This bill, titled the No Presidential Self-Serving Lawsuits Act of 2026, prevents the current or former President of the United States from filing civil lawsuits against the federal government. It specifically invalidates an existing settlement agreement between a former President and the Internal Revenue Service and bars the use of federal funds to create compensation for such lawsuits. Additionally, the legislation authorizes the Treasury Secretary to recover any money already spent in violation of these new restrictions. The primary goal is to stop a President from using taxpayer money to settle legal disputes with the government they lead.
This bill extends the Rural Community Hospital Demonstration Program by an additional five years, allowing rural hospitals to continue receiving Medicare payment adjustments designed to help them compete with larger health systems. The legislation amends existing federal laws to change the program's timeline from a 15-year extension to a 20-year extension, ensuring these financial incentives remain in place for a longer period. It also includes specific rules for hospitals that joined the program later, ensuring they receive the same extended benefits during the final years of the new timeframe. The primary effect is to maintain current funding mechanisms for participating rural hospitals without altering the core rules of the demonstration.
The Bipartisan Transparency for American Taxpayers Act prohibits the use of federal funds to pay claims submitted to the Anti-Weaponization Fund. This fund was established by the Department of Justice on May 18, 2026, and the bill specifically bars any money from being used for these payments. The legislation directly affects the Department of Justice and any individuals or entities seeking reimbursement from this specific fund. By restricting funding sources, the bill aims to prevent taxpayer money from being spent on claims directed to this newly created entity.
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.
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.
The Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act bans the imposition of the death penalty for any federal crime committed on or after the date the law takes effect. It directly affects individuals currently facing or serving federal death sentences by requiring that all such cases be resentenced to a penalty other than death. This legislation removes the death penalty as a sentencing option for federal offenses and mandates a review for those already sentenced to die before the bill becomes law.
The Increasing Opportunity For Reindustrialization Act modifies the tax code to allow former military installations closed during base realignment rounds to be designated as Qualified Opportunity Zones. This change directly affects communities located on these former Department of Defense sites, enabling them to access federal tax incentives typically reserved for low-income areas. Under the new provisions, census tracts containing these closed installations can be nominated as Opportunity Zones even if they do not strictly meet the usual low-income thresholds, while also increasing the total number of such zones a state can designate. The bill aims to stimulate economic development and job creation in these specific areas by leveraging existing tax benefits for investors.
This bill increases the corporate tax rate on stock buybacks to 25 percent for large oil and gas companies that meet specific revenue and operational criteria. It targets corporations with an average annual gross receipt of at least $1 billion that are primarily engaged in producing, refining, processing, transporting, or distributing oil or natural gas. The higher tax rate applies only to stock repurchases made after the bill is enacted and before gasoline prices fall below $2.937 per gallon for five consecutive weeks. If gasoline prices drop below this threshold, the special tax provision ceases to apply, and companies may claim a partial reduction in their tax liability based on the duration of the high-price period.
The Ensuring Access to General Surgery Act of 2026 directs the Health Resources and Services Administration to conduct a comprehensive study on how to better identify areas underserved by general surgeons. This study will evaluate current shortage designations and test a new methodology that maps hospital services against patient populations to determine if there are enough surgeons to meet local needs. Following the study, the agency may create a formal system to designate specific general surgery shortage areas, which would be updated annually based on data regarding wait times, health outcomes, and geographic access. The bill requires the government to consult with medical professionals and patient groups throughout this process and to publish regular data reports on the availability of surgical care across urban, suburban, and rural regions.
The All Students Count Act of 2026 requires schools to break down educational data into more specific categories for Asian American and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander students, moving beyond broad groupings to include distinct ethnicities like Chinese, Vietnamese, and Samoan. This change mandates that states report performance metrics for these detailed subgroups within their existing accountability systems to better reflect the diverse backgrounds of these communities. The bill takes effect 18 months after enactment, allowing time for states to adjust their data collection and reporting processes to accommodate the new requirements.
This bill nullifies a specific decision made by the Endangered Species Committee regarding oil and gas operations in the Gulf of America. It immediately cancels any exemptions previously granted to these activities under the Endangered Species Act and bars federal agencies from using funds to enforce the canceled order. For a three-year period starting when the bill is enacted, the committee is prohibited from issuing any new exemptions for Gulf oil and gas projects. Consequently, all standard environmental protections required by the Endangered Species Act will continue to apply fully to these activities.
The No Taxpayer-Funded Settlement Slush Funds Act of 2026 prohibits the use of federal money to pay specific settlements involving high-ranking government officials and their close associates. It bars payments to the President, Vice President, their immediate families, cabinet members, senior executive staff, political appointees, and individuals connected to these roles, as well as any entity owned by the President or Vice President. Additionally, the bill restricts settlements related to claims about the January 6 Capitol attack, foreign election interference, or previously dismissed lawsuits, while requiring Treasury reports for large settlements and allowing the government to seek repayment if rules are broken.
