The Display America's Art Act creates a new program to loan visual art from federal museums to the personal offices of Members of Congress. Under this initiative, the Architect of the Capitol would work with institutions like the Smithsonian to select artworks that are currently not on public display. These pieces could then be exhibited in the private workspaces of lawmakers if both the Architect and the lending institution agree the art is suitable. The bill directly impacts federal cultural institutions and congressional staff by establishing a formal process for rotating art into legislative offices.
This bill, titled the Permanent CBDC Ban Act, aims to permanently prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency. It achieves this by amending the Federal Reserve Act to remove the specific legal authority that allows the Reserve to create such a digital currency. The legislation directly affects the Federal Reserve by stripping away its power to launch a digital version of the dollar. By deleting the relevant subsection of the law, the bill ensures that the Reserve cannot issue a CBDC in the future.
This bill creates a pilot program that brings together the National Guard and the Corporation for National and Community Service to address workforce needs and national security goals. The program would allow National Guard members to work alongside national service participants on projects such as protecting critical infrastructure like energy grids and water systems, improving cybersecurity for schools and local governments, and enhancing disaster preparedness. It also aims to build a career pipeline that connects part-time Guard and Reserve members with structured employment opportunities to help address economic insecurity. Ultimately, the legislation seeks to expand community resilience and ensure workforce stability through these coordinated activities.
The Fairness in Foreign Filing Act changes how the IRS handles specific penalties related to foreign information reporting to give taxpayers more time to contest them. Under the new rules, the IRS must send a written notice explaining the proposed penalty at least 60 days before assessing it, allowing the taxpayer to request a review by the IRS Appeals Office and stopping collection until that review is complete. The bill also clarifies that certain existing penalties are treated as taxes for collection purposes while preserving other taxpayer rights to sue for refunds. Additionally, the legislation removes a requirement for foreign trusts to file certain information returns by a specific deadline, applying this change to tax years starting after December 31, 2026.
The Freedom to Ship Act prohibits motor carriers from discriminating against the lawful transportation of firearms, ammunition, and related components across state lines. It specifically bans carriers from refusing to transport these items, imposing unreasonable conditions, charging higher fees than for similar goods, or forcing shippers to waive privacy protections. Violations can result in civil penalties of up to $10,000 per incident and allow harmed shippers to sue for damages. The bill also repeals an existing federal statute that previously allowed carriers to refuse such shipments based on state laws.
This bill modifies the Internal Revenue Code to change how the government handles tax refunds for specific individuals who are currently unable to pay their debts. It establishes a rule that prevents the government from automatically taking money from these taxpayers' refunds to cover unpaid taxes, provided the refund amount does not exceed the value of a specific child tax credit they earned. The measure applies only to people officially classified as "currently not collectible" before they request their refund, and the new rules will take effect twelve months after the law is signed.
The Making America's Food Safer Act expands the FDA's existing third-party certification program to allow more entities in the food supply chain to use independent audits for importing food into the United States. It also updates how the FDA uses these certifications to assess food safety and prioritize inspections, while establishing a formal system to recognize the organizations that accredit these auditors. Additionally, the bill permits the FDA to share unredacted food safety data, such as illness surveillance and inspection results, with state, local, and tribal health authorities to help them protect public health. Finally, it gives the FDA the authority to order the immediate destruction of imported food that poses a significant public health risk, provided the owner receives notice and an opportunity to challenge the decision.
This resolution expresses support for designating July as Disability Pride Month to honor the contributions of the approximately 70 million American adults and over 3 million children with disabilities. The bill calls on individuals, interest groups, and organizations across the United States to observe the month with celebrations and activities that promote inclusion. Additionally, it urges everyone to actively work against the exclusion and discrimination that people with disabilities often face. While the measure does not create new laws or funding, it serves as an official statement of recognition and encouragement for community engagement during this time.
The Green New Deal for Public Schools Act directs over $700 billion in federal funding to public schools, prioritizing those serving the most vulnerable communities based on CDC social vulnerability rankings. The legislation establishes a new Office of Sustainable Schools and authorizes grants for "healthy green retrofits" that convert school buildings into zero-carbon facilities with clean air, water, and energy systems, while also providing funds to hire additional educators, mental health professionals, and support staff. Additionally, the bill mandates increased federal funding for special education under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and creates a climate resiliency program that allows schools to function as community centers during natural disasters. All grant recipients must adhere to strict labor standards, including prevailing wage requirements, Buy American provisions, and local hiring goals that prioritize residents of the surrounding community.
The Head Start Expansion and Improvement Act of 2026 broadens eligibility for early childhood education services by including recipients of various public assistance programs, such as food stamps and Medicaid, in the definition of qualifying families. The bill authorizes $36 billion annually from fiscal years 2027 through 2032 to support these expanded operations and creates a separate grant program providing $1 billion per year until 2030 for agencies to repair or upgrade aging facilities with safety hazards. Additionally, the legislation establishes a loan forgiveness program that cancels federal student loans for childcare workers who complete three years of full-time service in Head Start or Early Head Start programs. Finally, it authorizes $6.8 billion annually through 2032 to provide salary supplements to Head Start employees, with funding allocated based on local wage gaps and cost-of-living factors.
This bill amends the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) to restrict exemptions for foreign agents representing certain entities. It prohibits exemptions for agents of foreign corporate or government entities owned by countries listed in the State Department's "country of concern" definition (e.g., Russia, China, Iran). The bill creates a new process requiring congressional approval via a specific joint resolution to add or remove countries from the "concern" list, with proposals submitted to designated Senate and House committees. The changes expire after 5 years from enactment. (Note: The title "PAID OFF Act" is misleading; the bill focuses on foreign influence transparency, not financial relief.)
The Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2026 expands Medicare coverage for clinical psychologists by introducing financial incentives and removing certain administrative barriers. Starting in 2028, clinical psychologists working in designated rural and underserved areas will receive an additional 10 percent payment for services provided to Medicare beneficiaries. The bill also allows clinical psychologists to provide care or supervision in various settings, including outpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing facilities, and home health services, as long as state laws permit it. These changes aim to increase access to mental health services by formally recognizing the role of clinical psychologists in Medicare-covered care.
