The Multilateral Alignment of Technology Controls on Hardware (MATCH) Act seeks to prevent countries of concern, such as China, from obtaining advanced semiconductor manufacturing equipment. It directs U.S. agencies to identify critical semiconductor manufacturing technology and facilities in these countries and immediately engage allied nations to adopt equivalent export controls, including denying licenses for exports and servicing to targeted facilities. The bill mandates the U.S. to implement its own countrywide controls on relevant U.S.-produced equipment and comprehensive restrictions on identified foreign facilities within 150 days. If an allied country fails to implement comparable controls after diplomatic efforts are exhausted, the U.S. will extend its jurisdiction to control the export and servicing of covered equipment originating from that allied nation. This legislation primarily affects U.S. and allied semiconductor manufacturing equipment producers, as well as specific foreign entities and facilities in countries of concern.
This bill, known as the Rx ACCESS Act, aims to improve medication access for military beneficiaries enrolled in the TRICARE health program by allowing them to choose how they receive non-generic prescription maintenance medications starting in October 2026. It requires pharmacy benefit managers to reimburse retail pharmacies at least the actual cost of acquiring drugs plus a professional dispensing fee, and prohibits hidden fees on pharmacies. The bill also mandates annual audits by the Government Accountability Office to review reimbursement rates, pharmacy network adequacy, and beneficiary access, with results reported to congressional defense committees.
The Strengthening American Nuclear Energy Act of 2026 gives legal authority to four executive orders issued on May 23, 2025, that address nuclear energy policy. This legislation directly affects the Department of Energy, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, and the nuclear industry by codifying rules for reactor testing, advanced reactor deployment, agency reform, and industrial base revitalization. The bill ensures these executive actions remain in effect as law rather than relying solely on presidential directives. It does not create new programs but instead formalizes existing administrative actions into statutory requirements.
The Ensuring Better Interest Treatment and Deductibility Act modifies how businesses calculate interest expense limits for tax purposes. It removes a specific exception related to adjusted taxable income calculations that was added in previous legislation. This change applies to tax years starting after December 31, 2025, affecting businesses that deduct interest expenses on their federal income tax returns. The bill aims to alter the rules governing Section 163(j) of the Internal Revenue Code without changing the overall cap on deductible interest.
The American Security Robotics Act of 2026 prohibits federal agencies from buying or using unmanned ground vehicles made by foreign entities linked to certain nations. It defines these vehicles as mechanical devices that move on the ground and operate without direct human control, including autonomous robots and remote surveillance systems. The ban takes effect one year after the law is passed and applies to both direct purchases and contracts for these services. Exceptions allow use for national security missions, research, or if the system is modified to remove foreign data connections and cybersecurity risks.
This bill, known as the Save Struggling Hospitals Act, modifies Medicare reimbursement rules to provide additional financial support to hospitals in low-wage areas. It directly affects hospitals whose geographic area wage index falls below the 25th percentile, increasing their reimbursement rates by half the difference between their current index and the 25th percentile threshold. The adjustment applies to discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2019, and is designed to be budget neutral, meaning the total amount paid out remains unchanged while redistributing funds from higher-wage to lower-wage areas. The law also includes safeguards to prevent hospitals in the 75th percentile or higher from losing funding and ensures no hospital's reimbursement drops below 95 percent of the previous year's rate.
The FARM Stability Act proposes changes to wage requirements for H-2A temporary agricultural workers in the United States. It would require the Secretary of Labor to establish a two-tiered wage system based on skill levels, with higher pay for workers who have formal training or significant experience compared to entry-level workers. The bill also mandates that wages account for housing costs by calculating an hourly adjustment factor based on average fair market rent for four-bedroom units, limited to 30 percent of the base wage rate. These provisions would directly affect employers hiring H-2A workers and the workers themselves by modifying how minimum wages are determined and adjusted annually.
HR 3447, the Chip Security Act, requires manufacturers to equip specific advanced integrated circuits (classified under export control numbers like 3A090) with security mechanisms before exporting them. These mechanisms must verify location and prevent unauthorized access, diversion, or tampering. The law mandates this for covered chips within 180 days of enactment, with a follow-up assessment within one year to develop additional security requirements. It directly affects U.S. chip exporters and importers of these high-tech products, aiming to strengthen export control compliance and national security.
Love Lives On Act of 2025 This bill extends entitlement for various benefit programs and services for surviving spouses of deceased members of the Armed Forces or veterans. The bill provides that the remarriage of a surviving spouse must not bar the furnishing of dependency and indemnity compensation or special pension benefits to such spouse. Additionally, the Department of Defense may not terminate the payment of an annuity for a surviving spouse under the Survivor Benefit Plan solely because the surviving spouse remarries. The bill also expands the definition of a dependent under TRICARE to include a remarried widow or widower whose subsequent marriage has ended due to death, divorce, or annulment.
This bill requires banks and credit unions to verify the citizenship or lawful immigration status of individuals opening or maintaining accounts in the United States. Financial institutions must accept specific documents such as passports, driver's licenses, or birth certificates to confirm a customer's identity and legal presence. The law includes provisions for temporary residents, allowing them to maintain accounts for a limited period after their authorized stay expires while restricting certain transactions. It also establishes penalties for individuals who open accounts without lawful status and provides safe harbors for financial institutions that make good-faith efforts to comply with verification requirements.
The Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act of 2026 increases Medicare reimbursement rates for psychologists by raising payment percentages from 75 percent to 85 percent of the standard fee schedule. This change directly affects Medicare beneficiaries and psychologists who provide mental health services under the Medicare program. The higher payment rates apply to services furnished on or after January 1, 2027, aiming to improve access to mental health care by increasing provider compensation.
This resolution expresses support for designating March 24, 2026, as National Agriculture Day to honor the agricultural industry. It does not create new laws or change existing policies but serves as a symbolic gesture to recognize agriculture's economic importance in the United States. The measure is a non-binding expression of appreciation rather than a legislative action with enforceable provisions.
