on elected officials, faith leaders, and civil society leaders to condemn and counter acts of anti-Semitism.

Introduced on
Thursday, April 24th, 2025

Subjects
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HR 2483: SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025

SUPPORT for Patients and Communities Reauthorization Act of 2025

This bill reauthorizes and revises Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) programs that address substance use disorders, overdoses, and mental health.

For example, the bill reauthorizes for FY2026-FY2030 grant and other programs relating to

•    addressing substance use disorders with respect to pregnant and postpartum women,
•    prevention and recovery from substance use disorders for youth, 
•    housing for individuals in recovery from substance use disorders,
•    community organizations facilitating recovery from substance use disorders,
•    loan repayment for certain health care providers treating substance use disorders, 
•    prevention of overdoses of controlled substances,
•    treatment of children experiencing psychological trauma, and
•    mental and behavioral health education and training for medical and allied health students.

Also, the bill revises several programs, including by (1) expanding a program that supports resources for first responders to include the purchase of drugs or devices to treat non-opioid overdoses, (2) expanding a program that supports employment services for individuals in recovery so as to allow for the provision of related transportation services, and (3) temporarily authorizing a regional technical assistance center to assist the National Peer-Run Training and Technical Assistance Center for Addiction Recovery Support.

Additionally, the bill establishes new requirements for HHS, including requirements relating to

•    protecting the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline program from cybersecurity threats,
•    establishing a Federal Interagency Work Group on Fentanyl Contamination of Illegal Drugs, and
•    reviewing and potentially revising the scheduling of approved products containing a combination of buprenorphine and naloxone under the Controlled Substances Act.

HR 1289: Veterans Nutrition and Wellness Act of 2025

Veterans Nutrition and Wellness Act of 2025

This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish and implement the Food is Medicine pilot program, under which the VA must provide medically tailored meals and groceries, nutrition education, and cooking classes to certain veterans who are enrolled in the VA health care system. Specifically, the program is for veterans enrolled in the VA health care system who receive VA care for (1) multiple chronic conditions, or (2) maternal health and are at risk of preeclampsia or gestational diabetes.

The three-year pilot program also requires the VA to (1) develop and seek to implement training programs for VA health care providers in integrating the program into the treatment plans of veterans, and (2) seek to collaborate with community-based organizations to procure locally sourced produce and expand the availability of medically tailored meals and groceries.

S 473: SENIOR Act

Social Engagement and Network Initiatives for Older Relief Act or the SENIOR Act

This bill expands the scope of authorized Administration on Aging (AOA) grants to include services addressing loneliness in older individuals (i.e., aged 60 or older), and requires a report evaluating whether certain federal programs are adequately addressing this topic.

Under current law, the AOA provides grants to states for disease prevention and health promotion services for older individuals, including services addressing the negative health effects of social isolation. The bill expands the scope of the services eligible for these grants to include services addressing the negative health effects of loneliness.

Also, the bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to submit to Congress a report (1) evaluating whether its programs for older individuals are adequately addressing loneliness, and (2) recommending measures for reducing the negative health effects of loneliness and fostering multigenerational family connections. 

HR 935: Health Care Workforce Innovation Act of 2025

Health Care Workforce Innovation Act of 2025

This bill establishes the Health Care Workforce Innovation Program within the Health Resources and Services Administration to provide grants to federally qualified health centers, rural health clinics, and post-secondary vocational programs for developing education and training for allied health professionals (e.g., professionals providing clinical or non-clinical support services, community health workers, and health education specialists).

Specifically, grant recipients must use the funds to carry out innovative, community-based programs to train allied health professionals, with a focus on supporting rural and underserved areas. Grant recipients may use the funds to launch or expand health care professional partnerships (e.g., between a grant recipient and a school), establish apprenticeship or other career programs, or invest in training equipment, among other activities.

HR 855: Housing Innovation Act

Housing Innovation Act

This bill establishes the Office of Housing Innovation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. The office must establish grant programs to support (1) planning efforts that address housing needs in urban areas; (2) research and studies to support, inform, and advise local governments on their plans for new housing and community development; and (3) outreach programs focused on issues related to housing, community development, and regional planning.

The Government Accountability Office must report on the effectiveness of the grant programs.