Congress introduced 8 bills this week — here's what each one would do
The week of Aug. 17–24, 2026 brought 8 new House bills on water, education, Native American land, and more — none yet passed or signed.
No bills became law and no executive orders were issued during the week of August 17–24. All eight items on the federal ledger are freshly introduced House bills, each now sitting in committee. The topics range from antisemitism in education and NOAA workplace harassment to Native American land settlements and Chesapeake Bay science.
H.R. 8476: No Antisemitism in Education Act of 2026 introduced
Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL-6) introduced H.R. 8476 on August 20, which would address antisemitism in education settings; it is currently in committee.
Why it matters: Why it matters: The bill's committee stage means it must clear a markup and a floor vote before any of its provisions take effect — a process that can take months or stall entirely, so its practical reach is still uncertain.
Read source →H.R. 2406: NOAA harassment prevention bill introduced
Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1) introduced H.R. 2406 on August 20 to improve sexual harassment and assault prevention procedures at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Why it matters: Why it matters: NOAA employs roughly 12,000 scientists and staff across field stations and research vessels — settings the bill's title suggests were part of the problem this legislation targets.
Read source →Two Native American land bills introduced
Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK-4) introduced H.R. 2827 on August 20 to settle certain Indian land disputes over land in Illinois, and Rep. Jay Obernolte (R-CA-23) introduced H.R. 3925 the same day to authorize a land exchange with the Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation.
Why it matters: Why it matters: Land settlement and exchange bills require congressional approval because federal law — not the executive branch — governs the transfer or resolution of trust land claims, making committee action the necessary next step for either tribe.
Read source →Two environmental bills introduced
Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-MI-6) introduced H.R. 3276, the Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act of 2026, and Rep. Robert Scott (D-VA-3) introduced H.R. 6893, the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act — both on August 20 and both in committee.
Why it matters: Why it matters: The Chesapeake Bay bill's title specifically flags training, education, restoration, and science, suggesting it would direct federal resources to the Bay watershed rather than simply authorize existing programs.
Read source →Water resources and law enforcement bills also filed
Rep. Robert Wittman (R-VA-1) introduced the AWRC Act of 2025 (H.R. 7889) on water resources, and Rep. Troy Nehls (R-TX-22) introduced H.R. 309, the National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act — both referred to committee August 20.
Why it matters: Why it matters: Neither bill has highlights published in the public record yet, so the specific funding levels, agency mandates, or program structures each would create are not yet available.
Read source →Sources
Official congressional and federal records used to verify the issue.
- H.R. 7889 — AWRC Act of 2025 · 2026-08-20
- H.R. 2827 — To provide for the equitable settlement of certain Indian land disputes regarding land in Illinois, and for other purposes. · 2026-08-20
- H.R. 8476 — No Antisemitism in Education Act of 2026 · 2026-08-20
- H.R. 2406 — National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Sexual Harassment and Assault Prevention Improvements Act of 2025 · 2026-08-20
- H.R. 309 — National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act · 2026-08-20
- H.R. 3276 — Local Communities & Bird Habitat Stewardship Act of 2026 · 2026-08-20
- H.R. 6893 — Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act · 2026-08-20
- H.R. 3925 — Yuhaaviatam of San Manuel Nation Land Exchange Act · 2026-08-20
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