Legislation

The Targeted Restrictions Upholding Service Trustworthiness (TRUST) Act prohibits individuals from certain foreign adversary nations from enlisting or being appointed as officers in the U.S. Armed Forces. This measure is intended to mitigate national security risks associated with foreign influence and espionage. The bill also requires a report detailing current service members who were nationals of these covered nations upon joining the military. These new restrictions apply to enlistments or appointments occurring 180 days after the bill's enactment.

The Congressional Records Protection Act restricts government entities from obtaining official records of Members of Congress and their staff through warrants or subpoenas, with exceptions for criminal investigations. If such records are sought, the Member or employee must be notified before or at the time of execution. Furthermore, the government generally cannot review the seized materials for 30 days following notification.

The Merit Restoration Act prohibits federal research agencies and grant recipients from using specific diversity, equity, or inclusion (DEI) practices when awarding or conducting federally funded research. These prohibitions focus on preventing discrimination based on race, sex, or other protected characteristics and banning mandatory training or agreements asserting inherent superiority or inferiority based on these factors. Violations can result in the freezing and required repayment of federal grant funds.

The Law Enforcement Animal Safety and Harm Reporting Act of 2026 (LEASH Act) mandates that recipients of federal justice assistance grants must report felony animal cruelty convictions to the Attorney General. This data will be used to prioritize funding for local governments that submit this information, and a public database of these convictions must be established.

The HOME for Foster Youth Act expands housing assistance eligibility for young adults leaving foster care by increasing the application window from 90 to 180 days and removing prior homelessness requirements. It also ensures that Education and Training Vouchers are not counted as income when calculating housing assistance. Furthermore, the bill mandates improved coordination between HUD and HHS to streamline access to housing and supportive services for this population.

The Rock Creek National Park Act of 2026 officially redesignates Rock Creek Park in the District of Columbia as Rock Creek National Park. This change recognizes the park's significant natural, cultural, and historical resources. The legislation updates all federal references to reflect the new designation.

The American High-Speed Rail Act significantly expands federal support for high-speed and higher-speed rail development by increasing funding limits, broadening eligibility for public-private partnerships, and establishing new planning and safety requirements. The bill authorizes substantial funding through 2031 for corridor development and planning, while also creating pathways for acquiring necessary right-of-way property and ensuring labor protections on federally-funded infrastructure. It also refines definitions, setting the threshold for true "high-speed rail" at 186 mph or more, and introduces a new category for "higher-speed rail."

This Act, titled the "No Fencing at the United States Supreme Court Act," prohibits the use of federal funds to install permanent fencing around the perimeter of the U.S. Supreme Court Building or its grounds. However, the legislation permits the repair or replacement of existing fencing.

The Digital Asset PARITY Act aims to modernize the tax code for digital assets by simplifying the treatment of stablecoin transactions and clarifying rules for trading, lending, and staking. It extends existing tax concepts like wash sales and constructive sales to digital assets and establishes new rules for income recognition from validation activities like mining or staking. The bill also mandates a study on potential relief for small consumer digital asset transactions.

The PANA Act of 2026 establishes the Venezuela Restoration Fund, which will hold assets forfeited from individuals or entities connected to the Chávez or Maduro regimes. This fund authorizes the Secretary of State to spend the money without further congressional approval to strengthen democracy, defend human rights, support independent media, and fight corruption in Venezuela. The Treasury Secretary must report annually to Congress on the fund's deposits and expenditures.

The EFFIE Act, or the "End Fraudulent Filings that Interfere with Elections Act," makes it a federal felony for candidates or their agents to knowingly and fraudulently sign documents required for ballot access. This new law establishes penalties of up to a $250,000 fine and five years in prison for such fraudulent activity related to federal office campaigns.

The Loan Forgiveness for Educators Act of 2026 establishes new federal loan forgiveness programs for teachers, school leaders, and early childhood educators serving in high-need schools or programs. Educators can achieve full loan forgiveness after five years of qualifying service, or receive monthly payment support during that time. The bill mandates the Secretary of Education to launch these programs within 270 days of enactment. It also includes specific provisions for Parent PLUS loan borrowers and ensures flexibility for educators whose school status changes.

The Small Business Succession Planning Act establishes a new Small Business Administration (SBA) program to help small businesses create and implement succession plans through toolkits, training, and counseling. The bill also introduces a tax credit for small businesses that establish and complete a succession plan, subject to recapture if the business is quickly sold to a non-small business entity. Furthermore, the SBA is required to submit a plan to increase the rate of succession planning among small businesses, especially those owned by disadvantaged individuals.

The Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act establishes a federal grant program to increase the number of school-based mental health providers in high-need schools. This funding flows from the Department of Education to states, which then award competitive subgrants to local educational agencies. The goal is to help schools work toward recommended student-to-provider ratios for counselors, psychologists, and social workers. Funds must supplement existing resources and require state matching to support recruitment and retention efforts.

This Act encourages colleges and universities to develop and implement comprehensive, evidence-based mental health and suicide prevention plans. It directs the Secretary of Education to coordinate these efforts with the Secretary of Health and Human Services, aligning plans with established national recommendations and existing programs. The legislation requires reporting on these encouragement efforts but imposes no new regulatory obligations on institutions.

The Assuring the Future of Tibet Act of 2026 reaffirms long-standing U.S. policy supporting the human rights and distinct identity of the Tibetan people. It declares that the Central Tibetan Administration is the legitimate representative of the Tibetan people and supports dialogue for a negotiated resolution to the Tibet-China dispute. The bill mandates increased high-level U.S. diplomatic engagement with the Central Tibetan Administration and directs advocacy for its observer status in the United Nations.

The Early Childhood Mental Health Support Act aims to improve behavioral health outcomes for children in Head Start programs. It requires the review and identification of evidence-based mental health interventions and staff wellness practices suitable for these settings. The bill authorizes grants for implementing these identified strategies and establishes a framework for evaluating their effectiveness.

The SCALE Biology Act establishes a comprehensive biometrology laboratory program at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). This program directs NIST to conduct research and develop technical standards for engineering biology, biomanufacturing, and biotechnology. The goal is to enhance innovation, improve data reliability, and support the safe and secure development of biological technologies. The Act also authorizes specific funding levels for this new NIST research duty through fiscal year 2030.

The Small Business Workforce Pipeline Act of 2026 requires Small Business Development Centers to expand their services to help small businesses establish and improve work-based learning, apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and job training programs. This assistance will include providing guidance from the Department of Labor and other federal agencies.

This bill establishes a 10-year demonstration program allowing eligible Medicare beneficiaries to voluntarily use their benefits for healthcare in approved foreign countries. The program aims to evaluate if international coverage can improve care quality, decrease government costs, and aid family reunification. The Secretary of HHS will select participating countries and manage enrollment, ensuring quality standards and cost-effectiveness comparable to U.S. Medicare.