Legislation

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.

The Stop Spying Bosses Act establishes comprehensive federal protections regarding the collection and use of employee data by employers. It strictly limits what data employers can collect, bans surveillance unrelated to essential job functions, and mandates transparency about data practices. The bill also grants workers rights to access and correct their data, creates a new Department of Labor division to oversee the law, and establishes robust enforcement mechanisms, including private lawsuits and the invalidation of forced arbitration agreements.

This Act directs the Secretary of Defense to study and report on service members separated for refusing the COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The report must detail the number of separated members and the status of any education benefits they transferred to dependents. This information will be made publicly available to ensure transparency regarding these separations and benefit transfers.

The Honor Their Service Act establishes a Department of Veterans Affairs grant program to fund essential immigration legal services for noncitizen veterans. These services will assist eligible veterans with issues such as defense in removal proceedings, naturalization applications, and seeking lawful reentry. The goal is to ensure these veterans, who have served the U.S., can access the legal support necessary to remain in or return to the country.

The Increasing Tribal Input on Nutrition Act of 2026 strengthens tribal consultation requirements for federal food distribution programs serving Indian reservations. It establishes clear procedures for the Department of Agriculture to respond to supply chain disruptions by designating emergency contractors or providing direct payments to Tribes. The bill also enhances tribal input and supply chain responsiveness within the Commodity Supplemental Food Program.

The Latonya Reeves Freedom Act of 2026 aims to strengthen the right to community-based services for individuals eligible for long-term supports and services (LTSS), ensuring they can live in the most integrated setting of their choice. It prohibits discrimination by states and LTSS providers against individuals seeking community living over institutionalization. The Act mandates comprehensive planning, self-evaluation, and enforceable objectives to transition people out of institutions and address disparities in service delivery.

The AI Workforce Impact Study Act of 2026 mandates that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) conduct a comprehensive study on the effects of artificial intelligence on the U.S. workforce. This report must detail job displacement, creation, and alteration due to AI, broken down by demographics and industry. The study aims to provide Congress with essential data to understand AI's current impact and address limitations in federal data collection.

The Medicaid RAC Improvement Act of 2026 aims to strengthen oversight and transparency of the Medicaid Recovery Audit Contractor (RAC) program. It expands RAC review to include claims from managed care plans and requires annual reporting to Congress on program effectiveness. The bill also mandates studies and a demonstration project to address barriers states face in implementing robust payment integrity reviews.

The SBA Artificial Intelligence Utilization Act of 2026 mandates that the Small Business Administrator submit annual reports to Congress detailing the agency's use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). These reports must outline the benefits, risks, and management strategies for these technologies, ensuring human oversight in critical decisions. Additionally, the Administrator must provide an in-person briefing to relevant committees following each report submission.

The Oversight and Transparency for Small Business Certifications Act of 2026 mandates that the Small Business Administration (SBA) submit an annual report detailing participation data for key small business contracting programs. This report, delivered with the President’s budget, will cover the 8(a), women-owned, SDVOSB, and HUBZone programs. It requires comprehensive statistics on application volume, certification status, and processing times for each program. The goal is to increase transparency regarding how small businesses access federal contracting opportunities.

The "Improving the Lives of the American People Act" is a comprehensive bill addressing ethics reform, paid leave, energy credits, healthcare coverage, and national security. Key provisions include new restrictions on stock trading by federal officials, the establishment of a federal paid annual leave standard for most workers, and expanding Medicare coverage for fall prevention items. The legislation also modifies clean energy tax credits and enhances oversight of intelligence activities within the Department of Homeland Security.