This bill expands existing rules to prevent foreign nationals from influencing U.S. elections by tightening restrictions on domestic businesses that are owned or controlled by foreign interests. It requires companies with significant foreign ownership or control to file a sworn certification confirming they are not foreign entities before making any political contributions or spending money on election activities. Additionally, the law prohibits recipients of these funds from using them for further political spending unless they receive and verify the original certification, while also clarifying that these rules apply to state and local ballot measures as well as corporate political committees.
This bill establishes financial liability for private detention centers and their employees if they cause the wrongful death of a person held there. It allows families of deceased individuals to sue in federal court for at least $5 million in statutory damages plus economic and punitive damages. The law removes the ability of detention staff to use immunity defenses to avoid responsibility and holds the facility itself responsible for the actions of its workers. These rules apply specifically to private companies contracted by the federal government to detain people accused of breaking civil, criminal, or immigration laws.
Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Agriculture, Oversight and Government Reform, Education and Workforce, the Judiciary, the Budget, Veterans' Affairs, Natural Resources, Armed Services, Homeland Security, Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill expands federal election laws to prevent foreign nationals from influencing U.S. elections by tightening restrictions on domestic companies with significant foreign ownership or control. It requires businesses that are at least 50% owned by foreign individuals, or those with specific foreign influence, to file a sworn certification proving they are not foreign-controlled before making any political donations or spending money on election activities. Additionally, the law clarifies that these rules apply to state and local ballot initiatives and mandates that corporate political action funds certify their managers and board members are U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The legislation also prohibits recipients of funds from these businesses from using the money for further political contributions unless they receive and verify the required compliance certification.
The Inclusive Democracy Act of 2026 mandates that individuals with criminal convictions retain their right to vote in federal elections and requires prisons, jails, and probation offices to notify incarcerated or supervised individuals of this right. The bill establishes specific procedures for voter registration and absentee voting within carceral settings, including expedited transmission of forms and the ability to use either a prison address or a last known address for registration. It also prohibits states from rejecting ballots or registration applications based on late mailing dates or electronic submission methods and ensures that election materials and nonpartisan voter registration services can be distributed inside correctional facilities.
This bill requires the Secretary of Defense to report on how quickly military members receive their electronic health records when leaving active duty. The report must cover a one-year period and include data on average wait times, the longest delays experienced, and reasons for any hold-ups. Following this report, the Defense Secretary must create new standards to ensure these records are delivered within a reasonable timeframe, a period to be determined based on the findings and feedback from service members and veterans. The legislation directly affects transitioning servicemembers by aiming to improve the timeliness of their medical record transfers.
The Tuskegee Airmen Memorial Act of 2026 authorizes the organization Tuskegee Airmen, Inc. to build a commemorative monument on federal land in Washington, D.C., honoring the original Tuskegee Airmen who served in World War II. This legislation allows the group to accept private donations and cover all costs for the project without using federal funds, while requiring any leftover money to be deposited into specific government accounts. The bill also mandates that the memorial be constructed in compliance with existing federal standards for commemorative works.
The Childhood Disability Benefits Fairness Act changes how Medicaid eligibility is determined for children who receive Social Security child's insurance benefits. Under current rules, these children might be denied Medicaid because their Social Security payments count as income, even though the payments are meant to replace lost wages due to a parent's disability. This bill ensures that children in this situation are treated as if they are receiving Supplemental Security Income benefits instead, which allows them to qualify for Medicaid regardless of their Social Security income. The change applies to all new eligibility decisions made after the law is passed, aiming to provide consistent access to healthcare coverage for disabled children with low family incomes.
The GET THE LEAD OUT Act of 2026 establishes a comprehensive national strategy to eliminate lead-based pipe hazards in housing by providing federal grants to states and local governments for evaluating and removing lead pipes in affordable homes. This legislation mandates risk assessments and inspections for federally assisted housing, requires disclosure of lead pipe conditions during property sales, and creates a task force to develop financing standards and training for certified contractors. Additionally, the bill authorizes significant funding for the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Environmental Protection Agency to support these abatement efforts and public education campaigns.
The REPLACE Act updates federal programs to better address lead hazards in housing and drinking water systems. It expands grant requirements for lead paint removal to include evaluations of water pipes and plumbing, ensuring that both paint and water risks are managed together. The bill also broadens the definition of pipes needing replacement to include certain galvanized lines and mandates coordination between water and housing remediation efforts. Additionally, the legislation provides new technical support for workforce training, data management, and local implementation capacity to help communities complete these safety projects.
This bill, titled the Congressional Oversight and Agency Access Act, grants Members of Congress and their full-time staff guaranteed entry to all federal public buildings during regular business hours. It requires these individuals to present official congressional identification and mandates that staff members be accompanied by their employing Member of Congress. The legislation also ensures access outside of normal hours within 24 hours of a request, allows immediate entry during public meetings, and permits access to secure areas if the Member belongs to a relevant committee or obtains consent from the committee's leadership. Additionally, the bill prohibits temporary modifications to buildings that would obstruct a Member's ability to observe the facility.
This bill, titled the Ensuring Kids Have Access to Medically Necessary Dental Care Act, modifies the Children's Health Insurance Program to expand dental coverage for low-income children and pregnant women. It mandates that states remove any lifetime or annual dollar limits on dental benefits for eligible participants and requires states to offer dental-only supplemental coverage instead of allowing them to opt out. The changes take effect six months after the law is enacted, ensuring that these specific groups receive consistent access to necessary dental services without financial caps.
