Legislation

The SAFE Drugs Act of 2026 aims to enhance the safety and oversight of compounded drug products. It restricts pharmacies from frequently copying commercially available drugs and introduces new annual reporting requirements for out-of-state compounding activities. Furthermore, the bill imposes stricter FDA inspection schedules and mandatory registration for large-scale compounding facilities.

This bill grants Roberto Carlos Lopez a path to become a lawful permanent resident (green card holder) by allowing him to adjust his status, notwithstanding standard visa limits. It waives certain past immigration violations against him, provided he applies within two years of the law's enactment. The bill specifies that this special relief does not extend any immigration benefits to his immediate family members.

The Modern Worker Empowerment Act establishes a new, two-part test under federal law to determine if a worker is an independent contractor rather than an employee. This test focuses on the degree of control exercised over the work's details and whether the worker has the risks and opportunities of entrepreneurship. The Act applies this updated classification standard to both the Fair Labor Standards Act and the National Labor Relations Act.

This Act allocates \$75 million for forest management and restoration activities in areas of the Grand Canyon National Park and Kaibab National Forest damaged by the recent Dragon Bravo and White Sage Fires. It also establishes streamlined emergency contracting authority to expedite recovery efforts. Furthermore, the bill mandates the inclusion of Indian Tribes and local stakeholders in the planning and reconstruction process.

The CLEAR LABELS Act mandates new, comprehensive labeling requirements for both finished drugs and their active pharmaceutical ingredients. This legislation requires manufacturers to disclose the original source and supply chain information for these components, either directly on the label or via an accessible electronic portal. The goal is to enhance accountability and transparency regarding the origin of pharmaceutical products.

The Healthy Families Act establishes a national standard requiring most employers to provide employees with earned paid sick time, accruing at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked. This protected leave can be used for the employee's or a family member's illness, medical care, or for reasons related to domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking. The Act strictly prohibits employers from retaliating against employees for using or requesting this time and mandates clear notice requirements regarding these new rights.

This bill establishes special, expedited procedures for the House of Representatives to immediately consider and vote on a specific joint resolution, H.J. Res. 143. It waives certain procedural objections and sets specific conditions for the automatic adoption of an amendment in the nature of a substitute offered by the ranking minority member of the Rules Committee. The measure also mandates the swift transmittal of the House-passed resolution to the Senate.

The Kids Need Lunch Act establishes universal free school lunches for all students in participating schools and creates a federal program to reimburse schools for existing unpaid meal debt. The bill also permanently prohibits schools from collecting any future unpaid lunch charges from students or families. These provisions will take effect one year after the Act is signed into law.

This bill establishes the Mental Health Career Promotion Grant Program to address workforce shortages in mental and behavioral health. The program awards grants to partnerships between schools, community colleges, and mental health providers to create or expand initiatives that promote these careers to students. Activities funded will include educational presentations, internships, and mentorship opportunities for students in grades 9 through college.

This bill establishes the Medal of Sacrifice to honor local, State, Tribal, territorial, or Federal law enforcement officers and first responders killed in the line of duty. It mandates the creation of a Presidential Commission to advise on the medal's design, presentation, and eligibility determinations. The medal itself will feature a distinct design incorporating elements of the Great Seal of the United States.

The Improving Access to Nutrition Act of 2026 addresses the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by eliminating a specific work requirement exemption and related state funding provisions. Congress finds that existing SNAP work requirements are ineffective at reducing poverty and create significant barriers to food assistance, disproportionately affecting vulnerable populations. This legislation aims to streamline access to benefits by removing these administrative hurdles.

The Strong Start Act establishes a new, direct $3,000 tax credit for parents of newborn or newly adopted children, payable within 30 days of filing. It also permanently extends and enhances American Dream accounts by making initial government contributions permanent, adding new matching contributions for low-income families with qualifying children, and ensuring these accounts do not affect eligibility for most federal assistance programs. Furthermore, the bill mandates the automatic enrollment of eligible individuals into these accounts.

The Balance the Scales Act amends ERISA to establish new procedural requirements for the Department of Labor when providing "adverse assistance" to individuals for potential ERISA lawsuits. Before providing such assistance, the Secretary must enter into a written agreement and notify potentially impacted employers or plan fiduciaries. The bill also mandates annual reporting to Congress detailing all adverse assistance agreements and the assistance provided under them.

The Water Project Navigators Act establishes a Department of the Interior program to provide grants for hiring "navigators." These navigators will assist communities and organizations in developing and applying for funding for multi-benefit water projects. The program prioritizes support for rural, Tribal, and disadvantaged communities to increase their capacity for securing water project funding.

The Holiday Pay Act amends the Fair Labor Standards Act to mandate premium pay for employees working on designated federal holidays. Specifically, it requires employers to compensate covered employees at a rate of at least one and one-half times their regular rate of pay for work performed on these legal public holidays. This new premium pay cannot be counted toward standard overtime obligations. The Act establishes enforcement mechanisms and clarifies that it sets a minimum standard, allowing state or local laws to provide greater holiday compensation.

The Rebuild America’s Schools Act of 2026 establishes major federal funding streams, primarily through grants and tax-credit bonds, to modernize and repair public school facilities nationwide. This legislation prioritizes improvements focused on health, safety, and energy efficiency, directing significant resources toward districts serving low-income students. The Act also mandates transparency through public reporting and requires local districts to develop long-term facility master plans.

The Predatory Lending Elimination Act amends federal law to apply the Military Lending Act's 36% interest rate cap (MAPR) to most consumer credit transactions. This new restriction generally excludes residential mortgages and specific auto loans, while preserving stronger state consumer protection laws. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau is tasked with issuing implementing rules within one year.

The ALS Better Care Act aims to improve care for individuals with ALS by establishing new Medicare coverage and a dedicated payment system for essential ALS-related services starting in 2027. This legislation mandates a supplemental annual payment to providers for coordinating complex care, including therapy and specialized support, while also requiring a report on challenges facing ALS clinical trials. The goal is to enhance the quality of life and lifespan for ALS patients by ensuring better access to coordinated, specialized care.

The Modern Worker Security Act prohibits federal law from considering the provision of benefits when determining an individual's employment status. This means benefits commonly associated with full-time employment can no longer be used as a factor in classifying a worker. The goal is to clarify the definition of an employee by removing benefit considerations from the determination process.

This bill formally integrates Therapeutic and Diagnostic Medical Physicists into the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system. It establishes specific qualification requirements, including board certification, and incorporates these roles into the VA's established pay and personnel administration structures. The legislation also mandates a report assessing the impact of pay adjustments for these specialized physicists.