The ALERT Act (HR 7613) requires the Federal Aviation Administration to improve aviation safety through several key measures. It mandates the evaluation and potential implementation of enhanced collision avoidance systems (ACAS-Xa) for commercial aircraft and ACAS-Xr for rotorcraft, with specific deadlines for rulemaking and installation. The bill establishes committees to develop recommendations for safety technology requirements, requires safety risk assessments for air traffic controllers, and addresses operational procedures at high-traffic airports like Ronald Reagan Washington National. These provisions affect air carriers, air traffic controllers, rotorcraft operators, and Department of Defense aircraft operations. The act aims to enhance situational awareness and reduce midair collision risks through technology upgrades and improved safety protocols.
This bill establishes a 17-member Commission on Presidential Capacity to Discharge the Powers and Duties of the Office. This commission, composed primarily of medical professionals and former high-ranking executive officials, would be activated by a concurrent resolution of Congress. Its duty would be to conduct a medical examination of the President to determine if they are mentally or physically unable to discharge the powers and duties of the office due to conditions such as illness, disability, or substance use. Following the examination, the commission would report its findings and a declaration on the President's capacity to Congress and the Vice President, with any refusal by the President to undergo examination taken into consideration.
The HBCU Research Capacity Act establishes a Federal Clearinghouse within the Department of Education, in coordination with several other federal agencies, to provide Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with comprehensive information on federal grant opportunities. This Clearinghouse will identify grants supporting research and development and institutional capacity building at HBCUs, while also sharing best practices for securing federal funding. The Department of Education will notify HBCUs and Congress about the Clearinghouse and offer quarterly updates to participating institutions. Additionally, several federal agencies, including Defense, Energy, and the National Science Foundation, are mandated to review their grant programs to align with the Clearinghouse's recommendations and report any identified funding gaps to Congress annually.
The National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2026 reauthorizes and expands federal efforts to advance quantum information science, engineering, and technology through 2034. The bill establishes new workforce development programs, including quantum education initiatives, traineeships, and a Quantum Reskilling, Education, and Workforce Coordination Hub to address talent needs. It creates an International Quantum Cooperation Strategy to foster partnerships with allies and addresses quantum supply chain vulnerabilities through mapping and planning efforts. The act includes specific funding allocations for quantum research centers, testbeds, and post-quantum cryptography development, with annual evaluations required to assess program effectiveness. The legislation directly affects federal agencies, research institutions, and the quantum industry by providing structured funding and coordination for quantum technology advancement.
The SAFEGUARDS Act of 2025 ensures that revenue from the 9/11 Security Fee (paid by airline passengers) is used exclusively for aviation security, ending its diversion to other government purposes by 2027. It creates two dedicated funds: the Aviation Security Capital Fund (receiving $250 million annually through 2025, then $500 million annually starting in 2026) for general security improvements, and the Aviation Security Checkpoint Technology Fund (receiving $250 million annually starting in 2026) specifically for security screening technology like baggage scanners and exit lanes. The bill requires the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to collect sufficient fees to fund these amounts and allows retroactive grants for security technology projects implemented since 2023. This directly affects TSA operations, airports, and passenger fees, with no new taxes or fees imposed.
S 2351, the Space Exploration Research Act, allows NASA to lease government-owned land for up to 99 years to specific entities like states, universities, and nonprofit educational organizations. This enables the construction and operation of facilities focused on space research, training future space industry workers, transferring space technology between public and private sectors, and conducting scientific activities. NASA can also provide administrative and maintenance support for these leased facilities, with or without reimbursement. The bill directly affects eligible educational institutions and state entities seeking to develop space-related infrastructure through long-term partnerships with NASA.
The Books Save Lives Act requires public libraries and schools receiving federal funding to maintain diverse book collections that include works by and about members of underrepresented communities. It mandates that covered schools employ trained librarians and establishes that excluding books with a disparate impact on underrepresented groups serves as initial evidence of discrimination under existing civil rights laws. Additionally, the bill directs the Comptroller General to produce a report within 180 days on how recent book ban campaigns have affected underrepresented communities. The legislation defines underrepresented communities to include racial and ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, religious minorities, and people with disabilities.
This bill requires the President to develop a National Veterans Strategy every four years to coordinate government, nonprofit, and private sector efforts aimed at improving veterans' well-being across health, economic, education, and social areas. The President must establish specific metrics to measure veteran success in these areas and consult with a wide range of stakeholders including federal agencies, state and local governments, veterans service organizations, and the general public. The bill also includes a provision allowing Congress to disapprove the strategy within 60 days of submission, and mandates annual reports on implementation progress along with quadrennial reviews to assess effectiveness and update the strategy as needed.
The FETCH Act of 2026 expands funding from federal Byrne grants to support police dog programs across the United States. This legislation allows law enforcement agencies to use these funds for acquiring, training, and caring for police dogs, including expenses for veterinary care, medications, food, equipment, and housing. The bill also permits funding for retired service dogs, covering post-service medical needs and administrative costs. Directly affected entities are police departments that operate K9 units and seek financial assistance for canine-related operational expenses. The act amends existing federal crime control statutes to explicitly include police dog programs as eligible uses of Byrne grant money.
This resolution designates April 2026 as National Native Plant Month to raise awareness about the importance of indigenous plant species in the United States. The bill directly affects environmental advocates, land managers, and the general public by encouraging recognition of native plants' ecological benefits, such as supporting wildlife habitats and improving soil and water quality. It formally acknowledges that native plants are better adapted to local conditions and play a critical role in ecosystem resilience compared to non-native species. The resolution does not create new laws or funding but serves as a symbolic gesture to highlight the value of preserving native plant diversity.
The Ensuring Better Interest Treatment and Deductibility Act modifies how businesses calculate interest expense limits for tax purposes. It removes a specific exception related to adjusted taxable income calculations that was added in previous legislation. This change applies to tax years starting after December 31, 2025, affecting businesses that deduct interest expenses on their federal income tax returns. The bill aims to alter the rules governing Section 163(j) of the Internal Revenue Code without changing the overall cap on deductible interest.
This bill, known as the Save Struggling Hospitals Act, modifies Medicare reimbursement rules to provide additional financial support to hospitals in low-wage areas. It directly affects hospitals whose geographic area wage index falls below the 25th percentile, increasing their reimbursement rates by half the difference between their current index and the 25th percentile threshold. The adjustment applies to discharges occurring on or after October 1, 2019, and is designed to be budget neutral, meaning the total amount paid out remains unchanged while redistributing funds from higher-wage to lower-wage areas. The law also includes safeguards to prevent hospitals in the 75th percentile or higher from losing funding and ensures no hospital's reimbursement drops below 95 percent of the previous year's rate.
