The Diversity Jurisdiction Inflation Adjustment Act updates the minimum monetary threshold required for federal courts to hear cases based on diversity of citizenship. It raises the current limit of $75,000 to $150,000 and establishes a mechanism to automatically adjust this amount every ten years starting in 2030 based on changes in the Consumer Price Index. The Director of the Administrative Office of the United States Courts will calculate these adjustments and publish them annually, ensuring the threshold keeps pace with inflation. Additionally, the bill clarifies that if a plaintiff recovers less than the required amount, the court may deny or impose costs on them. This legislation directly affects individuals and businesses seeking to file civil lawsuits in federal court by changing the financial requirements for jurisdiction.
National Plan for Epilepsy Act This bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a national plan, form an advisory council, and take other actions to address epilepsy. The requirements sunset on December 31, 2035. Specifically, the bill requires HHS to carry out a National Plan for Epilepsy to prevent, diagnose, treat, and cure epilepsy. In carrying out the plan, HHS must implement activities such as coordinating research and services across all federal agencies and soliciting public comments. Also, HHS must establish an Advisory Council on Epilepsy Research, Care, and Services. The advisory council must report to HHS and Congress every two years with an evaluation of federally funded efforts. Additionally, HHS must annually report to Congress with recommended actions based on its assessments of the nation’s progress on epilepsy.
HR 5334, the SEED Act of 2025, expands the existing educator expense deduction under federal tax law to explicitly include early childhood educators. It revises the Internal Revenue Code to cover expenses for "early childhood educators" and broadens the educational levels affected to include "pre-kindergarten through grade 12." This change allows early childhood educators (such as preschool teachers) to deduct work-related expenses like classroom supplies and professional development costs, which they previously could not claim under the existing deduction for "kindergarten through grade 12" teachers. The amendment applies to expenses incurred in taxable years beginning after December 31, 2024.
This Senate resolution supports designating the week from September 11 to September 17, 2026, as "Patriot Week" to honor American history and foundational values. The bill encourages citizens, educational institutions, and government agencies at all levels to participate in activities that promote the study of U.S. history, founding documents, and national symbols. It also acknowledges the victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks while emphasizing the importance of renewing civic engagement with the nation's core principles each year.
The INSULIN Act of 2026 requires health insurance plans to limit insulin copayments to $35 per 30-day supply starting in 2027, with plans choosing to cap costs at 25% of the negotiated price after 2028. The bill also mandates that pharmacy benefit managers pass all rebates and discounts related to insulin directly to health plans rather than retaining them. Additional provisions include measures to speed up the approval process for generic and biosimilar insulin products, establish a pilot program to provide affordable insulin to uninsured individuals in 10 states, and create a resource center and hotline to help uninsured people access assistance programs.
This resolution designates the week of August 22 through August 30, 2026, as "National Park Week." It directly affects the public by encouraging responsible visits and support for the National Park System, which includes parks, battlefields, and historical sites located across the United States and its territories. The measure serves as a formal declaration to highlight the parks' role in recreation, education, and economic activity without altering any laws or funding.
This resolution establishes a mandatory process for the U.S. Senate to address the long-term fiscal stability of Social Security by creating a bipartisan working group that must submit legislative proposals within specific deadlines. The bill requires the Senate to introduce and consider legislation that ensures the Social Security Trust Funds can pay 100 percent of scheduled benefits for at least 50 years, restricting debate to 30 hours and limiting amendments to those that meet this solvency standard. Passage of the final bill in the Senate requires a three-fifths supermajority vote, and the resolution prohibits the inclusion of any provisions unrelated to changing Social Security outlays, revenues, or financing.
The Financial Artificial Intelligence Risk Reduction Act directs the Financial Stability Oversight Council to assess how artificial intelligence impacts financial system stability and requires it to submit a report to Congress within 180 days identifying specific threats, regulatory gaps, and recommendations for action. The bill mandates that the Securities and Exchange Commission issue rules requiring major financial entities, such as issuers and brokers, to establish policies and controls that specifically address their use of AI, including governance measures for testing, monitoring, and human oversight. Additionally, it expands regulatory authority over third-party service providers by allowing federal housing finance agencies to examine contractors performing activities on behalf of regulated entities and clarifies that the use of AI does not excuse compliance with existing securities laws.
The Afghanistan TPS Act of 2026 grants Temporary Protected Status to Afghan nationals who have been continuously present in the United States since the bill's enactment, providing them with legal protection and work authorization until July 1, 2029. To qualify, applicants must register with biometric data and pass criminal and national security background checks, while the Department of Homeland Security is required to process these applications within 90 days, subject to a potential extension for specific security concerns. The legislation also allows recipients to apply for waivers on filing fees and permits brief international travel in cases of emergency or extenuating circumstances.
The Supporting Disabled Entrepreneurs Act establishes a new position within the Small Business Administration’s Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Civil Rights to coordinate support for businesses owned by individuals with disabilities. This Coordinator is tasked with developing strategies, facilitating outreach, and creating training programs to help these businesses access capital, counseling, and federal contracting opportunities. The bill requires the SBA to voluntarily collect data on the disability status of small business owners through intake forms and to publicly report on services provided to this group. Additionally, the Coordinator must hold semi-annual public meetings with stakeholders and submit a report to Congress within two years detailing program effectiveness and recommendations for further support.
The Green New Deal for Public Housing Act directs the Department of Housing and Urban Development to provide grants to public housing agencies and tribal entities for the comprehensive rehabilitation, energy upgrades, and modernization of public housing stock. These funds are intended to transform properties into zero-carbon homes by installing renewable energy systems, electrifying appliances, and repairing infrastructure, while also establishing workforce development programs that offer training, apprenticeships, and stipends to residents and local low-income workers. The bill mandates strict labor standards, including prevailing wages and the use of U.S.-made materials, and requires agencies to maintain or increase the total number of public housing units while prioritizing resident participation through elected councils and community engagement processes.
The READ Act aims to improve student literacy by directing federal funding toward evidence-based reading instruction known as the science of reading, which explicitly teaches phonics and decoding while prohibiting the use of the three-cueing model. Under this bill, the U.S. Department of Education would distribute grants to states, with a specific focus on those performing in the lowest tier of reading assessments, to implement statewide policies, update teacher training standards, and provide universal early literacy screenings for all students before third grade. The legislation also requires schools to notify parents when a student is identified as at risk for reading difficulties and mandates that these notifications be provided in the family's primary language. Additionally, the act allocates funds to support high-quality instructional materials, literacy coaching for teachers, and interventions like tutoring for struggling readers, while ensuring that federal money supplements rather than replaces local education spending.
