The Job Corps Shipbuilding-Defense Industrial Base Pipeline Act of 2026 aims to connect Job Corps training programs with the needs of the defense industry by allowing centers to adjust their courses and locations to match local shipbuilding and manufacturing requirements. It requires military recruiters to inform applicants who cannot enlist immediately about Job Corps as an alternative path to gain necessary skills. The bill also permits Job Corps centers to accept external grants and donations for specific purposes while restricting how those funds can be used, and it streamlines enrollment for veterans and military recruits by waiving certain background checks for those recently separated or who failed enlistment requirements.
The Legalizing Premium Health Care Act of 2026 allows Medicare beneficiaries to sign written contracts with doctors or other eligible professionals to receive services at agreed-upon rates that may exceed standard Medicare limits. Under this bill, patients who sign such contracts would be responsible for paying the difference between the contracted amount and what Medicare covers, while also handling their own claims unless they choose to delegate this task to the provider. The legislation prohibits these agreements during medical emergencies or urgent situations and prevents states from setting their own caps on the charges these professionals can bill. Additionally, the act explicitly excludes individuals who qualify for both Medicare and Medicaid from entering into these private payment arrangements.
This bill reauthorizes federal funding for water power research and development (including hydropower and marine energy) through 2030, increasing annual funding to $300 million - $200 million for marine energy and $100 million for hydropower - up from prior levels. It adds new requirements such as advancing U.S. manufacturing of marine energy components through university-industry partnerships, improving hydropower licensing by compiling environmental data, and integrating cybersecurity into research. The bill also mandates workforce development programs to train future professionals and requires annual congressional briefings on program progress. These changes directly affect the Department of Energy, research institutions, and industries working on water power technologies.
HR 5638, the Geothermal Royalty Reform Act, clarifies how royalties are calculated for geothermal energy facilities under existing law. It amends the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to specify that royalty payments apply to "each electric generating facility producing electricity from such resources" and are calculated "by such facility." This technical adjustment updates the statutory language without changing royalty rates or creating new requirements. The bill directly affects geothermal energy producers who pay royalties under federal law. As a procedural amendment, it streamlines the existing royalty framework without altering policy substance.
Geothermal Energy Opportunity Act or the GEO Act This bill expands the Geothermal Steam Act of 1970 to establish a deadline for the Department of the Interior to process applications related to geothermal leases. Specifically, Interior must process each application for a geothermal drilling permit or other authorization under a valid existing geothermal lease within 60 days after completing all requirements under applicable federal laws and regulations (including the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the National Historic Preservation Act) unless a U.S. federal court vacates or provides injunctive relief for the underlying lease.
This resolution honors the life and legacy of John Seymour, a late U.S. Senator from California, by formally acknowledging his public service and contributions. The document details his career highlights, including his roles as Mayor of Anaheim, his work in securing the relocation of the Los Angeles Rams, and his legislative achievements such as passing a major transportation bill. It also lists his committee assignments and advocacy for issues like special education, women's rights, and environmental protection. Finally, the resolution requests that the Senate Secretary communicate this tribute to the House of Representatives and send a copy to Seymour's family.
This bill, titled the Nursing is a Professional Degree Act, updates federal definitions to classify nursing degrees at the master's or doctoral level as professional degrees. By amending the Higher Education Act, it explicitly lists nursing programs such as the Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) and Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) alongside other established professions like medicine and law. This change requires nursing degrees to meet specific criteria, including completion of academic requirements for professional practice and demonstration of skills beyond a standard bachelor's degree. The primary effect is to formally recognize nursing as a professional field within federal higher education regulations, which may influence how nursing programs are funded or categorized.
Cape Fox Land Entitlement Finalization Act of 2025 This act waives a statutory core township selection requirement for the Cape Fox Corporation and allows Cape Fox to receive other lands to fulfill its remaining land entitlement. Cape Fox is an Alaska Native village corporation for the Alaska Native village of Saxman, Alaska. Specifically, the act states that Cape Fox shall not be required to receive its previously selected land of approximately 185 acres located within the township in which the Alaska Native village of Saxman, Alaska, is located. Instead, the act allows Cape Fox to receive land outside of Cape Fox's current exterior selection boundary upon written notice of the new selection to the Department of the Interior. In particular, if Cape Fox submits written notice of its selection of approximately 180 acres of surface land within the Tongass National Forest in Alaska to Interior within 90 days of the act's enactment, then Interior must convey the federal land to Cape Fox. Upon conveyance of the surface estate of the federal land to Cape Fox, Interior must convey the subsurface estate of the federal land to Sealaska Corporation (the Alaska Native regional corporation representing southeastern Alaska). The act reserves a public access easement on the federal land conveyed to Cape Fox and Sealaska.
This Senate resolution designates the week of May 10 through May 16, 2026, as "National Police Week" to honor law enforcement officers across the United States. The measure formally recognizes the service and sacrifices of federal, state, local, and tribal police officers, including those who have died in the line of duty during 2025 and early 2026. By invoking existing federal authority, the bill encourages the public and government agencies to observe this week by acknowledging the essential mission of police work and supporting officer safety. The resolution also expresses condolences to the families of officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and reaffirms support for communities served by law enforcement.
HR 6444 establishes a VA-DoD task force to improve care for veterans and active-duty service members diagnosed with blast-related injuries like traumatic brain injury (TBI) or PTSD. The task force will coordinate research on specific issues (e.g., sleep therapy, gut health, brain inflammation), develop clinical baselines, and create guidelines for evaluating disability claims related to blast exposure. It must report annually to Congress on research progress and claim evaluation recommendations, and will expire on September 30, 2029. The bill directly affects veterans and service members with blast exposure symptoms by focusing research and care coordination on their specific health needs.
This bill would amend federal law to strengthen penalties for organized retail crime by expanding definitions of theft to include digital goods, gift cards, and setting a $5,000 aggregate value threshold for charges over a 12-month period. It would establish a new "Organized Retail and Supply Chain Crime Coordination Center" under Homeland Security to coordinate Federal, State, local, and Tribal law enforcement efforts against cross-jurisdictional theft groups. The Center would share information with retailers, transportation companies, and law enforcement agencies, track crime trends, and produce annual reports on organized retail crime. This legislation directly affects retailers, supply chain businesses, and law enforcement agencies, while targeting organized crime groups responsible for a 93% increase in larceny incidents and rising safety concerns for retail employees. The bill aims to address significant financial losses and supply chain disruptions noted in the National Retail Federation's 2023 data.
This Senate resolution expresses support for designating May 5, 2026, as the National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls. The bill calls on the public and organizations to commemorate the victims and show solidarity with their families. It also recommends that the Department of Justice commission a new study to update statistics on the crisis, noting that the previous data is over a decade old.
