The Iran Human Rights, Internet Freedom, and Accountability Act of 2026 aims to support Iranian citizens' access to information and human rights by expanding U.S. government efforts to promote internet freedom in Iran. The bill requires the State Department to coordinate internet freedom initiatives, develop technologies to circumvent internet blackouts (including satellite internet and mesh networks), and increase funding for programs that provide Iranians with tools to access open internet services. It also establishes procedures for identifying and sanctioning individuals who support the Iranian regime's human rights abuses. The legislation directly affects U.S. government agencies, Iranian citizens seeking to access information, and organizations working to support internet freedom in Iran.
This bill amends the Passport Act to allow qualified public libraries to collect and keep passport application fees. Specifically, it authorizes nonprofit or charitable public libraries (that meet State Department regulations) to serve as passport acceptance facilities and retain the standard execution fee. Existing libraries that previously processed passport applications automatically gain this authority within 30 days of the bill's enactment. The change updates the Passport Act to explicitly include such libraries as authorized entities alongside government offices and the U.S. Postal Service.
This Senate resolution honors the 35th anniversary of independence for five Central Asian nations: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. It formally acknowledges the growing partnership between the United States and these countries, highlighting their roles in countering regional threats and facilitating global trade. The measure also reaffirms the principle that these nations have the right to choose their own foreign policies and security alliances without outside pressure. Ultimately, the resolution expresses support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the region as a foundation for broader Eurasian stability.
This Senate resolution recognizes the importance of independent living and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities, emphasizing their right to live in their own homes and communities. It calls on the Department of Justice to rescind a recent opinion that the Senate views as undermining the legal requirement to provide community-based services instead of institutional care. The document also urges various federal agencies to improve funding for home and community-based services, increase accessible housing and transportation, and promote competitive employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Additionally, the resolution pledges bipartisan efforts to address barriers faced by individuals with disabilities, including those of color, and opposes cuts to the Medicaid program that could limit access to essential support services.
This resolution directs the Speaker of the House to file a lawsuit on behalf of Congress against the President and other executive officials who have failed to follow constitutional duties regarding military actions in Iran. The bill specifically targets the continuation of hostilities that exceed the time limits set by the War Powers Resolution and ignores a prior congressional order to withdraw troops. If passed, the House of Representatives would intervene in federal court to seek legal relief, with the Office of the General Counsel representing the institution in these civil actions.
The SHIELD Our Elections Act introduces new legal tools to protect election integrity by allowing individuals to file civil lawsuits against those who harass or intimidate voters at polling places. It extends the time limit for prosecuting election-related crimes to nine years and establishes strict rules preventing the seizure of ballots and voting equipment until all legal challenges are resolved. Additionally, the bill creates a federal grant program to help states implement systems that track and notify voters about the status of their mail-in and absentee ballots. These provisions aim to provide clearer legal recourse for election interference, ensure longer accountability periods for offenders, and increase transparency in the ballot counting process.
This bill establishes a formal code of conduct for all federal judges and specifically requires the Supreme Court to create its own set of ethical rules for justices. It creates a new position called Ethics Investigations Counsel to enforce these rules, investigate potential violations, and publish annual public reports on the findings. Additionally, the legislation mandates that Supreme Court justices publicly explain their reasons for disqualifying themselves or denying requests for disqualification in any case.
This bill requires the United States Postal Service to continue selling the Alzheimer's semipostal stamp for an additional six years. The proceeds from these sales will be transferred to the National Institutes of Health at least twice a year to support medical research on Alzheimer's disease. By extending the sale period, the legislation ensures that the public has more time to purchase the stamp and contribute to funding for this specific health research initiative.
The Health Over Wealth Act requires for-profit corporations that own or invest in hospitals, nursing facilities, and other health care providers to submit detailed annual reports to the government regarding their financial status, debt levels, staffing changes, and political spending. To protect public access to care, the bill mandates that hospitals must provide at least 90 days of notice before closing or discontinuing essential services and must submit a mitigation plan to ensure patients and staff are not left without support. Additionally, the legislation establishes a new licensing system for private equity firms investing in health care, gives the government authority to block risky mergers or acquisitions, and changes bankruptcy laws to prioritize the repayment of employee pension liabilities over other debts.
The Right to IVF Act of 2026 establishes federal protections to ensure individuals can access assisted reproductive technology and intrauterine insemination without state-imposed restrictions, while also mandating that health insurance plans, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Federal Employees Health Benefits program cover these services. The bill defines these procedures broadly to include treatments like egg and embryo freezing and requires coverage regardless of whether a patient has been diagnosed with infertility. It further directs the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide fertility preservation and reproductive assistance to uniformed service members and veterans, including funding for egg or sperm retrieval and storage. Additionally, the legislation grants federal courts the authority to challenge and block any state laws that limit access to these reproductive treatments or discriminate against providers and patients based on protected characteristics.
The Temporary Protected Status Review Act restores the ability of courts to review decisions by the Department of Homeland Security to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for foreign nationals. Under this bill, the government must publish detailed written findings explaining why a country no longer qualifies for TPS protection, and these decisions would be subject to a legal challenge in federal court. If a TPS designation is terminated, the affected individuals would remain in the United States with their current status and work authorization intact while the legal challenge is pending. Additionally, the legislation requires the government to follow specific administrative procedures, such as considering all available evidence and avoiding bias, before making any termination decisions.
This bill establishes federal protections and funding to expand access to in vitro fertilization and intrauterine insemination for individuals, military service members, and veterans. It requires most private health plans, Medicaid programs, and Medicare to cover these fertility treatments without imposing higher cost-sharing than other medical services. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs provide specific fertility preservation and treatment benefits to uniformed service members and eligible veterans. The bill also includes preemption clauses that override state laws restricting these procedures and prohibits discrimination based on marital status, sex, or sexual orientation in the provision of care.
