Legislation

The People Over Poison Act clarifies that federal law does not prevent individuals from filing state tort claims against pesticide manufacturers for damages related to improper labeling or packaging. This ensures that people injured by defective pesticide labeling or packaging can still seek justice through state courts. The bill specifically preserves the right to sue for personal or property damage under existing state laws.

This act amends the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 to revise eligibility requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). It prohibits individuals from receiving SNAP benefits unless they are a lawfully admitted permanent resident who has resided in the U.S. for a minimum of 10 years following their admission.

The Tax Relief for Fraud Victims Act aims to provide greater financial relief to individuals who have suffered losses due to theft, fraud, or deceit. This legislation removes limitations on personal casualty loss deductions and offers taxpayers new options for when to claim theft loss deductions. It also creates exceptions to early withdrawal penalties for retirement accounts used to cover fraud-related losses.

The Protect Seniors and Veterans from Health Care Fraud Act of 2026 mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Health and Human Services establish an agreement for sharing health care data. This collaboration aims to prevent improper or duplicate billing by allowing both agencies reciprocal access to information on veterans concurrently receiving care through the VA and Medicare/Medicaid. The Act requires regular reporting to Congress on the effectiveness of this data sharing in combating healthcare fraud.

The Taxpayer Advocate Participation Act authorizes the National Taxpayer Advocate to participate as an *amicus curiae* (friend of the court) in federal tax cases. This allows the Advocate to present views on issues that broadly affect taxpayer rights, especially those outlined in the Taxpayer Bill of Rights. Federal courts are required to grant the Advocate's application to appear for this purpose.

This bill directs the posthumous presentation of a Congressional Gold Medal to Bonnie Eloise Rush Milam. The medal recognizes her distinguished service to U.S. Armed Forces through founding and leading the Melody Maids, an all-girls singing group that performed for troops during WWII, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. The legislation also authorizes the production and sale of bronze duplicate medals.

The SMOOTH Payments Act aims to make healthcare costs more manageable by requiring health insurance providers to offer at least one plan that allows enrollees to pay all cost-sharing in capped monthly installments or at $0 upfront. If an insurer fails to offer such a plan, none of their plans will qualify for premium tax credits starting in 2027. This legislation seeks to reduce immediate financial burdens for qualified health plan enrollees.

This bill postpones tax deadlines for American nationals who are wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad, as well as for their spouses. It ensures that the time spent detained does not count against deadlines for filing returns or paying taxes, and stops the accrual of associated interest and penalties. Furthermore, the legislation establishes a program to refund or abate penalties and interest already paid by eligible individuals for tax periods covering the detention.

The Saving FACE Act of 2026 redefines federal law concerning access obstruction, removing criminal penalties for blocking access to abortion services. This bill shifts the focus of the law to protect access to churches, renaming the offense to "Freedom of access to church entrances." It also inserts a federal definition of "abortion" and explicitly excludes abortion services from the category of protected medical services under this statute.

The State Firearms Dealer Licensing Enhancement Act establishes a federal grant program administered by the Attorney General to help states and tribal governments develop, improve, or evaluate their firearms dealer licensing programs. Eligible applicants must already have a law in place requiring state or tribal licensing for firearms dealers, which includes specific standards for application, inspection, and enforcement. Grant recipients must report annually on their licensing activities, and the Attorney General will report findings to Congress.

The Science of Reading Act of 2026 amends federal education law to formally align reading instruction with the evidence-based "science of reading." This legislation defines the science of reading, explicitly excluding instructional methods like the three-cueing model. The Act prioritizes federal funding and requires state literacy plans to adopt these research-backed approaches for teaching reading and writing.

This bill, the Small Business Health Options Awareness Act of 2026, directs the Small Business Administration (SBA) to actively inform small businesses about Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRAs). The SBA must use its existing network, including Small Business Development Centers, to distribute educational materials on these employer-funded accounts. The goal is to raise awareness among small businesses regarding this alternative method for covering employee health costs.

The Getting Terrorist Fanatics Out Act of 2026 mandates the automatic revocation of citizenship for naturalized individuals convicted of providing material support to terrorists or designated foreign terrorist organizations. This action will be carried out by the court that handled the conviction. The bill aims to swiftly strip citizenship from those found guilty of serious terrorism-related offenses.

The SAFE Training for OB-GYNs Act establishes a federal grant program to help residency programs expand training in reproductive healthcare for professionals whose education is restricted by state abortion laws. This funding will support training programs and reimburse travel expenses for providers seeking necessary care education out of state. The program is authorized with $10 million annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2031.

The Tax Exempt Hospital Transparency Act mandates graduated, increased reporting requirements for tax-exempt hospitals based on their size and revenue. These new rules require hospitals to detail their community health needs assessments, financial assistance programs, and operational spending on their annual tax returns. Larger and high-revenue hospitals face additional stringent reporting on service line finances, advertising costs, and participation in the 340B drug discount program. The bill also requires a GAO study on compliance costs and potential tax revenue from these organizations.

The Main Street Competes Act expands federal economic policy to prioritize competitive markets and consumer choice through antitrust enforcement that protects small businesses. It mandates regular, detailed reporting from the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission on how their antitrust actions specifically impact small businesses. Finally, the Small Business Administration's Office of Advocacy will analyze this data and report recommendations to Congress on promoting competition.

The Native American Entrepreneurial Opportunity Act establishes an Office of Native American Affairs within the Small Business Administration (SBA). This office will focus on connecting Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian Organizations with SBA resources for entrepreneurial development, contracting, and capital access. Headed by an Assistant Administrator with relevant cultural knowledge, the Office aims to promote economic growth for these communities before its authority sunsets after seven years.

The COVID Fraud Transparency Act of 2026 mandates the Small Business Administration's Inspector General to regularly report on the scope and resolution of fraud related to specific COVID-19 relief loans, such as the Paycheck Protection Program. These reports will detail the volume of loans, new and resolved fraud cases, and the types of fraud identified. The reporting requirements are set to terminate two years after the Act's enactment, and implementation must comply with "Cut-As-You-Go" budget rules.

The Disaster Loan Accountability and Reform Act (DLARA) aims to increase transparency and oversight of Small Business Administration (SBA) disaster loan programs. It mandates expanded monthly reporting on loan funding levels, requires detailed breakdowns in future Presidential budget requests, and imposes new notification requirements when disaster loan funds become critically low. Additionally, the bill directs the GAO to report on loan disbursement rates and the financial impact of recent program changes.

The Reproductive Health Care Training Act of 2026 establishes a grant program to expand training in abortion care for health professionals. Administered by HRSA, this program awards funds to eligible entities in states where such training is permissible. The goal is to encourage more clinicians to become abortion providers, with a focus on improving access for medically underserved communities.