Legislation

The REG Act of 2026 mandates that federal securities agencies must evaluate the cumulative impact of new rules alongside existing and proposed regulations. This change requires agencies to consider the combined effect of regulations when assessing whether they promote efficiency, competition, and capital formation. The bill amends key provisions across four major securities laws to incorporate this cumulative consideration requirement.

The Access to Innovative Treatments Act of 2026 establishes a new, expedited review process for Medicare National Coverage Determinations (NCDs) that restrict coverage for FDA-approved drugs or biologicals. This bill mandates that the Secretary of HHS review challenged NCDs within strict timelines and prevents Part D plans from using these restrictive NCDs to deny coverage for approved treatments. The goal is to ensure Medicare coverage aligns with the drug's official FDA approval status.

This bill extends the effectiveness of existing regulations designed to protect the North Atlantic right whale. Specifically, it amends current law to push back the expiration date for these protections from 2028 to 2035.

The Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 aims to significantly strengthen federal student aid by doubling the maximum Pell Grant award and funding it through mandatory appropriations. This bill also expands eligibility to include Dreamer students, restores Pell Grant eligibility for students with certain scholarships, and reforms Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) rules to make regaining aid easier after academic setbacks. These changes are designed to stabilize and expand access to postsecondary education for millions of students.

The Voluntary Consumer AI Disclosure Pilot Act directs the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to establish a pilot program evaluating voluntary methods for disclosing when content is created or manipulated by artificial intelligence. This program will explore how companies can inform consumers about AI-generated content or real-time interactions with AI systems. Based on the results, NIST will develop guidelines and best practices for AI content disclosure.

The Military Family Limb Loss Support Act establishes a new program to provide holistic rehabilitative care for military families affected by limb loss or difference. This support will be delivered through peer mentoring, education, and community outreach, starting in fiscal year 2028. The Department of Defense is tasked with creating an implementation plan and submitting annual reports on the program's effectiveness and service gaps.

The Fair Telehealth Billing Act of 2026 prohibits healthcare providers and facilities from charging separate facility fees for telehealth visits when the service provider can bill independently. This measure aims to ensure fair billing practices for remote care services. Violations may result in civil monetary penalties assessed by the Secretary of Labor.

The Right to Vote Act establishes the fundamental right of every citizen to vote in federal elections and prohibits governments from imposing undue burdens on this right. It sets strict standards for when a government action that diminishes or substantially impairs voting can be upheld, requiring it to be the least restrictive means of furthering an important governmental interest. The Act also authorizes private citizens to bring civil actions in federal court to challenge violations, with expedited proceedings and provisions for awarding attorney's fees.

The Remote Control Locomotives Safety Improvement Act of 2026 mandates that a certified human engineer must be physically present and in control within the cab of the lead locomotive for all main line train operations. This Act prohibits the operation of remote control locomotives outside of a rail yard. It also establishes strict audit requirements and significant civil penalties for non-compliance.

The SPIRIT Act establishes a new federal tax credit for small distillers who use domestically harvested ingredients in their production. This credit reduces the federal excise tax by \$2.35 per proof gallon for eligible producers meeting specific volume and sourcing thresholds. The goal is to support U.S. agriculture by incentivizing the use of locally sourced materials by small U.S. distilleries.

The Next Mission Act establishes a multiyear grant program to supplement the Department of Defense's Transition Assistance Program. This program will provide career services and job placement assistance at no cost to eligible service members and their spouses. Grants will be awarded to qualified private, nonprofit organizations that demonstrate proven success in career services and use rigorous evaluation practices. The Secretary of Defense must implement the program within one year of enactment, and the authority to award grants ends three years later.

This bill authorizes the award of a single Congressional Gold Medal to honor the American citizens and organizations who rescued Jews and other refugees from Nazi persecution between 1933 and 1945. The medal recognizes their heroic efforts, which saved tens of thousands of lives during the Holocaust. Following the award, the gold medal will be permanently housed at the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The Act also permits the production and sale of duplicate bronze medals to cover production costs.

The VA Education Oversight Improvement Act expands the Department of Veterans Affairs' authority to oversee third-party contractors offering VA-approved educational programs. It mandates annual reports to Congress through 2028 detailing this oversight of contractor activities. Furthermore, the bill sets an expiration date of October 1, 2028, for the Secretary of Veterans Affairs' designation of State Approving Agencies.

The Open Meetings Act of 2026 introduces new transparency requirements for meetings of certain federal judicial conferences and councils. This bill mandates that these "covered meetings" must provide at least 30 days public notice and offer free, accessible live audio streaming. Furthermore, the Judicial Conference must archive and publish recordings of these meetings online within seven days.

The Juvenile Firearms Safety Act of 2026 establishes new federal prohibitions regarding the transfer and storage of firearms involving juveniles. This bill makes it unlawful for adults to knowingly provide a firearm to a juvenile intending criminal or self-harm use, or to store a firearm unsafely if a juvenile gains unauthorized access and causes injury or death. The Act outlines specific penalties for violations, with enhanced consequences if the firearm is used in a crime or results in injury or death.

This bill aims to strengthen the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) healthcare system by removing the current limit on the number of pay waivers the Secretary of Veterans Affairs can issue. This change allows the VA greater flexibility in compensating critical healthcare personnel. Ultimately, the goal is to better recruit and retain essential medical staff for veterans' services.

The Esther Coopersmith Award Act establishes an annual award, administered by the Secretary of State, to honor individuals or groups who advance the goals of women's participation in peace and security efforts. This legislation formally recognizes the promotion of women's and girls' rights as a key diplomatic achievement within U.S. law. The Act also mandates related training for Foreign Service officers and requires reporting to Congress on the award recipients' work.

The Pell Grant Preservation and Expansion Act of 2026 aims to significantly strengthen federal student aid by doubling the maximum Pell Grant award and shifting the program to mandatory funding. This bill also expands eligibility to include Dreamer students, restores Pell eligibility semesters, and reforms Satisfactory Academic Progress rules to better support students. Overall, it seeks to stabilize and increase financial support for millions of postsecondary students, particularly those with high financial need.

The Tribal Conservation Priorities Inclusion Act amends existing USDA conservation programs to explicitly include Indian tribes and tribal lands when identifying priority resource concerns. This legislation ensures tribal governments are consulted and their lands are recognized within key conservation initiatives like EQIP and CSP. The Act strengthens tribal involvement in federal conservation planning and resource management.

This resolution designates May 2026 as National Wildfire Preparedness Month to address worsening wildfire conditions across the nation. It aims to raise public awareness about increasing wildfire threats and promote essential education on lifesaving and fire-mitigation practices. The designation encourages governments and organizations to support initiatives focused on home hardening, land management, and improved evacuation planning. Ultimately, this effort seeks to reduce human-caused ignitions and lessen the significant health and economic impacts of wildfires.