The Green Ribbon Act of 2026 establishes a new program to recognize schools and non-formal learning institutions that meet specific goals for environmental literacy, emission reductions, and positive impacts on student and staff health. Under this act, the Department of Education will award grants to states and provide $10,000 honoraria to schools that demonstrate high performance in these three areas, while also creating a similar award program for museums, libraries, and other cultural institutions. The legislation creates a new office within the Department of Education to oversee technical assistance and training for sustainable school infrastructure, ensuring that under-resourced schools receive at least 40 percent of grant funding. Additionally, the bill requires the Department to update its award criteria within six months to align with health standards from the EPA and CDC and mandates annual reports on the program's progress and impact.
The Supporting Our Direct Care Workforce and Family Caregivers Act establishes a national technical assistance center and provides $1 billion in grants to help recruit, train, and retain workers who assist older adults and people with disabilities. These funds will support projects run by states, community colleges, and other organizations to create career pathways, offer apprenticeships, and provide educational resources for both direct care professionals and family caregivers. A key requirement is that at least 30% of the funded projects must focus on advancing the careers of direct care workers through professional development and clear career ladders. The bill also mandates that grant recipients include people with disabilities, older individuals, and caregivers in planning and advisory roles to ensure programs meet community needs. Additionally, the legislation allocates $2 million annually for the technical assistance center to develop training curricula and address data gaps in the workforce.
The Hazardous Fuels Transportation Assistance Act of 2026 creates a competitive grant program to help organizations transport materials removed during wildfire risk reduction projects on National Forest System lands. Eligible recipients include for-profit companies, nonprofits, state and local governments, Indian Tribes, and universities, with funding available from fiscal years 2027 through 2031. Grants can cover costs for transporting wood and biomass, maintaining transport equipment, and workforce training, but cannot be used for construction or buying timber. The program prioritizes projects in high-risk wildfire areas and offers higher funding percentages to Indian Tribes compared to other applicants.
The Medicare Cost Cap Act of 2026 establishes a $5,000 annual limit on out-of-pocket costs for Medicare fee-for-service beneficiaries starting in 2028, after which Medicare will cover 100% of additional covered expenses. This protection applies to all individuals enrolled in Medicare Part A or Part B and includes tracking mechanisms to notify patients and providers once the cap is reached. The bill also modifies eligibility rules for low-income assistance programs, aligning income thresholds between Medicare Savings Programs and Medicaid and expanding data sharing to streamline enrollment for qualifying beneficiaries.
The Let Doctors Provide Reproductive Health Care Act prohibits states and their officials from restricting or penalizing health care providers who offer reproductive health services that are legal in the state where they are performed. This includes banning laws that stop doctors, nurses, pharmacists, or their staff from providing abortion, contraception, or other reproductive care, as well as preventing the denial of professional liability insurance based on these services. The bill establishes a private right of action allowing providers to sue in federal court to challenge such restrictions and mandates that the federal government cannot use funds to support legal cases against providers acting within state law. Additionally, the legislation appropriates $80 million in grants to support legal defense funds for providers facing lawsuits and to improve physical and cybersecurity measures at health care facilities.
The SAFE Training for OB-GYNs Act creates a new federal grant program to help medical residents who must leave their home states to receive training in reproductive health care due to local abortion restrictions. Funded with up to $10 million annually from 2027 to 2031, these grants support residency programs that offer specialized training in sexual and reproductive health, including abortion care. The funding can be used to expand existing programs or establish new ones specifically for out-of-state residents and to cover their travel expenses. This legislation directly affects health care professionals seeking specialized training and the medical residency programs that provide it.
This bill authorizes the presentation of Congressional Gold Medals to the four crew members of the Artemis II mission to recognize their historic achievement in advancing human space exploration. The legislation directs the Speaker of the House and the President pro tempore of the Senate to arrange for the medals, which will feature the faces of the astronauts and be struck by the Secretary of the Treasury. In addition to the gold medals, the bill permits the minting and sale of duplicate bronze versions to help cover production costs, with any proceeds returned to the United States Mint Public Enterprise Fund.
This joint resolution seeks to block a specific rule issued by the Department of Education regarding federal student loan programs. If passed, the measure would cancel the final regulations titled "Reimagining and Improving Student Education," preventing them from taking legal effect. The bill directly impacts students and borrowers who would otherwise be subject to the new guidelines. By invoking a congressional review process, the legislation aims to stop the Department of Education from enforcing these specific changes to student loans.
This bill redesignates the existing National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund as the America's Legacy Restoration Fund to address deferred maintenance on federal lands. It directs revenue from recreation fees and a portion of energy development income into the fund, which must be used primarily for repairing critical infrastructure like roads, trails, and buildings managed by agencies such as the National Park Service and the Forest Service. The legislation establishes strict rules requiring that most funds go toward non-transportation projects, mandates transparency through public dashboards tracking project status, and sets aside a small percentage for matching private donations. Additionally, the bill increases entrance fees for foreign visitors to ensure they contribute to the fund, while prohibiting the use of these specific funds for land acquisition or employee bonuses.
This resolution commemorates the 50th anniversary of women enrolling in the U.S. Military, Naval, Air Force, and Coast Guard Academies. It formally designates a specific day to honor the history and achievements of female cadets and graduates, noting their significant contributions to military leadership and combat roles since 1976. The text highlights specific milestones, such as women earning the Army Ranger tab and commanding aircraft carriers, while acknowledging their continued service in both uniform and civilian sectors. Ultimately, the bill serves as a symbolic gesture to recognize the progress made by women in the armed forces without altering any existing laws or policies.
The Indigenous Students Excel through Parity Act of 2026 directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct two studies aimed at improving funding and staffing for Bureau-funded and tribally controlled schools. The first study will examine how to update the Indian School Equalization Formula to ensure teacher and staff salaries match the highest rates found in public schools or the Department of Defense, while also considering specific needs of small and rural schools. The second study will explore potential revenue sources to bring these schools into financial parity with other school systems. Both studies must be completed within one year of the bill's enactment, and their findings will be reported to Congress and made public.
The Small Farm Conservation Act creates a dedicated subprogram within the Environmental Quality Incentives Program to provide financial and technical assistance specifically for small-scale agricultural producers. This new initiative allocates at least 30 percent of program funds between 2027 and 2031 to support farms that are smaller than their state's median size, with special eligibility for socially disadvantaged groups, veterans, and those in high-poverty areas. Key provisions include a minimum payment of $2,500, a 50 percent bonus for soil health management on operations of 50 acres or less, and a streamlined application process designed to reduce administrative burdens. To ensure effective delivery, the bill requires the Natural Resources Conservation Service to hire and train staff familiar with small farm challenges, designate coordinators in every state, and publish outreach materials in multiple languages.
