This bill requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to cover abortion care, counseling, and related medication as part of standard hospital and medical services for eligible veterans and certain dependents. It amends VA healthcare law to explicitly include these services under existing coverage for veterans qualifying under section 1703 and dependents eligible under section 1781(a). The policy directly affects veterans and their dependents enrolled in VA healthcare programs by expanding covered benefits to include abortion-related care. This is a concrete policy change to VA healthcare benefits, not a broader abortion law.
The Fiscal Contingency Preparedness Act (HR 4642) requires the Treasury Secretary and OMB Director to annually examine how the federal government would respond to major crises like recessions, pandemics, natural disasters, or cyberattacks, including their short- and long-term fiscal impacts. It mandates these assessments be included in an existing annual report and specifies key crisis types to evaluate. The Government Accountability Office (GAO) must then review the methodology and results of these assessments within one year of the first report. The bill directly affects federal agencies responsible for fiscal planning (Treasury and OMB) but does not create new spending or alter existing programs. It focuses solely on improving preparedness through structured risk analysis.
Governing Unaccredited Representatives Defrauding VA Benefits Act or the GUARD VA Benefits Act This bill imposes fines on individuals for soliciting, contracting for, charging, or receiving any unauthorized fee or compensation with respect to the preparation, presentation, or prosecution of any claim for Department of Veterans Affairs benefits. The attempted commission of such offenses is also punishable by fine.
This resolution honors the significant contributions of Irish Americans to the American War for Independence during the 250th anniversary of the United States. It recognizes that Irish-born soldiers and citizens of Irish descent made up a large portion of the Continental Army and included key figures like Commodore John Barry and Charles Carroll of Carrollton, who signed the Declaration of Independence. The measure formally acknowledges the role of Irish merchants and community leaders who provided financial and material support to the revolutionary cause. It encourages Americans to reflect on this heritage as part of the broader national commemoration without proposing any new laws or funding.
This bill directs the Director of National Intelligence to conduct a comprehensive assessment of how the Chinese Communist Party has used foreign malign influence activities outside the United States since January 1, 2023. The assessment must examine impacts on U.S. alliances, regional perceptions, financial systems, and overall national security interests in key areas including the Indo-Pacific, Africa, Latin America, and Europe. The intelligence community must submit an initial report within 90 days and a final report within 180 days to designated congressional committees, with reports provided in unclassified form that may include a classified annex.
The Hospice CARE Act of 2026 introduces stricter oversight and payment reforms for Medicare hospice programs. It temporarily halts enrollment of new hospice programs for five years, with exemptions for areas lacking adequate care access, while requiring enhanced surveys and ownership reporting for existing programs. The bill also mandates that physicians certifying terminal illness must not have financial ties to the hospice program, expands who can make these certifications, and requires face-to-face patient encounters before recertification. Payment adjustments include higher rates for specific palliative services and new rules for respite care, alongside stricter penalties for programs that fail to meet quality reporting standards.
This bill, titled the Vote Without Fear Act, would make it a federal crime to knowingly possess or bring a firearm within 100 yards of a Federal election site, such as a polling place or ballot counting location. The law applies to anyone who has reason to believe they are at an election site and carries a weapon there, with exceptions for law enforcement, security personnel on duty, firearms in vehicles that are not removed or brandished, and lawful possession on private property or residences. Penalties include fines and up to one year in prison for unauthorized possession, or up to five years if the firearm is intended for use in a crime, with additional severe penalties for any deaths occurring during such violations.
This bill exempts H-1B visa holders working in healthcare from a presidential restriction that requires a $100,000 payment for entry into the United States. It directly affects foreign medical professionals and healthcare workers who hold H-1B nonimmigrant visas. The legislation removes the additional fee requirement for these workers while limiting any fees that may be charged to the standard amount already established under immigration law. The bill defines healthcare workers using the existing definition from the Affordable Care Act and was introduced in the 119th Congress in March 2026.
This bill designates the Chí'chil Biłdagoteel Historic District, a traditional cultural place significant to Western Apache and other Native American tribes, as protected land within the Tonto National Forest. It prohibits mining, toxic waste disposal, pipeline construction, and other development activities on the area to preserve its cultural and natural integrity. The legislation requires the Secretary of Agriculture to maintain the land in its natural condition, consult with affected tribes, and ensure continued access for traditional religious and cultural practices. By withdrawing the land from public land laws and mining rights, the bill prevents future extraction projects that could damage sacred sites, water sources, and ecosystems.
This bill establishes a dedicated Transportation Security Trust Fund to ensure money collected from airline passenger security fees is used exclusively for aviation security purposes. The fund would support the Transportation Security Administration by paying salaries and benefits for its personnel, funding passenger and baggage screening operations, and purchasing security technology and infrastructure. Additionally, the legislation guarantees that aviation security operations can continue without interruption during government funding lapses, prioritizing frontline staff compensation and operational expenses before using remaining funds for technology upgrades.
This resolution commemorates the fifth anniversary of the March 16, 2021, Atlanta spa shootings that killed eight people and denounces ongoing anti-Asian hate and xenophobic rhetoric. It honors the victims, condemns the violence, and calls for improved hate crime reporting and support services for affected communities. The measure also urges efforts to combat online disinformation, promote education on Asian American history, and expand federal programs aimed at preventing hate crimes.
This bill reauthorizes conservation programs for the Delaware River Basin by extending the program's funding period through 2033. It officially adds Maryland as a fifth state to the basin, expanding the geographic scope of the program beyond the original four states. The legislation also allows the Secretary to prioritize funding for projects that benefit small, rural, or disadvantaged communities. These changes amend the existing Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act to provide continued support for water conservation efforts in the region.
