The FORGE Act establishes a new program within the Department of State called FIRST to support the international deployment of small modular nuclear reactors. Managed by the Under Secretary for Arms Control and International Security, this program aims to promote U.S. nuclear technology abroad by facilitating diplomatic efforts, offering safety and regulatory guidance, and providing early-stage project support to help American businesses compete fairly with state-backed rivals. The legislation requires the program to submit regular reports and briefings to Congress detailing its activities, partners, and funding, and it is set to expire in 2034.
This bill, the PIPELINE Safety Act of 2025, updates and strengthens pipeline safety regulations across the United States. It increases funding for pipeline safety programs through fiscal year 2030, requires risk-based inspections of pipeline facilities, and establishes a voluntary information-sharing system for pipeline safety data. The bill also addresses safety concerns related to emerging gases like hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and improves emergency response planning requirements. It directly affects pipeline operators, state pipeline safety programs, and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA).
This Senate resolution expresses the Senate's view that the United States should prioritize countering the People's Republic of China as its main strategic competitor. The document outlines specific policy directions, including strengthening military deterrence in the Indo-Pacific, protecting American economic interests from Chinese trade practices, and leading in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence. It also calls for maintaining strong alliances with nations such as Japan, South Korea, Australia, and the Philippines, while supporting democratic values and human rights globally.
This resolution expresses support for designating the week of May 8 through May 17, 2026, as National American Birding Week. It recognizes the economic value of birdwatching, noting that it generates billions in revenue and supports millions of jobs. The bill also highlights the importance of conserving migratory bird populations and encourages the public to attend related events. This measure is symbolic and does not create new laws or funding.
Ensuring Seniors' Access to Quality Care Act This bill repeals certain restrictions under Medicare and Medicaid that prohibit the approval of nurse-aide training and competency evaluation programs in skilled nursing facilities that have been subject to specified regulatory actions (e.g., civil penalties) for substandard quality of care. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) must still disapprove such programs for up to two years; however, the CMS must rescind the disapproval upon completion of corrective action and may require additional oversight of the program for purposes of rescission. The bill also allows Medicaid and Medicare providers (e.g., skilled nursing facilities) to access, through the National Practitioner Data Bank, disciplinary information for affiliated physicians and other health care practitioners, as reported by state licensing authorities.
The WAGES Act of 2026 introduces a new federal tax credit to encourage employers to hire and train workers through registered apprenticeship programs. This financial incentive allows eligible businesses to claim a credit equal to 50 percent of qualified wages and program expenses, with specific caps on the amount that can be claimed per quarter. The bill also modifies tax rules regarding apprenticeship awards, allowing certain items given to apprentices to be treated as non-taxable employee achievement awards rather than taxable income. These changes are designed to reduce the financial burden on companies investing in workforce development while providing a clear pathway for apprentices to gain skills and credentials.
The AI OVERWATCH Act establishes new export controls on advanced integrated circuits destined for specific countries of concern, including China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and Cuba. It requires companies to obtain a specific license for each export of high-performance chips, prohibiting the use of general licenses and mandating detailed certifications to Congress regarding national security and defense impacts. The bill defines these restricted chips by their technical processing power and creates a "trusted United States person" program that allows certain domestic entities to bypass licensing requirements if they meet strict security and ownership standards. Additionally, the legislation requires the government to develop an "American Artificial Intelligence Victory Strategy" outlining how to maintain U.S. leadership in AI against foreign competitors.
This bill requires state driver license agencies to report expiration dates and copies of non-domiciled commercial driver's licenses to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. The administration will then use a federal verification system to check if these drivers have unlawful presence in the United States and share that information with immigration officials if necessary. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reports to Congress detailing how many such licenses were flagged and where they were issued. States that fail to comply with these reporting requirements may face financial penalties under existing federal laws.
The VERIFY Act of 2026 directs the Department of Homeland Security to upgrade the SAVE program, which verifies immigration status for individuals applying for federal benefits, to ensure faster and more accurate responses. Key provisions require modernizing the system's technology to reduce delays, integrating it with other government databases for better data sharing, and mandating that status changes be reflected within 24 hours. The bill also establishes strict rules for using automated tools, ensuring human review is required for any negative eligibility decisions and prohibiting the use of the system for general law enforcement or criminal history checks. Additionally, the act prohibits charging fees to government agencies for verification queries and mandates regular audits by the Inspector General to monitor accuracy and compliance.
The FLEETS Now Act aims to strengthen the U.S. shipbuilding industry by creating new government roles, establishing international partnerships with allies, and investigating unfair practices by Chinese state-owned shipbuilding companies. It creates a new Assistant Secretary position at the State Department to oversee maritime and space affairs, designates a lead official for international shipbuilding investment, and sets up an exchange program for shipbuilding experts between the U.S. and other countries. The bill also requires regular reports on Chinese shipbuilding entities, establishes a framework for allied countries to collaborate on ship production, and directs U.S. diplomats to advocate for changes at the International Maritime Organization regarding environmental regulations and leadership positions.
The Reward Work Act prohibits companies from buying back their own stock on public exchanges while requiring at least one-third of corporate board members to be elected by employees. Under this bill, corporations would need to hold one-employee-one-vote elections to select these worker representatives, with the Securities and Exchange Commission tasked with creating rules to ensure fair and democratic processes. The legislation specifically targets publicly traded companies and their boards of directors, aiming to increase worker influence in corporate governance through direct election mechanisms.
HR 8603, the Dismemberment Abortion Ban Act of 2026, prohibits physicians from performing abortions that involve dismembering an unborn child and extracting it piece by piece or crushed from the uterus. The law allows exceptions only when the procedure is necessary to save the mother's life, while explicitly permitting other abortion methods for reasons such as rape or incest. It imposes criminal penalties of up to two years in prison or fines on physicians who violate the ban and creates a civil lawsuit system where women or parents of minors can seek monetary damages and attorney fees against providers. The bill also defines an 'unborn child' as a human organism from fertilization until birth and clarifies that the woman undergoing the procedure cannot be prosecuted or held financially liable.
