This bill, known as the Vote Without Fear Act, would make it a federal crime to knowingly possess a firearm inside or within 100 yards of a Federal election site, such as a polling place or ballot counting location. The law applies to anyone who is aware or has reason to believe they are near such a site, with exceptions for law enforcement, security personnel on duty, vehicles where firearms remain inside, and lawful possession on private property. Violations of the basic possession rule could result in fines or up to one year in prison, while possessing a firearm with intent to use it in a crime carries a potential sentence of up to five years. The bill also increases penalties for any homicides or conspiracies involving firearms at these election sites.
This bill, titled the Student Protection and Success Act, requires colleges and universities to share financial risk with the federal government by making payments based on how many student loans remain unpaid. Starting in fiscal year 2028, institutions with a cohort repayment rate of 15 percent or lower would lose eligibility for federal student loan programs for up to three years, while colleges with rates above 25 percent could receive bonus grants to support low-income students. The bill also establishes a new payment system where schools must contribute a percentage of the outstanding loan balances for borrowers who have not made progress on paying down their debt, with exceptions for students in deferment due to military service, graduate school, or other qualifying circumstances. These measures aim to hold institutions accountable for student loan outcomes while providing incentives for improving access and success for economically disadvantaged students.
Enhanced Iran Sanctions Act of 2025 This bill imposes sanctions on certain foreign persons (individuals and entities) that are involved in Iran's petroleum sector as well as certain associated persons. The bill also requires or authorizes actions to facilitate the enforcement of sanctions on Iran. Specifically, the bill requires the President to impose visa- and property-blocking sanctions on any foreign person that, after the bill's enactment, knowingly engages in any transaction related to the processing, export, or sale of oil, condensates, gas, liquefied natural gas, or other petrochemical products in whole or in part from Iran. The President must also impose sanctions on certain foreign persons associated with a sanctioned individual or entity. For example, the President must sanction the subsidiaries and corporate officers of a sanctioned business. The bill provides certain exceptions to these sanctions, including specifying that sanctions do not apply to the importation of goods or to conducting or facilitating transactions for humanitarian assistance. The Department of State must establish an interagency working group that shall seek to establish a multilateral contact group to coordinate international efforts to enforce sanctions on Iran. The bill expands the State Department rewards program to authorize a reward payment to any individual who furnishes information leading to the identification of a person (1) subject to sanctions under this bill, or (2) that has attempted or is attempting to evade sanctions under this bill.
This bill, known as the State Veterans Homes Inspection Simplification Act, would allow certain State Veterans Homes that are already certified by the Department of Veterans Affairs to be automatically considered compliant with Medicare and Medicaid nursing home standards. Under this proposal, facilities meeting specific VA inspection and certification requirements would not need to undergo separate reviews by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, reducing duplication of effort. The legislation maintains oversight by requiring the VA to submit its inspection standards for review every two years, allowing CMS to conduct targeted surveys or complaints investigations, and mandating public reporting of inspection data on the Nursing Home Care Compare website. A Government Accountability Office report would be required three years after enactment to evaluate the bill's impact on survey efficiency, enforcement outcomes, and resident care quality.
SRES 641 is a Senate resolution recognizing the 114th anniversary of Girl Scouts of the United States of America. It celebrates the organization's mission of providing girls with inclusive spaces to explore interests, build confidence, and develop leadership skills through programs like STEM education and community service. The resolution specifically congratulates Girl Scouts who earned the Gold Award in 2025 and encourages continued support for programs that prepare girls to become future leaders. As a symbolic gesture with no legal effect, it formally acknowledges the Girl Scouts' contributions to youth development and community engagement.
SRES 640 is a non-binding Senate resolution expressing support for International Women’s Day goals. It recognizes global challenges women and girls face, including gender-based violence, educational barriers, economic inequality, and restricted rights in conflict zones like Afghanistan. The resolution affirms the Senate’s commitment to advancing women’s empowerment, safety, and participation in society, while honoring activists and leaders working toward gender equality. It does not create new laws or directly affect specific groups, but serves as a symbolic statement of support observed on March 8, 2026.
This bill creates a new Business Child Care Liaison position within the Internal Revenue Service to help businesses understand and use tax benefits for employee child care. The Liaison would connect businesses with various organizations, provide public education on employer-provided child care options, and issue guidance materials for tax return preparers. Additionally, the role would coordinate with other federal agencies and state governments to reduce information barriers for small businesses and report annually on the progress of child care benefit utilization. The position would be exempt from standard federal appointment rules and would submit annual reports to Congress detailing outreach activities and recommendations for improving access to child care tax incentives.
This bill provides temporary funding to ensure Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees continue receiving standard pay and benefits during a potential government funding gap between February 14, 2026, and when regular fiscal year 2026 appropriations are enacted. It directly affects TSA employees who might otherwise face pay interruptions if Congress fails to pass a full-year budget by that date. The bill authorizes using Treasury funds for standard pay, allowances, and benefits during this interim period, with these costs later charged to the appropriate future appropriations. The funding expires automatically on September 30, 2026, or when regular appropriations are passed, whichever occurs first.
This bill, known as the Diabetes Foot Health Access and Modernization Act of 2026, makes two main changes to federal healthcare programs. First, it allows Medicaid to cover foot and ankle care services provided by podiatric physicians, ensuring patients have access to this specialized care. Second, it updates Medicare rules to clarify documentation requirements for diabetic shoes, specifying conditions under which patients can receive extra-depth or custom-molded footwear. The changes take effect on January 1, 2026, for Medicaid services and January 1, 2028, for Medicare shoe coverage.
The Gas Prices Relief Act of 2026 would temporarily suspend federal gasoline taxes and the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund financing rate from its enactment until October 1, 2026, aiming to reduce costs for consumers who purchase gasoline. Specifically, it sets the federal excise tax on gasoline to zero during this period. To prevent funding shortfalls, the bill directs the Treasury to transfer equivalent amounts from the general fund to the Highway Trust Fund and the Leaking Underground Storage Tank Trust Fund. It also includes a policy that the tax reduction should be passed on to consumers and empowers the Secretary of the Treasury to ensure this, potentially through monetary penalties for producers and dealers who do not reduce prices.
This bill, known as the PREDICT Act, directs the federal government to provide funding to states, tribes, and local health departments for wastewater surveillance programs designed to detect and monitor infectious diseases. The legislation requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award grants and contracts to eligible entities that submit detailed plans for wastewater sampling, data sharing, and response strategies. Funds can be used to establish new testing capabilities, expand surveillance in rural areas and facilities without proper wastewater treatment, and implement evidence-based monitoring practices. The bill also mandates the creation of technical assistance programs and standardized testing guidelines to ensure consistent data collection and reporting across all participating jurisdictions.
Reclaim Trade Powers Act This bill repeals the statute that directs the President to take certain actions, such as imposing a tariff of up to 15% for up to 150 days on articles imported into the United States, when necessary to address large and serious U.S. balance-of-payments deficits or certain other situations that present fundamental international payments problems.
