Paul W. K.

AWARE Act: Targets Israel-Gaza Aid Blockade

U.S. Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) introduced the Accountability for Withholding Aid and Relief Essentials (AWARE) Act on January 14, 2026. The legislation aims to impose sanctions on government officials—including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior military leaders—who are determined to be responsible for restricting, undermining, or obstructing humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza or elsewhere globally. It applies broadly to any nation and emphasizes compliance with human rights and humanitarian law, while making clear U.S. condemnation of such actions. The bill would authorize diplomatic sanctions, including visa denials to enter the United States and potential freezes on U.S. assets or property transactions for sanctioned individuals. Wyden highlighted ongoing restrictions in Gaza post-ceasefire, such as blocking aid groups like Doctors Without Borders, and stressed the moral imperative—particularly as a Jewish American—to prevent aid denial and hold leaders accountable. He described the measure as a tool to promote aid access worldwide and prevent future obstructions. The AWARE Act has garnered endorsements from organizations including the Friends Committee on National Legislation, New Jewish Narrative, J Street, and Refugees International. Supporters praised it as a step toward ensuring humanitarian aid is not weaponized, addressing the Gaza crisis through targeted consequences, and reinforcing American values on civilian protection in conflict zones.

February 17, 2026

Conditions U.S. UN funding on reforms, including ending anti-Israel bias.

The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 7006, the Financial Services and General Government and National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2026, on January 14, 2026, by a vote of 341–79. This bicameral, bipartisan package combines two appropriations bills for Fiscal Year 2026 (October 1, 2025–September 30, 2026), funding areas such as the Treasury Department, Small Business Administration, federal judiciary, independent agencies, Department of State operations, and national security-related programs. With this passage, the House advanced eight FY26 appropriations measures, covering about 26% of discretionary spending. The legislation provides targeted investments to promote economic growth, entrepreneurship, and small business support while redirecting IRS resources toward taxpayer services amid the implementation of tax cuts. It strengthens financial safeguards against terrorism, drug and human trafficking, cybersecurity threats, and foreign malign influence, including enhanced scrutiny of investments through CFIUS. On national security and foreign affairs, the bill realigns funding to prioritize U.S. leadership, alliances, deterrence, and peace through strength, with a reported 16% reduction in certain spending compared to prior levels. It eliminates funding for certain programs deemed wasteful, including DEI initiatives, climate mandates, and specific ideological provisions, while conditioning U.N. assistance on reforms and upholding protections for religious liberty, free speech, and longstanding pro-life policies. Following House approval, H.R. 7006 was received in the Senate on January 15, 2026. Provisions from this and related measures were later incorporated into broader appropriations packages, contributing to the enactment of full-year funding without a standalone final vote on this bill in its original form.

February 17, 2026

DOGE Bill Passes

The U.S. House of Representatives has completed action on Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations by passing H.R. 7148, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026, with a vote of 341–88, and H.R. 7147, the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026, with a vote of 220–207. These measures finalize funding for all 12 annual appropriations bills covering October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. The legislation was developed through bicameral negotiations involving House and Senate subcommittee leaders and provides full-year funding across defense, homeland security, labor-health-human services-education, and transportation-housing-urban development. The bills allocate resources to key areas including military readiness with a 3.8% pay increase for service members, enhancements to border security and homeland protection, biomedical research and rural health initiatives, education and workforce training programs, modernization of air traffic control systems, infrastructure improvements for roads and bridges, and support for local community projects. Certain longstanding provisions are retained, such as restrictions on federal housing assistance eligibility and protections related to unborn children. Overall discretionary spending is held below levels projected under the prior continuing resolution, incorporating reductions to select programs and administrative reforms aimed at fiscal restraint. Following House passage on January 22, 2026, H.R. 7148 advanced to the Senate, where it was approved with amendments. The House then concurred with those changes on February 3, 2026, by a vote of 217–214. The measure was signed into law the same day, becoming Public Law No: 119-75 and providing stable funding for a broad portion of federal operations. H.R. 7147 completed House passage but did not reach final enactment by mid-February 2026.

