The Intelligence Community Inspector General Parity Act of 2026 grants the Office of the Inspector General of the Intelligence Community the same law enforcement authority as other federal inspector generals. This change allows the office to conduct criminal investigations and make arrests, a power it did not previously possess. The bill achieves this by adding specific legal language to the National Security Act of 1947 and updating related sections in the U.S. Code. Ultimately, the legislation aims to align the investigative capabilities of the intelligence community's oversight body with those of other federal agencies.
The Warfighter Artificial Intelligence Readiness and Preparedness Act of 2026 requires the Department of Defense to study how adopting artificial intelligence affects soldiers' ability to keep essential skills and perform effectively without technology. Starting in 2027, the Secretary of Defense must lead a comprehensive assessment and research program to identify which military roles are most at risk of losing critical abilities due to over-reliance on AI systems. This study will examine performance in both normal and emergency situations where AI tools fail, using simulations and data to determine how long it takes personnel to regain lost skills. The bill mandates that the Defense Department submit detailed reports to Congress every year and provide briefings on its findings to ensure training and policies adapt to maintain human proficiency alongside new technologies.
The SUSTAIN Act prevents the Air Force from reducing the number of MQ-9 unmanned aircraft or cutting staff levels for these units during the period from enactment until September 30, 2032. This restriction applies to both the active Air Force and the Air National Guard, ensuring that existing mission capabilities and personnel assignments remain at current levels unless specific exceptions are met. Exceptions allow for removing individual aircraft that are unsafe or obsolete, or for converting entire units to new missions if approved by the relevant governor and supported by a detailed plan. Additionally, the bill requires the Air Force to consult with National Guard leaders before making any changes to these units and mandates a report within 180 days outlining a long-term plan to modernize the MQ-9 fleet.
The Federal Firearms Licensee Protection Act of 2026 increases penalties for individuals who knowingly violate federal laws regarding the possession of firearms by licensed dealers. Specifically, it raises the maximum prison sentence for such violations to 20 years and mandates a minimum of three years in prison if the offense occurs during a burglary of a licensed business. The law also sets a five-year minimum sentence if the violation happens during a robbery. These changes directly affect federal firearms licensees and anyone attempting to illegally possess firearms from them.
This bill increases monthly disability compensation for veterans eligible for aid and attendance by adding a $833.33 supplemental payment, effective December 2026. It also creates an automatic adjustment for dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) payments, tying them to Social Security benefit increases plus an additional 1%, for up to five years starting December 2026. Additionally, it temporarily allows the VA to collect fees for certain housing loans from veterans with a 70% or lower disability rating (2025-2035), effective August 2026. These changes directly affect veterans receiving disability compensation, surviving family members receiving DIC, and veterans applying for VA-guaranteed housing loans.
The Government Bailout Prevention Act prohibits the use of federal funds, Treasury resources, or Federal Reserve assistance to support state, local, or school district governments facing financial distress starting January 1, 2026. Specifically, the bill bars the government from purchasing or guaranteeing debt for entities that have filed for bankruptcy, defaulted on obligations, or are at risk of defaulting without such help. This restriction also covers debt restructuring activities but includes an exception for financial aid provided in response to declared disasters.
The Medicare Access to Radiology Care Act of 2026 allows Medicare to pay for services provided by radiologist assistants, who are certified professionals working under the direct supervision of a radiologist. This legislation defines these services as those legally permitted by state law and ensures that payment goes to the supervising radiologist rather than the assistant. The bill applies to services rendered in hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, and other specified facility settings starting on January 1, 2027. By adding radiologist assistant services to the list of covered benefits, the act aims to expand access to diagnostic imaging while maintaining the existing requirement that assistants operate within a radiologist-led team.
The Mandatory E-Verify Act of 2026 makes the E-Verify employment eligibility verification system permanent and mandatory for all employers in the United States, including those who hire, recruit, or refer individuals for jobs. The bill requires employers to use the system within a phased timeline based on company size, ranging from six months for large businesses with 10,000 or more employees to 18 months for smaller businesses with fewer than 20 employees, while exempting agricultural labor verification until 18 months after enactment. Key provisions include increased civil and criminal penalties for non-compliance, the ability for the government to debar repeat violators from federal contracts, and a requirement that states sharing driver's license data with the system remain eligible for certain federal funding. Additionally, the act establishes a self-check feature for individuals to verify their own status, expands data sharing between federal and state agencies to prevent fraud, and creates a good-faith defense for employers who rely on the system's results.
This bill creates a new exception for small community banks under the FDIC's deposit broker rules. It allows banks with less than $10 billion in assets to treat certain custodial deposits (like retirement plan funds held in trust) as non-brokered deposits, provided they don't exceed 20% of the bank's total liabilities. The bill also restricts interest rates on these deposits for banks that aren't "well capitalized," capping rates at normal market levels for similar deposits. This directly affects small community banks handling trust deposits, easing regulatory constraints while preventing excessive interest payments. The key change is clarifying how custodial deposits are counted for regulatory purposes.
This bill would add pharmacist services to Medicare Part B coverage for beneficiaries, specifically covering pharmacist-led testing and treatment for illnesses like flu, COVID-19, or strep throat during public health emergencies. It defines covered services as those performed under state law, often requiring collaboration with a physician, and sets payment at 80% of the lesser of the actual charge or 85% of physician payment rates. Pharmacists would be prohibited from balance billing for these services, ensuring Medicare beneficiaries pay only their standard copayment. The changes would take effect January 1, 2026.
This bill authorizes the U.S. Mint to produce commemorative $5 gold and $1 silver coins marking the 25th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The coins must feature designs honoring victims and first responders (including the inscription "Never Forget") and will be sold only during 2027-2028. All surcharges ($35 per gold coin, $10 per silver coin) collected from sales will fund the National September 11 Memorial and Museum at the World Trade Center, with no net cost to the federal government. The coins are legal tender but primarily intended for collectors, not circulation.
The Smithsonian American Women’s History Museum Act authorizes the creation of a new Smithsonian museum dedicated to women’s history, to be located within the National Mall Reserve in Washington, D.C. If the site is managed by another federal agency, the bill requires that agency to transfer the land after notifying Congress and relevant committees. The museum must ensure exhibits and programs accurately represent diverse women’s experiences by consulting a broad range of experts and community voices. The Smithsonian will submit biennial reports to Congress detailing how the museum meets these representation standards.
