This bill, known as the Direct File Act of 2026, would establish a government-run online system allowing taxpayers to prepare and file their individual income tax returns for free. The legislation prohibits the Treasury Department from entering into agreements that restrict its ability to provide tax preparation or filing services, and it voids any existing contracts with such restrictions. The program would use IRS data to simplify filing, include customer support, be available in multiple languages, and allow users to file even if they are not required to. It also enables taxpayers in participating states to file state and local returns alongside their federal returns, with funding provided to states that meet certain standards.
The DISCLOSE Act of 2026 aims to increase transparency in election spending and prevent foreign influence. It expands the ban on foreign money to cover federal, state, and local elections, including ballot initiatives and judicial nominations, and criminalizes using corporations to conceal these funds. The bill mandates that organizations spending over $10,000 on campaign-related activities, such as independent expenditures or judicial nomination advocacy, disclose their beneficial owners and top donors. Additionally, it establishes new "Stand By Every Ad" disclaimers for political communications, requiring the highest-ranking official to approve the message and, for certain ads, list their top funders. These provisions directly affect non-candidate organizations, individuals involved in political and judicial nomination spending, and foreign nationals.
This bill would allow the U.S. Foreign Claims Settlement Commission to review and process compensation claims from American citizens and businesses against the Government of Honduras for property that was taken or expropriated. It directly affects U.S. persons who allege their property was seized by Honduran authorities and would enable them to seek financial redress through an established legal process. The legislation amends existing federal law to add Honduras to the list of countries whose expropriation claims can be adjudicated, including claims against government agencies and local subdivisions. The bill sets a specific deadline for filing claims, requiring submissions within 60 days of the law's enactment.
This bill, known as the Stop Child Care Funding Fraud Act of 2026, requires states to report on the rate of improper payments made with federal child care funds and outlines specific penalties for high error rates. States must submit reports by June 30 of each program period detailing payment errors and plans to reduce them, with penalties ranging from 5 to 15 percent funding reductions if improper payment rates exceed 6 percent. The law also mandates that states create corrective action plans when error rates are too high and requires the Secretary to publish state-by-state data on payment accuracy in annual reports. These provisions aim to increase transparency and accountability in how states manage federal child care block grant money.
This bill, known as the AI Fraud Accountability Act, makes it a federal crime to use artificial intelligence or other technology to create realistic digital impersonations of real or fictional people for the purpose of defrauding others of money, documents, or other valuable items. The law applies to communications across state lines and foreign borders, and it allows for criminal penalties including fines and up to three years in prison, along with the forfeiture of assets used to commit the fraud. In addition to criminal provisions, the bill gives the Federal Trade Commission authority to enforce these rules as unfair or deceptive business practices and requires the creation of a working group to develop technical best practices for detecting and preventing digital impersonation fraud. The legislation also establishes mechanisms for international cooperation with foreign law enforcement agencies to combat cross-border fraud and includes a safeguard protecting parody, satire, and journalism from being classified as illegal impersonation.
HR 7803, the "Save Medicare Act," renames Medicare Advantage plans to "Alternative Private Health Plan" for all federal references, including in the Social Security Act. It requires health plans to stop using "Medicare" in their titles after enactment, imposing a $100,000 civil penalty per violation. The change applies to all Part C Medicare plans and mandates a full transition by October 15, 2023, with a temporary period allowing both terms to be used during the switch. This bill directly affects private health insurers offering Medicare Part C plans and federal agencies managing Medicare programs. The policy change is solely about terminology, not benefits or coverage.
This bill reauthorizes and modernizes Trade Adjustment Assistance programs to help workers, firms, communities, and farmers affected by trade-related job losses. It extends program funding through 2033 and expands eligibility to include teleworkers, staffed workers, and public agency employees. Key provisions increase financial benefits, add new allowances for childcare and job search, require inflation adjustments to benefit amounts, and establish new outreach requirements to ensure underserved communities receive adequate support. The legislation also creates a new community assistance program providing grants for strategic economic development planning and expands technical assistance for businesses seeking adjustment support.
America the Beautiful Motorcycle Fairness Act This bill allows an additional motorcycle, including passengers, to accompany a motorcyclist with an America the Beautiful Annual Pass when visiting federal recreational lands and waters. In 2024, the Department of the Interior limited the pass coverage to one motorcycle per pass rather than two. The bill specifies that the pass must cover the entrance fee and standard amenity recreation fee for the passholder and any passengers on the motorcycle along with one additional motorcycle with its passengers. The bill also codifies current Interior policy that the pass covers the fees for a passholder and any accompanying passengers in a noncommercial vehicle.
Critical Mineral Consistency Act of 2025 This bill modifies the Energy Act of 2020 to expand the definition of critical minerals to include critical materials designated by the Department of Energy (DOE). Under current law, DOE's critical materials list contains certain materials that are essential for energy, including those on the critical minerals list of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The USGS's list, which contains certain minerals that are essential to the nation's economic or national security, is not required to include the materials on DOE's list. Currently, both lists include minerals with a high risk of supply chain disruptions, and both DOE and USGS must conduct a variety of efforts to ensure a secure and reliable supply chain of the minerals. By expanding the definition of critical minerals , this bill requires the USGS to include on its list the materials on DOE's list. Within 45 days of DOE adding a mineral, element, substance, or material to its critical materials list, the USGS must update its list to include such mineral, element, substance, or material.
HCONRES 72 is a procedural bill authorizing the use of Emancipation Hall in the Capitol Visitor Center for a specific Holocaust remembrance ceremony on April 14, 2026. It does not create new policies or affect any individuals or groups; it only permits the Capitol Visitor Center to host this commemorative event. The Architect of the Capitol will oversee any physical preparations required for the ceremony. This is a one-time authorization for a ceremonial purpose, not a substantive legislative change.
The Stop Militarizing Law Enforcement Act reforms the Department of Defense's 1033 program, which transfers surplus military equipment to federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies. The bill prohibits the transfer of specific military-grade items, including controlled firearms (like automatic weapons), ammunition, grenades, mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles, and silencers. For any permitted transfers, non-federal agencies must notify their local community, get approval from their local governing body, and certify the equipment's necessity for specific public safety or emergency purposes. The bill also mandates increased accountability for all transferred property, prohibits agencies from taking ownership, and requires the return of equipment if an agency is involved in widespread civil liberties abuses using that property.
The MINT Act modifies rules for federal home loan banks backing tax-exempt bonds used in community development projects. It removes a 2010 deadline for certain bond issuances and shifts safety requirements to be set by the Federal Housing Finance Agency Director, rather than fixed standards. This directly affects community development organizations and local governments using tax-exempt bonds for housing or neighborhood revitalization. The changes apply to guarantees issued after the bill's enactment, streamlining how these bonds are secured.
