The Health Insurance Transparency for Patients Act requires health insurance companies and Medicare Advantage organizations to publicly report detailed data on how they handle coverage requests. Starting with plan years after the law is passed, these providers must annually submit and display online information about the number and percentage of claims denied versus approved, along with the specific reasons for denials. The report must also break down data by the review method used, such as automated systems or human reviewers, and include the time it took to reach a decision. Additionally, the bill mandates that these organizations list all services requiring prior authorization and publish this information in a simple, easy-to-understand format. The Department of Health and Human Services will also make this data available on its own website to ensure public access.
The Medicare at Home Act would expand Medicare coverage to include up to 20 hours per week of personal care services for seniors and people with disabilities in their own homes. To qualify, individuals must be enrolled in Medicare and certified by a doctor as needing assistance with at least two daily living tasks, such as bathing or dressing, while not already receiving duplicate long-term care from state programs. The bill requires a physician to create a care plan that includes help with activities like meal preparation and medication reminders, and it mandates a wage floor for home care workers. Financing for this new benefit would come through adjustments to monthly Medicare premiums, with specific rules set for how payments are made to agencies and individuals providing the care.
This resolution designates July 2026 as "American Grown Flower and Foliage Month" to recognize and promote the domestic flower and foliage industry. The measure highlights the economic contributions of U.S. growers, noting that the sector supports thousands of jobs and small businesses while producing a wide variety of flowers across different states. It aims to encourage consumers to purchase locally grown floral products by raising awareness about the availability of domestic options and the benefits of supporting American agriculture. The Senate resolution formally acknowledges the role of these products in celebrating holidays and special occasions while urging the public to showcase American-grown flowers.
This resolution designates July 30, 2026, as "National Whistleblower Appreciation Day" to honor individuals who report misconduct, fraud, or abuse within the government. It requires federal agencies to inform employees, contractors, and the public about the legal protections available for reporting wrongdoing and to acknowledge the contributions whistleblowers make to saving taxpayer money. The bill does not create new laws or penalties but serves as a commemorative measure to encourage ethical reporting and recognize the role of whistleblowers in maintaining an ethical government.
The Restoring Justice for Workers Act prohibits employers from requiring workers to sign agreements that force them to resolve disputes through individual arbitration rather than in court or as part of a group. It bans retaliation against employees who refuse to arbitrate and mandates that any post-dispute arbitration agreements be truly voluntary, requiring plain language explanations, a 45-day waiting period, and written consent. The bill also amends the National Labor Relations Act to make it illegal for employers to enter into or enforce contracts that prevent workers from joining together to file joint or class-action lawsuits regarding workplace rights. These changes apply to all workers, including independent contractors, and take effect immediately upon enactment.
This bill updates federal laws to ensure that members of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force cannot be excluded from jobs or assignments based on their gender. It requires the Department of Defense to establish occupational standards using scientifically rigorous methods that evaluate technical, tactical, cognitive, and physical abilities without gender bias. Additionally, the legislation mandates annual reports to Congress detailing any involuntary reclassifications or separations and requires a detailed review of the operational effectiveness of Army and Marine Corps ground combat units. These changes are scheduled to take effect on September 30, 2026, with the first required report due the following year.
The FASTER Act of 2026 expands the list of major food allergens regulated by the FDA to include barley, rye, and oats alongside wheat. This change requires food manufacturers to clearly label these gluten-containing grains, helping consumers with allergies and Celiac disease identify potential triggers. The law also mandates that the FDA update its compliance guides within a year to reflect these new allergen categories. Additionally, the bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to produce a comprehensive report on Celiac disease, covering data on prevalence, diagnostic methods, prevention strategies, and potential treatments. These provisions apply to all foods entering the market starting one year after the law is enacted.
The Read for Reentry Act of 2026 directs the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a study on library services within state and federal prisons. This report will examine who currently has access to these services, how they are funded, and the demographic characteristics of incarcerated individuals who use them. The study will also analyze specific outcomes related to recidivism, parole compliance, workforce placement, and disciplinary infractions for those released from facilities offering library programs. Ultimately, the bill aims to gather data to inform Congress about the current state and impact of prison libraries.
The Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act aims to reduce intimate partner homicides by strengthening federal laws that prevent abusers from accessing firearms while restraining orders are active. It expands the definition of "intimate partner" to include dating partners and clarifies that emergency or temporary restraining orders must also trigger gun restrictions. The bill requires courts to automatically issue firearm surrender orders when a protection order is granted, mandating that abusers turn in their guns within 24 hours and prohibiting them from buying new ones for the duration of the order. Additionally, the legislation creates a new grant program to help states and local governments implement these surrender procedures and partner with domestic violence service providers.
The Environmental Health Workforce Act of 2026 aims to address staffing shortages in public health by requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to create model standards for credentialed environmental health workers and develop a strategic plan to train and retain them. This legislation directs the government to study best practices in six specific states regarding worker training and credentialing, while also expanding the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to include full-time employment as an environmental health worker. The bill defines environmental health workers as professionals who assess environmental hazards and enforce safety guidelines, ensuring that efforts to strengthen this workforce are based on concrete policy changes rather than speculation.
The Data Center Resource Disclosure Act requires operators of data centers in the United States to voluntarily report their annual energy and water usage to the Assistant Secretary of Commerce. These operators must submit the data within 180 days of the law's enactment and every year thereafter. The government will then publish the results on an interactive map, identify facilities that did not provide information, and share feedback from public interest groups. Additionally, the Assistant Secretary must coordinate with other federal agencies and submit a report to Congress with recommendations for improving data center transparency.
The Defending Our Energy and Water Act directs the Administrator of the Office of Electronic Government to update minimum requirements for new federal data centers, mandating the use of the most water-efficient cooling systems. This update must be completed within 180 days of the bill's enactment. Additionally, the legislation extends a previous deadline for reviewing data center standards from 2026 to 2031 and requires the Department of Defense to identify and integrate water efficiency technologies to protect water resources. These changes apply specifically to federal data centers and aim to minimize their operational impact on water supplies.
