This bill proposes to extend the authority for Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA). This section allows U.S. intelligence agencies to collect foreign intelligence information from non-U.S. persons located outside the United States. The bill changes the current expiration date of this authority from two years after the enactment of a related act to April 20, 2029, thereby extending its operation for approximately three years.
The FLEX Act amends the Elementary and Secondary Education Act to increase funding for high-quality charter schools. It raises required funding reserves for program expansion (from 12.5% to 15% and 22.5% to 25%) and mandates at least 30% of funds be reserved for charter school facilities, national activities, and program support. The bill explicitly allows funding for "addition or expansion of programs" at existing charter schools (e.g., new academic programs or personalized learning) and permits single-sex educational services. It also clarifies that funds can cover facility operations, renovations, and student transportation needs. This directly affects charter schools, state education entities administering grants, and charter management organizations receiving federal support.
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 concurrent resolution expresses Congress's support for law enforcement officers and honors those who have died or been injured while performing their duties. The document highlights the dangers officers face, noting high rates of assaults and suicide, as well as current staffing shortages compared to pre-2020 levels. It calls for increased measures to improve officer safety, including more personnel, better training and equipment, stricter penalties for assaulting officers, and expanded mental health resources. This non-binding measure does not create new laws or allocate funding but serves to formally recognize the contributions of police professionals and urge government bodies to provide necessary support.
This resolution honors the life and legacy of Dirk Kempthorne, a former U.S. Senator, Governor of Idaho, and Secretary of the Interior. It formally acknowledges his public service across various roles, including his work on environmental conservation, veterans' support, and economic development in Idaho. The Senate expresses its sorrow over his death and directs that a copy of the resolution be sent to his family. Additionally, the Senate stands in adjournment as a final mark of respect to his memory.
Veterans' Compensation Cost-of-Living Adjustment Act of 2026 This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to increase the amounts payable for wartime disability compensation, additional compensation for dependents, the clothing allowance for certain disabled veterans, and dependency and indemnity compensation for surviving spouses and children. Specifically, the VA must increase the amounts by the same percentage as the cost-of-living increase in benefits for Social Security recipients that is effective on December 1, 2026. The act requires the VA to publish the amounts payable, as increased, in the Federal Register. The VA is authorized to make a similar adjustment to the rates of disability compensation payable to persons who have not received compensation for service-connected disability or death.
The GUARD Act requires companies providing AI chatbots to verify users' ages using reliable methods (like government IDs, not just self-reported birth dates) and prohibits minors under 18 from accessing "AI companions" designed for emotional interaction. It mandates clear disclosures that chatbots are not human and cannot falsely claim to be licensed professionals (e.g., therapists), while banning features that solicit minors for explicit content or promote violence. Covered entities must implement secure age verification processes for all accounts, including periodic checks, and face civil penalties up to $100,000 per violation for noncompliance. The law directly affects tech companies operating AI chatbots in the U.S. and aims to reduce minors' exposure to harmful AI interactions.
This resolution expresses support for designating July 15, 2026, as Glioblastoma Awareness Day to raise public awareness about this aggressive and deadly form of brain cancer. The bill honors patients and caregivers while encouraging greater understanding of the urgent medical needs associated with the disease, which currently has a low survival rate and limited treatment options. It also calls for increased collaboration among government, private, and nonprofit organizations to advance research and develop better therapies for those affected.
This bill, known as the STOP Resolution, mandates that all Members, officers, and employees of the House of Representatives who access classified information complete specific counterintelligence and security training each Congress. The House Administration Committee will establish rules requiring this training within 90 days of the resolution's adoption, with exemptions for individuals who already completed similar training during their initial orientation. As a direct consequence of non-compliance, Members will be denied access to classified materials until they finish the course, while officers and employees will face an additional 180-day waiting period before receiving such access.
This act extends the authorities of Title VII of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) until June 12, 2026. Title VII of FISA generally addresses electronic surveillance and other methods of acquiring foreign intelligence information that are directed at targets outside the United States. Title VII includes surveillance under Section 702, which concerns acquiring communications of non-U.S. persons believed to be outside the United States to obtain foreign intelligence information. Information about U.S. persons may incidentally be acquired by this type of surveillance and subsequently queried (searched) under certain circumstances. For additional information see CRS In Focus, IF11451 Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) ; and CRS Report, R48592 FISA Section 702 and the 2024 Reforming Intelligence and Securing America Act .
The Visual Protection of Strategic Assets Act strengthens federal laws to prevent espionage by targeting individuals from specific countries, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea. It requires the Department of Defense to create and publicly update lists of high-value military assets and critical installations, which must be marked with signs prohibiting photography and surveillance. The bill expands criminal penalties for taking photos or videos of these sites, introducing stricter rules for digital imagery and artificial intelligence enhancements, and mandates longer prison sentences and visa revocations for citizens of the listed nations who commit violations.
The AI OVERWATCH Act establishes new export controls on advanced integrated circuits destined for specific countries of concern, including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Cuba. It requires companies to obtain a specific license for each export of high-performance chips, prohibiting the use of general licenses and mandating detailed certifications to Congress regarding national security and defense impacts. The bill defines these restricted chips by their technical processing power and creates a "trusted United States person" program that allows certain domestic entities to bypass licensing requirements if they meet strict security and ownership standards. Additionally, the legislation requires the government to develop an "American Artificial Intelligence Victory Strategy" outlining how to maintain U.S. leadership in AI against foreign competitors.
