Legislation

The PEARL Act, or Pharmacists Ethical Autonomy and Religious Liberties Act, establishes federal protections for pharmacists who refuse to dispense abortion-inducing drugs based on sincerely held religious or moral objections. This act ensures pharmacists cannot be required or punished for refusing to dispense medications like mifepristone and misoprostol if it conflicts with their beliefs. Pharmacists facing such requirements retain the right to file a civil lawsuit.

The Dietary Supplement Listing Act of 2026 mandates that all dietary supplements sold in the U.S. must be registered and listed with the FDA, requiring manufacturers to submit detailed product information. This legislation establishes specific timelines for listing both new and existing supplements and requires the FDA to create a public database of this information. Failure to comply with these new listing requirements will result in the supplement being considered misbranded.

This act, the "Securing Local Communities Input in Broadband Development Act," nullifies specific Federal Communications Commission (FCC) orders from 2018 that restricted local control over broadband infrastructure deployment. By voiding these federal actions, the bill restores the authority of state and local governments regarding broadband development decisions within their jurisdictions.

The Answering the Call Act of 2026 aims to improve mental health support for first responders by addressing barriers preventing them from using the 988 National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. This legislation mandates the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct targeted outreach, develop specialized training for 988 counselors, and launch a pilot program to tailor resources for these critical workers. The goal is to increase awareness and utilization of 988 among law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, and telecommunicators.

The FAITH Act establishes a federal crime prohibiting the imposition of fees, fines, or financial obligations based on an individual's religious beliefs or membership. This legislation also makes it illegal to deny goods or services due to non-payment of such prohibited fees. Furthermore, violations of this act are added as predicate offenses under the federal RICO statute.

This bill establishes the Federal and State Food Safety Information Sharing Act of 2026 to enhance public health protection. It allows the Secretary of Health and Human Services to share critical, non-public food safety data with state, local, Tribal, and Territorial authorities. The legislation also extends the maximum duration of certain food safety grants from three to five years.

The Accountable Produce is Medicine Act of 2026 requires the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to test a new bundled payment model for treating chronic diseases using food and related services. This model will fund selected programs that provide comprehensive "Accountable Produce is Medicine" services, including tailored nutrition, care coordination, and monitoring, to eligible high-risk individuals. The goal is to improve health outcomes and demonstrate cost savings within Medicare, Medicaid, and CHIP.

This bill appropriates **\$26.37 billion** to the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Disaster Relief Fund for fiscal year 2026. These funds are designated to cover necessary expenses for major disasters declared under the Robert T. Stafford Act. The appropriation is treated as an emergency requirement for budget enforcement purposes.

The Keep Immigration Enforcement Out of Schools Act restricts immigration enforcement officers from conducting actions like arrests or interviews at schools without a judicial warrant or specific supervisory authorization. This bill also prohibits schools from releasing student records for immigration enforcement purposes unless they have explicit, written consent from the student's parents. These protections apply to all educational facilities, from preschool through postsecondary institutions.

The Reform Immigration Through Biometrics Act mandates the Secretary of Homeland Security to submit three detailed reports to Congress regarding the implementation and impact of the integrated biometric entry and exit data system. These reports will cover system performance, data matching procedures for departing individuals, and data sharing with Canada. The legislation aims to ensure the system minimizes disruption to travel and trade while enhancing counterterrorism and visa compliance efforts.

The Safe Check-Ins for Immigrants Act aims to protect immigrant access to the justice system by prohibiting immigration enforcement actions within courthouses unless specific exceptions are met. Additionally, the bill mandates that certain noncitizens awaiting removal decisions be allowed to complete required periodic check-ins virtually via video conference instead of in person.

The Baby Food Safety Act of 2026 establishes strict new limits and testing requirements for toxic contaminants like lead and arsenic in infant and toddler foods. It mandates that manufacturers implement rigorous sampling and testing programs, with results subject to FDA oversight. Additionally, the bill enhances FDA authority for mandatory recalls and modernizes inspection procedures, including allowing remote record requests.

The Stop DEI Act prohibits federal funding for colleges and universities that consider race, sex, ethnicity, color, or national origin in ways that violate existing federal civil rights laws. This measure targets institutions of higher education receiving federal funds.

The Rural Child Care Facility Expansion Act establishes a new federal grant program to help expand child care facilities in rural communities through construction, renovation, and equipment purchases. It also creates a low-interest loan program, administered by the USDA, to help existing rural providers renovate or expand their structures, particularly in designated "child care deserts." The goal of both provisions is to significantly increase the availability of licensed child care slots across rural America.

The Protecting Americans’ Savings Act aims to enhance transparency and accountability in corporate governance by regulating proxy voting. This bill specifically prohibits "robovoting" by requiring independent review before casting proxy votes and restricts institutional investors from outsourcing their voting decisions to unqualified third parties. Ultimately, it clarifies that voting is only required when mandated by a fiduciary duty.

The Stop Deadly Denials Act of 2026 aims to restrict the use of prior authorization requirements in Medicare Advantage plans starting in 2027. It also prohibits the implementation of certain new prior authorization testing models under traditional Medicare, especially those relying on automated decision-making without physician review. This legislation seeks to limit administrative hurdles for beneficiaries accessing necessary medical care.

The Energy Affordability and Reliability Act of 2026 establishes the Office of Energy Affordability within the Department of Energy. This new office is tasked with reviewing proposed DOE regulations to ensure they transparently analyze the short- and long-term impacts on consumer energy costs. The Office will provide guidance to prevent negative effects on energy affordability and support reliable, cost-effective energy access.

This bill grants the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) new authorities and resources to modernize its regulation of human foods. It establishes dedicated funding, creates a permanent advisory committee on human foods, and directs new research grant programs. The legislation also enhances FDA oversight by requiring recordkeeping for processed food recipes and establishing a public-private partnership for chemical safety in food contact materials.

This bill modernizes the food import safety system by significantly expanding the use of accredited third-party certifications. It allows these certifications to be used for import clearance, participation in the Voluntary Qualified Importer Program, and risk-based inspection prioritization. Ultimately, this legislation broadens who can be certified and how those certifications can assure compliance with U.S. food safety standards.

This bill directs the President to terminate the use of U.S. Armed Forces in hostilities against Iran, as authorized under the War Powers Resolution. It explicitly preserves the authority for the U.S. to defend itself and maintain a defensive troop presence in the region. Furthermore, the resolution ensures that intelligence gathering and sharing related to Iranian threats remain fully authorized.