The IMPACT to Save Moms Act directs the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to run a five-year demonstration project from 2027 to 2031, allowing states to test new payment models for maternity care under Medicaid and state child health plans. This initiative aims to improve health outcomes for pregnant and postpartum individuals, with a specific focus on reducing disparities among groups that experience higher rates of maternal mortality and severe complications. To achieve these goals, the project requires states to consider alternative payment structures that account for pregnancy risk levels, include diverse care teams with training on bias, and address social factors affecting health. The bill also mandates that the federal government evaluate the project's impact on health outcomes and spending, and submit a final report to Congress with recommendations on whether to expand the program nationwide.
This bill, known as the Digital Asset PARITY Act, updates U.S. tax laws to clarify how digital assets are treated for income, capital gains, and charitable contributions. It primarily affects individuals and businesses that buy, sell, or hold cryptocurrencies and other digital tokens by establishing specific rules for stablecoins, mining, and staking activities. Key provisions include exempting regulated payment stablecoins from immediate gain recognition when traded at a price near $1, expanding the definition of "specified assets" to include digital assets for wash-sale rules, and allowing taxpayers to defer income on newly created assets earned through validation activities like mining or staking. The legislation also introduces stricter reporting requirements for charitable donations of digital assets and directs the Treasury Department to study ways to reduce compliance burdens for small, personal consumer transactions.
The Restoring Overtime Pay Act of 2026 raises the minimum salary required for certain employees to be exempt from federal overtime pay rules, starting at $45,000 per year and increasing annually until it reaches $75,000 by 2029. The bill also mandates that this threshold automatically updates each year to match the 55th percentile of weekly earnings for full-time salaried workers nationwide, with adjustments taking effect based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Additionally, the law modifies the duties test for exemption, requiring that at least 20 percent of an employee's time be spent on executive or administrative tasks rather than the current 40 percent standard. These changes directly affect employers and workers covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act by redefining eligibility for overtime exemptions and establishing a new mechanism for adjusting salary requirements over time.
The Extinction Prevention Act of 2026 establishes four separate conservation funds to provide financial assistance for protecting threatened and endangered species in specific regions. The bill creates funds for butterflies in North America, plants in the Pacific Islands, freshwater mussels in the United States, and desert fish in the Southwest, with each fund managed by the Secretary of the Interior. Eligible applicants, such as state agencies, nonprofits, and research institutions, can apply for competitive grants to support habitat protection, research, and management plans, while federal agencies are restricted to partnering roles rather than leading projects. Each fund is authorized to receive $5 million annually from 2027 through 2032, and the Secretary must submit annual reports to Congress detailing project outcomes and the status of the species.
This Senate resolution expresses the non-binding opinion that federal laws regarding medication abortion should rely on scientific evidence rather than political influence. It specifically calls for the FDA to maintain its approval of mifepristone, a drug proven safe and effective over 25 years, and to allow patients to access it through telemedicine or mail-order pharmacies. The measure highlights that current restrictions disproportionately harm marginalized communities, including people of color, low-income individuals, and those in rural areas. By stating these points, the resolution aims to encourage policymakers to ensure equitable and transparent access to abortion care based on medical consensus.
This resolution expresses the House of Representatives' preference for a trade policy that prioritizes American workers, consumers, independent farmers, small businesses, and the environment over corporate interests. It calls for trade agreements to include binding labor and environmental standards, fair wage guarantees, and strict rules of origin to prevent companies from moving jobs overseas. The measure also supports strengthening domestic manufacturing requirements, maintaining tariffs against unfair trade practices, and ensuring that public procurement favors American-made goods. Additionally, it urges the inclusion of provisions to protect data privacy, regulate artificial intelligence, and ensure affordable access to medicine while preventing monopolies.
The Scientific Integrity Act requires federal agencies that fund, conduct, or oversee research to create and enforce policies ensuring that scientific work remains free from political influence and misconduct. These policies must explicitly prohibit actions such as suppressing data, altering findings, or retaliating against individuals who share research results, while also guaranteeing employees the right to publish their work and participate in professional organizations. To oversee these rules, each agency must appoint a career Scientific Integrity Officer, provide regular ethics training to staff, and publicly report on complaints and policy changes. Additionally, the law mandates that personnel decisions and scientific conclusions be based on expertise and established scientific processes rather than ideology, with periodic reviews to ensure compliance.
The Stop Fueling Cartel Violence Act directs the Department of Defense to submit a report detailing its efforts to disrupt criminal organizations that steal and smuggle fuel from Mexico. This legislation addresses the growing threat of fuel theft by transnational groups, noting that such activities generate billions in illicit revenue and fund violence in both Mexico and the United States. The bill defines hydrocarbon products as crude oil and related petroleum items, emphasizing that the methods used to move these goods are similar to those used for drug trafficking. By requiring the Defense Department to assess current activities and propose future strategies, the act aims to integrate counter-fuel-smuggling efforts into existing national security and counter-drug operations.
The Protecting America's Drinking Water from Extreme Temperatures Act of 2026 expands the existing Safe Drinking Water Act to include extreme temperatures as a specific risk factor for midsize and large drinking water systems. By amending Section 1459F, the bill requires these systems to consider heat-related threats alongside traditional hazards like flooding when planning infrastructure improvements. Additionally, the legislation updates the program's funding timeline, shifting the covered period from 2022 through 2026 to 2027 through 2032.
The Microbusiness Support Act creates a new direct loan program within the Small Business Administration to assist independently owned businesses with 10 or fewer full-time employees and annual revenues under $5 million. This legislation authorizes the agency to provide loans of up to $100,000 to eligible microbusinesses at an interest rate of 6 percent per annum, while also allowing the collection of fees to cover program costs. The bill requires the Administrator to establish specific terms for repayment and underwriting within 90 days of enactment and permits partnerships with third parties to help originate and service these loans.
The Small Business Wildfire Smoke Recovery Act amends the Small Business Act to formally include "smoke" as a recognized disaster type. This change directly affects small business owners who suffer financial losses due to wildfire smoke, allowing them to access federal disaster relief programs. By adding smoke to the list of covered disasters, the bill ensures that businesses impacted by air quality issues from wildfires can receive the same support as those affected by physical destruction.
The Protecting Our Democracy Act is a comprehensive legislative bill designed to prevent abuses of presidential power, restore checks and balances, and defend elections against foreign interference. Key provisions include prohibiting the President from granting self-pardons, requiring congressional oversight for pardons involving the President or their family, and banning the President from accepting payments from individuals who have received clemency. The bill also strengthens enforcement of the Hatch Act and ethics rules for political appointees, mandates greater transparency in presidential tax returns and campaign finances, and restricts the use of federal property for political conventions. Additionally, it expands reporting requirements for foreign contacts in federal campaigns and imposes stricter penalties for violations of election laws.
