The Indigenous Students Excel through Parity Act of 2026 directs the Secretary of the Interior to update the funding formula for Bureau of Indian Education schools and tribally controlled schools by the end of 2027. This update requires matching teacher salaries to the highest quartile of state averages and includes specific adjustments for small rural schools and the Havasupai Elementary School. The bill also mandates that future federal budgets fully fund these programs, adjusting amounts annually for inflation and ensuring non-teacher staff receive pay increases equal to federal employees. Additionally, the Secretary must submit a report to Congress evaluating the current funding adequacy and offering recommendations for further improvements.
The SAFE Drugs Act of 2026 restricts pharmacies, facilities, and physicians from compounding more than 20 times in a single month for out-of-state patients any drug that is essentially a copy of a commercially available product (e.g., containing the same active ingredient without a significant patient-specific difference). It requires these providers to submit annual reports to the federal government detailing the types of drugs compounded and the frequency for such out-of-state compounding, with reports due by year-end. The bill also mandates initial and biennial inspections for large-scale compounding facilities (those compounding over 100 times yearly) and adjusts the base fee for compounding registration to be set by the Secretary. Hospital pharmacies are exempt from the reporting requirement.
This bill simplifies the approval process for biosimilar drugs - medicines that are highly similar to, but not identical to, existing biologic drugs. It amends the Public Health Service Act to clarify when biosimilars are deemed "interchangeable" with the original drug (allowing pharmacists to substitute them without a doctor's specific order), adjusts exclusivity periods for existing biosimilars, and sets a 60-day transition period after enactment. The bill also requires the FDA to update its guidance documents within 18 months to reflect these changes. This directly affects pharmaceutical companies developing biosimilars, the FDA in its review process, and ultimately patients seeking more affordable treatment options.
This Senate resolution recognizes the importance of independent living and economic self-sufficiency for individuals with disabilities, emphasizing their right to live in their own homes and communities. It calls on the Department of Justice to rescind a recent opinion that the Senate views as undermining the legal requirement to provide community-based services instead of institutional care. The document also urges various federal agencies to improve funding for home and community-based services, increase accessible housing and transportation, and promote competitive employment opportunities for people with disabilities. Additionally, the resolution pledges bipartisan efforts to address barriers faced by individuals with disabilities, including those of color, and opposes cuts to the Medicaid program that could limit access to essential support services.
The Seeds and Breeds for the Future Act directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to allocate at least $75 million annually toward developing new plant cultivars and animal breeds that are publicly funded and available for commercial use. This funding prioritizes research on climate-resilient crops, nutritionally improved varieties for local populations, and breeds adapted to specific regional conditions or dual-use energy systems. The bill also establishes a new coordinator role to oversee breeding research across the department and mandates that any public breed developed with federal funds must be produced substantially within the United States if sold under exclusive rights. Additionally, the legislation requires the implementation of strategic plans to assess and utilize national collections of plant and animal genetic resources, ensuring these materials remain accessible for future agricultural needs.
This bill establishes a formal code of conduct for all federal judges and specifically requires the Supreme Court to create its own set of ethical rules for justices. It creates a new position called Ethics Investigations Counsel to enforce these rules, investigate potential violations, and publish annual public reports on the findings. Additionally, the legislation mandates that Supreme Court justices publicly explain their reasons for disqualifying themselves or denying requests for disqualification in any case.
The Increasing Mental Health Options Act of 2026 expands Medicare coverage for clinical psychologists by introducing financial incentives and removing certain administrative barriers. Starting in 2028, clinical psychologists working in designated rural and underserved areas will receive an additional 10 percent payment for services provided to Medicare beneficiaries. The bill also allows clinical psychologists to provide care or supervision in various settings, including outpatient rehabilitation, skilled nursing facilities, and home health services, as long as state laws permit it. These changes aim to increase access to mental health services by formally recognizing the role of clinical psychologists in Medicare-covered care.
The Local Input Act requires the Secretary of the Interior to actively engage with the public, state and local governments, and federally recognized tribes before offering federal land for oil or gas leasing. This process mandates that officials publicly disclose leasing proposals and analyze potential impacts on land resources and other uses, while also providing a specific opportunity for community comment. The bill empowers the Secretary to decide against leasing a parcel if the gathered input suggests it should not be offered. These changes directly affect federal land management decisions and increase the role of local stakeholders in energy development on public lands.
The Right to IVF Act of 2026 establishes federal protections to ensure individuals can access assisted reproductive technology and intrauterine insemination without state-imposed restrictions, while also mandating that health insurance plans, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Federal Employees Health Benefits program cover these services. The bill defines these procedures broadly to include treatments like egg and embryo freezing and requires coverage regardless of whether a patient has been diagnosed with infertility. It further directs the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide fertility preservation and reproductive assistance to uniformed service members and veterans, including funding for egg or sperm retrieval and storage. Additionally, the legislation grants federal courts the authority to challenge and block any state laws that limit access to these reproductive treatments or discriminate against providers and patients based on protected characteristics.
The Temporary Protected Status Review Act restores the ability of courts to review decisions by the Department of Homeland Security to end Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for foreign nationals. Under this bill, the government must publish detailed written findings explaining why a country no longer qualifies for TPS protection, and these decisions would be subject to a legal challenge in federal court. If a TPS designation is terminated, the affected individuals would remain in the United States with their current status and work authorization intact while the legal challenge is pending. Additionally, the legislation requires the government to follow specific administrative procedures, such as considering all available evidence and avoiding bias, before making any termination decisions.
This bill establishes federal protections and funding to expand access to in vitro fertilization and intrauterine insemination for individuals, military service members, and veterans. It requires most private health plans, Medicaid programs, and Medicare to cover these fertility treatments without imposing higher cost-sharing than other medical services. Additionally, the legislation mandates that the Department of Defense and the Department of Veterans Affairs provide specific fertility preservation and treatment benefits to uniformed service members and eligible veterans. The bill also includes preemption clauses that override state laws restricting these procedures and prohibits discrimination based on marital status, sex, or sexual orientation in the provision of care.
The Indigenous Students Excel through Parity Act of 2026 directs the Secretary of the Interior to conduct two studies aimed at improving funding and resources for Bureau-funded and tribally controlled schools. The first study will evaluate the current Indian School Equalization Formula to ensure it provides salaries for teachers and staff that 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 new revenue sources to help bring these schools into financial parity with other school systems. Both studies require the Secretary to consult with tribal organizations and submit a report to Congress with findings and recommendations on how to update the funding formula.
