This bill, titled the No TSA Data for ICE Act, prohibits the Transportation Security Administration from sharing passenger data with U.S. Customs and Border Protection or U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. It specifically bars these agencies from using TSA information or data from private brokers to perform immigration enforcement functions. Additionally, the legislation prevents the denial, suspension, or early termination of Trusted Traveler programs like PreCheck and Global Entry if an individual's participation in First Amendment-protected activities is the reason. The law defines the restricted data as personally identifiable information about flight passengers obtained from the TSA or private sector entities.
The SMASH 2.0 Act reauthorizes and updates the federal Mosquito Abatement for Safety and Health program, which provides funding to state and local health departments to control mosquito populations. Key provisions allow the use of innovative technologies for prevention, allocate funds for technical training and education for public health workers, and increase the program's funding level to $100 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. Additionally, the bill requires the creation of a strategic plan to stockpile emergency supplies for controlling vector-borne diseases and establishes a mechanism for coordination with the Strategic National Stockpile. These changes aim to enhance the capacity of health agencies to manage mosquito-related health risks through better planning, training, and resource availability.
This bill authorizes the President to award the Medal of Honor to Earl L. Nolte for his acts of valor while serving in the Army during World War II. It specifically waives standard time limits that typically restrict when such military decorations can be granted. The legislation recognizes that Nolte was previously awarded the Silver Star for these same actions, effectively upgrading his highest honor to the nation's most prestigious military decoration.
The Lori Jackson-Nicolette Elias Domestic Violence Survivor Protection Act expands federal firearm restrictions to include individuals subject to any domestic violence restraining order, including temporary or emergency orders issued without the abuser's presence. It broadens the legal definition of an "intimate partner" to cover dating partners and other relationships protected by state laws, closing previous loopholes that allowed some abusers to keep guns. The bill also creates a federal grant program for states and tribes to fund the removal, storage, and return of firearms from individuals subject to these orders, requiring them to partner with local domestic violence service providers to ensure victim safety.
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.
The Audit the Pentagon Act requires the Department of Defense to reduce its funding by 2 percent if it fails to receive a clean financial audit for a given year. This penalty applies to all departments, agencies, and elements within the Pentagon starting after fiscal year 2024. The withheld money is distributed proportionally across various programs and projects, while the remaining funds are sent to the Treasury to help reduce the national deficit.
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 Veterans Medicare Premium Transparency Act requires Medicare to clearly explain how a veteran's enrollment in the Department of Veterans Affairs patient enrollment system affects their monthly insurance premiums. Under this bill, annual notices sent to Medicare beneficiaries will explicitly state that time spent in the VA system counts toward premium calculations and qualifies as valid prescription drug coverage. Additionally, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must post this explanation on the Medicare website and submit a report to Congress within 180 days detailing the updates and estimating how many veterans were previously paying higher premiums due to this lack of clarity.
The Rural Emergency Hospital Designation Improvement Act expands eligibility for facilities to convert into rural emergency hospitals by relaxing certain operational requirements and clarifying rules for units providing psychiatric, rehabilitation, or obstetric care. It establishes a new payment structure that increases reimbursement by 5 percent for diagnostic laboratory tests starting in 2027 and allows these hospitals to use swing beds for extended care services. The legislation also ensures that rural emergency hospitals are recognized as health professional shortage areas to attract medical staff and includes their services in Medicaid coverage plans. Additionally, the bill permits facilities that revert to critical access hospital status to regain their previous necessary provider designation and makes them eligible for specific improvement grants.
The Wildfire Air Quality Sensor Expansion Act of 2026 directs the Environmental Protection Agency to provide grants and loans to help local air pollution control agencies purchase and operate portable air sensors in rural and remote areas. These low-cost devices are intended to measure smoke pollutants like PM2.5 and ozone in locations where traditional monitoring equipment is scarce, thereby improving the accuracy of air quality data for communities affected by wildfires. To ensure success, the bill also authorizes funding for technical assistance to help agencies install and maintain these sensors, while requiring that the data collected be shared with the EPA to update public air quality maps. The legislation authorizes $10 million annually through 2032 for grants and provides additional unspecified funding for loan programs and technical support, with a specific focus on expanding coverage to Indian tribes and areas lacking existing monitoring infrastructure.
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 Health Act establishes a comprehensive federal framework to address the health impacts of climate change by creating new offices, expanding funding, and mandating specific actions across the health care sector. It directly affects hospitals, medical facilities, health care workers, and communities, with a specific focus on protecting environmental justice and low-income populations from climate-related health risks. Key provisions include the creation of an Office of Climate Change and Health Equity to develop a national strategic plan, requirements for hospitals to provide extended notice before closing or reducing essential services, and significant grants to upgrade medical facilities for climate resilience. The bill also mandates that the health care sector reduce its own carbon emissions through new disclosure rules for medical supplies and grants for green manufacturing, while simultaneously funding education to train health professionals on climate-related health threats. Additionally, the legislation authorizes Medicare coverage for home resiliency services, such as heat pumps and solar batteries, for individuals at risk during climate disasters, and allocates billions of dollars to expand the community health workforce and support mental health resilience programs.