February 17, 2026

San Francisco Curbs Drug Crisis

Mayor Daniel Lurie today announced plans to launch a Rapid Enforcement, Support, Evaluation, and Triage (RESET) Center, a major step to get drugs and drug users off the streets. As part of Mayor Lurie’s Breaking the Cycle initiative, the RESET Center will provide an alternative to jail or hospitalization for individuals who are arrested under the influence of drugs—getting people in crisis off the street and law enforcement officers back on patrol more quickly. The center will be overseen by the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office, with support from the Department of Public Health (DPH), and run by Connections Health Solutions. It will provide a location for individuals using drugs to get stabilized and be connected to treatment. The opening of the RESET Center builds on Mayor Lurie’s work to combat the fentanyl crisis and get drugs and drug users off of San Francisco’s streets. Earlier in his administration, the mayor delivered on a key piece of his Breaking the Cycle plan—opening a 24/7 police friendly crisis stabilization center at 822 Geary Street, which has shown more success at connecting people in crisis to care. To further address the behavioral health and homelessness crisis, Mayor Lurie has launched three new recovery-focused interim housing programs, and is transforming the city’s response to the crisis—creating integrated neighborhood-based street outreach teams and introducing new policies to end the distribution of smoking supplies without connection to treatment. “As long as I'm mayor, it will not be acceptable to deal drugs or do drugs on our streets,” said Mayor Lurie. “We are making a fundamental change to San Francisco's approach to the fentanyl crisis. Instead of cycling through jails and emergency rooms, those using drugs on our streets will have a chance to enter treatment and our law enforcement officers will get back on patrol more quickly. San Francisco's families deserve clean and safe streets and we're going to be relentless in delivering that.” The center is set to open this spring and will be located at 444 6th Street, next door to the Hall of Justice. Pilot operations will focus on public intoxication in neighborhoods South of Market. Individuals at the center will be transported by law enforcement after being placed under arrest for public intoxication. The center will provide onsite care in a monitored setting staffed by trained professionals. Once able to care for themselves, people will be eligible for release. “I consider the RESET pilot to be the single most important policy shift in San Francisco since the advent of the fentanyl crisis, and I applaud Mayor Lurie for implementing this much-needed change and for identifying a partner of Connections Health Solutions’ caliber to help operate it,” said District 6 Supervisor Matt Dorsey. “As a recovering addict myself, I know I’m not alone in the recovery community in believing that nothing San Francisco has done over the years to tolerate public drug use has helped anyone—not our neighborhoods, not our businesses, and, most of all, not anyone on the street struggling with a fentanyl addiction. The RESET pilot is exactly the approach. I’m convinced it will improve street conditions, diminish drug-driven lawlessness, and save lives.” “The RESET Center represents a tough-love approach that balances accountability with compassion,” said Sheriff Paul Miyamoto. “This is an alternative to jail or the emergency room—one that allows deputies and first responders to focus on higher-priority emergencies while ensuring people struggling with addiction receive individualized care from medical professionals, not a drunk tank. By easing the strain on our jails and hospitals, we’re creating a smarter, more effective public safety response. We have a responsibility to help people suffering from substance use disorder, but we also owe San Franciscans clean, safe neighborhoods where families can walk, work, and live with pride. RESET helps us do both.” Following a thorough vetting process conducted under the city’s fentanyl emergency contracting provisions, Connections Health Solutions has been selected to serve as the provider. Proposals to serve as the provider were evaluated based on clinical model strength, staffing capacity, experience with overdose and suicide risk, ability to manage both voluntary and involuntary referrals, operational scalability, site readiness, and responsiveness to San Francisco needs. “The RESET Center is key in getting people who use drugs in public off the streets, connecting them with care and treatment, and providing a compassionate and effective alternative to incarceration,” said Dan Tsai, DPH Director. “We thank the partnership with the San Francisco Sheriff’s Office to create a space for people to safely recuperate off the streets and out of jail, and to support connections to ongoing care and treatment for those experiencing mental health and substance issues.”

February 17, 2026

'America First, Fully Funded' (H.R. 7148 & 7147)

The House of Representatives passed H.R. 7148 (Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026) by a vote of 341-88 and H.R. 7147 (Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026) by 220-207 on January 22, 2026. These bills complete action on all twelve FY26 appropriations measures through a negotiated, bicameral, member-driven process. The package funds national defense, border security, homeland protection, education, health programs, transportation infrastructure, and other core federal priorities while staying below projected continuing resolution levels. Republican leaders described the legislation as advancing an America First agenda, incorporating DOGE-backed reforms to reduce waste, codifying fiscal discipline, and replacing prior administration policies. Key provisions include military pay raises, modernization of air traffic control and defense supply chains, strengthened border enforcement, biomedical research support, rural health investments, and community project funding. Subcommittee chairs highlighted targeted increases in security and readiness alongside cuts to non-core programs. The measures maintain certain legacy policy riders, avoid new partisan additions, and emphasize regular order over omnibus packages. Later, on February 3, 2026, the House approved the Senate-amended version of H.R. 7148, which was signed into law as Public Law No. 119-75, finalizing full-year FY26 appropriations.

February 17, 2026