This bill creates a program to correct burial markers for American-Jewish servicemembers who died in World War I or II and were mistakenly buried under Latin crosses (a Christian symbol) in overseas U.S. military cemeteries. The American Battle Monuments Commission will run this 10-year program, authorizing $500,000 annually to contract with qualified nonprofit organizations to identify affected veterans and contact their families. It directly affects Jewish veterans buried overseas with incorrect markers and their descendants, ensuring their religious heritage is properly recognized. The program requires nonprofits to verify burial records and facilitate marker corrections, with priority given to organizations experienced in Jewish military history.
The Maternal Health for Veterans Act establishes a new program within the Department of Veterans Affairs to coordinate maternity care for enrolled veterans from the start of pregnancy through 12 months after birth. This initiative requires the VA to systematically track mental health screenings, implement performance goals to improve care quality, and provide specialized training to community providers regarding the unique needs of veterans with service-related mental or behavioral health conditions. Additionally, the bill mandates annual reports detailing maternal health outcomes, such as mortality and severe morbidity, broken down by demographics like race, disability status, and rural residence to address specific disparities. The legislation also updates legal definitions for terms like "maternal mortality" and repeals a previous section of the Protecting Moms Who Served Act to align with these new requirements.
This bill directs the United States Postal Service to review and implement specific recommendations from its own Inspector General regarding how to handle undelivered and partially delivered mail routes. The Postal Service must complete these changes within one year of the bill's enactment to improve the identification and notification processes for customers. This legislation directly affects mail carriers and customers by aiming to resolve issues related to mail that fails to reach its destination or is only partially delivered.
This Senate resolution honors the life and legacy of Donald W. Riegle, Jr., a former U.S. Senator from Michigan who passed away in April 2026. The bill formally acknowledges his nearly three decades of public service, including his roles as a Representative and Senator, and highlights his significant contributions to legislation on banking, housing, and veterans' health. It also expresses the Senate's condolences to his family and directs officials to share the resolution with the House of Representatives and send a copy to Riegle's family. Finally, the Senate will stand in adjournment as a mark of respect for the former senator when the session concludes.
The SAFEGUARD Veterans Act of 2026 strengthens protections for veterans by increasing penalties for unauthorized fees and requiring that only recognized agents or attorneys assist with benefit claims. It mandates that the Department of Veterans Affairs provide clear online tools for veterans to search for accredited representatives and report unaccredited individuals who charge fees. The bill also requires the department to update its website warnings to explicitly discourage veterans from sharing login credentials and to include questions on claim forms about any coaching or assistance received. Additionally, the legislation expands restrictions on automated telephone equipment to prevent unsolicited calls from automated systems to federal agencies. Finally, the act directs the VA to conduct a review of its current recognition processes and establish a more accessible digital system for managing agent accreditation and complaints.
This bill, known as the Email Privacy Act, amends existing federal laws to clarify how information about stored emails can be shared and how government agencies can access email content. It requires internet service providers to use the term "disclose" rather than "divulge" when sharing subscriber data and expands the definition of who can receive this information to include agents of the customer. The legislation also changes rules for government warrants by allowing providers to notify customers about the receipt of a warrant unless the government requests otherwise, while maintaining exceptions for communications made public by the sender. Additionally, the bill removes a specific time limit that previously required a warrant for emails stored for less than 180 days, ensuring consistent warrant requirements for all stored communications.
This Senate resolution reaffirms congressional support for the Taiwan Relations Act and longstanding bipartisan U.S. policy toward Taiwan. It explicitly upholds provisions such as maintaining defensive arms sales to Taiwan and opposing any efforts to determine Taiwan's future by force or coercion. The measure also reiterates the U.S. commitment to regional peace and stability while recognizing Taiwan's role as a significant economic partner and democracy. By restating these principles, the bill aims to clarify the United States' position without altering existing legal frameworks.
This resolution designates May 2026 as "Older Americans Month" to honor the contributions and well-being of U.S. citizens aged 65 and older. It encourages the public and government to recognize the achievements of older adults and provide opportunities for them to share their wisdom with younger generations. The bill highlights the significant role older individuals play in society through work, volunteering, and community engagement. By promoting public awareness, the measure aims to foster a supportive environment that values the experiences and assets of the aging population.
The Improving Access to Medicare Coverage Act of 2026 changes how Medicare counts time spent in hospital observation toward the three-day waiting period required for skilled nursing facility coverage. Starting in 2026, individuals receiving outpatient observation services will be treated as inpatients for this purpose, and the date they stop receiving such care will count as their official hospital discharge date. This provision applies to observation periods beginning on or after January 1, 2026, with limited exceptions for appeals made within 90 days of the bill's enactment. The law also allows the Department of Health and Human Services to implement these changes through interim regulations before the official start date.
The 9-8-8 Connect Act establishes a new grant program to help crisis centers provide follow-up care to individuals who contact the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline via call, text, or chat. These grants, totaling $30 million for fiscal year 2026, will fund activities such as well-being check-ins, outreach to ensure continued support, and referrals to appropriate care, all of which require the individual's informed consent. The bill also directs the Federal Communications Commission to create rules ensuring that all mobile phone calls and texts are routed to 9-8-8, including those from devices without a service plan. Additionally, the legislation updates federal communications laws to officially include 9-8-8 alongside 9-1-1 as a dialable number on multi-line telephone systems.
This bill, known as the IRS Whistleblower Program Improvement Act, strengthens protections and incentives for individuals who report tax violations to the Internal Revenue Service. It ensures that whistleblower award decisions are reviewed de novo by the Tax Court based on the original administrative record and any new evidence, while also granting whistleblowers the right to remain anonymous unless a specific societal interest outweighs the potential harm to them. The legislation further safeguards these awards from budget cuts and mandates that interest be paid on awards if the IRS delays notifying the whistleblower of a preliminary recommendation. Additionally, it requires annual reports to list top tax avoidance schemes revealed by whistleblowers and corrects a technical error regarding attorney fee deductions.
The Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act creates a new funding program to hire more counselors, psychologists, and social workers for schools with high numbers of low-income students. These funds are distributed to states, which then award subgrants to local school districts to help them reach recommended staffing ratios of 250 students per counselor, 500 per psychologist, and 250 per social worker. To qualify for the money, states must match the federal grant with their own funds and submit detailed plans showing how they will prioritize high-need schools. The bill also requires regular reporting on how many mental health staff are hired and the current student-to-staff ratios in participating schools.
