Legislation

This act significantly expands the existing ban on foreign money used in U.S. elections, covering activities like voter registration and get-out-the-vote efforts, and introduces new certification and enforcement rules. It also restricts federal government entities from collecting or publicly releasing donor information for most tax-exempt organizations. The legislation aims to strengthen election integrity by tightening campaign finance rules against foreign influence while protecting domestic donor privacy.

The Shared Micromobility Investment Act amends federal transportation law to allow states and local governments to use existing federal funds for shared micromobility projects. This makes bike-sharing, e-bike-sharing, and scooter-sharing systems eligible for funding under major programs like the Carbon Reduction Program. Projects must include plans to ensure equitable access and service for low-income communities and communities of color.

The SECURE Grid Act strengthens state energy security planning by mandating the inclusion of local electricity distribution systems in risk assessments. This legislation requires states to consult with equipment suppliers and address physical, cyber, and supply chain threats to enhance grid resilience. Furthermore, it mandates a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report to evaluate the effectiveness of these updated state plans.

The Energy Emergency Leadership Act assigns specific, expanded responsibilities to an Assistant Secretary within the Department of Energy focused on energy emergencies and security. This role will manage critical areas like infrastructure resilience, cybersecurity, supply, and emergency response planning. The Act ensures these energy security functions are coordinated with other relevant federal agencies.

The Foster Youth Workforce Opportunity Act establishes a grant program to help current and former foster youth gain vital employment skills and work experience. This legislation expands educational and training opportunities for individuals who experienced foster care, lowering the entry age and broadening eligibility for support services. The bill authorizes significant funding to provide job training, internships, educational assistance, and supportive services for youth aged 14 to 26.

The CONNECT Act updates the purposes of the Chafee Foster Care Program to focus on helping older youth in foster care develop and maintain supportive relationships and connections. It also strengthens the rights of these youth to participate in their permanency planning process. The bill mandates new guidance for state and tribal agencies on best practices for mentoring, peer support, and documenting relationship-building activities.

The Fresh Starts for Foster Youth Act amends the Chafee Foster Care Program to ensure that current and former foster youth have access to crucial legal counseling. This legislation requires participating states to certify that their case planning addresses specific legal issues impacting youth, such as those related to housing, education, and employment. The goal is to improve the transition to adulthood for foster youth by proactively addressing their legal needs.

This bill seeks to amend the Internal Revenue Code to allow taxpayers to deduct loan interest payments made on certain recreational vehicles. It expands the definition of "qualified passenger vehicles" to include RVs, trailers, and campers used for temporary living quarters. This change would apply to debt incurred after December 31, 2025.

The Jersey Pride Tax Credit Act of 2026 establishes a 25% tax credit for businesses selling products that promote New Jersey. Additionally, the bill mandates that port authorities give leasing preference to businesses selling these eligible "Jersey pride" products when renting commercial space. This aims to incentivize and support businesses highlighting the state.

This bill establishes the Accelerating Demonstration Approaches for Protecting Transportation Assets (ADAPT Assets) Program, a competitive grant initiative managed by the Secretary of Transportation. The program will award up to 10 grants for large-scale demonstration projects designed to make critical transportation infrastructure more resilient to natural hazards. Eligible projects must address documented hazard risks and aim to preserve mobility, safety, and economic function through adaptation, elevation, or protective measures.

The Campus Lifeline Act of 2026 aims to bolster student mental health support on college campuses by funding student-led intervention programs. It also enhances youth awareness of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline through new outreach strategies and requirements for listing the number on student IDs. This legislation focuses on peer education, early intervention training, and improving access to crisis resources for students.

The American Leadership in AI Act aims to secure U.S. leadership in artificial intelligence by strengthening safety standards, boosting federal research infrastructure, and modernizing government use of AI. The bill also focuses on protecting workers and small businesses from AI disruption while expanding education and penalizing harmful AI-enabled misuse like deepfakes. Overall, it establishes a comprehensive framework to foster innovation while mitigating risks associated with advanced AI.

The Ballistic Armor Made in America Act of 2026 establishes new sourcing and labeling rules for ballistic-resistant body armor procured by the Department of Justice. This legislation mandates that manufacturers disclose the origin of their armor and ballistic fibers, restricting the use of "Made in America" labeling for foreign-sourced components. Ultimately, the bill prohibits the DOJ from purchasing body armor made from or containing ballistic fibers sourced outside the United States, with limited exceptions.

This bill, the Support for Expectant and Parenting Foster Youth Act, aims to significantly improve support for pregnant and parenting youth currently in or transitioning out of foster care. It mandates that states enhance their foster care plans to include specialized parenting support services and caseworker training for these youth. Furthermore, the legislation requires better data collection on this population and ensures these young parents are connected with evidence-based home visiting and resource coordination services.

The Afterschool for All Act establishes a new competitive grant program to fund high-quality afterschool, before-school, and summer learning opportunities for K-12 students. These grants will support partnerships between schools and community organizations to provide academic enrichment, youth development, and family engagement services. The bill also significantly increases funding for the existing Community Learning Centers program.

The Shifting Forward Vehicle Technologies Research and Development Act directs the Department of Energy to advance vehicle technologies through research and development in areas like alternative fuels, extreme fast charging, and sustainable materials. The bill establishes comprehensive programs focusing on advanced vehicle research, medium- and heavy-duty vehicle technologies, and vehicle security and safety. It also supports workforce development through new education centers and requires regular reporting to Congress on progress and adoption of developed technologies.

The Transparency in Billing Act of 2026 mandates that hospitals use a unique health identifier for claims submitted by off-campus outpatient departments to group health plans. This ensures clearer billing practices for these specific services, starting in 2027. The Act establishes new enforcement mechanisms and civil monetary penalties for non-compliant hospitals under ERISA.

This act prohibits the export of crude oil, gasoline, and diesel fuel while the U.S. is engaged in military operations against Iran. The ban remains in effect until military operations cease and the Strait of Hormuz is fully reopened for global shipping. Limited exceptions allow for the export of crude oil if it cannot be efficiently refined domestically, provided it is refined abroad and then imported back.

The Nursing is a Professional Degree Act officially designates nursing as a professional degree under federal law. This bill amends the Higher Education Act to provide a clear statutory definition for "professional degree," explicitly including nursing alongside other established professions like medicine and law. This change ensures consistency in recognizing the advanced academic requirements necessary to practice nursing.

This resolution seeks to disapprove the Bureau of Consumer Financial Protection's (BCFP) recent rule that withdrew a previous policy statement on abusive acts or practices. By disapproving this action, Congress effectively nullifies the BCFP's withdrawal rule. This means the original policy statement regarding the prohibition on abusive acts or practices remains in effect.