The SAVE Moms and Babies Act of 2026 prohibits the FDA from approving new abortion drugs or granting investigational exemptions for them. It requires existing approved abortion drugs to be dispensed only in-person by certified healthcare providers in clinics or hospitals (not pharmacies), mandates providers to verify pregnancy duration and handle complications, and enforces strict adverse event reporting to the FDA. The bill directly affects healthcare providers prescribing abortion drugs, patients seeking these medications, and the FDA’s regulatory authority over such drugs. Key provisions include banning use after 70 days gestation, requiring provider certification for specific medical capabilities, and mandating documentation of risks to patients.
This bill designates the Department of Veterans Affairs community-based outpatient clinic in Lafayette, Louisiana, as the "Rodney C. Hamilton Sr. VA Clinic" to honor his service and contributions. It commemorates Rodney C. Hamilton Sr., a Marine Corps veteran wounded in the Korean War (awarded the Purple Heart), who co-founded the clinic's development and served Lafayette as a public official. The bill changes all official references to the facility to reflect this name, effective upon enactment. It is a purely commemorative act with no policy or funding changes.
HR 7252, the Restoring Community Trust Act of 2026, repeals Section 642 of the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (8 U.S.C. 1373). This provision currently requires state and local government agencies to share information about individuals with federal immigration authorities. The bill removes this mandate, allowing states and localities to decide independently whether to share such information with federal immigration officials, consistent with their own laws. It does not prohibit voluntary cooperation but aims to restore state authority over internal operations and reduce legal uncertainty for local governments.
HR 7262, the READ Act, provides $200 million annually (2026-2030) to help schools recover after disasters. It directs funds to state education agencies, which then distribute them to local public schools and non-public schools serving areas hit by declared disasters (like hurricanes or wildfires). Funds cover immediate recovery needs such as replacing lost student data, repairing minor facility damage, renting temporary classrooms, and replacing basic instructional materials - while prohibiting major construction or ideological content. Non-public schools must receive funding proportional to their student enrollment, ensuring equitable support compared to public schools. The bill requires funds to supplement, not replace, existing disaster aid.
The Prison Libraries Act of 2026 establishes a federal grant program to fund library services in state and territorial correctional facilities, directly benefiting incarcerated individuals. It requires grantees (states/territories) to submit plans demonstrating need, including demographic data on prison populations, and prohibits using funds for non-library purposes like food or facility maintenance. Grant funds must support library services such as digital access, educational programming (including job training and post-secondary curriculum), literacy initiatives, and partnerships with public libraries. The program authorizes $10 million annually from 2026-2031, prioritizes measurable outcomes like increased literacy and post-release employment opportunities, and mandates free access to all library resources for incarcerated people.
HR 7235, the "Protecting Motherhood Act," requires all federal agencies to stop using the term "birthing person" in official documents and instead use specific terms like "female," "mother," "pregnant woman," or "woman." It directly affects federal agencies that produce regulations, forms, or communications, mandating the use of these defined terms when referring to individuals based on biological sex. The bill provides detailed definitions for terms like "female" (based on biological sex at conception) and "pregnant woman" (an adult human female carrying a child). The law takes effect 30 days after enactment. This is a procedural change focused solely on terminology in government documents, with no direct impact on healthcare access or services.
The Human Trafficking Awareness Training Recognition Act of 2026 creates a certification program for employers in industries with high human trafficking prevalence, allowing them to earn recognition after providing employee training on identifying and responding to human trafficking. Employers must apply annually between January 31 and April 30, detailing their training efforts, and the Secretary of Homeland Security will issue a one-year certificate to qualifying employers. The program prohibits false displays of certification, mandates annual reports to Congress on participation and costs, and authorizes application fees to cover administrative expenses.
HCONRES 68 would require the President to remove U.S. military forces from Venezuela unless Congress has explicitly authorized their use through a declaration of war or a specific law. This applies to any U.S. Armed Forces currently stationed in Venezuela without such authorization. The resolution is based on the War Powers Resolution, which mandates congressional oversight of military deployments. It directs the immediate withdrawal of unapproved forces without adding new time limits or conditions.
This bill creates a tax credit for businesses selling products made with U.S.-grown cotton. The credit equals 24% of the cotton's market value if processed only in the U.S. or in countries with U.S. trade deals, or 18% for other processing locations. To qualify, cotton must be digitally traced from U.S. farms to finished products and certified by the USDA as meeting origin requirements. It directly affects clothing and textile manufacturers selling qualifying products in the U.S. market.
HR 7206, the Farm and Family Relief Act, provides direct financial assistance to agricultural producers facing market challenges during the 2025 crop year. It establishes one-time payments for eligible crop producers (including wheat, corn, soybeans, and cotton) when expected costs exceed expected returns, with payment limits based on farming income (capping at $125,000 or $250,000 depending on farming income percentage). The bill allocates $5 billion for specialty crop producers, $500 million for timber industry assistance, and $330 million for sugar beet producers through cooperative block grants. Additionally, it delays certain cost-shift provisions in food assistance programs and terminates specific tariff-imposing executive orders.
HR 7183, the Youth Financial Learning Act, provides federal grants to state education agencies to integrate financial literacy education into public elementary and secondary schools. It directly affects schools by funding programs teaching consumer finance, credit, student loans, and financial aid through school-based curriculum, after-school partnerships with community organizations, and teacher training. Key provisions require states to provide 25% matching funds, prioritize high-need schools, ensure geographic diversity in program access, and use funds to supplement - not replace - existing education resources. The grants, available for up to four years, aim to enhance students' practical financial knowledge as part of a well-rounded education.
HR 7173, the Follow the Science Act, restricts political appointees from influencing National Institutes of Health (NIH) operations and grant decisions. It prohibits most political appointees (defined broadly as those in policy-making roles) from being employed by NIH or participating in grant reviews, funding selections, or policy implementation. The bill requires the NIH Director to report on past political appointee involvement in these activities to Congress within 30 days of enactment. These changes aim to ensure NIH decisions are based on scientific merit rather than political influence, with limited exceptions for other federal agencies.
